Messenger Towers

Pros

• Messenger Towers has a lot to offer its residents, including a beauty shop, a library with donated books, a dining room, an activity director with scheduled events, and a private fitness center, with all bills paid.
• The building is described as very clean and well maintained, with monthly pest control.
• The staff are described as very friendly and always willing to help.
• The complex is considered a nice place to call home, especially after remodeling.
• The rent is described as very reasonable.
• Messenger Towers is not a bad place for anyone to live.
• It is conveniently located near stores.

Cons

• There are bed bugs in that building.
• Black mold is present in the building.
• Elevators are constantly broken down.
• The property management company does not properly maintain the building.
• The notice to enter far exceeds the normal.
• They are trying to keep out the homeless.

Review

The collection of comments about Messenger Towers paints a picture of a community that many people find clean, safe, and reasonably comfortable, but one that also carries a fair share of challenges and frustrations. Several reviewers emphasize that the building and its surroundings feel well-kept, with an atmosphere that makes it a place people are glad to visit or live in. One person notes that the interior feels quiet and well-organized, with concrete walls that help block sounds from neighbors. Another highlights how the property has been remodeled and kept in good condition, describing it as a nice place to call home after improvements. There is a recurring sense that, for many residents and visitors, the environment is orderly and easy to move around, with clear systems in place to manage entry and security.

The sense of community emerges strongly in these impressions. A number of reviewers commend the kindness and civility of the people who live there, describing residents as welcoming and friendly. One story about a resident who brightened a teenage visitor's night by sharing a card trick with a pack of playing cards illustrates the small, positive connections that can happen in this setting. Another account highlights a couple of standout staff members - Sally Johnson and Jack Cook - who contributed to a sense of support and stability over the years, with a commenter feeling that both the resident and the property benefited from their care. The building also appears to offer a broad set of amenities commonly found in senior or assisted-living oriented communities: a beauty shop, a library, a dining room with vending options, scheduled social activities like bingo, and a private fitness center. Some residents appreciate that all bills are included, which can simplify budgeting and living there.

Yet the reviews are far from uniformly positive. A recurring thread concerns the management and maintenance of the building. Several comments mention persistent issues that are either not fully addressed or take a long time to resolve. Complaints include bed bugs and black mold, which several reviewers flag as serious problems, along with broken elevators that affect daily life. One reviewer explicitly states that there are "many problems that do not get addressed" by the property management company, while another notes that notices of entry from staff feel excessive or burdensome. There are also concerns about the consistency and frequency of maintenance work, with a sense among some that problems linger longer than they should.

Security and access procedures also surface in the narrative. A common observation is the building's controlled-entry approach, where only individuals admitted by a voice-activated system can enter, which some residents appreciate for safety, while others describe it as confusing or impersonal. There is also a sense, at times, of tension around outsiders and concerns about outsiders being allowed into the building, with one anecdote describing a moment where items were left outside after someone inadvertently entered, underscoring the delicate balance between security and accessibility.

Financial policies and the practical realities of living there also show up in the comments. The reference to rent being tied to a percentage of gross monthly income - 30% in one instance - points to the affordability considerations that are central to many people's decisions about moving in. Several residents recount a long wait on waiting lists, with one person noting a wait list number and the lack of returned calls, which adds a layer of frustration for anyone hoping to make the move. There is also mention of policies that restrict furniture movement unless it has been checked out, suggesting a careful, policy-driven approach to maintaining order inside the units, but one that can feel rigid or slow to those living through the process.

In terms of overall sentiment, the reviews present a spectrum. Some who have lived there for years express strong attachment and gratitude, recounting personal connections and favorable experiences with staff and neighbors. A few commenters describe staying because the location is convenient, the environment feels safe, and they have built a sense of routine and comfort over time. Others are more critical, pointing to problems like pest infestations, mold, inadequate responses from management, and logistical hurdles that can hinder the day-to-day experience. There is a notable tension between the positive attributes - cleanliness, safety, amenities, and a supportive community - and the negative realities of maintenance delays, health concerns, and administrative friction.

Ultimately, Messenger Towers emerges as a place that many people value for its calm atmosphere, community feel, and practical amenities, while also presenting undeniable concerns that potential residents should weigh carefully. For some, it's a home with dependable staff, well-kept spaces, and meaningful social opportunities. For others, the combination of health and safety issues, coupled with sometimes slow or insufficient management responses and complex entry policies, can complicate the lived experience. The recurring threads - cleanliness and safety on one hand, and bed bugs, mold, and maintenance gaps on the other - suggest that a prospective resident would do well to visit, ask pointed questions about pest control, ventilation, elevator reliability, and policy enforcement, and consider how comfortably they can adapt to the building's security and financial frameworks.

This part of Joplin, Missouri offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors considering the area for living. With several physicians and healthcare facilities nearby, including Mercy Clinic Cardiovascular Surgery and St. John's Regional Medical Center, residents have access to quality medical care within a short distance. Nearby pharmacies such as Drug Warehouse and Walgreens provide easy access to medications and health supplies. In addition, there are cafes like Red Onion Cafe and restaurants like Wilder's Steakhouse for dining options. For recreational activities, parks such as Leonard Park and Butterfly Garden offer opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. Overall, this area provides a mix of healthcare services, dining options, and recreational spaces that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Physicians

• Mercy Clinic Cardiovascular Surgery - Main and 1st (0.1 miles)
• Midwest Regional Allergy Asthma Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center (0.7 miles)
• Beltone Hearing Aid Center (0.8 miles)
• Coleman Vision (0.9 miles)
• Ozark Tri-County Pediatrics (1.1 miles)
• McAllister Edward L DDS (2 miles)
• Family Health Center of Joplin (2 miles)

Cafes

• Red Onion Cafe (0.1 miles)
• New Day Cafe (0.9 miles)
• Zinc Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Joe Muggs Coffee (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Hackett Hot Wings (0.2 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.8 miles)
• Wilder's Steakhouse (0.8 miles)
• Lotus Xpress (1.4 miles)
• Tropicana Bar & Grill (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2 miles)
• Johnny Carino's (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• United Hebrew Congregation (0.6 miles)
• Our Father's House Ministries (1 miles)
• Cornerstone Christian Church (1.2 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (1.9 miles)
• One Church (2.6 miles)

Hospitals

• St John's Regional Medical Center (0.7 miles)
• Freeman Heart Institute (2.6 miles)
• Freeman Health System (2.6 miles)
• Four States Surgery Center (2.6 miles)
• Freeman East Radiology (2.7 miles)
• Freeman Neosho Hospital (2.7 miles)
• E Douglas Seifert MD - Freeman Health System (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Drug Warehouse (0.9 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Pronto Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Family Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Pronto Pharmacy #4 (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)

Parks

• Parr Hill Dog Park (1.4 miles)
• Leonard Park (1.7 miles)
• Butterfly Garden and Overlook (2 miles)
• Parks Maintenance Facility (2.1 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.4 miles)

Theaters

• Northstar STM 14 (2.4 miles)