Candleridge Apartments

Pros

• The residents are described as great.
• It offers quality housing at an affordable price.
• It provides a community room and onsite laundry.

Cons

• Management is not looking after residents.
• Residents have to walk through rain and unplowed snow to do laundry in a community center that has only two washers and dryers.
• T & L removed gardens, the library, and kitchen equipment, taking away conveniences that made life easier and more enjoyable.
• The apartments are old with outdated cupboards and appliances, and replacements are also old, as are the washing machines.
• It is not a happy place to live.
• They would not recommend living there because management does not look after residents.
• Patios no longer have flowers or umbrellas, shade is not provided, and only two chairs are allowed, with limited plantings.

Review

There's a recognizable warmth in the people who live there - their character and camaraderie come through as one of the few bright spots in what many describe as a challenging living situation. The reviews consistently praise the residents themselves as great, friendly, and supportive. Yet this positive note about the community is tempered by a strong, persistent critique of the management. The overall sentiment is that management falls short of the care and attention expected in a place that bills itself as a desirable home.

The most pointed complaints center on practical daily hardships that undermine the idea of "ideal accommodations." Residents describe having to walk through rain and unplowed snow just to reach the community center, where the laundry facilities are located. The laundry situation itself is a big sticking point: only two washers and two dryers serve the building, which means long delays, potential queueing, and a sense that laundry chores must be planned around limited, under-equipped facilities. Because the mail is also handled in the same community center, that short trip becomes an annual or even daily endurance test in bad weather.

Another theme running through the reviews is the sense that improvements or amenities have been stripped away rather than upgraded. The arrival of management team "T & L" is described as bringing about the removal of cherished features - gardens, the library, and kitchen equipment - that had previously made life easier and more enjoyable. This sense of losing tangible, valued resources contributes to an impression that the property is moving away from being a welcoming home and toward a more minimalist, less resident-friendly environment.

Inside the apartments, the sentiment continues to skew negative. Dwellers describe the interiors as old, with outdated cupboards and appliances. When these appliances break, replacements are described as "more old ones," suggesting a cycle of aging infrastructure that never quite gets modernized. The wash machines, too, are lumped into this category of aging - functional, perhaps, but not up to date, and not inspiring confidence that maintenance will bring anything better in the near future.

Taken together, the reviews convey a clear message: this is not seen as a happy place to live, especially for someone who values responsive, resident-focused management. The recurring line that one would not recommend living in a complex where management does not look after residents sums up a deficit in perceived care, accountability, and ongoing stewardship. The contrast between the idealized marketing claims and the lived experience is stark, leaving potential tenants to weigh the promised features against the lived realities.

Marketing promises - such as "Quality Housing at an Affordable Price" and the existence of a community room and onsite laundry - clash with the realities described by residents. The slogan suggests a convenient, well-cared-for place, while daily life paints a picture of insufficient facilities, limited access, and a lack of proactive upkeep. The discrepancy between the marketing language and the day-to-day experience contributes to a sense of disappointment and skepticism among current residents and potential newcomers alike.

Adding to the emotional burden is a personal note from a relative of a resident: it's described as "very sad" to see outdoor spaces being restricted. Flowers and umbrellas on patios are being removed, and residents are allowed only a small amount of outdoor furniture and plants. The sense of shrinking personal space and diminishing outdoor joy is highlighted as a significant loss - the kind of detail that reveals how small concessions in property policy can have outsized effects on happiness and well-being. The phrase about "taking their last bit of happiness" underscores how these administrative decisions feel emotionally impactful for residents who already contend with other daily strains.

Overall, the collection of reviews portrays a community with strong, positive personal ties among residents but hampered by management practices and aging infrastructure. The kindness and solidarity of the people who live there stand in contrast to the persistent complaints about maintenance, facilities, and restrictive policies. The narrative suggests that while the building could be a comfortable home in theory, the current management approach and aging amenities undermine that potential, leaving many residents uncertain about recommending it to others or planning long-term stays.

This part of Indianola, Iowa, offers a variety of amenities and services that may be beneficial for seniors looking to relocate to the area. There are several pharmacies nearby, making access to medication convenient. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple physicians' offices and hospitals within a reasonable distance. The selection of restaurants provides options for dining out or takeout, and there are also cafes for socializing over coffee or a meal. Additionally, the presence of parks offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area provides a mix of essential services and recreational options that could make it a desirable location for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Midwest Compounding (0.6 miles)
• Medicap (11.4 miles)
• MercyOne Des Moines Behavioral Health (11.6 miles)
• Walgreens (13.1 miles)
• Osco Pharmacy (13.2 miles)
• Walgreens (13.3 miles)

Physicians

• MercyOne Indianola Imaging (0.7 miles)
• Mercy Clinics (0.8 miles)
• Mercy Clinics (1.4 miles)
• Michael Sutcliffe DO (1.6 miles)
• Jones Family Dental (10.4 miles)
• South Glenn Walk In Clinic (10.5 miles)
• Norwalk Family Physicians (10.8 miles)

Restaurants

• La Casa Restaurant (0.7 miles)
• Arby's (0.7 miles)
• Subway (0.7 miles)
• Pyra (10.1 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (11.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (11.6 miles)
• Johnny's Italian Steakhouse (11.9 miles)

Hospitals

• ANP Foot and Ankle Clinic (1.2 miles)
• Village (1.2 miles)
• Pleasantville Clinic (14.4 miles)
• Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (14.4 miles)
• Blank Children's Hospital NICU (15.9 miles)
• Methodist Hospital North 6 (15.9 miles)
• UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center - Emergency Department (16 miles)

Parks

• Milo City Park (7.7 miles)
• Grant Nature Area (11.8 miles)
• Sayers Park (13.2 miles)
• Water Works Park (13.3 miles)
• Shadle Park (14.1 miles)
• Stone Park (14.2 miles)
• Gray's Lake Park (14.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Marys Church Hall (9.8 miles)
• Pleasantville Church of Christ (14.3 miles)
• Pleasantville Baptist Church (14.4 miles)
• Saint Paul's Methodist Church (14.5 miles)

Transportation

• Des Moines International Airport (DSM) (12.5 miles)
• TSA Checkpoint (12.6 miles)
• Concourse C (12.7 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (13.2 miles)
• Starbucks (13.2 miles)
• Starbucks (15.3 miles)
• Starbucks (15.5 miles)