St. Mary's Apartments

Pros

• The property is beautiful, green with trees and located next to a state park.
• Karin is fantastic and very responsive to residents' needs.
• Jamie, the maintenance man, is wonderful, attends to issues efficiently, and is always pleasant.
• Residents describe St Mary's as a great place to live.
• Amy Hayward creates a welcoming atmosphere and fosters community.
• Pat is described as a god-send, promptly addressing residents' questions and requests.
• The community room is spacious and hosts activities and private parties, with a full kitchen and dishes available.
• The staff are friendly and provide service with a smile.
• St Mary's is affordable senior housing with glorious landscaping and manicured lawns.
• The building offers two elevators on each floor and wide stairways with solid wood banisters.
• The apartments are a nice size with lovely views.
• The location is conveniently close to stores and amenities, with a quiet atmosphere and reasonable rent.

Cons

• The reviewers felt that management cared only about money, not the residents.
• The elevators had been broken for a month, hindering residents who rely on walkers or canes.
• The stairs were described as horrendous, making it difficult for elderly residents to navigate.
• The maintenance crew was criticized as being bad.
• Management was alleged to illegally withhold a security deposit.
• A main office staff member was accused of giving an attitude and being unprofessional toward a visitor delivering groceries.

Review

St Mary's Senior Apartments presents itself as a serene, community-minded place for 55+ residents, tucked beside a state park and built on a history that once served as a convent. Multiple reviews paint a picture of leafy grounds, spacious interiors, and a setting that feels almost church-like in its calm and welcoming atmosphere. People repeatedly describe the grounds as lush and inviting, with residents noting the beauty of the landscaping, the abundance of trees, and the sense of green space that makes the property feel like a place to put down roots. The location near Amherst Park and the proximity to local amenities add to the sense that St. Mary's is a convenient and peaceful retreat for seniors.

A large portion of the feedback centers on the people who run and maintain the place. The staff receive frequent, glowing mentions: Karin is praised as a fantastic manager who is very responsive to residents' needs, while Amy Hayward, described as a warm and welcoming community manager, is credited with creating a strong sense of community and a positive atmosphere. Pat, another manager named in several accounts, is described as a godsend, attentive to questions and requests, and generally the kind of on-site presence that residents appreciate. The maintenance side is highlighted positively by many as well - Jamie, the on-site maintenance person, is repeatedly lauded for being capable, efficient, and pleasant; the "fix it duo" of Mike and James is noted for their reliability and willingness to resolve issues. Taken together, these testimonials create a portrait of a staff-driven environment where residents feel cared for and quickly attended to.

The property's physical layout and amenities underscore many residents' positive impressions. There are two elevators on each floor, which is repeatedly cited as a practical feature that helps residents avoid stairs - an important consideration for seniors who use walkers or canes. The stairways themselves are described as wide and well-appointed, with solid wooden banisters that add a touch of character to the building. Apartments are described as spacious, with plenty of windows to let in light and help keep the indoors bright and inviting. Some units feature balconies and views that residents appreciate for small gatherings or simply enjoying the outdoors from home. The on-site community room, equipped with a full kitchen and ample dishware and glassware, is highlighted as a versatile space for activities, private parties, and resident gatherings.

Affordability and social life emerge as central themes in several reviews. St. Mary's is described as income-based and accessible to those with lower incomes, with a clear emphasis on affordability without sacrificing quality. The building's 55+ designation helps foster a quiet, mature living environment, while a robust slate of activities and programs in the spacious Community Room provides opportunities for socialization and engagement. Residents speak highly of the sense of camaraderie and the friendly, welcoming vibe that characterizes the community, with many noting how easily new residents become part of a warm network. The overall impression is that St. Mary's combines value with a strong sense of place and community.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, there are a few notable criticisms that some reviews raise, offering a more complete picture. A persistent concern is maintenance and management responsiveness in times of crisis: at least one review reports an elevator that has been broken for a month, describing it as a major problem for residents who rely on movement between floors. Another review voice complains about the perception that management prioritizes money over residents, coupled with frustration about the maintenance team's performance. There is also a cautionary note about administrative and financial processes: an instance where a security deposit was allegedly illegally withheld over an unpaid cable bill, with the balance reported as settled by the cable company yet not reflected in the records for some time, resulting in frustration and a warning to prospective tenants. Additionally, a guest delivery experience is mentioned - an Instacart interaction where office staff appeared unfriendly or unforthcoming - which stands in contrast to the general warmth described by residents. Taken together, these criticisms remind readers that, like any community, St. Mary's has real operational challenges to address, even as it remains beloved by many of its residents.

Overall, the consensus elevates St. Mary's Senior Apartments as a place of genuine warmth, beauty, and practicality for 55+ residents seeking an affordable, secure, and engaging living environment. Its combination of well-kept grounds, accessible design, and a staff that many residents describe as responsive, friendly, and capable creates a strong sense of belonging and satisfaction. The building's historic charm, coupled with modern conveniences like multiple elevators, a rich slate of resident activities, and convenient proximity to shops and parks, makes it a compelling option for seniors who value community, comfort, and continuity in their living arrangements. For prospective residents, the message is clear: St. Mary's can offer a peaceful, welcoming home with a supportive team, though it's worth verifying the current status of maintenance and elevator service and staying attentive to administrative processes to ensure a smooth experience.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.5 miles)
• Wegmans (0.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Top's Markets (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Speciality (2.5 miles)

Parks

• Glen Park (0.7 miles)
• Island Park (0.8 miles)
• South Long Park (1 miles)
• Meadowlakes (4.8 miles)
• Ellicott Creek Park (5.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.8 miles)
• Tim Hortons (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (3.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Creekview Restaurant (0.8 miles)
• The Irishman Pub & Eatery (0.8 miles)
• Glen Park Tavern (0.8 miles)
• Dandelions Restaurant (1.4 miles)
• Siena Restaurant (1.9 miles)
• Libation Station (1.9 miles)
• Pizza Plant Italian Pub (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Brain and Spine Center (0.9 miles)
• Town & Village Pediatrics (1.1 miles)
• Windsong Radiology Group (1.7 miles)
• University Orthopaedics (1.8 miles)
• Western New York Dermatology (1.9 miles)
• Dent Neurologic Institute (2 miles)
• Excelsior Orthopaedics (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital (1.7 miles)
• Millard Fillmore Suburban NICU (1.7 miles)
• Erie County Medical Center (5.4 miles)

Transportation

• TSA Pre-️Lane (2.8 miles)
• Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) (2.8 miles)
• Southwest Airlines Co. (2.8 miles)
• Amtrak - Buffalo, NY Depew Station (BUF) (4.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Transit Center & IMAX (3 miles)
• AMC Maple Ridge 8 (3.2 miles)
• Regal Walden Galleria 4Dx & RPX (4.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Newman Center at UB (3.5 miles)
• The Chapel (5 miles)
• Saint John Gualbert Catholic Church & Diocesan Shrine (5 miles)