Parkway Gardens in St. Paul, MN

Pros

• Parkway Gardens' staff are friendly and helpful, providing residents with all needed information.
• The building is clean, and residents say they enjoy living there.
• The maintenance crew promptly addresses needs and keeps the property well-maintained.
• The tour and application process are handled professionally and efficiently.
• The management team is responsive, professional, and genuinely dedicated to helping residents.
• Parkway Gardens is a beautiful place to live with many activities to enjoy.
• The residents are friendly, contributing to a welcoming community.
• The apartments are affordable and comfortable, with well-sized bedrooms.
• The amenities, like a well-equipped community room and laundry on every floor, enhance the living experience.

Cons

• The building was depressing and dirty.
• There was constant noise overhead for a year and management did not address it; staff lied on paperwork and would not allow the lease to be terminated.
• The washers and dryers don't work properly.
• The building has gone downhill and is not kept clean.
• There is an aggressive dog in the building that has attacked two dogs, with inadequate management control.
• The elevator has broken again in a senior living community.
• The apartment lacks central air and the coin laundry machines are broken; the lobby looks like a nursing home.

Review

Parkway Gardens in St. Paul is best suited for seniors who want an affordable, socially active community with genuine warmth from staff and neighbors. The place rewards residents who value a lively calendar of activities, friendly front-desk service, and on-site maintenance that tends to respond quickly. For those who prioritize large, comfortable living spaces at a reasonable price, Parkway Gardens delivers on size and cost, with an atmosphere that feels homey and neighborly. That said, those who demand a pristine, elevator-stable building with strictly senior-only occupancy and flawless management should consider alternatives.

The strongest positives cluster around people and practicality. Residents consistently praise the front-desk team and maintenance crews for professionalism and responsiveness, and they report a clean, well-kept property overall. The property offers features that matter in daily life: laundry on every floor, a sizable community room, and a grocery truck amenity that reduces trips off-site. The apartments themselves are described as surprisingly roomy, with neighbors who are congenial and eager to engage. For families evaluating a practical, sociable setting for a loved one, these elements translate into a livable, supportive environment.

However, the downsides are not minor and tend to surface quickly in daily life. Elevator reliability is a recurrent concern, with outages that ripple through routines and can disrupt access to apartments. Not all units have central air, and some residents report aging appliances and inconsistent laundry machines - problems that erode convenience and raise frustration, especially in peak usage. Noise can be an ongoing issue, including overhead disturbances and late-night activity, and there are persistent concerns about non-senior residents and even aggressive dogs on-site, which complicate safety and comfort for long-term older-adult occupants. Management is not uniformly praised; several reviews describe inconsistent handling of problems, uneven customer service, and communication gaps that can leave residents feeling dismissed or overwhelmed.

These pros and cons are not merely competing lists; they interact in meaningful ways. The strong sense of community and efficient maintenance frequently mitigates the impact of mechanical hiccups and occasional noise, creating a dependable baseline of everyday livability. The affordability and spacious floor plans cushion the sting of older infrastructure, and professional staff who are described as helpful and approachable can defuse conflicts before they escalate. In practice, residents who stay long enough often point to the combination of a welcoming vibe and practical amenities as the core value proposition, even if a few systems and policies lag behind modern expectations.

Prospective renters should weigh Parkway Gardens against a few clear alternatives. If a fully senior-only building with demonstrably consistent management, zero tolerance for disturbances, and guaranteed elevator reliability is non-negotiable, look beyond Parkway Gardens. Families and individuals who require a more controlled environment, tighter security, or more modernized in-unit amenities may find better fit elsewhere. Those who have had repeat budget constraints or sensitivity to service gaps - especially around leasing processes, problem resolution, or appliance replacements - may also want to explore other affordable communities with stronger, more uniform management track records.

For decision-making, a practical path follows: visit with questions tailored to personal priorities - elevator reliability and timing of repairs, the status of laundry facilities, and current occupancy mix (how many non-seniors are present and how that affects quiet hours). Inquire about recent incidents and the steps taken to address them, and solicit candid feedback from several current residents on management responsiveness. Parkway Gardens can be an excellent match for a resident who prizes affordability, sociability, and proactive maintenance, but it is not a universal fit. When reliability, unwavering senior-only policies, and pristine common areas are non-negotiable, alternatives should be seriously considered.

This area of St. Paul, Minnesota offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community. With several pharmacies within close proximity, accessing necessary medications and health supplies is easy. Additionally, there are multiple hospitals and clinics nearby for medical needs. Places of worship cater to various religious beliefs, providing spiritual support. The neighborhood also boasts numerous parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Several dining options offer a range of culinary experiences, from casual fast food to upscale dining. For entertainment, there are cafes for socializing and theaters for enjoying movies. Overall, this part of St. Paul provides a well-rounded and welcoming environment for seniors seeking a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Mix Compounding Pharmacy (4.8 miles)
• Walgreens (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (1.8 miles)
• Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub (6.3 miles)

Restaurants

• The Bulldog Lowertown (1.8 miles)
• Citizen Supper Club (2.1 miles)
• White Castle (2.6 miles)
• Cossetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria (2.7 miles)
• Karen Thai food (2.9 miles)
• Burger Time (3.2 miles)
• Taco John's (3.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Regions Hospital Burn Center (2 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (2.4 miles)
• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (2.9 miles)
• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (4.5 miles)
• St John's Hospital-Maplewood (5 miles)

Physicians

• West Side Community Health Services (2.2 miles)
• Dakota Medical Solutions (3.2 miles)
• HealthPartners Clinic (3.5 miles)
• Healthpartners Clinics (3.7 miles)
• Retina Center (4.1 miles)
• Entira Family Clinics-West St Paul (4.3 miles)
• Aris Clinic (4.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cathedral of St Paul (2.8 miles)
• St Jerome Elementary School (3.2 miles)
• Transfiguration Catholic Church (3.5 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church (4.7 miles)
• WW Studio (6.1 miles)

Parks

• Flicek Park (2.9 miles)
• Harvest Park (4.1 miles)
• Rotary Park (4.5 miles)
• Hazelwood Park (4.7 miles)
• Casey Lake Park (4.8 miles)
• Como Park (5 miles)
• Eastside Park (5.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Groundswell (5.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Inver Grove 16 (6.1 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Woodbury (6.2 miles)