St Andrews Residence

Pros

• The community is described as lovely with fantastic management.
• Evelyn and Yolanda are consistently helpful, and things get done quickly.
• Jackie, the coordinator, is very helpful and knowledgeable.
• The location is ideal for elderly residents, with convenient transit and nearby hospitals.
• The facility is owned by a church that is kind and attentive to residents' well-being.
• The management staff is well-educated and keeps operations running smoothly.
• The complex is clean and safe in a wonderful location.
• Granny loves it here.

Cons

• The building is absolutely disgusting, full of asbestos, and causing health issues for residents during renovations.
• There is a lack of maintenance that makes residents very sick and even leads to death.
• The AC system and elevators are poorly maintained, leaving residents without air conditioning for days and with nonfunctional elevators for months.
• The management is very bad and not helpful to residents.
• Residents fear reprisals from management and feel bullied; they are not allowed to form a Tenant Association.
• Mold is present throughout the building, causing illness and forcing residents to discard belongings.
• The owners are accused of taking seniors' money and not maintaining essential systems like AC, elevators, or the building itself.
• The management does not practice fair housing and allegedly favors Hispanics.
• Bed bug problems are frequent.

Review

The complex in question is a long-standing residence that sits at a difficult crossroads between a much-needed home and a source of ongoing concern. One longtime applicant recounts a frustrating journey: they turned 62 and submitted an application, but years have passed without a call to move in. Now at 67, they're still waiting, half-joking that the call might come only when they die. The tone here is a mix of patience and exasperation, a common thread through many accounts that the waitlist is real and the timeline uncertain, even as others reminisce about the draw of the place once you actually secure a space.

There are voices on the brighter side who paint a very different picture. They describe a lovely, folksy community with "fantastic management," where staff like Evelyn and Yolanda are consistently helpful and things supposedly get done in what one person affectionately calls a "NY minute." Jackie, the coordinator, is praised for her knowledge and willingness to guide residents through various matters. In these reviews, the building feels like a place where, at least at times, residents can find support and a sense of home, with comments about the staff's attentiveness and the warmth of the community. The location itself is celebrated; several notes point to the convenience of the neighborhood, the presence of a trolley for errands, nearby hospitals, and a sense that independent living is feasible for those who don't have a car. The management's ability to keep things running smoothly and the sense that the community values courtesy and respect also appear as recurring themes.

Yet, the same complex is also described as a work in progress - literally. There is frequent reference to renovations that seem to be ongoing and extensive, with one speaker noting that the entire lobby and every unit are under renovation under new management, specifically Related. There's a sense that renovations, while improving interiors, have also been tied to health and safety concerns in the public eye. Some residents are optimistic that these improvements, including a second elevator, will eventually enhance the living experience, while others worry that the disruption and the way repairs are managed have not always prioritized residents' wellbeing or their prior agreements about repairs.

A substantial portion of the feedback is strongly critical, focusing on health hazards and maintenance failures tied to decades-old infrastructure. Several residents describe the building as "absolutely disgusting," burdened by asbestos and mold, with renovations contributing to respiratory and other health issues. They recount that repairs promised to residents prior to renovations were not always carried out, even for items residents were charged for. The fear and frustration scale upward when elderly residents are described as being particularly vulnerable to these problems, and there are concerns about the owners' responsibility and whether proper health safeguards have been followed. One reviewer emphasizes that the situation has led to extraordinary distress for tenants, including serious illnesses and even a death linked to an HVAC failure and prolonged elevator outages.

The controversy expands into concerns about how the renovations and management interact with the residents' rights and daily lives. Some reviews insist that the building's ownership - tounded as a church-owned property and now managed by a HUD-involved program - should protect vulnerable residents, not subject them to intimidation or retaliation when they speak up. A strong note is struck about fair housing practices and the fear some tenants feel about speaking out, especially in a building that sits near inter-coastal areas and has a history of bed bug problems and other maintenance deficits. Amid these concerns, some residents repeatedly defend the property as a place with potential, arguing that negative voices are overwhelmed by the progress and the improvements being pursued under new management.

Despite the competing perspectives, the consistent thread across these accounts is a shared recognition of the building's strengths and its flaws. On the positive end, residents highlight a caring staff, a sense of community, practical conveniences, and the reassurance that, for those who can navigate the waitlist and the complexities of renovations, there is a viable and welcoming home to be found. On the negative side, there are detailed, painful accounts of mold and asbestos hazards, ineffective maintenance responses, and a perception that some residents have had to endure health risks without timely, adequate remediation. The living environment is described as both a potential refuge and a source of real danger, depending on who you ask and when you ask.

In the end, prospective residents are urged to weigh these parallel experiences carefully. For some, the combination of a favorable location, helpful staff, and the promise of ongoing renovations offers a compelling path to a home that feels like community. For others, the health and safety concerns, the slow or disputed repairs, and the implications of long waitlists and management practices raise red flags that can be hard to overlook. The narrative here reflects a place of many voices: some firmly convinced that this is a wonderful place to call home, others convinced that, at present, significant changes are still needed to make it as safe and supportive as it can be for its residents.

This part of West Palm Beach, Florida, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a convenient and vibrant community. With a plethora of dining options such as Makebs Bagels & Deli, Avocado Grill, and The Cheesecake Factory, residents can enjoy delicious meals close to home. Nearby pharmacies like MedMen West Palm Beach and health care facilities such as Good Samaritan Medical Center provide easy access to medical services. Additionally, there are recreational spots like Howard Park and Peanut Island Park for leisurely activities. For transportation needs, car rental services like SIXT Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car are conveniently located within a few miles. Places of worship such as the First Congregational Church of Lake Worth are also easily accessible for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this area in West Palm Beach offers a mix of conveniences and attractions that make it an ideal location for senior living.

Restaurants

• Makebs Bagels & Deli (0.1 miles)
• Avocado Grill (0.2 miles)
• E.R. Bradley's (0.2 miles)
• Sassafras (0.2 miles)
• Elisabetta’s (0.2 miles)
• Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen (0.4 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• MedMen West Palm Beach (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Green's Pharmacy of Palm Beach (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC CityPlace 20 (0.4 miles)

Cafes

• Subculture Coffee (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (1.4 miles)
• Common Grounds WPB (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)

Parks

• Howard Park (0.9 miles)
• Peanut Island Park (4.5 miles)
• Phil Foster Park (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Good Samaritan Medical Center (1.1 miles)
• St Mary's Medical Center (3.3 miles)
• West Palm Beach Va Medical Center (6.4 miles)

Physicians

• Tenet Physicians Services (1.1 miles)
• Palm Beach Shoulder Institute: Ryan Simovitch, MD (1.1 miles)
• Palm Beach Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates (1.2 miles)
• Waterside Ambulatory Surgical Center (1.5 miles)
• Endodontic Associates of the Palm Beaches PA (2.4 miles)
• David Aaron Mittleman (2.6 miles)
• MD Now Medical Centers (2.6 miles)

Transportation

• SIXT rent a car (Pick-up Only) (2 miles)
• Budget Rent A Car (2.2 miles)
• National Car Rental (2.4 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (2.7 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (2.8 miles)
• Meeter / Greeter Waiting Area (2.8 miles)
• Baggage Claim (2.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Congregational Church of Lake Worth (5.3 miles)