St James Terrace Apartments

Pros

• Management began addressing problems last year.
• A resident is doing okay there.
• The reviewer doesn't hate the place.

Cons

• The place needs a lot of fixes that should have been completed a long time ago.
• The renovation has left the building with open and unfinished ceilings and an asbestos warning on the front door, with residents moved between apartments every few days.
• There is an obvious roach and mouse problem.
• The water quality is terrible, coming out brown.
• The building has known asbestos and mold, smells dank and old, and tenants have to wear masks.
• The place is not fit to be lived in.

Review

The complex described by these reviews is clearly caught between two realities: a long list of deficits that should have been addressed years ago, and a renovation push that began only recently. Several reviewers emphasize that the property has needed fixes for a long time, with repairs finally getting underway only in the past year. The overall tone suggests a place that has been chronically neglected, and while some work is now happening, the scope and pace of improvements are still in question. This tension between overdue maintenance and ongoing renovation frames much of the current experience at the property.

Within that same vein of mixed experience, at least one commenter notes a personal, more favorable exception: someone they know who lives there is "okay." This single, cautious positive sentiment sits alongside broader dissatisfaction, highlighting that not everyone who interacts with the place shares the same level of concern or frustration. It suggests a spectrum of resident experiences rather than a single, uniform verdict.

The renovation activity itself appears to be a defining feature of the site right now. Reviewers point to open and unfinished ceilings, a conspicuous asbestos warning on the front door, and the need to move residents from one apartment to another as renovations progress. The process is described as disruptive and inconvenient, with frequent shifts between units happening every few days. The implication is that while renovations may be improving the building, they are doing so at a cost to day-to-day livability during the construction phase.

Personal ties to the place color some of the remarks as well. One reviewer says they do not hate the place, noting that it is where their mother lives. This familial attachment adds nuance to the overall portrayal: even amid significant concerns, there is a sense of rootedness and commitment to a residence that functions as a family home. It reminds the reader that housing quality is not only a matter of bricks and pipes, but of relationships and daily routines built around a space.

A more observational perspective arrives from a visit to the property. The reviewer describes the site as looking under construction, with tangible signs of distress in the living environment. A pronounced roach and mouse problem is highlighted, along with seriously degraded water quality - brown water that raises immediate concerns about safety and habitability. The visitor makes a clear judgment: they would not choose to live there themselves, nor would they want their family to live there. The combination of pests and poor water quality compounds the sense of an unsafe or uncomfortable environment.

Finally, the most explicit and alarming assessment characterizes the place as horrible. This reviewer reiterates the construction status and adds serious health and safety concerns: known asbestos and mold inside the building, a dank and old smell, and tenants who must wear masks. The statement closes with a stark verdict - this place is not fit to be lived in - capturing the severity of the conditions described by others. The emphasis on asbestos and mold, along with the need for protective gear, underscores fears about long-term health risks.

Taken together, these reviews paint a picture of a property in flux: overdue maintenance finally being tackled, but with ongoing construction that disrupts daily life and raises safety concerns. Some residents or their families stay out of a sense of attachment or necessity, while others - whether current tenants or visitors - express strong reservations about pests, water quality, and the presence of hazardous materials. The overall narrative is one of a building that is attempting renovations but remains burdened by significant, potentially dangerous conditions that prospective residents would want to weigh carefully.

Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this part of the city offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors. With multiple pharmacies within close proximity, access to prescription medications is convenient. There are also several reputable physicians' offices and hospitals nearby, ensuring quality healthcare options for seniors. In terms of dining options, there are a mix of restaurants and cafes to choose from, providing opportunities for socializing and enjoying delicious meals. Additionally, the area boasts easy access to transportation at Penn Station, making it convenient for seniors to get around the city. Nearby parks offer recreational opportunities and outdoor spaces for leisurely walks or relaxation. Overall, this part of Baltimore provides a well-rounded environment with essential services for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to live.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Trinacria Macaroni Works (0.8 miles)
• The Yard (1.1 miles)
• Pickles Pub (1.2 miles)
• Pratt Street Ale House (1.3 miles)
• Burger King (1.6 miles)
• Phillips Seafood (1.8 miles)
• Miss Shirley's Cafe (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Professional Building (0.8 miles)
• Wozniak Marcella University of Maryland Medical Center Neurology (1.1 miles)
• University Health Center (1.1 miles)
• East Baltimore Medical Center (1.8 miles)
• Jai Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• Bmore Health (2 miles)
• Scottish Rite Speech & Language Center (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• UMMC Midtown Campus (0.8 miles)
• Baltimore VA Medical Center (0.9 miles)
• University of Maryland Medical Center (1 miles)
• Johns Hopkins Outpatient Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Kennedy Krieger Institute (2.2 miles)
• Osler Bulding (2.3 miles)
• The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• Ceremony Coffee Roasters (0.9 miles)
• Dooby's (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Pitango Bakery + Cafe (2.7 miles)
• Miss Shirley's Cafe, Roland Park (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (4 miles)

Transportation

• Penn Station (1.2 miles)

Parks

• Rash Field (1.8 miles)
• Federal Hill Park (2 miles)
• Harbor Point Central Plaza (2.4 miles)
• Patterson Park (3.2 miles)
• Patterson Park Annex (3.3 miles)
• Canton Waterfront Park (3.7 miles)
• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (3.9 miles)