Shalom Plaza Senior Ctr

Pros

• They like it here very much.
• The one-bedroom apartment layout is great and space-efficient.
• The management is great and friendly.
• Their experience at Plaza Apartments has been pleasant.
• The price is great and the backyard is very pretty.
• They are proactive about pest control and report no bugs.

Cons

• The bathroom is a total health-department concern and the commode doesn't work.
• The shower and tub leak into the kitchen, leaving the bedroom floor perpetually wet.
• Maintenance has come four times with no lasting solution.
• The A/C breaks down for days in the hot summer.
• The hallways to the elevator are filthy and the elevator often doesn't work.
• Disabled residents are left with no clear plan in case of a fire.
• The management is uncaring and verbally abusive toward tenants.
• Complaints lead to eviction moratoriums taped to doors.
• Trash and cat urine fill the hallways and are not cleaned up.
• There are allegations of illegal evictions, lies, and management ignoring other sides of the story.
• The building is described as housing criminals, prompting warnings to residents.
• The premises are plagued by bed bugs, roaches, or mice, and smoke from cigarettes or marijuana worsens the situation, with eviction threats.

Review

The place described by a chorus of long-time tenants and newer residents paints a troubling picture of life at Plaza Apartments. On the surface there are the usual worries of any rental community - noise, parking, and the occasional plumbing hiccup - but here the problems seem to cascade into every major system that should keep a building livable. Several tenants recount how the bathroom has become a consistent health hazard: the commode doesn't work, forcing a resident to use public restrooms daily, and a shower and tub arrangement that allegedly runs a leak all the way to the kitchen. The result is a perpetually damp, mold-prone floor that undermines basic sanitation and safety, with maintenance visits that have happened repeatedly - four times - yet never produced a lasting fix. The situation is not limited to one apartment; people report mold, persistent moisture, and a general sense that repairs are more cosmetic than therapeutic.

In the same broad tapestry of complaints, the building's infrastructure appears to fail in the most essential ways. The air conditioning can break down for days during hot summer spells, leaving residents to sweat through heatwaves, while hallways reek of filth and trash, and the elevator is unreliable at best. For residents who are disabled or older, these failures are more than inconvenient - they're risky. The question of what to do in a fire or other emergency looms large when the only accessible route is out of service, or when the building's most critical elements - stairwells, elevators, and safe egress - are frequently compromised. The overall impression is that the common areas aren't being kept up, and that the building's infrastructure is thinning under the weight of ongoing neglect.

Management, as described by many, is a core driver of the resident experience - and not in a flattering way. A number of reviews characterize the property manager as uncaring and verbally abusive, painting a picture of a person who lacks empathy or accountability for tenants' well-being. Complaints seem to trigger retaliation of sorts: eviction notices or moratoriums posted on doors, public shaming, or the suggestion that voices other than the manager's side of a dispute will not be heard. The sentiment is that those who are disabled or on limited incomes face a double penalty: they are told to live under rules that appear to be unevenly enforced, and they're more likely to face eviction for concerns that others might not encounter. The fear is palpable that speaking up about conditions could jeopardize housing stability, a fear reinforced by claims of illegal evictions and management's willingness to bend or distort policies to "fit" a narrative.

The safety and comfort of residents extend beyond plumbing and paint. Several entries point to a broader ecosystem of neglect that includes crime and drug use concerns, as well as a perception that the building isn't taking adequate steps to protect its seniors and disabled residents. Some reports describe neighborhoods behind the properties where repeated break-ins have been observed, with tenants insisting that cameras be used as a deterrent and that actionable steps be taken to keep criminals away. Others speak of management's tolerance for disruptive behavior - drunken parties in the parking lot - and a sense that the legitimate needs of vulnerable residents are deprioritized in favor of other concerns. The recurring theme is a building that feels unsafe or unwelcoming to those who need routines of safety and accessibility the most.

