The Pillars of Prospect park is a pet-friendly, inclusive, high-rise community. It’s run by Ebenezer, a nonprofit, faith-based management company partnered with Fairview Health Services. The community is located in the historic Prospect Park area near the University of Minnesota and two sports stadiums. It boasts modern decor and a rooftop garden patio with sweeping views of the city. If you want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, this facility fits the bill!

The Pillars of Prospect Park is close to public transportation and minutes to Witches Hat Tower in Tower Hill Park and East River Flats Park, where visitors can access the Mississippi River Gorge. The Weisman Art Museum is a 10-minute drive away, and the young at heart might enjoy the hip restaurants, music venues, and eclectic shopping of Dinkytown, a vibrant nearby neighborhood popular with college students. We love that this community is located near so many cultural sites and things to do!

» Learn More: How to Choose a University Retirement Community

University of Minnesota (UMN) physical and occupational therapy students offer their services to residents of The Pillars of Prospect Park. There are opportunities for senior residents to share their skills as well: Residents can volunteer to be “grandfriends” and help care for the children who attend The Pillars Child Care program on-site. UMN student residents at The Pillars foster intergenerational learning and socialization as well. We are big fans of opportunities for intergenerational relationships! These friendships can help residents improve physical and mental health, build relationships, and learn new skills.3

Community amenities include an attractive, modern dining room and apartments with stainless steel appliances, a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment, a pub, a community room, a cafe, a salon and spa, a golf simulator, and heated underground parking. The Pillars of Prospect Park has sustainable practices, such as collecting rainwater via a rooftop irrigation system and recycling and composting programs. Conservation-minded older adults will appreciate these eco-friendly features.

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Lifelong learning is a big part of life at The Pillars of Prospect Park. Residents visit nearby museums, theaters, and enjoy orchestra performances via the community shuttle. They also benefit from UMN partnerships and resident-led panel discussions and workshops. Residents are encouraged to meet their neighbors at frequent coffee socials and to visit with Cleo, the resident trained companion dog. We really appreciate this focus on keeping residents engaged and social.

The Pillars of Prospect Park is best suited for active, community-minded older adults who love socializing, big-city living, and cultural opportunities. Older adults who prefer a more suburban setting, are not big fans of dogs, or don’t want college students in their building might prefer one of the other options on our list, such as Chandler Place.

The Pillars of Prospect Park offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and short-term care. Residents can start in independent living and add care as needed while staying in the same apartment. Initial assessments are performed by registered nurses, as required by state law.

Assisted living residents are required to add a care package to their apartment rental rates, which start at $1,550 per month. Meal packages are an additional $285 per month. (Memory care services start at $4,400 a month.) All assisted living packages include weekly housekeeping, clinical record maintenance, emergency response systems, two safety checks per day, and monthly vital signs checks. Registered nurses are on-site 40 hours per week and on call for emergencies 24 hours a day. Residents can visit with primary care doctors and receive X-ray and other lab services on-site, only having to leave the community for appointments with specialists. We like the customizable levels of the care the facility offers, so residents can tailor it to their needs.

Residents and their loved ones have written glowing reviews of The Pillars of Prospect Park, praising the vibrant community, kindness and attentiveness of the staff, stimulating activities, and quality of the food. They also had positive things to say about the quality of care and ease of transitioning to higher levels of care. As a newer facility (opened in 2020), The Pillars of Prospect Park is also noted in online reviews for clean and attractive facilities and spaces. It was difficult to find any negative reviews about the community!

Located in the Lowry Hill area of Minneapolis, assisted living at The Kenwood is available in comfortable one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchens and walk-in closets, many with views of the city. Apartments are simply decorated and filled with natural light, a big plus in our book! The community is two blocks from the Walker Art Center sculpture garden and very close to Thomas Lowry Park, a small park with pools and many benches to take in the natural landscape. This makes The Kenwood excellent for those who want to be close to nature.

Residents of The Kenwood tend to be social; The Kenwood Knitters group appeared on the local news for its work donating hand-knit scarves to local second-graders. There are also opportunities for residents to share their talents and knowledge via lectures, art exhibits, and concerts. Residents enjoy a well-rounded schedule of activities, including book and gardening club meetings, movie nights, happy hours, and computer classes.

They can dine al fresco in warmer months, relax on the outdoor patio, curl up with a book in the library, and enjoy concerts by professional area musicians. The Kenwood also hosts numerous seminars and lectures related to health on topics such as managing diabetes, navigating Medicare Part D, vision loss resources, and women’s health issues. We love this wide variety of events and amenities that encourage learning, health, and building relationships. Local teens also volunteer helping residents navigate technology. Like The Pillars of Prospect Park, The Kenwood prioritizes educational resources to help keep older adults engaged and stimulated, via the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) classes.

» Learn More: The Bernard Osher Foundation

People living at The Kenwood have access to a 24-hour fitness center, where they can work out on treadmills and use free weights. They can also take yoga and classes using Therabands. Staying active is essential as we age, so we appreciate the variety of fitness options here! Access to the fitness center is included in rental fees, unlike at Walker Methodist at Walker Place.

