Overall sentiment across the reviews for Friendship Village Chesterfield is largely positive about the community environment, amenities, and many staff members, but tempered by consistent concerns about care for higher-acuity residents, occasional staff behavior issues, cost, and construction-related disruption.
Staff and care: The majority of reviewers highlight staff as a major strength: kind, attentive, and caring employees who create a family-like atmosphere and provide one-on-one attention in many cases. Rehab teams, in particular, are frequently singled out as excellent and knowledgeable, and several reviews note dementia-aware, human-centered care. However, there is a clear and repeated caveat: some reviewers report inadequate care for very high-need residents, to the point of requiring private nursing assistance. Several comments also describe a nursing-home or hospital-like ambiance once residents require more intensive care. There are also troubling, isolated but repeated allegations about staff-related theft and instances where staff were described as uncooperative, secretive, or hostile—these reports create a contrast with otherwise favorable staff impressions and suggest variability in staff performance or management oversight in certain areas.
Facilities, campus, and location: Reviewers consistently praise the physical plant and grounds. The campus is large, park-like, and well-maintained, with a pleasant location adjacent to Faust Park/Butterfly House and local lakes/arboretums. Many amenities are highlighted: pool, theater, beauty salon, bowling alley, bank, fitness center, arts center, dining room, and a gated pet park. Renovations and newer independent-living units are appreciated and described as contemporary and attractive; skilled nursing and assisted living areas have also been recently renovated. The campus layout is often called well-laid-out and easy to navigate, though some note that the size can feel sprawling. Construction activity (new chapel, ongoing building work) is mentioned frequently and can be disruptive or affect the touring experience.
Dining and activities: Dining receives strong praise in many reviews — reviewers mention an extensive menu, terrific food, and a magnificent dining area. The activity calendar appears robust, offering card games, social events, fitness classes, and many clubs, contributing to a vibrant community where people make friends and stay active. On-site services like laundry, transportation, and social spaces further bolster the convenience and community feel. Multiple reviewers specifically state the campus feels like a village of friends, with lots of opportunities for social engagement.
Financial structure and availability: Several reviewers value the Life-Care/Lifecare plan (fixed-rate model) and comment that discounts or fee waivers can make residency more affordable. Nonetheless, cost is a common concern: some find the community too expensive or out of range despite available financial options. Availability is another issue—two-bedroom units are often unavailable and some two-bedroom floor plans are described as small or tight, with long waits reported (up to two years). There are mixed perceptions about the non-profit orientation: while some see a resident-focused mission, others express concern about profit-driven expansion into condo units, indicating tensions or perceived mission drift.
Management, variability, and red flags: Many reviewers report responsive management and attentive leadership, which aligns with positive staff experiences and the overall quality of amenities. Yet variability in experiences is a notable pattern: alongside glowing accounts are reports of unfriendly tour guides, staff who withhold information or fight when challenged, and allegations of theft. These inconsistencies suggest that while the community excels in many operational areas, certain personnel or processes may not be uniformly managed. The most serious recurring red flag is the reports that very high-acuity residents receive insufficient care without supplemental private nursing—this is crucial for prospective residents and families evaluating the full continuum of care.
Bottom line: Friendship Village Chesterfield is widely regarded as an attractive, amenity-rich senior living community with a strong social atmosphere, excellent dining, and many updated facilities. It is especially appealing for those seeking an active, village-like setting with Life-Care options and robust rehab services. Prospective residents should, however, investigate care protocols and staff oversight for high-acuity needs, clarify availability and size of desired apartment types (particularly two-bedrooms), ask about current construction impacts, and verify how the community addresses staff misconduct or security concerns. A careful, specific tour and conversations with current residents—plus direct questions about handling of higher-level medical needs and any past incidents—will help families weigh the strong positives against the documented concerns.
