St George Tower in Clinton Twp, MI

Pros

• The staff is very friendly.
• The building is in good shape.
• The apartment seen was just what the reviewer needed.
• St. George Tower is a perfect fit for lower-income seniors under independent living.
• The building is well maintained and clean, with handicapped apartments available.
• All utilities are included in rent with central air/heat.
• It has energy-efficient windows and private balcony access.
• Management offers amenities like a computer lab, library, and exercise room.
• Residents can enjoy activities such as card games, board games, and a puzzle room.
• The reviewer’s mother loves St. George's and can't wait to move back in.
• The facility is larger with more activities.

Cons

• They report maintenance emergencies go unanswered and that it’s hard to reach anyone.
• They were without water all day Friday.
• They still have no hot water because maintenance hasn’t lit the pilot light.
• They had to heat water in a kettle to bathe or wash dishes.
• They had no drinking water for half the day Friday.
• They find it very difficult to reach anyone since the phone line is always busy and messages can’t be left.
• They say maintenance requests have not been fixed for over a year and a half.
• They can’t tell when their name will come up on the waiting list.

Review

St George Tower in Clinton Township is best suited for seniors who want true independent living on a modest budget, with all utilities bundled into rent and a straightforward, maintenance-light lifestyle. The community presents as a clean, well-kept building with energy-efficient features, comfortable one-bedroom layouts, and private balconies. Residents can expect a self-directed social scene, with activities largely organized by neighbors rather than staff, and a small menu of on-site conveniences such as a computer lab, a library, and an exercise room. For households prioritizing affordability and independence, this campus can be a solid match, especially given the availability of handicapped-accessible units within the independent framework, albeit with a long wait.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are families or seniors who cannot tolerate frequent or high-stakes maintenance gaps. Reviews highlight chronic issues around basic utilities and responsive service: hot water outages, pilots not being lit, and maintenance requests that drag on for months or longer. Communication proves unreliable, with phone lines frequently busy and weekend coverage limited. The combination of slow repairs and limited on-site staffing during critical times makes this community risky for anyone with health concerns or reliance on predictable service. For individuals who value consistent, proactive upkeep and easy access to staff, alternatives should be a priority.

The tangible advantages, budget-friendly rent, utilities included, and a clean, well-maintained physical plant, do offset some drawbacks, but only to a point. The bundled costs simplify budgeting for those on fixed incomes, and the building’s infrastructure supports comfortable climate control and energy efficiency. Amenities that support an active lifestyle, like a library, computer lab, and exercise room, plus opportunities for resident-led socialization, create a livable environment where independence is practical and sustainable. The presence of handicapped apartments within the independent-senior spectrum also provides a realistic pathway for aging in place without immediate transition to assisted living, though the waiting list limits speed to move in.

Yet the main caveat remains service reliability. Weekend inattention, delayed maintenance, and a reported inability to contact management during emergencies undermine the sense of security that independent living should deliver. The no-meals-available model means daily routine hinges on individual cooking, which is standard for independent living but can become a friction point if health or energy levels fluctuate. The no-smoking rule and the emphasis on resident-driven activities reflect a disciplined, orderly culture, which works for many but isn’t universally welcoming. For some, the combination of quiet structure and self-sufficiency is ideal; for others, it exposes a vulnerability to service gaps that feel disproportionate to the setting.

In advising families, weigh personal health realities against the schedule and accountability of on-site management. If independence, predictable monthly costs, and a community that supports resident-led activity are non-negotiable, St George Tower deserves thorough consideration, provided there is a candid plan for how maintenance requests will be handled and how emergencies will be managed. If any resident is approaching a need for frequent assistance, or if guaranteed rapid repairs and reliable utility operation are essential, explore alternatives with stronger on-site supervision or a more responsive maintenance culture. Do not rely on anecdotal goodwill alone, verify current response times, uptime of essential utilities, and the ability to reach staff quickly.

The bottom line is clear. St George Tower offers an affordable, self-directed living option with meaningful on-site amenities and a sense of community for budget-conscious seniors who value autonomy. The deal-breaker for many will be maintenance reliability and communication, issues that can quickly erode the benefits if left unaddressed. For a resident who can advocate effectively, tolerate occasional service delays, and wants a true independent lifestyle, this community can be a very good fit. For anyone who cannot risk frequent outages or slow repairs, or who needs steady on-site care, alternatives with stronger operational support should be pursued. Before deciding, engage directly with current residents, confirm the latest rent and what is included, and verify the status and wait times for handicapped units to ensure the choice aligns with long-term care needs.