St Andrews Residence in West Palm Beach, FL

Pros

• The community is lovely and the management is fantastic, with Evelyn and Yolanda always being helpful.
• Jackie the coordinator is very helpful and knowledgeable in all matters.
• The residents are courteous, kind, and respectful, creating a positive environment.
• It is a great place to call home.
• The location is excellent for the elderly, with convenient access to shops and services and a trolley to get around.
• The management staff is well-educated and keeps the building running smoothly.
• It is worth applying to join, as many find the wait worthwhile for this community.
• It is described as a very favorite place to be, a welcoming home.

Cons

• The building is absolutely disgusting and full of asbestos, causing health issues for residents from renovations.
• The management failed to make repairs as promised to residents before the renovations, including items residents had been charged for.
• The owners are seen as making the elderly vulnerable to health problems.
• The management is very bad and not helpful to residents.
• A lack of maintenance has caused residents to become sick and even potentially die, with issues like no air conditioning for days and nonfunctional elevators.
• The building has mold throughout, leading to illness and significant property damage, with repairs still incomplete.
• Residents feel afraid to speak out for fear of reprisal from management and say they are being bullied.
• The building should be torn down and replaced with better housing.
• Bed bug problems are frequent.
• The management is accused of not practicing fair housing and of discrimination in favor of Hispanics.

Review

This community is best suited for independent seniors who want a walkable, faith‑oriented environment with practical on‑site support. The West Palm Beach location is a practical draw for those who do not rely on a car, thanks to a resident-friendly trolley that makes shopping and getting to appointments feasible. The building is owned by a church, and that sense of oversight translates into a culture where staff and coordinators are repeatedly praised for being responsive and knowledgeable. For residents who value being close to hospitals and everyday services while retaining control over their daily routines, St Andrews offers a compelling, budget-conscious home base that many families would still choose despite some ongoing construction.

Those considering alternatives should note that this property can deliver less ideal outcomes for anyone who cannot tolerate schedule disruptions, environmental concerns, or inconsistent maintenance. Several reviews raise red flags about long‑standing building conditions, mold and asbestos rumors, water leakage, and insulation issues, that have translated into health worries for some residents. Elevators and air conditioning have at times been unreliable, and not all residents felt the management team was equally responsive or forthright about problems. For families prioritizing modern amenities, guaranteed climate control, or a transparent safety record, exploring other options may be prudent.

The strongest positives here center on location, affordability, and the quality of on‑the‑ground help. Residents repeatedly highlight the convenience of the trolley and the surrounding services, the sense of community, and the steady, capable assistance from staff members like Evelyn, Yolanda, and Jackie, who help with daily matters and document filing. The church ownership underpins a culture of care, and several reviews describe the community as a “great place to call home” with a supportive atmosphere that can ease transitions for older adults. For someone who prioritizes proximity to care and social connection, these elements can outweigh rough edges.

Yet the main drawbacks cannot be ignored. The old building’s maintenance history, claims of mold infestation, water intrusion, and related health issues, along with reports of bed bugs and ongoing renovations, creates substantial risk for frail residents or those with respiratory sensitivities. Management’s handling of problems, including a fear among some residents to speak up and a perception of uneven accountability, undermines trust. Elevator outages and nine‑plus days without air conditioning in prior years are persuasive reminders that infrastructure reliability matters as health and comfort hinge on basic systems.

In weighing pros against cons, value emerges for a specific profile: a budget-minded elder who values faith‑based oversight, shared social life, and proximity to hospitals and services, and who can tolerate ongoing renovations and potential environmental concerns as the building ages toward stability. For these residents, the potential for better units as renovations progress, combined with a responsive local staff, can offset the risk of disruption. However, for those with severe allergies, chronic respiratory conditions, or a need for consistently flawless climate control and safety systems, the tradeoffs are substantial enough to warrant alternatives.

To make a confident decision, prospective residents should approach St Andrews with a focused due‑diligence plan: request a current tour of renovated and non‑renovated units, verify the status of the HVAC and elevator systems, and ask for written assurances about mold remediation and pest control. Speak with several residents about how repairs are handled and how receptive the management is to concerns. Clarify the rent structure, what is included, and whether any housing subsidies or HUD programs apply to units in the building. If the status of maintenance and renovations aligns with expectations, St Andrews can be a practical, supportive home; if not, families should pursue closer alternatives with a more consistently reliable infrastructure and a track record of transparent, responsive management.