Simeon Square Retirement Community

Pros

• The rooms are nice and very affordable.
• Simeon Square is clean, well cared for, safe, and close to Immanuel Lutheran.
• The pricing and maintenance setup is presented as a great deal, with water and heat included in the maintenance.
• Life leases are described as affordable, with upfront costs that depreciate and the possibility of getting some money back.
• The community is wonderful, with residents eating lunch together, playing cards, and celebrating holidays.
• The pastor would fully recommend Simeon Square to his own family.

Cons

• One reviewer is skeptical about why a senior would buy an apartment, questioning how many have $62,000 or $70,000 upfront.
• They worry that, after death, the church and living facility could profit from the arrangement.
• They warn potential buyers with "BUYER BEWARE," stating they could not obtain a consistent price on the units.

Review

Simeon Square has sparked a broad mix of reactions among readers who weigh its retirement living options against the realities of upfront costs, ongoing fees, and the sense of community it promises. The threads begin with a skeptical bent: a commenter questions why a senior would buy an apartment or condo at all, especially when the price tags sit around $62,000 for a one-bedroom and $70,000 for a two-bedroom. The post raises classic retiree concerns - whether a life lease or ownership makes more sense, whether someone really has that kind of cash on hand, and whether the math of "you only pay for electricity" or similar claims could actually hold up in everyday living. There's also an undercurrent of worry about how a church-affiliated living facility might profit from a resident's passing, and whether everyone truly has the means or desire to pursue this model.

In response, Deb T., who introduces herself as the manager of Simeon Square, lays out the new pricing clearly: one-bedroom units are $62,000 and two-bedroom units are $70,000. She frames this in contrast to traditional renting: if someone rented an apartment at about $1,100 a month plus utilities, the cost over 15 years would total around $200,000. By contrast, moving into Simeon Square shifts the financial exposure toward maintenance fees, which cover water and heat. Her takeaway is emphatic: even if a resident stays for 40 years, the ongoing obligation remains the maintenance fee, and if someone leaves within the first 15 years, they can receive a prorated amount back. She concludes that this arrangement is "the best deal in town" for those seeking retirement living with predictable costs.

A separate voice adds a practical, family-centered concern: do they accept two very small dogs? The commenter notes that their mother currently lives there and asks about pet policies, signaling that mobility, aging, and pet-friendly accommodations are significant considerations for those evaluating Simeon Square. The tone is earnest and practical, signaling that a potential resident isn't just weighing dollars and cents but also daily life, companionship, and the ability to bring along a beloved pet in later years.

Another thread introduces a more institutional perspective. A long-tenured board member writes to share his sense of transparency and opportunity: some prospective residents lack the upfront money, so Simeon Square has explored various payment options to accommodate different situations. He expresses personal admiration for the community's cleanliness, care, safety, and proximity to Immanuel Lutheran Church. He can envision himself living there in the future, and he invites others to tour the facility and meet current residents. This message frames Simeon Square not merely as a financial product but as a living community with a strong church connection and a practical willingness to adapt payment structures to real-world finances.

A church-affiliated voice - identifying himself as the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church - adds another layer: he would wholeheartedly recommend Simeon Square to his own family. He paints a picture of an engaged, social community where residents attend Bible classes, share meals, play cards, and celebrate holidays together. The description emphasizes intergenerational ties and active community life, including children from the church visiting for trick-or-treating and the church's caroling outings at Christmas. This portrayal positions Simeon Square as more than a financial arrangement: it's a living, faith-centered neighborhood where everyday rituals and social bonds form part of the value proposition.

On the financial mechanics side, another participant offers a detailed breakdown of the pricing structure, clarifying that there are different plans within Simeon Square's "life lease" framework. One example cites paying $72,000 for a two-bedroom, with a potential $20,000 refund if you move out after 20 years. There's an alternative plan priced at $57,600 for a two-bedroom, where the value depreciates to zero over 20 years. After buying in, the monthly maintenance fees are listed as $225. The commenter then sums up a cost comparison: the first plan would translate to about $442 a month, and the second plan about $465 a month, both covering the first 20 years and including maintenance. Utilities are included except electricity, and Simeon Square handles maintenance, yard work, snow plowing, and related services. The overarching message is a call to compare these offers with other apartments and retirement communities to determine true value over time.

The same post-wrenching emphasis on clarity concludes with an invitation to prospective buyers: come and talk with the manager and residents to get firsthand information and answers. Yet the closing note of the thread introduces a cautionary counterpoint - someone signs off with "BUYER BEWARE!!!!!" and asserts that the price consistency has been a problem; they report an ongoing struggle to obtain a consistent price on Simeon Square's units. This final remark introduces a lingering concern about pricing transparency and stability that contrasts with the more glowing portrayals of community life and financial structure.

Taken together, the comments presents a portrait of Simeon Square that is both hopeful and cautious. On the one hand, the posts emphasize a strong sense of community, connectedness to Immanuel Lutheran Church, and a living environment that offers maintenance, safety, and companionship. Advocates highlight the potential financial logic of life-leases and predictable maintenance costs, with several variations designed to accommodate different financial starting points. On the other hand, prospective residents and observers raise practical hurdles: substantial upfront costs, the complexity of multiple pricing plans, questions about pet policies, and a ??ximum amount of skepticism about price consistency. The overall message is a nuanced mix - some see Simeon Square as a compelling, affordable, and socially rich retirement option; others urge due diligence, full understanding of contracts, and careful comparison with other housing choices before committing.

Hospitals

• Franciscan Express Care (0.1 miles)
• Franciscan St Anthony Health (1.6 miles)
• Wound Care Center At Saint Anthony Hospital (1.7 miles)
• La Porte Hospital (9.6 miles)
• Iuhlp Liquidation (9.6 miles)

Physicians

• Urgent Care Center (0.1 miles)
• Health Partners Medical Group (0.1 miles)
• Katariwala Nasar M MD (0.1 miles)
• Lakeshore Bone & Joint (0.3 miles)
• MyEyeDr (1.1 miles)
• Franklin Clinic (1.1 miles)
• The Centre For Contemporary Dentistry (1.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (0.7 miles)
• Queen of All Saints School (0.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Frosty Boy (1 miles)
• El Cajete (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Carlson's Drive In (1 miles)
• Bubbles Ice Cream Parlor (1 miles)
• Rios Mexican Food (1.1 miles)
• Wendy's (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• Biggby Coffee Shop (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (2 miles)
• Fluid Coffee Roasters (2.1 miles)
• Lakeshore Coffee & Specialties (2.2 miles)
• Dune Billies Beach Cafe (2.4 miles)
• Oink’s Ice Cream and Yogurt (9.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)

Transportation

• Carroll Avenue Station (1.4 miles)

Parks

• Creek Ridge County Park (1.4 miles)
• Washington Park & Beach (2.8 miles)
• Red Mill County Park (6.2 miles)
• Mount Tom (9.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC CLASSIC Michigan City 14 (1.5 miles)