First Christian Towers Inc

Pros

• They describe it as a great place for seniors to live, with plenty of activities and attentive management.
• They note that the people are friendly and there is a pull-knob to call 911 in case of falls.
• They praise the property manager Sharon as compassionate and an excellent communicator, and the staff as wonderful, friendly, and kind.
• They mention the office staff as very nice and helpful during the application process.
• They mention nice grounds and that several apartments have been upgraded with new appliances and carpet.
• They describe the environment as clean with good customer service.
• They acknowledge staff for helping keep residents safe through a storm.

Cons

• The elevators are constantly breaking, leaving seniors unable to eat, sleep, or use bathrooms for hours.
• The management is described as poor, with frequent turnover of managers and leasing staff.
• The building is old and dirty and plagued by roaches in apartments and hallways; pest control is not regularly performed.
• The property lacks basic amenities (no washer/dryer, limited gym, no pool) and the grounds are poorly maintained.
• The new owners are seen as raising rents aggressively, pricing long-term residents out.
• Central air has not worked for months, leaving units unbearably hot, especially for residents with medical conditions.
• Loud alarms go off daily for months, making the area uninhabitable.
• Construction work is shoddy and unfinished; maintenance is slow to complete repairs.
• The place is described as a dump and not worth living in, even for free.
• There are reports of asbestos, mold, and pervasive roaches, raising health and safety concerns.

Review

This collection of remarks paints a complex and at times troubling portrait of a senior living community that many residents approach with mixed feelings. On one hand, there are voices praising the kindness and responsiveness of certain staff members and the convenience of having a place that caters to older adults. On the other hand, a chorus of complaints centers on safety concerns, chronic maintenance failures, pest problems, and soaring costs that make life there feel precarious for people on fixed incomes and those with medical needs. The tone shifts between gratitude for compassionate individuals and frustration or fear over ongoing, unresolved issues that affect daily life - especially for elders, disabled residents, and anyone relying on reliable air conditioning, functioning elevators, or a calm, well-kept environment.

Maintenance and infrastructure problems dominate the negative reports. Several reviews describe elevators that "are out for over five hours" or malfunction frequently, leaving seniors unable to access meals, bathrooms, or their apartments. Central air has failed for extended periods, with some residents saying they have endured months without air conditioning or have had to rely on improvised solutions like small fans while temperatures hit uncomfortable highs. There are mentions of a construction company working on-site and not finishing tasks promptly, with a maintenance staff member sometimes identified by residents as the one expected to complete unfinished work. Complaints about mold, asbestos, and general deterioration further underscore a building that many residents feel is aging beyond its ability to meet current needs, with central air problems and roaches cited repeatedly as persistent, unacceptable conditions.

The management experience is deeply polarized. A number of residents describe the management team as troublesome, ineffective, or dismissive, with phrases like "management there suck" and calls for accountability through code enforcement or even media exposure. Yet a few reviews highlight compassionate, communicative leaders and reliable staff members who make the application, move-in, and everyday experiences smoother. Names surfaced in positive light include a property manager praised for being compassionate and a staff group described as wonderful and kind. Other reviews recount frequent turnover, with repeated changes in managers, leasing staff, and maintenance personnel over relatively short periods, leading to inconsistent experiences and uncertainty about who will handle problems and follow through on promised repairs.

Affordability remains one of the most fraught topics. Several residents convey real anxiety about rent increases that seem out of step with fixed incomes and limited means. One person notes a market-rate upgrade with water and electric included that may still strain a tight budget, while others point out that top-floor units demand well over $1,000 per month and that even a newly offered upgraded unit could still push a resident toward financial brink if their income is limited. The sentiment is clear: while the property may offer certain services and a senior-focused environment, the financial burden can be overwhelming, and the promise of upgrades can feel like a bait-and-switch if long-standing tenants see little relief in their monthly costs or loss of amenities.

