Lakeland Presbyterian Apt

Pros

• The staff is extremely responsive to work orders and very friendly.
• The Resident Association is very active, offering travel tours, games, afternoon get-togethers, and more.
• The facility has its own hair salon, a large laundry room, a library, an exercise room, and a dining room for get-togethers.
• There are many games and programs to join, plus movie nights and get-togethers for food and fellowship; Bingo is held on Mondays.
• It is described as an awesome place for the elderly.
• It is a great place with outstanding staff and very clean facilities.
• The people who live there are usually quite nice.
• The place is beautiful and nice.
• The staff are friendly, and Lakeland Presbyterian receives kudos.
• It is a blessing for many who need help.

Cons

• The place is depressing as a living quarters.
• There are funky smells in the hallways.
• A staff member screamed at a resident, leaving him distressed.
• Parking is inadequate.
• The elevators are extremely slow; there are only two and they run near the dumpster.
• Doors lock at 5 pm and visitors must sign in.
• The building is not handicap accessible and has dangerous slopes and speed bumps.
• The property sits on a dangerous road with a sidewalk beside moving traffic.
• Wifi was promised but never available.
• Section 8 housing paperwork was never submitted.
• Visitors are not welcome.
• Management responds aggressively to reviews and uses residents as shields.

Review

The community in question is portrayed as a senior living environment that divides opinion. On one hand, a number of residents and former visitors paint a picture of a place with strong positives: a convenient downtown location, pleasant scenery around a lake, and a robust array of on-site amenities and social opportunities. On the other hand, several reviews lampoon persistent issues with cleanliness, odors, maintenance, and interactions with staff and management. Taken together, the narratives reveal a facility that can feel welcoming and well-equipped to some, while appearing disorderly and frustrating to others.

cleanliness and the overall upkeep emerge as a central source of dissatisfaction. A recurring complaint is the presence of unpleasant smells in the hallways, described in some reviews as a "funky" or persistent odor that one reviewer attributed to the old building but another pointed to as something management should be able to address with cleaning. The sense that the premises aren't kept up as well as they could be appears in multiple comments: "cleanness isn't the greatest," a complaint that one reviewer folds into a broader impression of the building "stinking," and specific mentions that one elevator is often down, adding to the sense of neglect. Taken together, these remarks suggest a building that sometimes feels neglected in its day-to-day maintenance, even as it offers other features that residents value.

The experience of interaction with staff and management adds another layer of contrast. Several accounts emphasize helpful, responsive staff and a vibrant resident community; yet other reviewers describe rude or disengaged treatment, difficulty with after-hours accessibility, and a perception that management responded aggressively to criticism. One dramatic note centers on an incident inside the facility where a staff member was observed yelling at a resident, an image that left a negative impression about how the community handles conflicts. In another vein, multiple comments commend staff for being attentive and quick to address work orders, while others question whether the administration's handling of feedback and reviews was professional or fair. Collectively, the responses suggest a culture in which positive experiences depend heavily on who you interact with, when you visit, and what unit or management layer you encounter.

Despite the criticisms, there is a strong thread of appreciation for the positives the community provides. The property is described as an independent living facility for seniors, not a full-service assisted living environment, which some residents view as a virtue because it enables a degree of autonomy while still offering convenient support networks. The setting is praised for its location - downtown Lakeland proximity to cultural and recreational options, with downtown amenities not far away - and for the natural beauty around a nearby lake and waterfowl. The area also features distance-friendly conveniences like nearby libraries and churches, and the building itself includes on-site extras such as a hair salon, a large laundry room, a library, an exercise room, a dining space for social events, and ongoing programming. The resident association is described as highly active, organizing travel, games, and social gatherings, which can make life lively and engaging for people who value community connection.

Several reviews highlight the practical, day-to-day conveniences that contribute to a positive living experience. People comment on the availability of on-site services and social opportunities like movie nights, bingo, and various programs that encourage participation and fellowship. The sense of a busy, active social environment appears to be a major factor in why some residents choose to stay, even if other aspects disappoint them. There are also expressions of gratitude from people who have had positive interactions with staff in terms of responsiveness and friendliness, and from family members who appreciate the support they receive when checking on loved ones or navigating the waiting lists and admissions process.

