Vail Manor

Pros

• The place is quiet.
• The rooms are large.
• There is a wonderful full walk-in shower.
• The neighbors are nice.
• The apartment is nice.
• The location is perfect.
• Residents feel safe walking around the exterior of the property.
• The security of the dwelling is excellent.
• Alex, the overseer, is helpful.
• The apartment, management, and other residents are great.
• The property is peaceful, clean and well maintained.
• The amenities are the best of any apartments around.
• The location is very convenient.
• Tina is a very nice rental agent.
• Vail Manor is well-maintained and responsive to concerns.
• The staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
• The interior is beautiful.

Cons

• The laundry facilities, especially in Building 2, frequently have broken machines, leaving only a few washers and dryers for three floors of residents.
• Parking is sometimes impossible and very frustrating.
• The staff is disorganized and sometimes unresponsive, with work orders left unresolved for years.
• The laundry room leaks into the garbage/electrical room, and there are no emergency lights during power outages.
• Exterior doors are difficult to open and don't open fully, creating accessibility issues for wheelchair users.
• The property management is poorly run, with rent increases and inadequate snow plowing.
• The laundry rooms are too small and under-equipped, with too few machines for the number of residents.
• Maintenance staff are perceived as lazy and rude, with calls to hire new courteous workers and upgrade the laundry facilities.

Review

Vail Manor comes across in many voices as a quiet, safe, and conveniently located place to live, with a strong sense of community in a 55-and-over setting. Several residents praise the spacious rooms and thoughtful layouts, noting features like large living spaces and full walk-in showers. The building's security is repeatedly highlighted as a major plus, giving tenants a feeling of peace when walking around the outside of the complex. Neighbors are described as friendly, and the overall atmosphere is one of courtesy and quiet life. For many, the location is a significant advantage - easy access to major highways, a clean and tidy environment, and a daily routine that feels stable and comfortable.

A recurring thread in the reviews is the importance of a capable and responsive superintendent and staff. The overseer, Alex, is singled out by several tenants for being helpful and proactive, constantly ready to assist with repairs or other needs. Tina, described as a rental agent, is also praised for being nice and professional, contributing to a sense of a well-run community. Maintenance experiences vary, but when the team is on the job, work is reported to be speedy and courteous. In this light, the complex's amenities - including in-building mail, trash, and laundry facilities on the first floor, as well as elevators in each three-story building - contribute to a convenient, self-contained living experience that many residents value highly. For some longtime residents, the combination of responsive maintenance and a friendly staff reinforces their preference to stay long-term.

Yet, the complex is not without its significant drawbacks, and several reviews focus on persistent maintenance and management challenges. The laundry facilities, especially in building 2, emerge as a major pain point. Reports describe monthly machine breakdowns, leaving residents with only a few functioning machines for three floors, and occasions when only one washing machine is available for extended periods. This issue is particularly acute for the building's senior residents, many of whom can barely transport heavy loads. Calls about broken machines have sometimes gone unanswered, creating frustration and a sense of neglect. There are also troubling notes about problems with the laundry room in general - leaks into the garbage/electrical room and a lack of emergency lighting during power outages - adding to concerns about safety and reliability.

Other maintenance and cleanliness concerns appear in several accounts. Halls are described as not very clean, and there are complaints about air ducts not being cleaned and appliances not being upgraded or repaired promptly. A few residents recount disorganized or unresponsive staff at times, with work orders left unaddressed for extended periods and a perception that some repairs are delayed or neglected. One particularly critical account mentions an incident involving the superintendent attempting to tow a resident's car and then allegedly trying to buy it when confronted, highlighting the potential for interpersonal tensions and the need for careful management and clear communication. On the broader maintenance front, power outages and the absence of emergency lighting are cited as safety concerns by some residents, underscoring the need for ongoing improvements.

