Morningside South

Pros

• The staff has been outstanding.
• The maintenance department has provided outstanding service.
• The Thanksgiving dinner was very nice, with good food and a pleasant time.
• The staff addressed concerns in less than one day.
• The building is decent.
• The staff is nice.

Cons

• The building has changed for the worse since move-in, with the staff allegedly lying and using the tenant's past against them.
• A few rotten staff members are making the building unpleasant.
• Packages have been stolen due to no security, and the tenant fears going downstairs at night.
• The laundry room has only one working washer and repairs have stalled since April, showing neglect by management.
• The building is overrun by drug addicts, security is a joke, maintenance is worse, and the posted photos do not reflect reality.

Review

The place has clearly changed a lot since the reviewer first moved in, and the overall verdict is a tangled mix of disappointment and guarded optimism. On one hand, there is a strong sense that the building remains solid on a basic level - "the building is decent" and "no police coming to my apartment, no fighting, or drinking/drug uses." The tenant cards themselves as a model of a good resident: rent paid on time, few visitors, mostly staying private, and a preference for keeping to themselves. Yet this calm, personal balance is repeatedly undercut by broader problems that seem to have intensified after the property stopped being affiliated with Moody Bible Institute. The underlying theme is that management and on-site staff once offered a smoother, more predictable experience, but recent years have brought friction, mistrust, and a sense that truth and fairness are being tested in real time.

A recurring thread in these reflections is the tension between residents and management whenever concerns arise. One account paints a picture of a power struggle where speaking up - "when you complain about something that is legit" - puts a tenant in a defensive posture. In this view, the property manager might not only dispute the issue but also lean on staff to back up what is described as a lie, all while trying to leverage a tenant's past history against them. The sentiment is not that all staff are antagonistic, but that the authority structure can feel punitive or reflexively defensive when a resident speaks up about problems. It's a portrait of a management culture that can feel adversarial, especially to those who feel they are simply reporting legitimate problems.

Security and safety emerge as a second major concern. The mood shifts toward a sense of vulnerability as packages disappear and there is a perception that there is little to no security in the building. The absence of security personnel, cameras, and reliable patrols is repeatedly lamented, with residents openly admitting that they are fearful to go downstairs at night. The call is clear: if you want peace of mind, you need a visible security presence and surveillance to deter theft and provide reassurance for tenants who are living in a high-rise environment.

Facilities and maintenance issues compound the frustration. A battered laundry room becomes almost a symbol of broader neglect: last week there were three working washers, this week only one; an engineer reportedly has been trying to fix the machines since April, and by October 1st progress feels insufficient. The sentiment is that management's attention to these everyday needs is inconsistent, and as a result, residents feel unprioritized. There's also a perception of miscommunication or lack of forewarning about policies that affect daily living, such as an unexpected discovery of pets in the building, which the speaker heard about only after moving in.

The narrative about the building's current condition contrasts sharply with memories of the past and the broader reputation of the institution behind it. One voice describes the building as having been "overrun by drug addicts" and lamenting that the security and maintenance have deteriorated since the Moody Bible Institute era ended. There's a stark claim that the lobby and other areas do not resemble the polished photos that were posted publicly, and the situation is described as a catastrophe by someone with decades of memory in the building. Another voice joins this somber assessment, referencing a long-standing relative (a grandmother who lived there for 20+ years) and reinforcing the view that the current state is far from what it used to be.

Not all feedback, however, is bleak. There are also positive, affirming notes that keep the overall picture from tipping entirely negative. One resident who moved in in September reports an immediate and substantial positive impact: staff responded to concerns within a day, and the maintenance department has delivered "outstanding service" to this person and other residents. There is gratitude for the swift attention to issues and for an event that helped bring the community together: a Thanksgiving dinner in November that year, described as very nice with good food and a pleasant atmosphere. This voice credits management and maintenance with turning around an otherwise challenging start and expresses appreciation for the care shown during community events.

Taken together, the collection of voices presents a complex, multi-layered portrait. The building is described as fundamentally decent - capable of being comfortable and safe with the right conditions - but plagued by inconsistent security, maintenance delays, and what many perceive as a problematic management dynamic. The divides are between residents who feel unheard and undermined by administrative methods when they raise legitimate concerns, and those who feel confidently supported by responsive, appreciative staff and maintenance teams. The result is a place that can feel livable and even pleasant at times, yet clearly struggles with structural gaps - security, consistent facility upkeep, transparent communication, and alignment between management's actions and tenants' expectations.

In the end, several themes emerge as essential for anyone evaluating this building. Security is not optional; packages being stolen and a lack of on-site protection leave residents anxious, especially at night. Laundry and other daily conveniences should not be repeatedly interrupted by slow or incomplete repairs, and residents deserve steady, predictable maintenance that matches the level of service promised when they moved in. Finally, the interaction between tenants and management matters: a culture that respects honest complaints, provides swift and substantive responses, and communicates openly about policies - especially around pets and access to services - will greatly influence how tenants experience life in what could otherwise be a solid, comfortable home.

This part of Chicago, Illinois, offers a convenient and vibrant neighborhood with a variety of amenities within close proximity. There are several pharmacies, hospitals, cafes, restaurants, transportation options, and parks nearby, providing easy access to essential services and recreational activities. The area also features cultural attractions such as theaters for entertainment. Additionally, there are healthcare facilities and dental specialists in the vicinity for medical needs. Overall, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded living environment with diverse options for seniors looking to settle down in a bustling urban setting.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)

Restaurants

• Portillo's Hot Dogs (0.5 miles)
• Giordano's (0.5 miles)
• Tao Chicago Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Eataly (0.7 miles)
• The Purple Pig (0.8 miles)
• Rossi's Liquors (0.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (1 miles)
• Intelligentsia Coffee (1.2 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (0.7 miles)
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (0.9 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (2.5 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (2.7 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (2.9 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (2.9 miles)

Transportation

• CTA - Clark/Lake (1 miles)
• Ogilvie Transportation Center (1.3 miles)
• Cta (1.5 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (1.5 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (1.7 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (1.7 miles)
• Metra - LaSalle Street (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (1.2 miles)
• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Maggie Daley Park (1.4 miles)
• Grant Park - Butler Field (1.6 miles)
• Mary Bartelme Park (1.7 miles)
• Grant Park (1.9 miles)
• Skinner Bark Park (2 miles)
• Skinner Dog Park (2 miles)
• Union Park (2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (2.2 miles)