Connect 55+

Pros

• Connect 55 is described as a great place to live.
• Residents feel the slogan "come as strangers, live as friends" rings true.
• Residents enjoy a variety of activities, including card games, Wii Bowling, movies, outings, and potlucks.
• The community provides an exercise room and monthly veterans lunches, which residents appreciate.
• Families report great activities, good food, and holiday celebrations.
• New residents are very pleased with their apartments and find neighbors wonderful and active.
• The handyman is knowledgeable and friendly, and the neighbors are welcoming.
• The community offers many weekly activities for a range of interests and is wheelchair accommodating.

Cons

• Rent hikes push costs beyond many residents' income ranges, leading to the loss of good people.
• Frequent changes in managers, activity directors, and maintenance staff cause high tenant turnover and poor morale.
• Snow removal is no longer provided, creating safety concerns for elderly residents in snowy conditions.
• Rent increases are not accompanied by necessary services, with complaints about lawn care and delayed maintenance.
• The property has had mice and insects, and maintenance response times are slow.
• The complex has faced financial issues and unhappy upper management, undermining advertised amenities.

Review

Connect 55 presents itself as a vibrant, close-knit community in central Iowa, where residents consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere, the friendly neighbors, and the surrounding town. Several reviewers call it a great place to live, highlighting how easy it is to feel at home among people who look out for one another. The sentiment is clear: this is a place that many would happily stay in if finances and services aligned with need. Yet there is a shared undercurrent of concern about affordability, with rent hikes described as the biggest problem that could push long-time residents out of the community they cherish. The worry isn't just about money; it's about losing the people who give the place its character and warmth.

The social life at Connect 55 stands out as a cornerstone of the resident experience. Multiple reviews emphasize a rich slate of activities that keep residents engaged and connected. Card games, Wii Bowling, movie nights, occasional outings, and regular potlucks appear to be core traditions, complemented by a well-used exercise room that some residents, including those with mobility challenges, rely on for staying active. A monthly veterans lunch is also noted, underscoring a culture of shared interests and respect for those who have served. The slogan "come as strangers live as friends" is repeatedly affirmed, with many residents feeling that the community embodies this idea in practice.

Family members offer equally strong endorsements, painting pictures of supportive, welcoming environments for loved ones. One reviewer's mother is described as thriving, enjoying a full calendar of activities and great food, alongside holiday celebrations. The morning exercise program, five days a week, is highlighted as a reliable routine that contributes to her well-being, and outings provide opportunities for social connection beyond the building. The overall tone from these family perspectives is one of gratitude and relief, as the staff, residents, and programming combine to create a genuine sense of community and care.

From the perspective of a newer resident, Connect 55 can feel like a well-kept and desirable living space, with a positive sense of community among residents and staff. The apartment is described as satisfactory, and the people are noted as wonderful and active. However, a recurrent theme across multiple reviews is the impact of frequent managerial changes and turnover in activity directors and maintenance staff. This turnover is linked to broader concerns about hiring practices and consistency, which in turn affects morale, tenant stability, and the smooth operation of daily life within the community. The hope expressed is that these issues can be addressed to restore a steadier, more reliable experience for residents.

There are pointed, location-specific grievances that temper the otherwise glowing picture. One resident raises a practical and moral dilemma about winter maintenance: the facility announced it would stop snow clearing on patios and walkways, a decision that is particularly problematic in central Iowa's snowy winters. The frustration is palpable, given that many residents rely on assistance to manage snow removal for safety and mobility. The complaint isn't just about inconvenience; it ties into broader concerns about what services are provided for a population that includes many seniors who may have difficulty taking on such chores themselves. The comment about "bring your own shovel if you want to live here" captures the sense of mismatch between expectations set by marketing and the realities of service provision.

Further, complaints extend to green-space maintenance and pest control. Several reviewers point to a lack of lawn care during the growing season and an absence of timely maintenance responses, which contributed to ongoing frustration. Reports of mice and insects, coupled with slow response times to maintenance requests, paint a picture of a community where urgent issues sometimes outpace the staff's ability to resolve them promptly. In this context, rising rents feel even more burdensome, as residents compare the value they receive with the costs they must bear.