Parking and exterior maintenance also appear as sources of friction. Several tenants report that parking can be difficult or nearly impossible at times, and winter plowing is described as horrible by some residents. Exterior doors are another point of concern for those relying on mobility aids; at least one account notes that exterior doors can be difficult to open and do not always open fully, posing an accessibility challenge for wheelchair users. These issues collectively remind potential residents that while the community can be quiet and welcoming, there are tangible maintenance and service gaps that can affect day-to-day convenience and safety.

Despite the mixed feedback, many residents emphasize the positive, finishing on notes of comfort and satisfaction. The complex is repeatedly praised for its quiet environment, cleanliness, and the perceived care of long-standing staff and neighbors. Some who have been there for years recount a sense of stability and contentment, expressing appreciation for the ease of living that the property affords - particularly the presence of on-site amenities, the comfort of a well-run building, and the feeling of belonging to a close-knit community. For others, the decision to stay hinges on ongoing improvements to management and a reliable, modernized laundry and utility system.

In sum, Vail Manor is viewed by many as a peaceful, well-located, and comfortable place to live, with strong attributes like security, quiet surroundings, and a friendly staff that residents value highly. Yet it remains clear that the complex faces notable challenges in laundry operations, maintenance responsiveness, cleanliness in common areas, and some safety features. Rent increases have also been a point of note, underscoring the importance of weighing the price against the security, convenience, and the level of service you can reasonably expect. For potential renters, the message is nuanced: a welcoming, well-kept environment and a responsive superintendent can make it an excellent home, but be prepared for periodic maintenance hiccups and to seek clarity on how the property plans to address persistent issues such as laundry capacity, power-related safety features, and exterior accessibility.

This part of Parsippany, New Jersey offers a variety of amenities that cater to the needs of seniors. There are several cafes, pharmacies, restaurants, physicians' offices, places of worship, parks, hospitals, theaters, and transportation options in the vicinity. With multiple Starbucks locations nearby for coffee enthusiasts, as well as options like Panera Bread and local cafes for a casual meal or snack. The presence of reputable medical facilities such as Parsippany Pediatrics and Summit Medical Group ensures access to quality healthcare. Additionally, there are various parks and recreational areas for leisurely walks and outdoor activities. The availability of public transportation options like Rockaway Mall Park & Ride provides convenient access to other parts of the area. Overall, this neighborhood offers a blend of convenience and essential services for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community in Parsippany.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Lokl Cafe (6.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (8.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Wegmans (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (5.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Wendy's (0.8 miles)
• Wendy's (1.7 miles)
• Ferraro's Italian Food Specialties (2.3 miles)
• Wendy's (3.5 miles)
• Tommy's Tavern + Tap (3.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.7 miles)
• Thatcher McGhee's (4 miles)

Physicians

• Parsippany Pediatrics (0.9 miles)
• Peter Dabrowksi MD (2 miles)
• Changebridge Medical Associates (2.5 miles)
• Cardiology Consultants (3.2 miles)
• Denville Pediatrics Medical (4 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (5.2 miles)
• EHE International (5.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Liquid Church (1.1 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (8.2 miles)

Parks

• Volunteers Park (1.5 miles)
• Gardner Field (4.8 miles)
• Florham Park Recreation Department (5.8 miles)
• The Morristown Green (6.4 miles)
• Ginty Field (6.8 miles)
• Loantaka Brook Reservation Recreation Area (7.3 miles)
• Degnan Memorial Park (8.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Saint Clare's Hospital (3 miles)
• Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital (5.9 miles)
• Morristown Memorial Hospital Atlantic Health (6.5 miles)
• St Clare's Hospital (7.1 miles)
• Chilton Memorial Hospital (7.9 miles)
• Saint Clare's Radiology Department (9 miles)
• Saint Clare’s Same Day Surgery (9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC East Hanover 12 (4.4 miles)
• Cinemark (7.6 miles)
• AMC Rockaway 16 (8.4 miles)

Transportation

• Signature Flight Support (5.2 miles)
• Rockaway Mall Park & Ride (8 miles)