Safety and daily living conditions are at the heart of many accounts. The presence of loud alarms that go off daily for months creates a sense of disruption and insecurity, particularly for residents with medical needs or sensory sensitivities. The combination of roaches and pests in multiple floors, unsatisfactory pest control responses, and hallways that feel dirty or inadequately maintained contributes to a sense that the building is not a safe or healthy place to live. Several residents describe mold in air ducts and other interior spaces, with one letter from former tenants pressing for notice before contractor visits - an indicator that even routine repairs can become stressful when tenants feel their living conditions are hazardous. The mention of asbestos in the building adds a particular weight to these concerns, reinforcing fears about long-term health implications.

Amenities and daily conveniences are frequently criticized as insufficient or non-existent. The absence of washers and dryers in units, the limited or nonfunctional gym, the lack of a pool, and halls that are not well-kept all contribute to a perception of outdated facilities that no longer meet the needs of today's seniors. Some units have had upgrades like new appliances or carpet, but many others have not, leaving residents with old furnishings and ongoing complaints about cleanliness and upkeep. The discrepancy between upgraded apartments on one hand and neglected or unchanged units on the other fosters a sense of inequality and disappointment among residents who expect consistency across the property.

There are moments of hope and warmth amid the turmoil. A portion of residents extols the friendly atmosphere, cooperative neighbors, and the sense that the community can be a good home when things are functioning well. A few notes commend particular staff for helping with storms or ensuring safety, and some residents express a genuine sense of belonging, even if the physical environment and administrative processes sometimes fail to meet basic expectations. In those healthier moments, tenants speak of listening staff, the willingness to help, and a belief that the right approach and leadership could restore stability and trust.

Overall, the sentiment is a tapestry of care and concern. For every resident who calls the place a dump and laments the lack of repairs, roaches, or rising rent, there is another who mentions kindness from a manager, quick responses in emergencies, or the comfort of a safe location for aging family members. The underlying thread, however, is a sense that the facility has significant structural and procedural challenges that jeopardize health, safety, and affordability for its senior residents. Until durability in maintenance, transparency from management, and a more predictable, affordable model can be established, many tenants will continue to weigh their options carefully, seeking improvements before they can confidently call this place a true home.

This area of Winter Haven, Florida, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community. With multiple physicians' offices nearby, including The Barranco Clinic and Pediatric Partners Of Winter Haven, residents can easily access medical care. There are also several restaurants within walking distance such as McDonald's and Barrel 239 for dining out options. For those seeking spiritual fulfillment, Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church is close by. Additionally, pharmacies like Kay Pharmacy and Walgreens are conveniently located for prescription needs. Transportation is accessible with Bartow Municipal Airport only a short drive away. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of healthcare services, dining options, places of worship, and transportation convenience for seniors looking to enjoy their retirement years in a vibrant community setting.

Physicians

• The Barranco Clinic (0.1 miles)
• Pediatric Partners Of Winter Haven (0.3 miles)
• Rodrigo A. Bolanos (0.5 miles)
• MyEyeDr (0.6 miles)
• Central Florida Pain Management (0.7 miles)
• Winter Haven Audiology (0.7 miles)
• Gessler Clinic (0.7 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Barrel 239 (0.4 miles)
• Old Man Frank's (0.4 miles)
• Egg Haven (0.4 miles)
• Andy's Drive-In Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Crispers Fresh Salads, Soups and Sandwiches (0.9 miles)
• Hungry Crab (1.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgical Center (0.4 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital Occupational Health (0.7 miles)
• Nierman Stephen Winter Haven Hospital Winter Haven (0.8 miles)
• Regency Medical Center (1.1 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital Cath Lab (1.9 miles)
• Day Surgery Center (3.1 miles)
• Mpn Medical Center Dundee (6.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church (0.4 miles)
• First Missionary Baptist Church (1.4 miles)
• The Rock of Winter Haven (3.4 miles)
• Winter Haven Worship Center (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Baking Donuts Plus (0.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kay Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)

Transportation

• Bartow Municipal Airport-KBOW (5.4 miles)

Parks

• Circle B Bar Reserve (7.7 miles)
• Lake Eva Park (8.8 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Eagle Ridge Mall (8.7 miles)