However, as the reviews unfold, there are tangible criticisms that prospective residents should weigh. Parking is frequently described as inadequate, with the parking lot deemed not suitable for the elderly in some comments. The building's infrastructure - such as elevators that are slow or sometimes out of service - and security measures like doors that are locked after a certain hour are cited as potential inconveniences or safety concerns, especially for those with mobility limitations or those who rely on after-hours access. One account flags that the sidewalk is perilously close to moving traffic on a dangerous road, highlighting broader concerns about accessibility and safety for residents who require careful navigation. Another reviewer notes that despite claims of included wifi or other amenities, certain services were not actually available when needed, which can erode trust and satisfaction.

In terms of admissions and resident life structure, there is a recurring distinction between independent living and assisted living that shapes expectations. Several reviewers emphasize that the facility is intended for independent living, with many residents relying on private caregivers for daily tasks and transportation. This distinction colors how some people experience the staff and campus resources: the emphasis on independence can be empowering for some, yet it can also leave others feeling that support systems are unevenly distributed or not as comprehensive as they might need. The waiting list and the process of applying or reapplying after changes in circumstances are also mentioned, underscoring that timing and administrative interactions can significantly affect a person's experience and sense of security.

Ultimately, what emerges is a complex portrait: a community that can feel welcoming, well-equipped, and socially rich, even as it struggles with consistency in cleanliness, maintenance, safety nuances, and management response. The reviews suggest that for many residents, the strongest draw is the combination of convenient downtown location, engaging activities, and a strong sense of community among neighbors. For others, persistent odor issues, maintenance gaps, slow elevators, limited parking, and mixed interactions with staff and management create an environment that feels less inviting and more fraught with daily irritants. If you are considering moving here, the experiences summarized demonstrate the value of a thorough, hands-on visit - inspecting hallways and common areas for cleanliness, testing elevators and accessibility, speaking with current residents about how management handles complaints, and asking pointed questions about safety, parking, and the availability of services you would rely on as your independence changes.

This part of Lakeland, Florida offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With several restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies within close proximity, residents have easy access to dining options and healthcare essentials. The presence of physicians' offices and hospitals nearby ensures convenient medical care when needed. Additionally, the availability of parks provides opportunities for recreation and outdoor activities. Places of worship are also easily accessible for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. The transportation options in the area include railroad tracks for potential travel needs. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded environment with essential services for seniors looking to settle in Lakeland.

Restaurants

• Reececliff Restaurant (0.4 miles)
• Nineteen61 (0.4 miles)
• Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille (0.5 miles)
• Texas Cattle Company (0.6 miles)
• Fred's Market Lakeland (1.7 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.5 miles)
• IHOP (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic (0.4 miles)
• Ratnamani Lingamallu (1.5 miles)
• Lakeland Eye Clinic (1.6 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Health Medical Group (1.8 miles)
• Dr Marc Guerrier Primary Care (1.8 miles)
• Angel Primary Care Clinic (1.9 miles)
• Ellington John R,MD (2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Ariana Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Pharmacy LRMC (1.5 miles)
• Tri County Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)

Parks

• Adair PARK (1.4 miles)
• Woodlake Park (2.8 miles)
• Lake Parker Park (3 miles)

Hospitals

• Lakeland Regional Health (1.4 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Heal (1.6 miles)
• Radiology Department (1.6 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Endoscopy Unit (1.6 miles)
• Polk Starlight Sleep Labs (2 miles)
• Central Florida Surgi-Center (3 miles)

Places of Worship

• South Florida Baptist Association (2.6 miles)
• Christ Lutheran Church (2.8 miles)
• Victory Church at Lakeside Village (3 miles)
• Church Of The Resurrection (3 miles)
• Way Community Church (3.2 miles)
• The Rock Community Church (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• Railroad Tracks (3.1 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark USA (3.9 miles)