Almanor

Pros

• Caitlyn has always been responsive and kind.
• Mario has always been there for maintenance 24/7.
• The property management has been wonderful and more than helpful with any needs.
• Ryan is a great landlord.
• Courtney and Mario are doing a great job.
• The owners are amazing, generous people.
• A great place to live.
• The staff is great.

Cons

• They experienced very serious plumbing issues that left them unable to enter the apartment for long periods.
• Upper management's unprofessionalism ruined their overall experience.
• They scheduled three leaving walkthroughs, but management failed to show up and conducted the walkthrough without them, without notice.
• They were charged a large cleaning fee even though the unit was not professionally cleaned upon move-in.
• Rent prices increased dramatically, making the living situation not worth the cost.
• The AC was not fixed, leaving children in extreme heat and causing health concerns.
• They faced ongoing maintenance problems (drainage spewing sewage, furnace failure, toilet clogs and floods, ceiling leaks) with unfinished repairs.
• Black mold and bedbugs were reported, with remediation that was not adequately addressed.
• Communication with management was poor; calls were not returned and getting someone on the phone was a problem.

Review

The experience described across these reviews paints a picture of a property that many tenants found deeply frustrating and frustratingly inconsistent. Over a span of years, a core thread runs through: serious, recurring maintenance problems that seem to drag on without resolution, and management practices that some residents felt were unprofessional or unresponsive. One reviewer highlights a three-year stretch during which plumbing issues were so persistent that entry to the apartment was often impossible, while other residents point to a litany of issues in the yards, including dog waste removal problems and litter that lingered as if the grounds were neglected. Against this backdrop, the contrast between individual staff members who tried to help and the behavior of upper management appears stark, with Caitlyn and Mario singled out for reliability and responsiveness, and others noting that upper management regularly let them down.

The cadence of complaints about access, accountability, and charges is striking. A leaving walkthrough was scheduled three times, and in each case the management failed to show up or conducted the walkthrough without the tenants' presence or notification. This culminated in the tenants being hit with a significant cleaning fee, even though they insist the unit was not professionally cleaned when they moved in. Compounding the frustration is the sense that the rent had already increased, making the charges feel "not worth it." The combination of unkept expectations, sudden charges, and perceived mismanagement contributed to a sense of being blindsided at the end of the tenancy.

The situation is further aggravated by what some tenants described as dangerous or intolerable living conditions. One resident explicitly called for urgent action, noting an unaddressed failure to fix the A/C and unresolved maintenance issues, to the point that their children were experiencing fevers because of the heat. The plea - "FIX THE A/C AND THE REST OF EVERYTHING YOU STILL HAVE NOT FIXED SINCE I MOVED IN" - underscores how health and comfort concerns can become central to evaluating the quality of living there. While there are mentions of staff who were helpful, the overall atmosphere conveyed a sense of prioritizing administrative processes and fees over timely, effective repairs.

Mixed opinions about management add another layer of complexity. While the reviews contain sharp criticisms, they also contain praise for specific individuals and moments of improvement. Some tenants say the property management has been wonderful and very responsive, with references to Courtney and Mario doing a great job, and Ryan described as a "great landlord." Others acknowledge that management can be a problem for getting through via the phone, and they describe maintenance as lacking at times. This divergence suggests a property where individual experiences vary widely, and where the difference between a positive day and a frustrating one can hinge on which staff member is handling the issue.

Over a long arc, several residents recount years of systemic maintenance problems that undermined trust and comfort. A drain outside that "was spewing sewage out of it," furnace failures during winter, and repeated toilet clogs that flood bathrooms were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern that stretched for years. A ceiling leak above a tub, left with a hole for six months, and a back-of-cabinet hole in the sink area that remained unfixed for a year contribute to a narrative of incomplete or neglected repairs. The sense that owners sold the property and then hiked rents - while still asking tenants to shoulder fees and even higher utilities - adds a financial strain that compounds the maintenance frustrations. In some cases, long-term residents felt they were forced to shoulder costs for problems they believed were never properly addressed.

