Sun Cliffe in Saint Paul, MN

Pros

• Tina is a wonderful property manager who knows her stuff and takes residents' concerns seriously.
• TJ is an excellent maintenance person who does everything possible to fix issues.
• Kati does a wonderful job taking care of the grounds and the complex.
• The underground garage is included in rent, offering convenient and secure parking.
• All utilities except electric are paid for, and internet up to 50 Mbps is free.
• There is a free car wash and free storage units, adding practical value for residents.
• The community is pet-friendly and welcomes pets.
• Residents can plant flowers and decorate their patios, and even grow their own food.
• Secure entry, security cameras, and a secure package room provide strong security.
• Management and staff are responsive and courteous, with maintenance requests handled quickly.

Cons

• They note there is absolutely no insulation or sound buffering; walls and ceilings are thin, and noise from neighbors can be disturbing.
• There are only two laundry rooms for all residents, making laundry availability hit or miss.
• The elevator is frequently out of order, and repairs are slow.
• Ants are everywhere and invade the building, despite monthly pest control visits.
• No grills are allowed in the garage, apartments, storage units, or patios, leaving residents unsure where to store them.
• Fireworks are not allowed, not even small novelty ones, restricting celebrations.
• Sidewalk chalk is not allowed, preventing outdoor art.
• The kitchen sink has overflowed with dirty water, and the bathroom tub is fragile and creaks loudly.

Review

Sun Cliffe is best suited for independent seniors or small families who prize a purposefully community-focused building, strong on-site management, and genuine value for monthly rent. The property operates as a hands-on, resident-first environment where Tina, TJ, and Xochitl (with Katie often cited as a key clean and safe-keeping voice) drive daily operations. For families seeking dependable maintenance responsiveness, secure package handling, and practical conveniences - like underground parking and utilities bundled with rent - Sun Cliffe delivers. The building's layout, large balconies, pet-friendly policy, and easy access to shops and neighborhoods around Saint Paul make it particularly attractive to those who want convenient, affordable living without sacrificing social connection or responsive support.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are residents who require near-silent interiors, ultra-modern renovations, or strict comfort standards. The reviews highlight noticeable downsides: walls and ceilings are thin, so noise carries from neighbors and hallways, which can undermine rest or privacy for light sleepers. There are only two shared laundry rooms for a building with many units, making scheduling awkward at times. Elevators, while functional, fail more often than ideal, and repairs can disrupt daily routines. Pest issues - ants in particular - appear manageable through monthly visits, but they surface enough to be a recurring annoyance. Other policy constraints - no grills, no sidewalk chalk, limited outdoor firework allowances - reflect corporate rules that may frustrate residents looking for more outdoor flexibility or personal expression.

The strongest offset to these drawbacks lies in the staff-driven culture and the tangible conveniences Sun Cliffe offers. The maintenance team is repeatedly praised for rapid response, with TJ especially noted for hands-on problem solving, and Tina for calm conflict resolution and dependable reliability. Residents consistently highlight the ease of communication via email over door fliers, the secure package room with coded access, and the overall sense of safety created by controlled entry, cameras in key areas, and 24-hour maintenance support. The underground heated parking, included car wash, free storage, and utilities (with electric simply billed separately) contribute to monthly costs that often stay predictable and reasonable. Coupled with generous floor plans, abundant cabinet space, and the ability to decorate patios, the living experience aligns with independent seniors who appreciate practical comfort and low daily friction.

Another major plus is Sun Cliffe's neighborhood embeddedness and access to everyday conveniences. Proximity to groceries, pharmacies, and multiple dining options, along with easy routes to downtown Saint Paul and neighboring Maplewood or Woodbury, reduces the logistical burden for residents who no longer want to drive everywhere. The building's grounds and exterior presentation receive consistent praise, and the groundskeepers, along with Tina's leadership, help maintain a welcoming feel that reinforces a sense of belonging. For pet lovers, the policy is welcoming, and that inclusivity often translates into a more active social environment, where neighbors get to know one another during casual encounters in hallways or common areas.

Decision-makers should weigh the quiet-life expectations against the strength of the management and the value proposition. If the priority is a serene, nearly renovation-grade interior with minimal noise and spotless, turnkey units, Sun Cliffe may fall short of those standards. However, for households prioritizing dependable, responsive management, economical utilities, robust safety controls, and a vibrant, neighborly community, the balance tips decisively in favor of Sun Cliffe. Prospective renters should tours with a focused checklist: test the quiet of a preferred unit, assess elevator reliability during peak usage, inspect current pest control effectiveness, evaluate the condition of kitchens and baths, and confirm how a chosen unit interacts with highway or neighborhood noise. It's also wise to discuss unit availability - especially renovated options - and compare floor plans that maximize natural air flow and storage.

Bottom line: Sun Cliffe stands out as a practical, value-driven choice for seniors who value strong onsite staffing, proactive maintenance, and a social, pet-friendly milieu within easy reach of daily amenities. The core cons - sound transmission, limited shared laundry, and occasional equipment hiccups - do not erase the substantial benefits, particularly when a resident prioritizes accessibility, security, and predictable costs. For families weighing assisted-living alternatives, Sun Cliffe is a compelling option to seriously consider, provided the resident's tolerance for noise and an older-building environment is balanced against the undeniable strength of management, community, and value.

This section of Saint Paul, Minnesota offers a convenient and vibrant community for senior living. With multiple pharmacies within a short distance, easy access to various restaurants, places of worship, physicians, hospitals, transportation options, parks, theaters, and cafes, seniors can enjoy a comfortable and active lifestyle. The area is also home to diverse dining options ranging from fast food chains to upscale dining establishments. In addition, there are numerous healthcare facilities nearby including clinics and hospitals for any medical needs. With plenty of green spaces like Eastside Park and Casey Lake Park for outdoor recreation, as well as entertainment options such as Alamo Drafthouse Woodbury and AMC Inver Grove 16 theaters, seniors will find plenty to keep them engaged in this neighborhood.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Mix Compounding Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco John's (1.9 miles)
• White Castle (2.5 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.7 miles)
• Wild Boar Bar and Grill Oakdale (3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.2 miles)
• The Tavern Grill (3.2 miles)
• The Bulldog Lowertown (3.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Transfiguration Catholic Church (2 miles)
• St Jerome Elementary School (4.5 miles)
• Cathedral of St Paul (4.5 miles)
• Five Oaks Community Church (5.9 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church (6.4 miles)
• Eagle Brook Church - Woodbury Campus (6.8 miles)

Physicians

• Aris Clinic (2.9 miles)
• Eric Thomas Becken (2.9 miles)
• David Thao, MD (3.2 miles)
• West Side Community Health Services (3.4 miles)
• Dakota Medical Solutions (3.4 miles)
• Healthpartners Clinics (3.7 miles)
• HealthPartners Clinic (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (3 miles)
• Regions Hospital Burn Center (3.8 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (4.1 miles)
• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (4.5 miles)
• St John's Hospital-Maplewood (5.3 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Eastside Park (3.6 miles)
• Flicek Park (3.6 miles)
• Rotary Park (4.1 miles)
• Harvest Park (4.5 miles)
• Casey Lake Park (4.6 miles)
• Ojibway Park (4.8 miles)
• Hazelwood Park (4.9 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Woodbury (4.5 miles)
• Oakdale Cinema Oakdale, Mn (5.8 miles)
• AMC Inver Grove 16 (6.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)