McGivney-Bethune Apartments in Detroit, MI

Pros

• The staff are respectful, caring, and helpful.
• The place is quiet and kept clean.
• There is security at night and staff available during the day.
• The facility offers a salon, a recreation area, and an entertainment section.
• The activities are well organized and engaging, including games, sit-down exercises, trips, movies, and arts and crafts.
• It is a very nice place with very nice staff, creating a welcoming environment for elderly residents.

Cons

• The apartments are disgusting and deplorable.
• The neighbors are nosy, bitter, and cliquey.
• The front-door security guard with a walker is bitter.
• The reviewer suggests that seniors with no assets would be bitter.
• The manager is negligent and rude and thinks she knows everything.
• The carpets clearly haven't been replaced in a decade.
• The place is described as elder abuse and should be shut down within the next few years.
• Applicants are told not to apply here.
• The leasing staff hung up after about eight rings.
• The facility provides limited care to its residents.

Review

McGivney-Bethune Apartments in Detroit is best suited for independent, low-income seniors who want a secured, maintenance-friendly building with on-site security, basic resident services, and a social calendar, all within a metropolitan setting. The community clearly favors residents who can manage without intensive caregiving and who value affordability alongside a location that offers nearby stores, transportation options, and routine activities. For a senior who can live largely on their own, with limited or no need for daily assistance, this property can offer a workable balance of safety, social engagement, and cost.

Families should consider alternatives if ongoing personal care, housekeeping, or strong on-site support is required. Several reviews flag that care is limited at this site, and that a resident needing extensive assistance may outgrow what the building provides. Concerns range from notes about negligent or rude management to a perception of elder-abuse-like conditions from some former residents. The presence of senior-appropriate services appears inconsistent, and the leasing process and responsiveness can be uneven. For anyone evaluating care-heavy needs, a community with robust assisted-living or memory-care options will likely be a better fit.

The strongest pros here are security, maintenance responsiveness, and a routine that supports independent living. Reviewers repeatedly credit a quiet, clean environment, visible on-site staff, and dependable maintenance response when issues arise. A staffed front line and evening security help create a sense of safety, which matters for residents who worry about guardianship and personal protection. An active activities program - games, relaxation exercises, outings, crafts - offers meaningful engagement for residents who want social stimulation without requiring continuous hands-on care. These components can offset some building-age drawbacks for those who prize independence and social connection.

In addition, the location itself is repeatedly described as a plus. Positive anecdotes highlight proximity to stores, a restaurant, and other conveniences across a walkable street, with transportation assistance mentioned as a notable perk for those needing limited outside support. The common areas and overall upkeep, when described favorably, reinforce the impression of a place that can feel comfortable and approachable for residents who prefer a simpler, self-directed lifestyle. For families prioritizing security, social activity, and basic amenities within Detroit's urban core, these advantages carry meaningful weight.

Yet the cons cannot be dismissed. The most significant red flags include reports of dirty carpets and aging interiors, which signal ongoing maintenance and quality-of-life concerns. A few reviewers describe the building's leadership as negligent or difficult, and at least one account cites problematic interactions at the leasing desk. The spectrum of experiences - ranging from highly positive to severely negative - suggests that the resident experience can swing based on individual staff and the specific unit. For anyone sensitive to inconsistency in service quality or to a management tone that feels dismissive, these factors warrant serious caution.

The bottom-line guidance is practical and clear: McGivney-Bethune Apartments can work well for independent, budget-conscious seniors who want a secure setting with some social programming and nearby conveniences. It is not a good fit for those requiring regular caregiving, robust on-site services, or a consistently supportive management environment. Families evaluating this option should insist on an in-person tour, speak with current residents about daily life, and ask pointed questions about maintenance turnaround, carpets and interiors, security routines, and what exact services are included in the lease. If independence and affordability are the priorities, and the resident can tolerate variable service levels, this community may be worth pursuing. If not, pursuing an assisted-living or more service-rich option will likely yield a more predictable and comprehensive level of care.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5 miles)

Parks

• Palmer Park (2.1 miles)
• Harding Park (4.2 miles)
• Scout Park (4.4 miles)
• Hemlock Park (5.7 miles)
• Starr Jaycee Park (7 miles)
• Center Line Memorial Park (7.8 miles)

Cafes

• Ferndale Project (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Qahwah House (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.9 miles)
• The Bean Bar (8.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Park Geriatric Village (3 miles)
• Henry Ford Hospital (5 miles)
• Henry Ford Health System (5 miles)
• Hfhs - Main - F4 (5.1 miles)
• Hudson-Webber Cancer Research (6.8 miles)
• Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (6.8 miles)
• Harper University Hospital (6.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Urbanrest Brewing Company (3.9 miles)
• Al-Ameer (4.9 miles)
• Station Shawarma (5 miles)
• Hamido Restaurant (5 miles)
• Rock On 3rd (5 miles)
• McDonald's (5.1 miles)
• Shatila Bakery (5.1 miles)

Physicians

• Royal Oak Pediatrics PC (4.9 miles)
• Be Well Medical Center (5.2 miles)
• Michigan Eyecare Institute (6.7 miles)
• University Health Center (6.9 miles)
• Childrens Hospital Of Michigan Specialty Center - Detroit (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Royal Oak (5.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Masjid Salam (6.9 miles)