Kilkenny Court

    1440 4th St SE, Forest Lake, MN, 55025
    3.8 · 23 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    5.0

    Spacious peaceful community, highly recommended

    I've lived at Kilkenny for five years and would highly recommend it. The apartment manager (Lisa and the office staff) is attentive, communicates quickly, and goes above and beyond; maintenance fixes are timely and the application process was smooth. Apartments are spacious and easy for family visits, the grounds are park-like and clean, and there are frequent, well-organized activities and holiday meals that my parents loved. Be aware the pet policy is strict - small dogs allowed but declawing and ESA restrictions made it unsuitable for animal lovers. Snow plowing can be slow (often 1-2" left in the lot, contractor hours M-F 9-5), which can affect accessibility, though the manager has been very helpful with upgrades like grab bars. Overall, a peaceful, welcoming place where my family thrived.

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    Amenities

    3.83 · 23 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      3.8
    • Staff

      4.4
    • Meals

      4.5
    • Amenities

      4.0
    • Value

      3.8

    Pros

    • Attentive and responsive management
    • Excellent, timely maintenance staff
    • Organized and frequent activities and events
    • Spacious apartments
    • Well-maintained, park-like grounds and grassy courtyard
    • Quiet, peaceful neighborhood
    • Accessible common amenities (elevator, mini library, rec room)
    • Pet-friendly for small dogs
    • Family-friendly layout that eases visits
    • Holiday meals and special dinners
    • Helpful, accommodating staff members

    Cons

    • Snow plowing issues: slow service and residual 1–2 inches left
    • Plow schedule limited to Mon–Fri 9–5
    • Accessibility concerns for seniors/handicapped related to snow/ice
    • Strict pet policy (declawing requirement and emotional support animal restrictions)
    • No porch or private balcony
    • Some resident concern about frequent requests/overuse of shared amenities

    Summary review

    Overall impression Kilkenny Court receives strongly positive feedback across multiple reviews, with the dominant sentiment being satisfaction and comfort. Residents and family members repeatedly emphasize responsive, attentive management and maintenance teams, a clean and well-kept building, and a quiet, park-like setting. Several reviewers described long, positive tenures (one noted 5 years) and explicitly stated that family members have thrived after moving in, indicating stability and overall quality of life.

    Staff and management Management is consistently highlighted as a major strength: reviewers call the onsite manager kind, attentive, and willing to go "above and beyond." Communication is described as responsive, and specific staff members (for example, a staffer named Lisa) are praised for being helpful and accommodating. Maintenance gets repeated positive mention — timely repairs, problem-solving, and proactive upgrades (such as replacing hallway rugs to remove odors) are cited. Multiple comments note that some issues (notably snow-plowing problems) are outside the manager’s control, which residents explicitly acknowledge.

    Facilities and apartments Apartments are described as spacious and comfortable for visits from family. Common areas and amenities are well regarded: elevator access, a mini library, a rec room, welcoming entrance and sitting areas, and spaces for puzzles and socializing. Grounds are characterized as park-like with a grassy courtyard, and overall the building is said to be safe, clean, and warm. One consistent limitation is the lack of a private porch or balcony.

    Activities, dining, and community life Kilkenny Court appears to offer an active social calendar. Regular activities mentioned include coffee hours, church services, card games a few times a week, and seasonal/holiday events like summer picnics and Thanksgiving/holiday meals — the latter are described as a treat. These offerings support family involvement and opportunities for residents to gather and form friendships; several reviewers praised the social atmosphere and frequent events.

    Accessibility and mobility Accessibility is a mixed but generally positive area. Some residents have had accessibility upgrades made to apartments (grab bars, higher toilets) and staff are described as accommodating in facilitating such changes. However, mobility concerns arise in winter: snow plowing is noted as slow, often leaving 1–2 inches of snow in the lot, and plowing is performed on a limited schedule (Mon–Fri, 9–5) by a contractor named MGB. Reviewers worry that the plowing schedule and residual snow/ice can pose accessibility and safety challenges for seniors or individuals with handicaps, even when management is trying to help.

    Pet policy and related concerns Pet policy is an area of friction. While Kilkenny Court permits small dogs and some reviewers appreciated the pet-friendly nature, others strongly criticized the specifics: a strict policy reportedly requires declawing and disallows emotional support animals. These rules prompted ethical concerns from reviewers and led at least one person to advise that the facility would not be suitable for animal lovers. This is one of the clearest recurring negatives and is distinct from otherwise favorable commentary about the property.

    Notable patterns and final assessment The most frequent positives center on people (management and maintenance), cleanliness, apartment size, and a pleasant grounds/quiet location. The primary operational drawbacks revolve around winter maintenance (plowing) and restrictive pet rules; both are consistently mentioned and are salient depending on a prospective resident’s priorities (mobility in winter and pet ownership). Overall, Kilkenny Court comes across as a well-run, community-oriented senior housing choice with attentive staff and good facilities, but prospective residents should ask specific questions about snow removal responsibilities and the detailed pet policy before deciding.

    Location

    Map showing location of Kilkenny Court

    About Kilkenny Court

    Kilkenny Court sits on the south end of Forest Lake, which means residents get to enjoy peaceful grounds with a lot of big old trees around, and even a popular gazebo and a large vegetable garden where folks like to spend time, and you'll find colorful landscaping all over the property. The community offers 92 units, with one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments available, and the buildings have elevators and a controlled-access entrance so people feel safer and get around easier. Kilkenny Court serves seniors age 62 or older and also those who are physically disabled, with income restrictions and both Section 8 and Section 42 housing subsidies, which makes the rent more affordable. The apartments are made for independent living but have options for assisted living, long-term care, rehabilitation, respite stays, plus memory care services for those who need it, and the care staff provide different levels of help depending on what each resident needs. There are handicap-accessible apartments, and the whole place is pet friendly, so small pets are allowed. People can use the big community room for all kinds of optional group activities, like bingo, card games, birthday parties, or potluck meals, and there are two customizable community rooms for other gatherings. Outside, there's an area for grilling and even a playground so grandkids can visit and have a place to play, and the free bus takes residents to downtown and shopping centers once a week, which many folks find handy. Off-street parking is available, along with garages that have remotes, for those who have a car. There's a 24-hour emergency maintenance line, and that's included in the rent, so if anything breaks or someone needs help, they can call at any time. The Kilkenny Court apartments have different floor plans, and the living spaces aim to be both comfortable and convenient, and with elevators, wide halls, and other safety features, most people get around without too much trouble. Each care program at Kilkenny Court uses its own name and specific terms, and staff give care tailored to the needs of each person, whether simple help with daily chores or more involved nursing care is what's required. Residents find community amenities here-like the big rooms, gardens, and scheduled bus-help support a good, active lifestyle without being overwhelming.

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