Village Square Co-Operative in Utica, MI

Pros

• The food is always great.
• The chef is excellent and the staff are friendly.
• The schools are awesome.
• The location is convenient, being close to main roads and various stores.
• There are community activities throughout the year.

Cons

• The reviewer warns that interactions with the office staff require recording conversations and documenting everything.
• The community gardens are no longer tended, and volunteers have been driven away, leading to neglected maintenance.
• There is trash everywhere and no public trash cans, with litter routinely left around.
• The office staff are described as causing ongoing problems, harassing residents over the rules and being rude when contacted.
• A resident's refurbished swing was taken by groundskeeping without prior notice.
• The unit is covered in black mold and water leaks, and management allegedly brushes off concerns, leaving health issues unresolved.
• Val and Rodger Hall from Kirkpatrick are reported to never return emails or phone calls, and inspections are conducted by unlicensed personnel.
• There is an annual infestation of earwigs in the unit.

Review

Village Square Co-Operative in Utica, MI is best suited for active, budget-conscious seniors who want a social, community-focused living option with convenient access to major roads and nearby stores. The cooperative setup and a schedule of year-round activities appeal to residents who value companionship, regular events, and a sense of shared ownership in where they live. The kitchen tends to be a real bright spot, with a great chef and friendly dining staff contributing noticeably to daily life. In short, this property can deliver warmth, social engagement, and affordability - elements that matter when daily life is measured by participation, not just square footage.

Those most likely to want alternatives are individuals who demand rock-solid maintenance and immediate, reliable responsiveness from management. The experiences recounted point to a pattern of office staff issues, heavy-handed rule enforcement, and inconsistent follow-through on resident concerns. For anyone who prioritizes swift problem resolution, transparent communication, and a consistently pristine living environment, this community's current management dynamics present a mismatch. Families with residents who have environmental sensitivities or medical conditions aggravated by mold or pests should seriously consider other options where remediation and accountability are more evident.

The upside centers on tangible quality-of-life benefits that can offset some daily frictions. The food program stands out as a meaningful daily perk, contributing to residents' satisfaction and social interaction around meals. The presence of year-round activities and a sense of community - cultivated by volunteers and organized events - gives residents opportunities to stay engaged and connected. Proximity to major corridors and shopping also reduces the stress of errands and outings. When these positives align with tolerable management performance, the overall living experience can feel robust and satisfying for individuals who prize social capital and convenience over pristine property conditions.

Yet the most damning drawbacks are structural and health-related. Recurrent complaints about mold and water leaks within units, coupled with aggressive or dismissive management responses, create an existential concern for residents and families alike. Documentation of mold tests by independent contractors and credible reports of displaced tenants render any notion of "maintenance as usual" untenable. The fear induced by recurring infestations, persistent odors, and delayed remediation cannot be dismissed as mere inconvenience. These are health risks that materially erode confidence in the safety and habitability of the living spaces, and they overshadow even the strongest culinary or social offerings.

Environmental quality inside and around the property compounds the risk. Reports of trash accumulation, lack of public trash receptacles, and neglected outdoor areas - such as community gardens that once added beauty and volunteer engagement - signal ongoing maintenance and cleanliness failures. The erosion of volunteer-driven programs and neglected grounds undermine the sense of pride that often sustains a cooperative living environment. In short, the aesthetic and functional decline harms day-to-day comfort and can intensify stress for residents who rely on orderly surroundings to support their well-being.

Ultimately, Village Square Co-Operative represents a trade-off: strong social life, good meals, and a convenient location versus uneven management, unresolved maintenance issues, and notable health hazards. It is a fit for residents who can compartmentalize concerns and lean into the community while demanding explicit remediation commitments and better accountability. For families prioritizing pristine units, rapid problem-solving, and rigorous environmental safety, alternatives should be on the short list - options with transparent remediation processes, consistently responsive management, and verifiable maintenance histories. The decision hinges on tolerance for risk and the value placed on social connectedness; where those align, Village Square can be rewarding, but where health and reliability are non-negotiable, exploring other communities will likely yield a more predictable, safer living experience.

Restaurants

• Dave & Buster's (0.2 miles)
• National Coney Island (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.2 miles)
• Wendy's (1.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.3 miles)

Parks

• Whispering Woods Park (0.5 miles)
• Dodge Park (2.7 miles)
• Mae Stecker Park (3.5 miles)
• Waldenburg Park (4.3 miles)
• Earl E Borden Park (4.8 miles)
• Clinton Township Parks & Recreation (5 miles)
• Bloomer Park (5.8 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.5 miles)
• The Hot Spot Coffee (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Shelby Bible Church (2.3 miles)
• St Peter Lutheran Church (4.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Forum 3 (2.4 miles)
• Emagine Macomb (3.5 miles)
• MJR Partridge Creek Digital Cinema 14 (3.6 miles)
• Emagine Rochester Hills (5.8 miles)

Physicians

• Michigan Surgery Specialists - Shelby Township (2.5 miles)
• Henry Ford Shelby Ob/Gyn (2.9 miles)
• Midwest Center For Dermatology (3.3 miles)
• Mmi Dr M Chen (3.3 miles)
• Ascension Stonebridge Orthopedic Urgent Care (3.7 miles)
• Partridge Creek Center For Womens Health (3.7 miles)
• Partners In Family Medicine (4 miles)

Hospitals

• St John Medical Center (4.4 miles)