Other notes underscore the complexity of management in a senior living setting. A specific concern about the company behind the property - Calamar of New York - is raised by a reviewer who understood that the company was experiencing financial difficulties. This point is paired with a cautionary recommendation to prospective residents: gather information about Calamar before signing a lease. The reviewer cites Glassdoor and Indeed reviews indicating dissatisfaction among employees with upper management, suggesting that ownership and corporate health can influence amenities and the overall living experience. It's a reminder that the level of service can be intertwined with the broader fortunes of the owner company, a factor that potential residents may want to consider.

Despite the challenges, many reviews end on a hopeful and affirming note. For some, grandparents and other relatives have found that Connect 55 offers a comfortable and accommodating living environment, where universal design features and a range of activities are accessible to those with mobility concerns. The sense of community remains the strongest asset: residents describe a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and a supportive network of neighbors who become friends. Even when acknowledging that no place is perfect, several reviewers rate Connect 55 highly, appreciating the balance of independent living with ample social and recreational opportunities. A final sentiment captures a sense of belonging: a family ties their praise to the setup, the care, and the sense of community they feel in a place they are glad to call home.

In sum, Connect 55 is characterized by a lively social calendar, active and engaged residents, and a strong sense of camaraderie that makes it feel like a true community. Families praise the care and quality of life their loved ones receive, while many residents relish the activities, the convenience of amenities, and the proximity to the Des Moines area and its surroundings. Yet the ongoing challenges - rising rents, frequent staff turnover, maintenance delays, and the reliability of services like snow removal and lawn care - left questions about long-term sustainability and affordability. The overall picture is one of a place with significant strengths and a warm, welcoming culture, balanced by substantive concerns that careful management and clear, responsive service must address to ensure that the community remains a place where long-time residents can stay and new residents can feel confident they are making a sound investment in their home.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Midwest Compounding (1.2 miles)
• Medicap (10.3 miles)
• MercyOne Des Moines Behavioral Health (10.5 miles)
• Walgreens (12 miles)
• Osco Pharmacy (12.1 miles)
• Walgreens (12.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Village (1.1 miles)
• ANP Foot and Ankle Clinic (1.8 miles)
• Pleasantville Clinic (14.7 miles)
• Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (14.7 miles)
• Blank Children's Hospital NICU (14.9 miles)
• Methodist Hospital North 6 (14.9 miles)
• UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center - Emergency Department (14.9 miles)

Restaurants

• La Casa Restaurant (1.3 miles)
• Subway (1.3 miles)
• Arby's (1.3 miles)
• Pyra (9.1 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (10.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (10.5 miles)
• Johnny's Italian Steakhouse (10.8 miles)

Physicians

• Mercy Clinics (1.3 miles)
• MercyOne Indianola Imaging (1.5 miles)
• Mercy Clinics (1.9 miles)
• Michael Sutcliffe DO (2.1 miles)
• Jones Family Dental (9.4 miles)
• South Glenn Walk In Clinic (9.5 miles)
• Norwalk Family Physicians (9.8 miles)

Parks

• Milo City Park (8.7 miles)
• Grant Nature Area (11.8 miles)
• Sayers Park (12.1 miles)
• Water Works Park (12.2 miles)
• Stone Park (13.1 miles)
• Gray's Lake Park (13.6 miles)
• Shadle Park (14.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Marys Church Hall (9.5 miles)
• Pleasantville Church of Christ (14.6 miles)
• Saint Paul's Methodist Church (14.8 miles)

Transportation

• Des Moines International Airport (DSM) (11.5 miles)
• TSA Checkpoint (11.5 miles)
• Concourse C (11.6 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (12.1 miles)
• Starbucks (12.1 miles)
• Starbucks (14.2 miles)
• Starbucks (14.4 miles)