Webster Green

Pros

• Terrance the maintenance guy is awesome, very timely and kind.
• Terrance ordered a new microwave right away and handles issues promptly.
• Derry is supportive and attentive.
• The team changed microwave bulbs and the dishwasher gasket promptly within two days.
• The apartment is beautiful and the management is great.
• Webster Green is in a very nice location in Needham.
• There was great communication between the emergency phone operator and the on-call maintenance team.

Cons

• Hamilton Highlands has the worst maintenance of any apartment building, with repairs taking months despite multiple service requests.
• Management is unresponsive and takes months to reply, if at all.
• There is a persistent mice infestation, and management has not implemented effective solutions.
• The property is not a safe place to live, with health and safety compliance concerns.
• The Hamilton Company is described as a slum-lord with offsite management and abysmal turnover, leading to neglect.
• Trash and debris accumulate in common areas; dumpsters overflow; animals like skunks and raccoons are seen on the property.
• Rent increases are excessive, with large increases over a short period.
• Office staff are abrupt and unhelpful, and tenant inquiries go unanswered.

Review

The reviews reveal a striking split in how residents experience life at these properties, with a persistent praise for on-site maintenance teams on one hand and a chorus of serious concerns about management, communication, and living conditions on the other. Several tenants highlight Terrance, Derry, and a few other maintenance staff as the bright spots in the operation: responsive, kind, and on top of issues as soon as they arise. One tenant recalls Terrance being "awesome, very timely and very kind," noting that he ordered a new microwave right away and that whenever there's a problem, he's "on top of it." Another tenant sings the praises of Derry, describing him as doing a great job and noting that the maintenance team has been prompt in handling replacements such as microwave bulbs and dishwasher gaskets within two days. A third reviewer mentions great communication among the on-call team - an emergency operator and a maintenance person - who even arranged a locksmith when the resident was locked out, resulting in a roughly 90-minute ordeal that was ultimately resolved. In short, the maintenance crew earns high marks from several tenants who feel seen and well-served when issues arise.

Yet, for every positive maintenance story, there is a contrasting account of management that misses the mark. One review captures a frustrating experience: a scheduled meeting with a person named Javier never showed up, exacerbated by dangerously cold temperatures and a slow transit schedule, leaving the resident unable to access warmth or shelter while awaiting help. The sentiment here is blunt - frustration and a sense of unreliability - paired with a note of anger directed at the overall responsiveness of staff. It's a stark reminder that when a different part of the operation fails to follow through, it undercuts the goodwill generated by the maintenance team.

The negative feedback is not limited to scheduling or responsiveness. A number of tenants describe systemic problems, including infestations that remain unaddressed despite tenant requests. One resident reports a pervasive mice problem and accuses staff of opting for repellents instead of proactive solutions like mouse detection or poison, which the tenant believes would be more effective. This is paired with broader dissatisfaction about maintenance culture, with phrases like "not serious" and "not seeking to solve" reflecting a sense that some issues are treated as temporary inconveniences rather than long-term problems. The tone here argues that, without more decisive action, basic living standards are at risk.

Another thread of criticism targets the Hamilton Companies, particularly in the Needham area. Long-running maintenance requests - such as a closet light that took more than eight months to fix and a broken fridge handle that stretched over two months - are cited as examples of chronic neglect. Tenants describe a pattern of infrequent or absent maintenance visits, widespread disrepair, and a general sense that the property is not cared for. The recurring theme is a lack of accountability and a feeling that tenants' concerns are not prioritized, with some reviewers expressing embarrassment over the state of their units given the rental prices they're paying.

The most severe characterizations come from residents who describe living conditions as unsafe or unmanageable. One review paints Hamilton Highlands (Needham Heights) as an "inner-city tenement" with "slum-like" conditions, citing ongoing mice problems, monthly or multimonth delays in addressing issues, and the repeated involvement of the Needham Board of Health due to code concerns. Language like "dangerous" and "not a safe place to live" appears alongside accusations that the company prefers to pay fines rather than implement meaningful fixes. The overarching narrative is that of a property management operation that is unresponsive to health and safety concerns, with a reputation for neglect that extends to trash accumulation, overflowing dumpsters, and construction debris left in hallways.

