Brashear Towers Senior Citizen

Pros

• Many residents appreciate the clean living environment and feel grateful for their homes at Brashear, noting the helpfulness of the management.
• The location is a significant advantage, with easy access to nearby amenities like the mall.
• Some residents have had a long-term positive experience and believe that the building is one of the nicest HUD housing options available.
• The renovations and upgrades made by management, such as improved common areas and maintenance responsiveness, have been well-received.
• Residents recognize that despite some challenges with window operations, most agree that the management cares about their well-being and addresses work orders promptly.
• There’s a sense of community among residents who look out for one another and engage in activities together.

Cons

• Many residents feel that the new management has taken away amenities and services that were previously offered, leading to dissatisfaction with the overall experience.
• Several residents express frustration about the non-opening windows, which they believe contribute to stale air and uncomfortable temperatures in their apartments.
• Seniors with mobility issues are reportedly not allowed to sit outside under an awning and must walk a considerable distance to reach the designated smoking area, where there are insufficient seating arrangements.
• The lack of diverse activities beyond bingo is criticized, with some residents feeling discouraged by management from organizing their own social events.
• Residents have complained about locked bathrooms near communal dining areas, limiting accessibility during meal times.
• Some former residents describe feeling as though they are treated like prisoners, citing a lack of respect from staff and a perceived authoritarian environment.
• There are reports of ongoing maintenance issues, such as faulty light switches and missing exercise equipment, which contribute to residents’ frustration with the facilities.
• One resident noted that despite renovations to public areas, many apartments remain old and in disrepair, failing to meet expectations set by management promises.

Review

The community of Brashear has garnered a mix of reviews from its residents, reflecting a polarized experience that highlights both the merits and drawbacks of living in this subsidized housing facility. The overall sentiment appears to be split, with some tenants expressing satisfaction while others voice significant concerns regarding management changes, living conditions, and resident activities.

Many long-term residents appreciate the stability and comfort of life at Brashear. They emphasize their gratitude for a clean environment and prompt maintenance services, noting that work orders are addressed swiftly. For many, the location is ideal; proximity to shopping centers like the mall adds convenience to daily life. One resident who has lived there for over a decade expressed contentment with their apartment despite the windows’ inability to open—opting instead for fresh air on the balcony or outside when needed. This sentiment is echoed by others who maintain that while the windows do not open, the apartments are still among the nicest they have seen in similar HUD housing facilities.

However, shifting management dynamics have led to frustrations among some residents. A notable concern involves new regulations regarding outdoor seating arrangements for seniors. Critics point out that those with mobility challenges must traverse considerable distances to designated smoking areas instead of enjoying time under awnings near their buildings. This lack of consideration for senior residents has prompted complaints about feeling less like valued community members and more like inmates under strict supervision.

Additionally, many residents lamented what they perceive as a decline in community engagement and activities since new ownership took over. While past programs such as bingo fostered social interaction, complaints suggest that recent efforts to introduce new activities have faced discouragement from management. Detractors argue that this disconnection exacerbates feelings of isolation within an aging population already struggling with mobility issues.

Physical considerations also emerged as significant points of contention. Several reviews highlighted dissatisfaction with heating conditions in upper-floor apartments once air conditioning systems were disabled for winter months; temperatures reportedly soared above recommended levels without any means available to cool down living spaces due to sealed windows. Future tenants should be cautious about these temperature disparities that might impact comfort levels during seasonal transitions away from central air conditioning.

On a more positive note, some reviews acknowledged improvements brought about by new property owners—such as renovations made across common areas and enhanced cleanliness throughout the facility. However, voices opposing these changes cautioned against an atmosphere increasingly resembling an impersonal hotel rather than fostering genuine community spirit.

Thus, potential residents eyeing Brashear should weigh both sides presented by current tenants: while some genuinely enjoy their living situation with continuous upkeep and accessible amenities, others remain skeptical about its long-term desirability due primarily to restrictive policies affecting social interaction among seniors combined with environmental factors impacting personal comfort levels.

This part of Livonia, Michigan offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors. The proximity to Phoenix Theatres Laurel Park Place and other cinemas provides entertainment options, while various dining establishments like Grand Tavern and J. Alexander's Restaurant offer convenient dining choices for residents. Additionally, easy access to pharmacies such as Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy ensures timely medication needs are met. Places of worship like Ward Church are nearby for spiritual fulfillment, and cafes like Panera Bread provide social settings for relaxation and socializing. The availability of reputable hospitals such as Trinity Health Wound Care - Livonia Hospital and physicians' offices like Mendelson Orthopedics offer quality healthcare services in close proximity. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy the nearby parks like Rotary Park and Woodland Hills Nature Park for outdoor recreation opportunities. Overall, this part of Livonia presents a well-rounded living environment with convenient amenities for senior residents.

Theaters

• Phoenix Theatres Laurel Park Place (0.2 miles)
• Riviera Cinema (4.8 miles)
• Emagine Novi (6.1 miles)
• Emagine Theatres (6.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Grand Tavern (0.3 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.9 miles)
• Shake Shack (0.9 miles)
• J. Alexander’S Restaurant (0.9 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (1 miles)
• Coaches Corner of Livonia (1.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Ward Church (0.9 miles)
• Church of the Holy Family (4.2 miles)
• Brightmoor Christian Church (6.8 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (6.1 miles)
• Biggby Coffee of Westland (6.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Trinity Health Wound Care - Livonia Hospital (1.7 miles)
• Botsford Hospital (5.3 miles)
• Providence Park Hospital (7 miles)

Physicians

• Mendelson, Jeffrey D, Md - Mendelson Orthopedics (1.8 miles)
• Ophthalmic Specialists of Michigan - Livonia Office (2.3 miles)
• Beaumont Midwest Internal Medicine Associates (2.7 miles)
• Asthma & Allergic Disease Center (2.8 miles)
• Livonia Dermatology (2.9 miles)
• Medical Clinic of Northville (3 miles)
• Parkview Professional Building (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Rotary Park (3.3 miles)
• Flanders Park (3.3 miles)
• Plymouth Township Park (5.3 miles)
• Woodland Hills Nature Park (5.6 miles)
• Paul Revere Park (6.4 miles)
• Liberty Park Playground (6.5 miles)
• ITC Community Sports Park (6.8 miles)