Rental fees cover emergency response systems in apartments, transportation, a storage locker, utilities, and activities. Weekly housekeeping and continental breakfast also are included in the monthly rent; other meals are available at additional costs.

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The Kenwood offers independent living, assisted living, and short-term stays. Although it’s possible to add nursing services, along with hospice and palliative care, the facility does not provide memory care like other communities on our list do. If your loved one needs memory care (or may need it in the future), The Kenwood might not be the best place for them.

We like the clear and easy to understand breakdown of the different tiers of care, which are further personalized based on evaluation of residents’ needs. For example, the bronze package includes three daily meals, medication management, case management by a registered nurse, access to caregivers 24 hours a day, in-room call systems, and an ER pendant. The silver plan adds morning and evening care visits of up to 15 minutes each, weekly bathing assistance, and two loads of laundry per week. At the gold care level, residents also receive incontinence management, bathing assistance twice per week, three daily escorts to meals or activities, and nightly reassurance checks (two per day). These packages make it easy for residents to customize care to their needs and budget.

In addition, The Kenwood provides an on-site blood pressure clinic and Medicare-certified therapy services including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Twin Cities Physicians (medical doctors, registered nurses, and physician’s assistants) provides monthly on-site care, including X-rays and labs. We like that families or loved ones have access to a digital portal, enabling them to see notes regarding residents’ care and communicate with their doctors.

Most online reviews of The Kenwood are positive. They mention competent staff and health aides, clean facilities, and the beautiful neighborhood the Kenwood is located in. Some specifically mentioned that the community is within walking distance of the Walker Art Center sculpture garden and that they like the variety of activities and entertainment provided for residents. Importantly, some wrote that the Kenwood staff is prompt and responsive in addressing any issues that come up. They also wrote that the activities seem appropriate for The Kenwood’s educated and sophisticated residents. Some reviews mention that the food is very good.

Chandler Place is a pet-friendly community in St. Anthony, a Minneapolis suburb straddling Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Common areas are decorated in a stately fashion, with leather furniture and a baby grand piano, lots of windows, and high ceilings. A bright, pleasant sunroom butts up against the lobby. If aesthetics are important to you, Chandler Place is a great choice! The community also has a pub, library, billiards, salon, and a private formal dining room available for events.

» Learn More: Pet-Friendly Senior Living

Simple studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments are available. They offer stainless steel appliances, and bathrooms have emergency call buttons and grab bars. However, these rooms appear to lack other accessibility design features. Emergency response systems, two meals daily, and weekly housekeeping are included in the monthly rental fee. For additional fees, staff will help residents with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, escorts, and medication management.

There are plenty of opportunities for socializing at Chandler Place. Residents can join veterans groups and attend religious services on-site. They can get some fresh air, gathering on the shady outdoor patio, in the landscaped courtyard, or on walking paths around the property. One of our favorite programs is the intergenerational theater program, which brings together children and interested seniors in theatrical productions. Similar to The Pillars of Prospect Park’s intergenerational programs, this allows seniors to pursue their passions and build relationships.

A full calendar of activities includes balance classes, chef discussions, singalongs, game nights, happy hours, and movies. Group fitness offerings include chair yoga and Fit to Pedal instruction (where participants sit in a regular chair and pedal a device on the floor in front of them). The community uses FIT Functional Fitness, a fitness program designed for seniors that incorporates strength, balance, and flexibility instruction. We love fitness classes designed just for seniors! Residents also go on shopping trips or to Mystic Lake for lunch and gambling.

Chandler Place is an assisted living option that offers a comprehensive continuum of care. Chandler Place might be a good fit for older adults who currently need some extra help and care, or those who are likely to have increased needs in the near future.

This community may also be a better fit for older adults less interested in city amenities offered by The Pillars of Prospect Park and Abiitan Mill City. Older adults who are veterans or religious, or who enjoy more traditional activities of senior living communities might feel that Chandler Place is an excellent fit for them.

Chandler Place offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, respite care, and hospice care. Its affiliation with St. Anthony Health & Rehabilitation means that residents can more easily transition if their care needs increase than they can in communities like The Kenwood.

The Chandler has mixed reviews, but the positive reviews outweigh the negative. Online reviewers praise the cleanliness of the community and the friendliness of the staff, but some complain that the food isn’t always great. There are also some complaints that costs were not adequately explained, and one reviewer was displeased with the care her mother received in the memory care unit. Another reviewer mentioned an unpleasant smell. But a majority of reviewers said they were pleased with the care they or their loved ones receive at Chandler Place.

