Franklin Park Apartments in New London, WI

Pros

• The place is decent.
• The building is very nice and secure.
• There is a community room where people gather for coffee.
• On-site laundry, free WiFi, and two hairdressers are available by appointment.

Cons

• Bed bugs have infested the building for years, and management refuses to address the problem.
• The infestation is an ongoing issue that causes suffering for residents.
• Some residents are targeted by management.
• Bed bugs have repeatedly appeared and continued to be a problem.
• Shaming the management, they have failed to resolve the bed bug situation.

Review

Franklin Park Apartments in New London is best suited for independent seniors who want a secure, walkable building with social opportunities and practical on-site conveniences, provided they can tolerate persistent pest issues and a hands-off management approach. It works for residents who prize community spaces, accessible amenities, and the basics of daily living without needing ongoing care. For anyone who depends on regular assistance, medical oversight, or a consistently responsive management team, this community is not the right fit. Families should seriously consider alternatives if a pest-free environment or proactive service is non-negotiable, or if a provider with stronger oversight is preferred.

The anchor issue in the feedback is bed bugs, an infestation that has persisted for years and reportedly has not been adequately resolved by management. Residents describe ongoing bed bug activity that comes and goes, with some feeling targeted or neglected by leadership. This is not a one-off complaint but a pattern that undermines comfort, sleep, and overall well-being. The perception that management refuses to address the problem creates a climate of distrust and elevates risk for anyone with sensitivities to bites or allergic reactions. In a setting where independence still means sharing walls and common spaces, a pest problem of this scale becomes a daily concern, not a background irritation.

Despite the negative framing around pest control, there are tangible positives that can materially affect daily living. The building is described as very nice and secure, which matters for residents who value safety and a sense of stability. A community room serves as a social anchor, offering a predictable space for casual gatherings, coffee, and neighbor connections that can help reduce isolation. On-site laundry and free WiFi reduce trip-ups in daily routines, while the availability of two hairdressers by appointment adds a modest but meaningful layer of convenience for residents who value personal care without long trips off-site. These features reflect a practical, neighborly environment that supports independent living, especially for older adults who want to minimize errands and travel.

When weighing pros against cons, the secure, social, amenity-rich aspects of Franklin Park do offset some everyday friction, but they do not erase the core risk presented by bed bugs and the management response. The conveniences, on-site laundry, social space, and in-building services, can keep a resident engaged and maintain a degree of autonomy, particularly for those who prefer not to drive or coordinate multiple vendors for basic needs. However, the pest issue casts a long shadow. It jeopardizes comfort, sleep quality, and perceived safety inside living spaces, and the sense that management is slow to act compounds hesitancy about long-term residency. In short, the positives help the day-to-day living experience, but the pests and the leadership’s stance on remediation carry a weight that the favorable amenities cannot fully offset.

For families evaluating options, a practical decision framework is essential. If independence remains the priority and the budget is favorable, Franklin Park can be considered with explicit, documented expectations: request a concrete pest-control remediation plan with timelines, a commitment to regular treatments, and a transparent log of past interventions. Insist on a detailed move-in pest inspection and a written remediation schedule, including response times for new incidents. Probe management about how residents are protected from targeted actions and what recourse exists if symptoms persist. Also verify lease terms, rent escalation, and what happens if bed bug issues recur after remediation. Above all, corroborate the lived experience by speaking with current residents about responsiveness and trust in maintenance.

Alternatives should be weighed for families who prioritize a pest-free living environment and more proactive management. Other independent-living options, or licensed assisted living communities in the area, typically offer firmer pest-control protocols and clearer accountability from leadership. Those options can deliver not only stronger day-to-day oversight but access to care services should needs evolve. In looking beyond Franklin Park, compare not just monthly costs and apartments, but the quality of pest management, the cadence of maintenance responses, and the responsiveness of management to resident concerns. This approach protects against trading one set of hassles for another and helps ensure a living environment where safety, comfort, and dignity are consistently prioritized.

In sum, Franklin Park Apartments represents a practical, socially anchored option for independent seniors who value security and in-building conveniences and who can tolerate ongoing pest challenges. The presence of a strong social framework and straightforward amenities is appealing, but the enduring bed bug problem and perceived management inaction are decisive drawbacks for anyone who cannot accept periodic infestations or who requires dependable remediation. For those who require daily care, or for families unwilling to tolerate pest-related risk, alternatives with more aggressive pest control and tighter operational oversight are the prudent path. The decision should hinge on the resident’s tolerance for pest issues, the importance placed on management responsiveness, and the willingness to trade some conveniences for a consistently cleaner, more proactively managed living environment.