Island Place

Pros

• Sandy was and continues to be very helpful.
• Sandy, Kelly, and the maintenance staff are welcoming and helpful.
• The management team is thoughtful and responsive.
• They went above and beyond to make the family feel welcome.
• The building is secure and meticulously cared for.
• The grounds are beautiful and close to walking trails and the river.
• The office staff are prompt in answering questions.
• Island Place is clean and welcoming.
• The Commons area is fun and inviting for family and friends.
• The furnished apartments are wonderful and have everything you could need.
• Our garage space is safe as is the whole complex with security entrances.

Cons

• They would give zero stars if they could.
• They felt the month-to-month availability was misrepresented and the upfront security deposit was an unnecessary hurdle.
• They described withholding a refund because it would be "extra work" as unprofessional and unacceptable.
• They were never clearly informed about a refund and their forwarding address went unanswered.
• They had to stop a payment and were told to reissue a check, incurring NSF fees and no prior notice.
• They found the complex unresponsive: doors were locked, no one to discuss availability, and voicemails went unreturned.
• An automated account-deactivation email added to their frustration.

Review

The collection of recent experiences paints a picture of two very different facets of housing life in this community. On one hand, there is a troubling, frustrating episode involving a rental agency and a security deposit that was paid with the expectation of a month-to-month arrangement, only to discover that the unit was not available for that term. The sequence of events reads like a cautionary tale: a property management company required a security deposit before any lease was sent, the deposit was paid within 24 hours, and then the applicants learned the unit could not be offered on a month-to-month basis. When they reached out to cancel, they received a reply that sounded dismissive and framed as extra work for the company: "I don't know if that is an option. The unit has been made available for you guys, so all of this is extra work if the unit is not taken." The message was signed by "Manny - Invest Property Management." There was no signed lease or other binding agreement at that moment, yet the attempt to recover the deposit ran into bureaucratic and communicative roadblocks. A forwarding address was requested, and after providing it, the would-be tenants asked for confirmation of a refund, but they received no timely reply. Only later did an automated email indicate that their account had been deactivated, and a bank-stopped payment saved them from an attempted charge. The property management later claimed they would issue a check but also noted that it would deduct the cancelled amount and an NSF fee, with nothing upfront to indicate a refund was imminent. In short, the experience left them angry, frustrated by the lack of clear communication, and feeling misled about the refund process.

The follow-up notes from that same situation describe a broader impression of poor accessibility and professionalism. The reviewers describe a lockout reality - doors at the apartment complex were locked, and there was nobody available to discuss current availability. Calls and voicemails went unanswered, creating a sense of unreliability and unprofessionalism. The overarching sentiment is that the experience was marked by unresponsiveness and a lack of transparency at a time when clear information and timely communication were most needed.

Into these tough experiences, the remaining content shifts to a long, positive portrait of Island Place and the people who staff and manage it. A line that stands out in the middle of the post - "Blood Moon Covens meeting place" - reads as a stray, seemingly unrelated insertion among otherwise consistent feedback about Island Place. Despite that odd aside, the bulk of the commentary consistently centers on strong, praise-filled impressions of the property and its team. Throughout the reviews, residents and visitors repeatedly highlight Sandy and Kelly, the on-site staff, as being especially welcoming, responsive, and helpful. Messages repeatedly describe Island Place as a pleasant place to move to, with several people saying they would recommend it to others and that Sandy was a key reason why their experience was so positive.

The Island Place community emerges as distinctly people-centered. Several reviewers specifically commend the staff for going above and beyond in making newcomers feel welcome. One note thanks Sandy for her ongoing help and describes the move-in experience as very pleasant, with ongoing appreciation for the staff's attentiveness. Others echo this sentiment, stating outright that the complex, its staff, and its residents created a warm, inviting atmosphere. Time and again, residents express gratitude for the courtesy, promptness, and care of the office team, signaling a reliable sense of community and support.

Travel nurses and short-term residents form an especially positive subset of the feedback. Several reviewers highlight the furnished apartments as well-equipped and well-suited to shorter stays, with references to the practicality of the accommodations for professionals who need reliable housing on tight schedules. The staff - especially Sandy - are repeatedly praised for making these stays smooth and comfortable. The sentiment is that Island Place delivers a high-quality, turnkey experience for those in town for a contract or temporary assignment, with the apartments offering everything a traveling professional could need. The sense of a supportive, responsive management team helping people settle in quickly comes through strongly in these comments.