Walker Methodist at Walker Place is a nonprofit, faith-based community that offers assisted living in one- and two-bedroom apartments in the East Lake Harriet area of Minneapolis. Many apartments have views of the downtown skyline. And, depending on their location in the building, residents might be able to watch the sunrise or sunset from their windows. Two-bedroom, two-bath apartments with a study can be as large as 1,700 square feet. Older adults looking for more space in their assisted living apartments might prefer Walker Place over more urban-style communities with small studios and one-bedrooms, such as those at The Pillars at Prospect Park and Abiitan Mill City.

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The community is near Lake Calhoun, museums, theaters, the Rose Garden, and “peace garden,” which residents can get pedicab rides to during the summer. It also boasts a library, woodworking shop, salon, banquet rooms, a lecture area, and chapel. Walker Place residents have organized book clubs, garden clubs, art clubs, and a community advisory board. Lifelong learning programs include guest speakers and discussions about how to avoid scams (with an AARP representative), spirituality and faith, and the history of wine. Residents enjoy operatic concerts and are also taken on day trips regularly to shopping areas, museums, and arboretums. Whatever your interests are, you can probably pursue them at Walker Place thanks to these robust amenities and activities!

Note that some amenities cost extra, such as hair and nail services and a membership to the fitness center, which features HUR equipment designed for people over 55 (although a basic Silver Sneakers membership is free). We do wish this fitness center was free, as staying active is vital to healthy aging. Group fitness offerings include strength classes, cardio, tai chi, yoga, and stretching.

Emergency pull cords that radio staff 24/7, concierge services from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and light monthly housekeeping are included in monthly rent. Residents can opt for added services including meals, access to registered nurses any time of day, additional cleaning, additional maintenance tasks, climate-controlled parking, and storage space. Because housekeeping and maintenance help is on the lighter side, Walker Place is best for older adults who can clean on their own or whose families are nearby and able to pitch in.

Walker Place offers independent, assisted, memory care, transitional/rehabilitative care, and care suites. We like the vast options of comprehensive care available to residents that allows residents to age in place as their needs change.

But of course, they come with a price. Healthcare packages start at an extra $900 per month (in addition to rent) for an introductory package covering health services including emergency pendants or smartwatches, medication management, and up to 10 hours of personal care from resident assistants. Higher tiers of care start at $3,000 per month on top of rent. These tiers include meals, more frequent housekeeping, access to licensed health care providers, and 25 hours of personal care. The highest tiers of care can cost $8,000 per month or more if residents opt for specific, a la carte care, such as nursing care, wound care, and diabetes care. Walker Place partners with Genevieve primary care, and many health services, such as physical therapy, are available on-site.

Minneapolis St. Paul magazine rated Walker Place one of the top senior living communities in the area. Online reviews are mostly positive, with reviewers noting that staff is caring and friendly, the facilities are clean, and the food is of good quality. Others noted that there are a lot of activity options. One reviewer was turned off by the deposit often required, and another complained about a lack of communication regarding the COVID-19 infection of a resident.

Opened in 2017, Abiitan Mill City does not separate assisted living and independent living apartments. After an examination by a registered nurse, residents or their loved ones can choose a la carte health services based on a points system. Meal plans also are purchased separately; residents can opt out if they’d rather cook for themselves. Daily wellness checks, weekly housekeeping, emergency response systems, weekly linen changes, and tailored exercise programs are included in rental costs. Pets are allowed with a nonrefundable $1,000 deposit.

Older adults who love the arts and enjoy living in an urban, modern setting can take advantage of the social aspects of this vibrant community. Abiitan Mill City also has partnerships with Guthrie Theater, MacPhail Center for Music, and UofM Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Abiitan Mill City’s schedule includes classic films (such as “Saturday Night Fever”), new movies, documentaries, and foreign films. Other frequent cultural community activities include lectures, concerts, and seminars. Abiitan Mill City hosts separate men’s and women’s happy hour socials and offers more traditional activities of senior living, such as chair yoga, bridge, and book clubs. Our team was impressed by the many learning, cultural, and socialization opportunities offered at assisted living communities throughout Minneapolis, and Abiitan Mill City is no exception. Not all cities offer such robust lists of events, activities, and amenities, so Minneapolis is a great place to live for seniors!

We also like that apartments include some accessibility features in the bathrooms, such as walk-in showers with bars to help prevent falls.

Abiitan Mill City offers independent, assisted living, memory care, and memory care short-term stays. The community has a care points system to assess residents’ needs. They can then opt for services they want, such as medication management, assistance with toileting and dressing, help putting in hearing aids, help shaving, laundry, and assistance getting to and from activities. Short visits with resident nurses or attendants are also available for separate fees. Depending on a resident’s individual needs, additional care costs range from $440 to $5,000 per month.

There are not a lot of online reviews of Abiitan Mill City. However, the ones we could find praised the vibrant community and wealth of cultural activities, the responsive and competent staff, and excellent care. Some also liked that public transportation was accessible and that the community is within walking distance of a local farmers market and walking trails by the Mississippi River. Others had positive things to say about Abiitan’s memory care and the restaurant’s meals. One noted that it might be difficult for visitors of Abiitan Mill City to park due to its location in the bustling downtown area.