Overall impression Cedar Community - Cedar Ridge Campus receives predominantly positive feedback for its breadth of amenities, active social life, and attractive natural setting. Reviewers repeatedly praise the campus as well-equipped and self-contained, with many communal spaces and hobby-oriented facilities such as a model railroad shop, wood shop, craft rooms, library, music/handbell choir, fitness center, indoor pool and hot tub, and an on-site convenience store. The grounds and location are strong selling points: reviewers note gorgeous trails, lake access, direct access to the Ice Age Trail, adjacency to Ridge Run park, and peaceful outdoor spaces for walking. Many residents and visitors describe a warm, family-like atmosphere supported by long-tenured staff and residents, contributing to a sense of community pride and continuity.
Activities and social life The activity program is a frequent highlight. Multiple clubs and classes are consistently mentioned: card games (Bridge, Canasta, Cribbage, Sheepshead), book clubs, support and discussion groups, weekly Coffee Hour with guest speakers, monthly entertainment events, theme nights, holiday gatherings, and many volunteer and social opportunities. This range supports diverse interests and a wide age range of residents (reported from about 55 to over 100), producing what reviewers call a "LIFE-filled" environment. The quantity and variety of activities, along with frequent dining and social events, make Cedar Ridge appealing for those seeking an active retirement community.
Dining and food service Dining receives mixed but often positive remarks. Several reviewers laud the Top of the Ridge restaurant and Market Café, noting excellent meals, an open-to-the-public restaurant, and popular offerings such as Friday fish fry. Some praise meal prices and the quality post-remodeling while others report unpleasant experiences, calling food "awful" or unappealing and citing inconsistent kitchen performance. Overall, dining is a strength for many but not uniformly praised—potential residents should sample meals and speak directly with staff about menu variety and accommodations.
Housing, facilities, and maintenance The built environment spans older and newly renovated spaces. Positive notes include comfortable and attractive apartments or homes with high-end finishes (granite, modern appliances), full kitchens in many units, underground parking, laundry rooms, and some brand-new two-bedroom designs with open concepts and basements. Housekeeping services are available for apartments. However, some buildings are older and in need of continued updates; reviewers pointed out smaller rooms without certain features (for example, no sliding patio door) and referenced ongoing renovations. Accessibility considerations include long corridors and campus size that may require an electric scooter for some residents, and some limitations reported for pet owners regarding dog accessibility.
Care quality and management concerns A significant pattern in the reviews is a divergence between independent living experiences and reported issues in assisted or later-stage care. Many reviewers say Stage 1 (independent living) looks "fabulous," but several raise serious concerns about the quality of assisted living and nursing care: hygiene problems, reports of limited staffing leading to once-weekly baths, smells during visits, and general dissatisfaction with care in later stages. There are also allegations of uncaring management, inconsistent employee treatment, and poor handling of donations or fees in some instances. While many staff members are described as warm and attentive, these management and staffing concerns suggest variability in resident experience depending on the care level and unit.
Cost and value considerations Cost is a recurring theme. Multiple reviewers describe Cedar Ridge as pricey, with at least one comment noting a roughly 20% premium. Some feel the higher price is justified by the amenities and setting; others find the cost disproportionate given reported issues in care or food quality. Prospective residents should evaluate the cost against desired services and verify what is included in rent or fees, and ask about wait times and staffing ratios for higher levels of care.
Notable patterns and recommendations In summary, Cedar Community - Cedar Ridge Campus is characterized by strong amenities, a vibrant activities program, appealing grounds, and many aspects of well-run independent living. It is especially well-suited to active retirees who value social programming, on-site hobbies, and easy access to nature. However, there are consistent cautionary notes about the quality of assisted and nursing care, occasional food and management problems, higher costs, and mixed facility conditions across older and newer buildings. Interested parties should tour multiple housing types, meet care staff, sample meals, ask about staffing levels and turnover, and confirm financial policies (including refunds for donations or fees) before committing. This will help weigh the clear community strengths against the reported weaknesses in later-stage care and management practices.