Pest and environmental concerns also feature prominently. A portion of the reviews allege bedbugs and mold, with one explicit claim of black mold in most units. Another review mentions pot use by some residents affecting others with allergies and asthma, painting a broader picture of environmental and health challenges in the community. The refusal or delay in remediating mold and pests, plus frequent rent increases tied to lease renewals, contributed to a climate of distrust and dissatisfaction for many tenants who felt their health and comfort were being deprioritized in favor of occupancy and revenue.

Despite the negative tenor, there are threads of resilience and gratitude for helpful staff interwoven through the feedback. Some residents describe the place as "okay" in terms of units, with "spacious" common areas, and appreciate improvements in management. Others emphasize that the properties could be well-run under the right leadership, pointing to specific people who went above and beyond to assist families or to help them move in. However, even these positive attestations acknowledge that getting a reliable response - whether via phone calls or timely maintenance - remains a challenge in many situations.

In the end, the reviews present a complex mosaic. The property appears to have significant issues that affect daily living: persistent plumbing and maintenance failures, health and safety concerns tied to heat, mold, and pests, and a management culture that is inconsistent in responsiveness and communication. While there are individual staff members who are praised for their dedication and accessibility, these positive experiences are juxtaposed with systemic problems - late or missed walk-throughs, unexpected and steep cleaning or other fees, and rent increases that many tenants feel are not matched by the quality of the living environment. For anyone considering moving in, the body of feedback suggests exercising caution, asking for recent, specific maintenance records, and seeking clarity on how management handles health, safety, and move-out procedures, as these issues appear to significantly shape the overall living experience.

This neighborhood in Helena, Montana offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for senior living. With numerous restaurants within walking distance, such as Slim Chickens and Papa John's Pizza, residents have plenty of dining options to choose from. Nearby parks like Ramey Park and Robinson Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Access to pharmacies like Safeway Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy ensures easy access to medications and healthcare needs. Additionally, there are cafes like The Dirty Dozen and 1889 Coffee House for socializing with friends over a cup of coffee. For medical care, there are reputable physicians such as Sage Medical Clinic and Helena Pediatric Clinic located nearby, along with hospitals like St. Peter's Hospital for any medical emergencies. Overall, this area offers a combination of convenience, entertainment, and healthcare resources ideal for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community.

Restaurants

• Slim Chickens (0.1 miles)
• Papa John's Pizza (0.1 miles)
• El Vaquero Taqueria (0.2 miles)
• Bullseye Casino/Bar (0.2 miles)
• Wendy's (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Overland Express Restaurant and Lounge (0.8 miles)

Parks

• Ramey Park (0.1 miles)
• Robinson Park (0.3 miles)
• Lockey Park (0.6 miles)
• Paws Park (1 miles)
• Constitution Park (1.1 miles)
• Performance Square (1.2 miles)
• Reeder's Alley (1.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Safeway Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• Bergum Drug (1.3 miles)
• Capital Rx (1.3 miles)
• Hi-School Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• The Dirty Dozen (0.2 miles)
• Dive Bakery Cafe (0.3 miles)
• 1889 Coffee House (0.3 miles)
• No Sweat Cafe (1 miles)
• General Mercantile (1 miles)
• Hub Coffee (1.1 miles)

Physicians

• Sage Medical Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Robert Caldwell (0.3 miles)
• Montana Eyecare (0.3 miles)
• Helena Pediatric Clinic (0.3 miles)
• Helena Vision Center PC (1 miles)
• Partners In Pediatrics (1.1 miles)
• Wampler Todd, MD- St Peter's Hospital (1.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Cross Traditional Catholic Church (0.5 miles)
• Christ's Church (0.6 miles)
• Mount Helena Community Church (0.8 miles)
• Mhcc Missions (0.8 miles)
• Cathedral of St Helena (0.9 miles)
• St Paul's United Methodist Church (0.9 miles)
• Covenant United Methodist Church (1 miles)

Transportation

• Rent-A-Wreck (0.7 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.4 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Helena And Xd (1.1 miles)

Hospitals

• St. Peter's Hospital (1.1 miles)
• Helena Surgicenter (1.1 miles)
• Sleep Disorders Center St Peter's Hospital (1.1 miles)
• Big Sky Care Center (1.1 miles)
• Joint Repair Clinic of Montana (1.2 miles)
• Shodair Hospital (1.4 miles)