Bridges Senior Living

    214 Washington St, Waterloo, IA, 50701
    4.7 · 46 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    5.0

    Happy resident praises caring staff

    I live at The Bridges and I'm very happy here. My remodeled, clean and roomy apartment feels safe and quiet; staff are caring, friendly and quick to help. The on-site restaurant has excellent food (one meal included, extras available), and there are tons of activities plus pool, exercise room, salon, library and regular transportation. It's not cheap but the rent covers heat/AC, laundry and services so it feels affordable. The building is a bit dated in places and apartments are smaller with no stoves or balconies, but overall it's a warm, well-run community I'd recommend.

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    Amenities

    4.74 · 46 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.6
    • Meals

      4.3
    • Amenities

      4.2
    • Value

      4.0

    Pros

    • Remodeled, clean and spacious rooms
    • Centralized/compact building layout (not spread out)
    • Many on-site amenities (pool, game room, library, exercise room)
    • On-site salon/hairstylist and billiards area
    • Restaurant dining with hot meals and well-presented food
    • Friendly, caring and respectful staff
    • Engaging, frequent weekly activities and clubs
    • Indoor swimming pool and well-equipped exercise room
    • Responsive, fast maintenance and repairs
    • Transportation services and shuttles (multiple vehicles, 7 days/week)
    • Accessible and handicap-friendly apartments and bathrooms
    • Housekeeping and laundry services included/available
    • Hotel-like, classy common areas and dining room
    • Valet/car care and winter car services
    • Quiet, safe, and secure environment
    • Independent living focus with dignified treatment
    • Good tour experience and accommodating admissions staff
    • Residents report high satisfaction and long-term stays
    • Utilities and some services bundled in rent (heating/cooling, phone, etc.)
    • Plentiful social opportunities and lively resident atmosphere
    • Flexible meal options and additional meals available for purchase
    • Extra shared kitchen resources available downstairs
    • Continental breakfast and snack options (ice cream/soda)
    • Rooms and public spaces described as modern or upscale

    Cons

    • Limited included meals (often only one meal included)
    • Additional meals cost extra
    • Rent can be high or over budget for some
    • Parts of the property are older or dated despite remodels
    • Some apartments are smaller and hallways narrow
    • No stoves in apartments (limited in-unit cooking)
    • Apartments may be unfurnished on move-in
    • Residents must supply small items (eg, shower rod)
    • Hillside site and multi-level parking can cause anxious driving
    • Fifth-floor units not ideal for dog owners
    • Mixed messaging about number of meals included (one vs two)
    • Some reviewers noted accessibility concerns related to location/layout
    • Limited outdoor balcony options (no balconies mentioned)
    • Noise/traffic concerns mentioned by a few regarding location

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across reviews of Bridges Senior Living is strongly positive, with many reviewers praising the community as comfortable, welcoming, and well-staffed. Most comments emphasize that residents are happy, thrive socially, and appreciate the sense of safety and peace of mind the community provides. Long-term residency and repeat positive experiences were reported, and many reviewers described Bridges as a ‘‘perfect fit,’’ ‘‘paradise,’’ or ‘‘best place ever,’’ underscoring widespread satisfaction.

    Staff and caregiving quality are recurring strengths. Reviewers consistently highlight friendly, respectful, and accommodating staff, including dining room attendants, maintenance personnel, and front-line teams. Maintenance is frequently described as fast and effective, and staff demeanor is characterized as warm, dignified, and patient. Tours and admissions interactions are noted as helpful and personalized, with many reviewers remarking that staff make new residents feel comfortable and supported during transitions.

    Facilities and amenities are a major draw. Bridges offers a concentrated set of on-site amenities: an indoor swimming pool, exercise room with lots of equipment, game rooms and billiards, library, salon/hairstylist, activity rooms, and well-appointed public spaces such as an upscale lobby and dining area. Multiple reviewers noted brand-new or remodeled spaces alongside older but well-maintained public rooms. The centralized, vertical layout (an 11-story building with centralized services) is appreciated by those who prefer a compact campus rather than spread-out grounds.

    Dining is another frequently praised area, with many reviewers calling the food excellent, hot and well-presented. There is clear appreciation for the restaurant-style dining experience, variety in menus, and a hospitable dining staff. However, a notable pattern is mixed messaging about meal inclusion: multiple reviewers report that only one meal is included in the base rent with other meals available for purchase, while others cited two meals included. This inconsistency, paired with frequent notes that additional meals cost extra, is an important operational detail for prospective residents to confirm. Small perks such as unlimited ice cream/soda and continental breakfast offerings were also mentioned positively.

    Social life and activities appear robust. Reviewers highlight a wide schedule of activities, clubs, cards, events, and entertainment, and many residents are described as active and happy. The atmosphere is often called lively and homey, with a strong sense of community and many opportunities for residents to engage. This is reinforced by positive comments about resident-to-resident friendliness and frequent social programming.

    Living units and specifics about apartments have both positives and caveats. Many apartment units were described as roomy with large bathrooms and handicap-accessible layouts, and model units are noted as attractive and modern. Conversely, some apartments are smaller, and hallways on some floors were described as narrow. Practical details from reviewers include that apartments often come unfurnished, do not include stoves, and residents may need to bring small items like shower rods. Housekeeping frequency was mentioned (every two weeks) and some utilities and services are included in rent, which some reviewers felt justified the cost.

    Cost and value present a mixed but informative picture. Several reviewers said the community is affordable or good value—especially for single residents—while others found the rent high or over their budget. Positive value comments often referenced bundled services (heating/cooling, laundry, phone) and the convenience and security provided. Prospective residents should weigh base rent against which meals and services are included and which are billed extra.

    Location and access bring up a few concerns. While many praised the quietness and lack of traffic noise, some reviewers noted the hillside location, multi-level parking, and driving access as causing anxiety for drivers. Pet owners should note specific comments that higher-floor units (eg, fifth floor) may be less suitable for dogs. Additionally, although many spaces are modernized, reviewers pointed out parts of the property that feel older or dated, so visual and finish quality can vary between units and areas.

    In summary, Bridges Senior Living receives strong marks for staff quality, responsive maintenance, rich amenities, active social programming, and an overall safe, homey environment. Key trade-offs for consideration are meal inclusion and costs, variable apartment sizes and in-unit features (no stoves, sometimes unfurnished), occasional dated areas amid newer remodels, and site-specific parking/access challenges. Prospective residents should confirm meal plan details, which services are included in rent, and unit-specific features during tours to ensure the community aligns with their budget and lifestyle needs.

    Location

    Map showing location of Bridges Senior Living

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