Connect 55+ in Indianola, IA

Pros

• Connect 55 is a great place to live.
• Residents enjoy a variety of activities, including card games, bowling, movies, outings, and potlucks.
• The slogan "come as strangers live as friends" resonates with residents.
• The people are friendly and nice.
• The community has a wonderful manager, activities director, and maintenance staff.
• The surrounding area is pleasant to walk in, and the apartment is spacious with a nice view.
• The handyman is knowledgeable and friendly, and utilities and cable are included.

Cons

• The biggest problem is rent hikes that push many residents out of their income range.
• It is very sad, as many good residents are being lost.
• The facility stopped clearing snow from patios and walkways, creating safety and accessibility issues for elderly residents.
• Rent continues to rise without providing necessary services.
• Frequent changes in office managers and maintenance staff have led to higher tenant turnover and lower morale.
• There is no lawn service and residents have seen mice and insects, with repairs taking too long.
• The complex does not have the same amenities advertised due to the company's financial issues.
• Employees are unhappy with upper management, according to reviews.

Review

Connect 55+ in Indianola is best suited for active seniors who want a socially rich, independent living environment and value convenient access to amenities, community events, and a welcoming town vibe. The community rewards residents who seek daily engagement through card games, bowling, outings, potlucks, and a robust exercise and wellness calendar. It stands out for accessibility as well: spacious apartments and real consideration for mobility needs, including wheelchair compatibility. For those who measure life in active social opportunities and practical conveniences bundled into rent, this is a compelling fit.

Yet this is not a universal fit. Budgets facing rent hikes will quickly feel the squeeze, and the price point can push longtime residents toward alternatives. The turnover in on-site leadership - managers, activity directors, and maintenance staff - creates a ripple effect that undermines consistency and trust in service. Snow removal and lawn care have become contentious issues, especially for residents who rely on predictable outside assistance during Iowa winters. The broader corporate backdrop, with public signs of financial strain at the owner, adds a cautionary edge: amenities and service may not always keep pace with rising costs.

On the positive side, the social fabric earns strong praise. Neighbors are described as friendly and active, and the activities program is repeatedly cited as robust - everything from movies and outings to veteran lunches and daily exercise sessions. The on-site handyman earns trust, and residents note that meals and holiday events contribute to a sense of celebration and belonging. For families and individuals who want tangible opportunities to connect, the community delivers in spades. Proximity to Des Moines and the surrounding walkable environs further enhance its appeal for residents seeking both convenience and outdoor options.

The drawbacks, however, are not easily dismissed. Frequent changes in office leadership and maintenance personnel create inconsistent service levels and morale challenges. Reports of pests, delays in repairs, and gaps in grounds maintenance suggest operational fragility that can escalate frustration. The decision to raise rents while service gaps persist compounds a sense of value erosion, particularly when basic, seasonal needs like snow clearance and lawn care are unsettled. Taken together, these factors form a meaningful counterbalance to the otherwise strong social and activity offerings, especially for those prioritizing reliability and steady, predictable maintenance.

The practical calculus favors the pros only when the community maintains stable, responsive leadership and clear communication about changes. For residents who prize social engagement, a lively activities calendar, and bundled utilities, the positives can outweigh the higher cost and occasional service gaps. The favorable staff interactions, wheelchair-friendly design, and the genuine warmth of neighbors are powerful offsets that sustain satisfaction for many. But the risk of ongoing turnover, maintenance delays, and escalating rent cannot be ignored; these elements can erode the experience over time if not addressed with decisive, consistent on-site leadership and a firm commitment to core services.

Families weighing this option should adopt a disciplined decision framework. Verify current management stability and expected maintenance response times; confirm exactly what is included in the lease regarding utilities and services; review winter-readiness plans, snow clearance commitments, and grounds maintenance schedules; and talk directly with current residents about day-to-day reliability. Compare total monthly costs with nearby options that offer steadier operations or slower rent growth, and consider whether a short trial period or staged move-in could help test fit. If the goal is a vibrant, socially rich environment with inclusive amenities and you can tolerate occasional service gaps and price increases, Connect 55+ is worth consideration; if predictability and cost control are paramount, alternatives deserve serious scrutiny.

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)