Carlton at the Lake in Chicago, IL

Pros

• Southview is a nice place.
• The dietary department is very nice.
• The housekeeping team is amazing and efficient.
• The staff are kind, helpful, and caring.
• The residents are wonderful and feel like a second family.
• There is strong teamwork among the staff.

Cons

• The communication is horrible.
• The inside of the facility is one of the nastiest places the reviewer has seen.
• The floors near the residents look moldy in certain areas.
• The elevator is disgusting.
• Rats infest the facility, with bedbugs and roaches present.
• The place is a dump with unprofessional staff who are verbally abusive to residents.
• Management is lazy, uncouth, and unprofessional.
• The facility needs to be condemned.

Review

Carlton at the Lake in Chicago is best suited for seniors who value genuine, day-to-day warmth from staff and a homelike, neighborly atmosphere over clinical polish. This community tends to shine when the care team is attentive, personable, and patient, creating a "second family" feel that residents remember long after clients have left. Families drawn to a warm, welcoming environment with cheerful interactions - where staff greet residents by name, and where dietary, housekeeping, and activities staff foster social connection - will find real comfort here. It is a setting that rewards patience and engagement, especially for residents who do not require instant, high-intensity medical interventions but still benefit from consistent daily support.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are clear: this facility is riskier for residents who require stringent cleanliness standards, foolproof pest control, and flawless maintenance. Several reviews raise red flags about pests, dirty conditions, and deteriorating infrastructure, sometimes paired with tense or unresponsive administration. For families needing rigorous infection control, precise medication delivery, reliable timely service, and a consistently pristine physical environment, this may not be the safest or most predictable match. Additionally, residents with advanced memory care needs or those who depend on rapid, 24/7 clinical oversight may find the care model insufficient if the facility tolerates gaps or slow problem resolution.

The strongest pros here center on people. When staff are present and engaged, residents experience meaningful interactions, kindness, and dependable day-to-day support. The dietary team, housekeeping staff, and frontline caregivers receive frequent praise for their warmth and efficiency, and residents note that the atmosphere feels uplifting and familial. A common thread across positive reports is the sense that the community is "on the right track," with teams working together to address concerns and improve services. Where these strengths are most evident, residents describe a home-like rhythm - friendly faces on the floor, responsive reception staff, and a culture of care that makes daily life more pleasant.

The dominant cons, however, pose serious questions about safety, consistency, and long-term viability. Multiple reviews describe bedbugs, roaches, rats, or other sanitation problems, alongside physical damage such as holes in walls and mold-like concerns. Maintenance and upkeep appear uneven, and communication can deteriorate into frustrating delays or missed information. Several accounts reference administrators being unavailable or unresponsive, creating a sense that financial pressures or governance weaknesses overshadow daily resident welfare. The contrast between the sunny, caring moments and the stark sanitation or operational issues makes the decision especially thorny: the care can be superb on good days, but the fundamentals of a clean, safe facility are nonnegotiable for many families.

In weighing pros against cons, the effectiveness of Carlton at the Lake hinges on two realities. If a family can tolerate a variable environment with the expectation that staff warmth and resident sense of belonging will carry the day, the community presents meaningful value. The positive interactions and genuine care can meaningfully enrich daily life, and that personal connection often buffers against occasional service gaps. Yet the cons are not minor sidelights; sanitation problems and reliability gaps directly threaten health, safety, and peace of mind. Without consistent environmental quality and dependable administrative responsiveness, the advantages risk being outweighed by the potential for deterioration or frustration.

Ultimately, a practical decision favors a cautious, informed approach. Carlton at the Lake can be a strong fit for families prioritizing interpersonal warmth and a home-like feel, provided that current and potential improvements are verified through a thorough inspection and candid conversations. Prospective residents should demand concrete evidence of ongoing remediation, recent pest control outcomes, and transparent communication protocols. Tours should emphasize cleanliness, maintenance responsiveness, and medication administration reliability. Engage current residents and families in dialogue about day-to-day routines, and probe leadership's plan for sustaining improvements. If those elements align, this community can offer meaningful, affectionate care within a supportive, familial culture; if they do not, pursuing alternatives with tighter safeguards and fewer infrastructure risks remains the prudent course.

This area of Chicago, Illinois, offers a variety of amenities and resources that can cater to the needs and interests of seniors. With multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nearby, access to medication and healthcare supplies is convenient. The presence of reputable hospitals such as Comer Children's Hospital and Rush University Medical Center ensures quality healthcare services are easily accessible. Additionally, the availability of public transportation options like the CTA and Metra stations makes it easy for seniors to get around the city. Furthermore, the proximity to parks like Burnham Park and Grant Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Finally, the selection of cafes and restaurants in the area offers a range of dining options for seniors looking to socialize or enjoy a meal out.

Physicians

• Illinois Eye Institute (0.1 miles)
• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (4.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)

Transportation

• CTA - Sox-35th Red (0.4 miles)
• CTA - Cermak-Chinatown (1.4 miles)
• Metra - LaSalle Street (2.8 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (3 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (3.1 miles)
• Cta (3.1 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (3.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar (1.5 miles)
• Marz Community Brewery (1.9 miles)
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (2.6 miles)
• Portillo's (2.6 miles)
• The Barrel (3.1 miles)
• Miller's Pub (3.2 miles)
• The Dearborn (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Ping Tom Memorial Park (1.6 miles)
• Burnham Park (1.8 miles)
• Coliseum Park (1.9 miles)
• Northerly Island (2 miles)
• Chicago Lakefront (2.4 miles)
• Washington Park (2.8 miles)
• Grant Park (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Comer Children's Hospital (3.2 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (3.5 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (3.7 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (3.7 miles)
• St Bernard Hospital (3.9 miles)
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (4.1 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• Intelligentsia Coffee (3.5 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (3.5 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (3.6 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)