Against this backdrop, there are pockets of praise that remind us life here isn't uniformly bleak. A few tenants report a positive, even idealized experience: not all is perfect, but some residents describe management as caring, a space that has become smoke-free with a designated area for smokers, and a place with budget-friendly rents and a pleasant backyard. One family or individual notes a long tenure of seven years with improvements over time, including the introduction of smoke-free policies and a working, well-executed extermination strategy with no ongoing pest problems. These voices stand in contrast to the more negative narratives and suggest that the experience can vary dramatically from unit to unit - or perhaps from era to era within the same building - depending on who is managing, which unit you're in, and when you first moved in.

Yet another layer comes from personal and emotional dimensions: a tenant facing mental health challenges who describes an eviction amid the upheaval of a global pandemic, and who campaigns for understanding and support rather than punishment. The narrative here is heavy with fear and vulnerability, including mentions of autism, severe anxiety, and an impression that the system has failed those who are most in need of stability and access to treatment. The appeal is to recognize the human costs of eviction and dislocation, especially for someone who may already be navigating complex health needs. The situation underscores an important inconsistency in what people expect from a housing provider - safety, dignity, and predictable responses to crises - versus what some tenants feel they are actually receiving.

Taken together, the collection of experiences points to a complex, contradictory reality: some residents endure chronic, and sometimes dangerous, maintenance failures and confront management practices that feel punitive or dismissive, while others find pockets of relief and occasional good stewardship. The most consistent threads concern serious moisture and sanitation problems, unreliable essential services like elevators and air conditioning, and a sense that disabilities and mental health challenges are not adequately accommodated or protected. The resulting atmosphere is one of caution and concern for anyone considering moving in, particularly those who rely on accessible features or who have vulnerabilities that require a stable, supportive living environment. For now, the building's reputation seems to ride a fine line between intermittent improvement and ongoing neglect, with the experiences of current residents serving as a stark reminder that a home should offer safety, respect, and reliable care - areas in which many feel Plaza Apartments falls short.

This part of Kansas City, Missouri offers a diverse range of amenities and services to cater to the needs of seniors. With a variety of restaurants nearby such as BKS Artisan Ales and Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant, residents can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. The area also boasts several pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for convenient access to medications and healthcare products. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable hospitals such as Saint Luke's Hospital and Truman Medical Center in close proximity, ensuring quality medical care is readily available. Additionally, parks like Loose Park and Swope Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood offers a blend of convenience, dining options, healthcare services, and recreational activities that would make it a desirable location for seniors looking to settle down.

Restaurants

• BKS Artisan Ales (0 miles)
• Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Bier Station (1.1 miles)
• Go Chicken Go (1.5 miles)
• Winstead's (2 miles)
• Kansas City Bier Company (2.1 miles)
• Beer Kitchen (2.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Hen House (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Front Range Coffeehouse & Provisions (1 miles)
• McLain's Bakery (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Broadway Cafe (2.8 miles)
• Billie's Grocery (3.8 miles)
• Filling Station (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• Research Medical Center: Yandrapu, Harathi MD (1.2 miles)
• The University of Kansas Hospital - Westwood Campus (2.3 miles)
• Mill Creek Park (2.4 miles)
• KC CARE Health Center (3.5 miles)
• Village Pediatrics (3.7 miles)
• The University of Kansas Cancer Center - South (4.8 miles)
• Raytown Family Medical Care (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Central United Methodist Church (1.4 miles)
• Trinity United Methodist Church (3.5 miles)
• Overland Park Christian Church (5.3 miles)
• Resurrection Downtown (5.6 miles)

Parks

• Loose Park (1.6 miles)
• Swope Park (1.9 miles)
• Historic Hyde Park (2.6 miles)
• Harmon Park (3.4 miles)
• Central Park (4.3 miles)
• Washington Square Park (4.9 miles)
• Skiles park (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City (2.4 miles)
• Cambridge A Pre/Post (3.4 miles)
• Kansas City VA Medical Center : Midwest Biomedical Research (4.5 miles)
• Truman Medical Center (4.9 miles)
• Children's Mercy Research Institute (4.9 miles)

Transportation

• KC Streetcar (5 miles)
• Amtrak Kansas City - Union Station (5 miles)