Live Oak Retirement Community in Shreveport, LA

Pros

• The grounds are beautiful and the buildings are immaculate.
• The staff are very friendly.
• The lunch is delicious.
• The onsite apartments are comfy and clean.
• The Oaks is impressive and pays attention to every detail.
• The upkeep is impeccable and the overall appearance is very pretty.
• The facilities offer a wide range of amenities, including a heated pool.
• The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and transportation to activities and appointments is provided.
• The community is well kept and the landscape is gorgeous, with plenty of activities for residents.

Cons

• The phone receptionist was miserable, unhelpful, and unprofessional; she hung up on the reviewer before they could finish.
• The lawn chemicals should be monitored more closely.
• The facility was on Covid lockdown, preventing family visits, and the reviewer says a loved one did not receive timely communication during end-of-life moments.
• The nursing home area is described as a disgrace, with a resident going days without a bath and long gaps between check-ins.
• The facility did not meet the reviewer's needs.
• The Oaks is more expensive than expected.
• The rooms were small.

Review

Live Oak Retirement Community in Shreveport is best suited for active seniors who want an upscale, self-contained lifestyle with extensive on-site services. The campus is designed to feel like a resort, with central access to dining, activities, medical support, and transportation, all within a compact footprint that minimizes long walks between key spaces. For families seeking a polished environment where independence is preserved but daily life is simplified - complete with social programming and readily available outings - this campus is a compelling fit. It appeals especially to residents who value a wide array of amenities, a safer environment, and a strong sense of community within a well-kept, aesthetically pleasing setting.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include budget-conscious buyers or anyone prioritizing a smaller, more intimate, home-like atmosphere. The community can be on the higher end of the price spectrum, and a few reviewers question whether the rate aligns with personal expectations of daily care. For seniors who require highly personalized, constant, hands-on nursing care, or who prefer a quieter, less dense setting with fewer common-area distractions, a smaller or more specialized facility may be a better match. Additionally, the layout - a high-rise feel with some distances between apartments and dining areas - may not suit those who insist on immediate access to every service without stepping outside.

On the strengths side, the property earns top marks for upkeep and curb appeal. The grounds are described as meticulous and the buildings immaculate, with a centralized design that minimizes unnecessary walking. The menu of amenities is robust: a heated pool, fitness center, expansive library, social rooms, and opportunities for outings to events like symphonies or shopping trips. Transportation to medical appointments is provided, and some units include meals with flexible options for the rest of the day. Interviews with prospective residents consistently highlight friendly, approachable staff and clear evidence of attentive programming, from organized activities to social spaces where families can celebrate milestones.

However, several downsides surface in reviews that demand careful consideration. A recurring critique concerns inconsistent customer service from front-desk staff - the impression of a sharp, unhelpful phone experience can color initial impressions. There are also serious cautions about care quality in the on-site nursing areas, including reports of delays in attention to residents and, in extreme cases, neglectful lapses. Room sizes vary, with some comments describing them as compact for the price, and others noting that residents may need to adapt to a campus where meals and activities require a bit of execution to access. Cost is a frequent line of inquiry, with some families weighing the benefits of lavish amenities against the premium price tag.

Those strengths do not vanish in a vacuum; they help offset the notable concerns for many potential movers. The central, compact campus reduces the physical burden of daily life, which matters greatly for independence-minded seniors who still want rich programming and social connections. The presence of an on-site medical staff - reported by some as around-the-clock RN coverage - coupled with transportation services, can substantially ease caregiver planning and reduce the friction of coordinating care. The sheer breadth of amenities - physical wellness facilities, social venues, and diverse activity options - adds tangible value for residents who thrive on structure, companionship, and an active daily routine. When these elements align with personal priorities, Live Oak offers a compelling, aspirational lifestyle that many families seek.

A practical decision framework emerges from weighing these factors. Begin with a targeted tour that includes a close look at the specific apartment layout options and how dining and recreation spaces are connected to living quarters. Request to meet frontline staff in the caregiving areas and observe how attention is given to residents during peak activity times. Probe the nursing and clinical capabilities: staffing levels, response times, and the process for urgent needs, as well as sample meal plans and kitchen standards. Compare total monthly costs against similar communities in Shreveport, factoring in meals, transportation, and care services to determine true value. If the priority is an active, amenity-rich lifestyle with ready-made social life and convenient access to services, Live Oak stands out as a strong candidate; if instead the emphasis is on intimate ambiance, predictable daily care, or cost containment, alternatives that emphasize smaller-scale operations or more focused care may deliver greater peace of mind.

Restaurants

• Gullo's Fresh Produce & Bake Shop (0.4 miles)
• Burger King (1.2 miles)
• Cush's Grocer & Market (1.3 miles)
• China Bear (1.7 miles)
• El Patio (1.7 miles)
• Applebee's (1.9 miles)
• Copeland's of New Orleans (1.9 miles)

Cafes

• CC’s Coffee (1.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Fairfield Market & Cafe (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Lowder Baking Co. (4.9 miles)

Physicians

• Willis-Knighton Medical Center Quick (1.4 miles)
• Ark-La-Tex Retina Consultants (1.6 miles)
• Christus Cardiology Shreveport Bossier (1.6 miles)
• Shreveport Internal Medicine (1.7 miles)
• Sure Access (1.7 miles)
• Susan Kemp, MD (1.8 miles)
• Red River Surgery Center (1.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Tinseltown and XD (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Healthcare Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Causey's Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Brookshire's (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Fred's Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Brookshire's (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Highland Clinic (1.7 miles)
• Willis-Knighton Pierremont (1.9 miles)
• Christus Schumpert Wound Care (2.9 miles)
• Willis Knighton Medical Center (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Joseph Catholic Church (4.5 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Shreveport (4.9 miles)
• Mary Queen of Peace Church (5.2 miles)