First Christian Towers Inc in Winter Haven, FL

Pros

• Everyone was very nice.
• Great place for seniors to live, plenty of activities, attentive management is now there.
• Nice place.
• The people are friendly and there is a pull knob to call 911 if needed.
• The property manager is compassionate, supportive and an excellent communicator; the staff is wonderful, friendly and kind.
• Residents report very friendly customer service and a clean, nice environment.
• They like their apartments and feel safe living there.
• It is described as a great place for seniors with included utilities and good management.

Cons

• The place is a dump.
• The place is too expensive.
• Elevators were out for hours, leaving seniors unable to eat, sleep, or use bathrooms.
• The management sucks, and the elevators constantly break.
• The building is old, dirty, and plagued by roaches and pests.
• Residents have not had air conditioning in months.
• Loud alarms go off daily for months, making the area unlivable.
• Construction and maintenance are poorly managed, with days without AC and unfinished work.
• The new owners are predators, charging high rents to long-term tenants.
• Rent increases could leave current residents without money for essential needs.
• Amenities are basically non-existent: no washers/dryers, gym is a joke, no pool, grounds not well kept.
• There is mold in the central air, asbestos in the building, and roaches throughout.

Review

First Christian Towers in Winter Haven is best suited for seniors and disabled adults who need affordable, on-site housing with basic support and a degree of social activity, delivered in a older, no-frills building. This community tends to attract residents on fixed incomes who appreciate a straightforward, value-minded living arrangement and a local staff presence that can assist with routine needs. For those who prize a clean, well-maintained environment with modern amenities, however, this property often lands short of expectations; the realities of an aging property and fluctuating management shape the experience far more than the advertised lifestyle.

Those who should consider alternatives are residents who place a premium on consistent maintenance, pest-free living, and reliable climate control. Multiple reviews report serious mold and pest concerns, unreliable air conditioning, and a building that feels outdated or unfinished in key areas. Elevators and other essential systems have been described as frequently problematic, sometimes leaving seniors waiting during acute needs. Rent-related volatility under new ownership also emerges as a recurring worry, with resident budgets strained by upgrades or market-rate moves within the same building.

On the positive side, the strongest recurring strengths center on staff and community interactions. Several residents praise compassionate managers, friendly office personnel, and caregivers who maintain a calm, supportive presence during challenging times. There are mentions of safety-oriented features, such as pull-cord access to emergency services, and a sense of neighborly connection that can help with social isolation. In addition, a portion of residents report visible improvements tied to ongoing maintenance and a few upgraded apartments, along with a generally clean and welcoming common area feel when conditions are well managed.

Yet the major drawbacks consistently undercut these gains. The building's age manifests in frequent maintenance delays, unfinished projects, and inconsistent pest control. Residents recount long stretches without air conditioning in heat waves, roaches and other pests in apartments and hallways, mold in central systems, and a lack of dependable central amenities. Elevator outages compound daily life frustrations, particularly for those with mobility needs or medical conditions. Management turnover - multiple managers, leasing staff, and maintenance personnel over the years - creates communication gaps and uneven policy enforcement, leaving residents unsure about what to expect next month or next renewal.

These tensions are not trivial enough to dismiss as cosmetic flaws. They alter daily quality of life and long-term financial decisions. The most tangible offsetting factors - staff courtesy, a few well-run moves in the application and move-in process, and some residents feeling genuinely safe - will not fully compensate for chronically unreliable infrastructure, pest and mold challenges, or sudden rent shifts. For families weighing options, the math is clear: the positives can support a stable, modest lifestyle for a time, but the accumulate weight of ongoing maintenance, health and safety risks, and price volatility makes this community a conditional choice at best.

The practical takeaway is decisive. Prospective residents and families should perform a rigorous, reality-focused evaluation before committing: demand a current, comprehensive pest control schedule and remediation record; verify the latest status of air conditioning, elevators, and structural systems; inquire about upfront and ongoing costs, including any planned rent adjustments or upgrades; request recent maintenance response times and a clear escalation path for urgent issues; and seek confirmation about management stability and after-hours support. If those conditions cannot be met to a satisfactory standard, alternatives with newer buildings, stronger pest control histories, and steadier pricing should be pursued. For households prioritizing social engagement and affordability, and willing to tolerate imperfections in exchange for a manageable monthly cost, First Christian Towers can still function as a workable stopgap - yet only with candid expectations and careful, timely oversight.

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)