Royal Oak Manor Cooperative

Pros

• The staff was friendly and knowledgeable.
• The facility is clean and well-lit.
• Residents are friendly, and stores are close by.
• The location is a standout selling point, with easy walking access to two grocery stores, a drugstore, a hardware store, medical buildings, the Amtrak train, and about 37 restaurants.
• The community is upscale and safe and secure.
• The CSI Family is supportive, contributing to a great benefit for seniors.
• There are regular activities such as card games, bingo, scrabble, and occasional holiday gatherings.
• Weekly buses provide convenient transportation to local stores.

Cons

• The neighbours are terrible and prone to cursing and profanity toward others.
• One neighbour cusses and uses profanity at people from his window, including delivery drivers.
• A neighbour is described as miserable to share a building with.
• The reviewer was harassed by two elders for parking, who yelled and insulted them.
• Elevators are frequently unusable, sometimes out for hours or the entire day.
• The location is loud due to train tracks and constant sirens.
• Crossing Main Street to reach public parking is dangerous, and the city won't install lights to help.
• Management is accused of lying about the co-op and costs, with residents having no say in major expenses.
• Rent has been increased multiple times.
• The bed bug infestation has persisted for years with ineffective treatments, and the claim that bed bugs are widespread in Royal Oak is false.

Review

The collection of reviews paints a complex portrait of Royal Oak Manor and its CSI siblings in Michigan. On the sunny side, many residents describe a clean, well-maintained building with an upscale ambiance and a strong sense of community. The halls are bright and well-lit, and the overall environment often earns praise for safety, security, and a tone of friendliness. Several reviewers highlight staff as friendly and knowledgeable, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere that makes the property feel like a cared-for home rather than just an apartment building. The sense of belonging is reinforced by comments about residents looking out for one another and an active, people-focused culture that feels bigger than the individual units.

A standout feature for many residents is the location and the surrounding convenience. The property sits in a setting where daily-life needs are easily met: two grocery stores, a drugstore, a hardware store, medical buildings, and a broad array of restaurants are all within walking distance. One review even extols the area as being within yards of two train tracks with trains running day and night, contributing to the urban, walkable character that many seniors appreciate. The combination of proximity to public transit (including Amtrak) and the availability of weekly buses to local stores is repeatedly cited as a major selling point, offering both independence and access to services without frequent driving.

The amenities extend beyond basic housing. Reviewers frequently mention safety and security as crucial positives, and there is a sense that the community has been upgraded and refreshed to keep things current. The building is described as clean and well-kept, with remodeling efforts that, at least for some, have improved the living space. Residents also note a range of social and leisure activities - card games, bingo, scrabble, and occasional holiday gatherings - along with a friendly, inclusive vibe described as part of the "CSI family" culture. For many, this combination of a polished living environment and engaging social life makes Royal Oak Manor a desirable place to call home.

Yet the picture is not unidimensional. Several reviews underscore persistent, practical challenges that can overshadow even the most favorable daily experiences. The most frequently cited issue is the elevators: they are often out of service for hours, sometimes for an entire day, making upper floors notably less accessible for residents who rely on stairs or have mobility concerns. This recurring problem is intertwined with another practical concern - the building's parking situation. There is a long wait-list for the two parking lots, and off-street options require navigating a cross-Main Street route that many reviewers describe as dangerous due to the absence of traffic signals and the train's proximity. The city's decision not to install a protective light at this crossing adds to perceptions of risk when residents attempt to park or move around the neighborhood.

The logistics of daily life also come into focus. Reviewers talk about the cost and availability of parking in clear terms: the on-site lots have limited space and wait times, while nearby city-run lots offer alternatives at a price (e.g., $45 per month) but require risky crossing points to access. The property's location, while convenient, can translate into sensory realities that some find challenging: trains rumble nearby, and across from a fire station, the area is punctuated by sirens at all hours. For some residents, this adds character to the urban setting; for others, it's a daily irritant or a disruption to rest and quiet.

Interpersonal dynamics within the building add another layer of nuance. A few reviews describe tense, even hostile encounters - such as a situation where two elders harassed a resident over parking, shouting and using insulting language. Such incidents suggest that, despite an overall friendly atmosphere, conflicts can flare and affect the lived experience for individuals. These stories contrast with the broader sentiment of camaraderie and community, reminding readers that personal interactions can vary dramatically from one neighbor to the next.

There is also a tension between positive operational intent and perceptions of transparency or governance. Some reviewers acknowledge that the facility is well-meaning and emphasizes resident welfare, volunteers, and community spirit. Others, however, offer cautionary notes about the management structure and financial decisions. One former resident claims the place is not a true co-op in practice, with major expenses controlled by the administration and rent increases occurring multiple times. Bed bug concerns are mentioned as an ongoing issue by at least one reviewer, along with complaints about remodeling work that felt incomplete or misdirected. The same review notes a sense of disparity between promises and reality regarding community governance and cost controls.

Altogether, the stories converge into a portrait of a place that blends strong positives with significant tradeoffs. Royal Oak Manor and the CSI properties in Michigan are repeatedly described as clean, safe, and socially vibrant, with a convenient, walkable location that supports independence and activity. They offer a supportive staff, a welcoming resident community, and abundant local amenities, all of which contribute to a high-quality living experience for many residents. At the same time, ongoing practical challenges - reliable elevator service, parking logistics, noise from trains and sirens, and disputes over governance and costs - highlight real frustrations that can complicate daily life. The decision to make this community home seems to hinge on what a resident values most: a robust, active sense of community and excellent proximity to services, or a priority on quiet, predictable maintenance, and transparent, resident-directed management.

This part of Royal Oak, Michigan offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple pharmacies nearby such as CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, access to medication and healthcare services is readily available. In terms of dining options, there are various restaurants like Rock On 3rd, National Coney Island, and cafes such as Starbucks and Panera Bread offering a mix of casual and quick bites. For entertainment, Emagine Royal Oak theater is close by for movie buffs. Additionally, there are several parks like Harding Park and Starr Jaycee Park for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. The presence of healthcare facilities like Royal Oak Pediatrics PC and Troy Orthopedics Associates ensures that medical attention is easily accessible. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with a mix of amenities for seniors seeking a comfortable living experience.

Restaurants

• Rock On 3rd (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• National Coney Island (1.4 miles)
• Urbanrest Brewing Company (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• Alex's of Berkley (2.5 miles)
• Brown Iron Brewhouse Royal Oak (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Ferndale Project (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Royal Oak (0.4 miles)
• AMC Star John R 15 (3.6 miles)
• MJR Troy Grand Digital Cinema 16 (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Royal Oak Pediatrics PC (0.7 miles)
• Be Well Medical Center (1.7 miles)
• Troy Orthopedics Associates (5.1 miles)
• Beverly Hills Orthopedists (5.2 miles)
• Troy Medical Center (5.2 miles)
• Metro Medical Practice (5.3 miles)
• Sterling Physicians (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Harding Park (1.2 miles)
• Starr Jaycee Park (2.4 miles)
• Scout Park (3 miles)
• Clawson Park (3.9 miles)
• Palmer Park (4.6 miles)
• Shain Park (5.6 miles)
• Center Line Memorial Park (5.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Park Geriatric Village (6 miles)
• St John Macomb-Oakland Hospital Warren Emergency Care (7.2 miles)
• St John Macomb Hospital (7.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Big Beaver United Methodist Church (6.4 miles)