Additional accounts touch on broader reputational and experiential concerns. Descriptions of offsite management, high turnover of staff, and slow or nonexistent maintenance further contribute to a sense of disorganization. Specific complaints include dogs urinating near entryways, loud noise from upstairs neighbors around the clock, and consistent pest and sanitation problems that are never fully resolved. Rent increases add another layer of tension, with one reviewer noting a nearly $500 increase in two years and ongoing annual hikes around 10%, which many readers would find incongruent with the reported maintenance and living conditions.

Despite the negative themes, there are clear indicators of what tenants value and what they wish to see improved. The consistent praise for responsive maintenance teams shows that, when staff are proactive, courteous, and well-supported, residents feel heard and protected in their homes. Conversely, the persistent complaints about misrepresentation (such as misleading apartment listings) and poor communication (unreturned emails, unreturned calls) underscore the need for transparent, reliable information and a stronger, more accountable management presence. The juxtaposition of high-quality, personal service from some maintenance workers with systemic management and infrastructure issues suggests that meaningful improvement would require both interior, day-to-day responsiveness and a broader, organization-wide commitment to health, safety, and tenant relations.

Overall, the impressions paint a multifaceted picture: the human element of maintenance is often highly capable and appreciated, while the structural and managerial elements - communication, pest control, safety, and fair pricing - are sources of significant dissatisfaction for many residents. Potential renters or current tenants weighing their options would do well to consider both sides of the experience: the dependable, personable maintenance staff who can quickly resolve problems, and the broader concerns about management responsiveness, building conditions, and financial practices that can profoundly affect daily living and long-term residency.

Located in Needham, Massachusetts, this area offers a range of amenities for seniors looking to settle down in a vibrant community. With several cafes like French Press Bakery & Cafe and Blue Bottle Coffee nearby, residents can enjoy leisurely mornings or social gatherings with friends. For dining options, Echo Bridge Restaurant and Eggs & Thai Cafe offer delicious meals close by. The proximity to pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy ensures easy access to essential medications and healthcare needs. Nearby parks like Newton Highlands Playground and Larz Anderson Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are reputable hospitals like Newton-Wellesley Hospital and New England Baptist Hospital nearby for quality medical care. Transportation options are also convenient with MBTA stations like Riverside Station within a few miles. Places of worship such as Parish of the Messiah offer spiritual fulfillment for those seeking a sense of community and belonging. Overall, this part of Needham provides a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Cafes

• French Press Bakery & Cafe (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Mike's Donuts (6.4 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (7.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Echo Bridge Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.6 miles)
• Truly Yogurt (3 miles)
• Corrib Pub & Restaurant (4.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4.2 miles)
• Eggs & Thai Cafe (4.6 miles)
• Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Wegmans (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)

Parks

• Newton Highlands Playground (1.9 miles)
• Cutler Park (2 miles)
• Larz Anderson Park (5.2 miles)
• Natick Common (5.8 miles)
• Pagel Playground (5.9 miles)
• Jamaica Pond (6.1 miles)
• Olmsted Park (6.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Newton-Wellesley Hospital (2.4 miles)
• West Roxbury VA Hospital (3.6 miles)
• New England Baptist Outpatient Care Center (6 miles)
• Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (6.8 miles)
• New England Baptist Hospital (6.9 miles)
• McLean Hospital (7 miles)
• Brigham and Women's Hospital (7 miles)

Physicians

• Dedham Medical (2.6 miles)
• Mersi (5.8 miles)
• Bidmc Lowry Building (6.9 miles)
• Mass. Eye and Ear (6.9 miles)
• Harvard Medical School (7.1 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates – Spinal Unit/Pain Management (7.6 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (7.6 miles)

Transportation

• MBTA Riverside Station (2.9 miles)
• MBTA Reservoir Station (5.1 miles)
• Readville (6.6 miles)
• MBTA Fenway Station (7.4 miles)
• Route 128 station (7.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Parish of the Messiah (3.3 miles)
• Temple Shir Tikva (7.2 miles)
• Saint Catherine of Siena Parish (7.3 miles)
• Our Lady's Church (7.6 miles)

Theaters

• Showcase SuperLux (3.7 miles)
• Cinema World Majestic 7 (5.9 miles)