Beyond the people, the physical setting and amenities receive consistent praise. Reviewers describe Island Place as a well-kept, secure environment with a clean, welcoming aesthetic. The grounds are noted as meticulously cared for, and the building itself is described as safe and well-maintained. Residents emphasize conveniences such as the river walk, proximity to downtown, and the sense of community that arises from well-organized social activities. Some remarks highlight the quiet, tidy atmosphere and the thoughtful touches that contribute to a home-like feeling, from the lobby's amenities to the clean hallways and well-maintained common areas. There is also appreciation for the staff's willingness to respond promptly to maintenance requests, which helps reinforce the sense of reliability and comfort.

Financial considerations are not ignored entirely within these reviews. While many comments brim with warmth and appreciation, at least one account notes a concern over budgeting and affordability, acknowledging that Island Place might be a bit steep for some budgets. Yet even this observation sits alongside a broader consensus: the overall experience, the quality of the living space, and the quality of the on-site management combine to create a strong value proposition for those who prioritize a well-run, community-focused living environment. In the end, the collective voice is one of enthusiastic endorsement: Island Place is described as a clean, welcoming, and highly livable place with an attentive staff, a thriving social scene, and a setting that makes downtown living and river walks feel accessible and enjoyable.

In sum, the stories converge on two realities. For some, dealings with a rental agency and deposit processes were frustrating, opaque, and financially costly, underscoring the risks of misrepresentation and inadequate communication. For others, Island Place emerges as a beacon of hospitality and community, where professional, caring staff - headlined by Sandy and Kelly - create a trustworthy and enjoyable living experience. The contrast between these two threads highlights the importance of clear, transparent policies and responsive communication in the rental process, while also underscoring how a well-managed, people-focused property can deliver lasting satisfaction and a strong sense of home.

This area of Wausau, Wisconsin offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing for senior living. With several parks nearby such as Isle of Ferns Park and Riveredge Parkway, residents have opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisurely walks. There are also multiple dining options including McDonald's, Jalapenos Mexican Restaurante & Bar, and Red Eye Brewing Company for convenient meal choices. Access to medical care is readily available with physicians like Dr. Kirk DeYoung and Aspirus Family Physicians within a short distance. Additionally, there are places of worship in the vicinity such as St Michael Catholic Church and Our Saviors Lutheran Church for spiritual support. Transportation options like the D bus make it easy to get around the area, while pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS provide convenient access to medications. Hospitals like North Central Health Care are also nearby for any medical emergencies or ongoing healthcare needs. Overall, this part of Wausau provides a mix of amenities that can support a comfortable and convenient senior living experience.

Parks

• Isle of Ferns Park (0.2 miles)
• Riveredge Parkway (0.4 miles)
• Marathon Park (1 miles)
• Riverlife Playground (1 miles)
• Merrill Ave Triangle (1.5 miles)
• Scholfield Park (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.2 miles)
• Jalapenos Mexican Restaurante & Bar (0.3 miles)
• Red Eye Brewing Company (0.5 miles)
• Lil' Ole Winemaker Shoppe (0.5 miles)
• Hmong Eggroll (0.5 miles)
• KFC (0.5 miles)
• Chatterbox Bar (0.7 miles)

Physicians

• Dr. Kirk DeYoung (0.3 miles)
• Aicher David J DDS - Aicher David J, DDS - Advanced Dental Professionals (0.4 miles)
• Aspirus Family Physicians (0.9 miles)
• Michael Umland MD (0.9 miles)
• Bridge Clinic (1.2 miles)
• Bridge Community Health Clinic (1.2 miles)
• American Telepsychiatry (1.2 miles)

Cafes

• Whitewater Music Hall (0.3 miles)
• Biggby Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Institute of Christ the King (0.4 miles)
• Nulifesong Outreach (0.4 miles)
• Wausau Bible Church (0.8 miles)
• St Michael Catholic Church (1 miles)
• Our Saviors Lutheran Church (1 miles)
• Rocket Industrial Sales Meeting (1.7 miles)
• Remnant Student Ministries (1.7 miles)

Transportation

• D bus (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Young's Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Young's Drug Store (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Trig's Floral & Home (1.4 miles)
• Young's Drug Store (1.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Safe Kids Wausau Area (1.4 miles)
• North Central Health Care (1.7 miles)
• Westhill Professional Building (2.3 miles)
• Aspirus Behavioral Medicine Clinic (2.3 miles)
• Oakview Professional Building (2.3 miles)