Oak Terrace Retirement Community in Springfield, IL

Pros

• The staff is excellent, knowledgeable, and helpful.
• The rooms are nice and clean.
• The food is excellent.
• The dining room serves wonderful meals.
• The community has an amazing sense of community and is welcoming.
• Hickory Glen feels warm, homey, and like a friendly retirement community.
• Front desk staff are great, and there is always someone on duty to help.
• The staff go above and beyond to meet residents' needs.
• There are plenty of activities, crafts, and outings for residents.
• The place is beautiful and the staff are caring.
• Residents form close friendships and feel like family.
• It is a good place for seniors to live.
• The building has a family-style atmosphere.
• Margie Roth performs like a professional.

Cons

• The reviewer found it expensive and couldn't commit to paying for it because they weren't sure they'd be able to pay.
• The rooms were clean but small.

Review

Oak Terrace Retirement Community is best suited for seniors who prize a warm, family-like environment, a bustle of social activity, and a strong sense of belonging. The reviews describe a campus where residents are genuinely connected, staff know names, and every day offers opportunities to socialize, participate in crafts, outings, and group events, all while enjoying dependable dining that feels like home. This setting works particularly well for independent or lightly assisted seniors who want predictable routines, reliable security, and a community that treats each resident as a member of a large, caring extended family. For couples who want to remain close and for octogenarians seeking a vibrant, low-stress home base, Oak Terrace presents a compelling fit.

Those who should consider alternatives are primarily those facing tighter budgets or needing higher-acuity care. The consensus across reviews points to a premium experience - strong on atmosphere, amenities, and personal attention - but costs can be a significant hurdle. Families with limited resources may find other communities more affordable while still delivering solid care. Likewise, residents whose medical needs require more intensive skilled nursing, memory care, or round-the-clock clinical supervision will want to compare whether Oak Terrace can scale its services accordingly or whether a facility dedicated to higher-acuity care would better align with care goals.

The major upsides center on the community's atmosphere and the quality of daily life. Residents consistently highlight a welcoming, busy, and friendly environment where staff are not only capable but genuinely invested in residents' well-being. The dining experience stands out as a recurrent highlight, described as satisfying and consistently well prepared, which helps residents stay engaged in meals and social routines. The breadth of activities - from crafts to outings to entertainment - gives seniors meaningful choices every day, sustaining purpose, identity, and a sense of normalcy within a retirement setting. Security and accessibility features are perceived as solid, contributing to peace of mind for families.

The strongest downside in the collective experience is the cost barrier, paired with the possibility that some floor plans or living spaces feel compact against modern expectations. Yet these drawbacks are largely offset by the benefits: the warmth of the staff, the depth of community connections, the reliability of dining, and the richness of programming. For many families, the value of a living environment where residents form enduring friendships and where staff consistently go the extra mile translates into a meaningful trade-off. The prospect of a long, comfortable tenure among people who feel like extended family often eclipses the concern over premium pricing.

For families evaluating Oak Terrace, a practical path is essential. Request a thorough floor-plan tour to understand room sizes, kitchen amenities, and storage options, because perceived space can shape daily living more than anticipated. Review the activity calendar and ask how residents participate in decision-making about programming; success here hinges on truly accessible, diverse options that sustain independence. Inquire about care transitions, respite availability, and the facility's ability to accommodate evolving needs without disruptive moves. Finally, probe financials early - what is included in monthly fees, what costs may rise over time, and what long-term care options exist if levels of care intensify.

Overall, Oak Terrace stands out as a practical choice for seniors who want a lively, supportive, and homelike environment with dependable staff and appealing dining and activity life. For those prioritizing affordability, or whose plans may require higher levels of care, alternatives deserve careful comparison. The decision should hinge on balance: does the expected quality of daily life, the depth of community, and the confidence in caregiving continuity outweigh the premium price for a resident who thrives in a bustling, affectionate, and well-supported setting? In that calculus, Oak Terrace offers a compelling, well-rounded option for families prioritizing people-centered living.

This part of Springfield, Illinois, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors. With pharmacies like County Market, CVS Pharmacy, and Walgreens nearby, access to medication and healthcare is easily accessible. The presence of physicians such as Kumar A MD Frcp Faad and Jennifer Richards, MD ensures quality medical care in the area. Transportation options like U-Haul Moving & Storage are available for easy mobility. Residents can enjoy dining options at Alexander's Steakhouse, Monty's Submarines, and other restaurants within close proximity. Parks like Douglas Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, cafes such as Brunchfield Cafe and Grab-A-Java offer cozy spots to socialize with friends over a cup of coffee. Places of worship like West Side Christian Church cater to spiritual needs in the community. Overall, this area of Springfield provides a well-rounded environment for senior living with various services and facilities readily accessible.

Pharmacies

• County Market (0.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Pill Box Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• County Market (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• Kumar A MD Frcp Faad (0.3 miles)
• Adarsh A Kumar (0.3 miles)
• Comprehensive Prosthetics & Orthotics (0.6 miles)
• Bergh-White Opticians (0.8 miles)
• Hardwick, Jennifer MD-Siu School-Medicine (0.9 miles)
• Jennifer Richards, MD (1.2 miles)
• Springfield Clinic (1.3 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.5 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Alexander's Steakhouse (0.6 miles)
• Monty's Submarines (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• Hardee's (1.1 miles)
• Westwoods Lodge Pub & Grill (1.1 miles)
• Boone's Saloon (1.4 miles)
• Taco Gringo (1.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Land (0.8 miles)
• The Regional Cancer Center (1.6 miles)
• Fresenius Kidney Care (2.7 miles)

Parks

• Douglas Park (1 miles)
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site (2 miles)
• Lincoln Park (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Brunchfield Cafe (1.3 miles)
• D&J Cafe (1.5 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Springfield Carriage Company (2 miles)
• Grab-A-Java (2.2 miles)
• Pease's at Bunn Gourmet (2.3 miles)
• Oh-Icee (2.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• West Side Christian Church (1.4 miles)
• Union Baptist Church (2.5 miles)