Elders Retreat in Savannah, GA

Pros

• Richard in maintenance is consistently attentive and ensures residents are well taken care of.
• The maintenance team, especially Richard, is highly skilled, responsive, and keeps the property running smoothly.
• Latoya at the office is awesome, very professional, and responsive to residents' questions.
• James Allen, the property manager, is exceptionally professional and facilitates a smooth move-in process and ongoing communication.
• Sarah Johnson is highly competent at solving issues and goes the extra mile to help residents.
• Richard DiMaggio, the maintenance superintendent, is professional, courteous, and always focused on fixing issues promptly.
• The property maintenance technician is very professional and makes residents' stays comfortable.
• The staff have a great rapport with tenants, contributing to a welcoming and well-maintained environment.
• The team's leadership and service consistently get repairs done quickly and maintain high standards.

Cons

• The apartment is poorly maintained.
• The staff and property manager are dishonest.
• Trash on the grounds makes the property look dirty and neglected.
• Move-out practices are shady and have led tenants to sue.
• The new office management is unprofessional and unresponsive.
• The area around the complex feels unsafe and not ideal for a college student.
• The pool was always green and poorly maintained.
• Rent is overpriced for what is offered.

Review

Elders Retreat in Savannah is best for seniors and budget-conscious renters who crave an affordable Savannah address and prize practical, hands-on maintenance above all else. The standout asset across the community is the maintenance team, led by Richard, whose reliability, problem-solving mindset, and approachable manner translate into real day-to-day value. The location offers convenient access to downtown Savannah, markets, and even Tybee Beach, which tends to appeal to residents who want a simple, neighborly environment with quick fixes when needed. Those who can tolerate management fluctuation and occasional upkeep lapses will likely find life here more predictable than the price suggests, especially when the on-site crew delivers what truly matters.

Those who should consider alternatives are clear: families or seniors who depend on stable, transparent, and consistently executed management will want to look elsewhere. Several reviews point to turnover in office leadership and uneven communication, with move-out practices that some residents describe as opaque or punitive. Groundskeeping and common-area upkeep can swing from acceptable to disappointing, including reports of trash in walkways, dismal landscaping, and dumpsters in view near living spaces. Add in occasional pest or moisture concerns and a perceived priority on cost control over resident comfort, and the case becomes stronger for exploring other options if reliability and predictability are non-negotiable.

The core positives center on maintenance and on-site support. Richard appears repeatedly as the key differentiator - prompt, professional, and willing to coordinate fixes and upgrades with minimal fuss. Other staff members, such as Latoya, Sarah, James, and various maintenance supervisors, surface as capable, courteous, and responsive, particularly during move-ins or when questions arise about leases and transfers. That on-the-ground dedication creates a practical, livable environment where essential systems operate smoothly and residents feel listened to when issues arise. Coupled with a central Savannah location and the sense that renovations are ongoing, this combination offers a clear pathway to improved daily life for tenants who value concrete, service-oriented advantages.

Yet the major drawbacks cannot be ignored. Management instability shows up in inconsistent service, slow responses, and mixed experiences with the leasing office. Move-out and deposit handling generate tense anecdotes - charged cleaning or repairs beyond wear and tear, disputes over refunds, and even references to a non-refundable "risk management" sum - that undermine trust and raise red flags for prospective renters. Grounds and amenities, while improving, still exhibit gaps: trash accumulation in certain areas, uneven lighting, and landscaping that can undermine the curb appeal. In some units, pest and moisture problems have been reported, including bed bug and mold concerns, which directly affect health, comfort, and the urge to renew leases. Taken together, these cons create a substantive friction that a quality maintenance team cannot fully offset.

The balance between pros and cons tilts toward a nuanced calculus: for tenants who prize a responsive maintenance culture and a friendly on-site atmosphere, Elders Retreat can deliver meaningful daily comfort. Richard's hands-on approach reduces downtime and helps residents feel taken care of, which in practical terms can trump less reliable office processes. Tenants who adopt a proactive stance - documenting move-in and move-out conditions, maintaining precise records, and staying engaged with the property's leaders - rarely experience the worst of the administrative friction. However, the presence of unresolved deposit practices, occasional pest or moisture issues, and questionable fee morale means this option is best suited for those who can tolerate some administrative ambiguity in exchange for dependable repairs and a convenient location.

In the end, Elders Retreat is a workable, affordable Savannah option for the right resident profile. It shines where maintenance and personal rapport drive daily life, and it falters where governance, transparency, and long-term upkeep are non-negotiables. Prospective renters should enter with a plan: tour with a critical eye on units and common spaces, request current contact points for the maintenance team, and demand clarity on deposit and move-out policies before signing. Verify the status of ongoing renovations and amenities, and seek candid current tenants about office responsiveness. If these checks align with expectations, this community can be a reliable home; if not, it is prudent to compare alternatives that offer stronger, more consistent governance and a lower risk of deposit disputes and maintenance headaches.

This part of Savannah, Georgia, offers a convenient and well-equipped location for senior living. With a variety of restaurants nearby, such as Sisters of the New South and Cotton & Rye, residents have easy access to dining options. Additionally, there are several pharmacies in close proximity, including CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, ensuring easy access to medications and healthcare supplies. For medical needs, there are hospitals like Memorial Health University Medical Center and specialized clinics such as Georgia Eye Institute. The area also boasts beautiful parks like Daffin Park and Ardsley Park - Hedman Park for leisurely walks or picnics. Places of worship like Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church provide spiritual support, while transportation options like the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport make traveling convenient for visiting family members. Overall, this part of Savannah offers a well-rounded and convenient environment for seniors considering relocation.

Restaurants

• Sisters of the New South (0.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.7 miles)
• Krystal (0.9 miles)
• Coach's Corner (1 miles)
• Hop Atomica (1.8 miles)
• Tacos + Tequila (2 miles)
• Cotton & Rye (2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Sentient Bean (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Savannah Coffee Roasters (2.6 miles)
• The Coffee Fox (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Medical Center Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Compounding Solutions of Savannah (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Dva Renal Healthcare (0.8 miles)
• Memorial Health University Medical Center Answerone/Nurseone/Switchboard (2 miles)
• Memorial Heart and Vascular (2 miles)
• Memorial Neuro ICU (2.1 miles)
• Memorial University Medical Center - Pediatric ICU (2.1 miles)

Parks

• Daffin Park (1.2 miles)
• Ardsley Park - Hedman Park (1.7 miles)
• Washington Square (2.4 miles)
• Oglethorpe Square (2.4 miles)
• Wells Park (2.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church (1.3 miles)
• Cathedral of St John the Baptist (2.3 miles)
• Johnson Square (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• Georgia Eye Institute (1.9 miles)
• The Center for Digestive & Liver Health and The Endoscopy Center (2 miles)
• Nephrology Hypertension Medical Associates (2 miles)
• Atlantic Radiology Associates (2 miles)
• Savannah Center For Respiratory and Criticl Cre Mdcne (2 miles)
• Pediatric Associates of Savannah (2.1 miles)
• Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at MUMC (2.1 miles)

Transportation

• Savannah Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) (2.4 miles)