Residence at University Heights

    5826 University Ave, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613
    4.7 · 3 reviews
    • Independent living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    4.0

    Friendly staff and comfortable home-like

    I'm very happy living here - the manager, director and new cook are exceptional and the staff are consistently pleasant and helpful. Maintenance and night security are personable and responsive (they even installed a curtain rod and help with errands), residents are friendly, and the home-like, introvert-friendly atmosphere with low-pressure activities fits me well. Meals are tasty with adequate portions (noon lasagna is very good), though I'd like more fruits and vegetables for vegetarians. Units vary in size, care services are available at reasonable rates, and overall it's good value, but it lacks some additional services I might need in the future.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.67 · 3 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.3
    • Meals

      4.5
    • Amenities

      4.7
    • Value

      4.0

    Pros

    • Friendly and helpful staff
    • Friendly residents
    • Tasty meals
    • Adequate portion sizes
    • Low-pressure, introvert-friendly activities
    • Varied unit sizes that fit residents
    • Care services are available
    • Staff help residents find additional services at reasonable rates
    • Good value compared to other places
    • Exceptional manager
    • Staff assist with errands
    • New cook hired / pleasant cook
    • Personable and responsive maintenance
    • Night-time security present
    • Responsive to small requests (e.g., curtain rod installation)
    • Comfortable, home-like atmosphere
    • New residence

    Cons

    • Insufficient fruits and vegetables for vegetarians
    • Limited additional services for future or higher-level care needs

    Summary review

    Overall impression The reviews collectively portray Residence at University Heights as a new, well-run, and resident-centered community with consistently positive feedback about staff, atmosphere, dining, and value. Sentiment is strongly positive: residents characterize the staff and management as friendly, helpful, and responsive, and many reviewers express satisfaction and happiness with living there. The facility is described as comfortable and home-like, with a range of unit sizes that allow residents to find accommodations that fit their needs.

    Staff, management, and service quality Staff and management are repeatedly praised. Several comments single out the manager as exceptional and note that staff routinely go beyond basic duties — assisting with errands, helping residents locate outside services at reasonable rates, and addressing maintenance or small-request needs promptly (one reviewer cited a curtain rod installation as an example). Maintenance is described as personable and responsive. Night-time security is in place, which contributes to resident confidence and safety. The overall picture is of an engaged team that supports residents’ day-to-day needs and fosters a calm, low-pressure environment.

    Dining and food service Dining receives generally positive remarks: meals are described as tasty with adequate portions, and a specific mention of a very good noon meal (lasagna) highlights quality and variety. A new cook has been hired, and the cook and dining director are described as pleasant, suggesting attention to food service and recent improvements. One consistent concern, however, is that vegetarian options are not as robust as some residents would prefer — specifically, reviewers noted a lack of fruits and vegetables for vegetarians. This indicates the kitchen meets general expectations but could broaden produce and plant-based offerings to better serve residents with dietary preferences.

    Activities, community, and atmosphere Activities are characterized as low-pressure and suitable for more introverted residents. The environment is described as introvert-friendly and relaxed rather than highly social or activity-heavy, which appears to be a deliberate or organic fit for current residents. Reviewers also comment on friendly fellow residents and a comfortable, home-like atmosphere, suggesting the community culture is welcoming without being overbearing. This will likely appeal to residents seeking a quieter, less program-driven living situation.

    Care services and future needs Most reviews note that care services are available, and staff help residents find what they need at reasonable rates. However, a recurrent theme is that the community lacks additional or more advanced services for future needs — in other words, while current care services seem adequate, the facility may have limited capacity or offerings for higher-level assisted living or progressive care requirements. Prospective residents should clarify what specific care levels are provided and whether transitions to higher acuity services are supported on site or require moving elsewhere.

    Facilities, responsiveness, and value As a newer residence, the facility benefits from modern or recently updated spaces and a sense that needs are met promptly. Positive anecdotes about maintenance responsiveness and a personable team reinforce the idea of good operational management. Several reviewers explicitly describe the community as a good value compared to other places, citing reasonable rates and practical assistance locating outside services when needed.

    Notable patterns and final assessment The dominant themes are strong staff engagement, a pleasant dining experience with room for improvement for vegetarian choices, a calm and introvert-friendly activity program, and an overall home-like atmosphere. The main caveat is limited on-site advanced care services for future needs, which prospective residents and families should investigate further. For people seeking a well-managed, friendly, and relatively quiet senior living option with attentive staff and good day-to-day support — and who do not currently need or expect higher-level medical or assisted-care services on site — Residence at University Heights appears to be a solid choice. Those with vegetarian dietary needs or who anticipate needing progressively higher levels of care should inquire specifically about meal options and the extent of clinical/assisted-living services before deciding.

    Location

    Map showing location of Residence at University Heights

    About Residence at University Heights

    Residence at University Heights sits right in the heart of Springfield, and it's an independent senior living community that opened up in December 2024 after big renovations turned an old landmark hotel from 1958 into something new for seniors. There are 60 suites here, with both studios and two-bedroom apartments available, so folks can pick the size that fits their needs, and every room has a kitchenette for making simple meals if you'd like, plus single room units help residents who prefer their own space, and the whole place is handicap accessible, which certainly helps with getting around. The building itself is two stories with open corridors and a big indoor atrium so people can walk even in winter, and the whole setup tries to keep things easy for folks to move around or meet in the common areas.

    Residence at University Heights allows some pets and has friendly, helpful staff who seem to know that people like to bring their animal friends along if they can. Chef-prepared seated meals are available in a dining area, and guest meals are welcome if someone wants a friend or family member to share a bite, plus there's a bistro bar for more casual eating or a drink with neighbors. Residents can get room service if they choose, and regular housekeeping, dry cleaning, and laundry services are included, too, which means fewer chores to worry about. The community also covers assistance with things like bathing, dressing, or taking medicines, and offers Alzheimer's care, assisted living, and independent living choices, so there's help on hand for different needs.

    There's a good bit to do here, especially for those who like social or active days, and the activities list is long with things like a cooking club, gardening group, book discussions, arts and crafts, story time, English language programs, and even a resident musical group that gets together on occasion, along with lecture or educational programs for keeping the mind busy. You'll find a recreation room, movie theater, computer area, and TV spaces, plus a swimming pool with a Jacuzzi, putting green, virtual golf and bowling in case you want something a little different, and there's a fitness center and community clubhouse for get-togethers, games, social hour events, or just relaxing. The outside has patios and gardens with full outdoor eating in the warmer months, and plenty of on-site parking for both residents and guests.

    It's a place that tries to keep a sense of community going, with daily activities and lots of places to spend time, including an entertainment area and places for religious services that don't require leaving the building. The internet is free and fast, which helps people stay connected, and people can schedule offsite activities to see attractions around the area if they want a change of scene. Residence at University Heights is licensed by the state, takes both checks and credit cards for payment, and has living spaces available for rent. It seems to offer a lifestyle that aims for independence, comfort, and fulfillment, and folks here can expect a social setting designed to support them as they age.

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