Conifer Realty in Rochester, NY

Pros

• Jessica is simply amazing.
• She manages to do the work of ten people as a one-woman show.
• She has always shown extreme professionalism and expertise in all facets of her position.
• Wow! Just wow! Don’t let her go, Conifer!
• Ms. Hernandez has been instrumental in resolving the bathroom and kitchen issues.
• The staff, the property manager, and maintenance do their best under the circumstances.

Cons

• They allege Conifer took their rent twice in one month, causing financial hardship and fees on returned payments.
• They claim there is no live person to speak to, and the on-site management is ineffective, making resident service horrible and unresponsive.
• They report rapid turnover of community managers and pest infestations (mice) with maintenance offering little action.
• They describe Conifer as slumlords who collect HUD checks and do nothing to improve residents’ lives.
• They say multiple calls and messages to Conifer and Jefferson Park apartments go unanswered for weeks, making it the worst experience.
• They assert no one answers the phone or returns messages, preventing completion of applications.
• They criticize individual managers as unfriendly or lacking communication, contributing to deterioration of properties.
• They note ownership changes have degraded the community, reducing warmth and sense of community.
• They point to safety and amenity issues (enforcement gaps, non-working door opener, wheelchair access) that are not fixed.

Review

Conifer Realty’s Rochester portfolio is best suited for budget-conscious seniors who can tolerate a hands-off, variable-management environment and who do not depend on consistent, high-touch service. These properties appeal to residents with fixed incomes or reliance on rental assistance who prioritize lower costs over predictability in operations. In practice, this means a resident who is comfortable assuming a larger share of self-advocacy, who does not require regular, proactive outreach from management, and who can weather periods of maintenance delays, pest issues, or communication gaps without feeling overwhelmed. For families who expect steady, transparent management, however, this is rarely the right fit.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are seniors and families who rely on reliable on-site staffing, timely responses, and a consistently clean, well-maintained living environment. The recurring patterns of unanswered calls, delayed maintenance, and management turnover create a scenario where urgent needs, heat during cold snaps, pest control, or safety improvements, may persist for weeks. Prospective residents with serious mobility limitations, health conditions, or cognitive needs may find the gaps untenable. Facilities that consistently enforce rules and sustain heat, pest control, and respectful interactions will likely outperform these communities for anyone prioritizing daily reliability and a predictable living experience.

The strongest positives in these properties come from individual staff members who persevere under challenging conditions. A few managers or coordinators are singled out for professionalism and dedication, and there is acknowledgment that some leaders are willing to engage directly with residents to address issues. When management is present, rules are enforced and certain improvements are implemented, including adjustments to pricing practices to avoid overcharging if procedures are followed. A veteran-centered partner, such as veterans outreach efforts, can offer meaningful supplemental support, and dedicated maintenance personnel in some buildings push through repairs and upkeep despite systemic constraints. The best-in-class personnel in this portfolio demonstrate what quality service can look like when someone above the front-line level commits to showing up and following through.

Yet these strengths struggle to offset the scale of the ongoing concerns. The most damaging themes are pervasive: unresponsive or intermittently available on-site leadership, frequent turnover of community managers, and a palpable sense that tenants are left to manage incidents themselves. Pest infestations, dirty common areas, and deferred maintenance are repeatedly cited, along with unacceptable delays in responding to routine requests. Rent-automation problems, payments billed twice, confusion over income-based pricing, and the perception of misaligned rent with fixed incomes, compound the sense of instability. In short, without steady, proactive management and reliable service, the visible downsides, pests, heat outages, and service gaps, tale the scale.

For families weighing options, several decision pivots emerge. First, insist on a current, stable on-site leadership structure that you can meet and who can commit to a defined response timeline. Second, demand written maintenance and pest-control schedules, and request recent work orders to gauge responsiveness. Third, scrutinize the rent calculation and incentive structures tied to fixed incomes or subsidies, ensuring the terms are transparent and consistently applied. Finally, talk to multiple residents about their experience, not just the loudest voices, to gauge whether the property has truly improved or remains a work in progress. These steps help separate the properties showing genuine improvement from those still tethered to chronic management gaps.

If a family prioritizes service reliability, immediate maintenance, and a consistently respectful environment, this Rochester portfolio may not be the best baseline to rely on. It is worth considering alternatives with a track record of steady on-site management, reliable heat and safety systems, and proven pest-control protocols. For those who can tolerate a lean service model and see housing cost as the primary objective, with a willingness to engage aggressively for fixes when needed, Conifer Realty properties can still offer affordable housing options. The key is rigorous due diligence: confirm current management stability, demand transparent service standards, and weigh the real costs of potential disruption against the allure of lower rent.

This area of Rochester, New York offers a vibrant and diverse community with convenient access to various amenities. Within close proximity, there are several cafes offering a variety of coffee options and eateries that cater to different tastes. Additionally, numerous parks provide beautiful green spaces for outdoor activities and relaxation. The neighborhood is also well-equipped with medical facilities, including hospitals, pharmacies, and physician services, ensuring residents have access to high-quality healthcare. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient living environment for seniors looking to settle in a dynamic urban setting.

Cafes

• Java's Cafe (0.3 miles)
• Ugly Duck Coffee (0.5 miles)
• Locals Only (0.6 miles)
• 1872 Cafe (0.9 miles)
• New City Cafe (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)

Parks

• Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square (0.3 miles)
• Highland Park (1.7 miles)
• Durand Eastman Beach (1.9 miles)
• Cobbs Hill Park (1.9 miles)
• Seneca Park (2.8 miles)
• Genesee Valley Park (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Fifth Frame Brewing (0.3 miles)
• The Vesper (0.3 miles)
• Strangebird (0.5 miles)
• Roc Brewing Co. (0.5 miles)
• Genesee Brewhouse (0.6 miles)
• Jim's On Main (0.8 miles)
• Rochester Public Market (1.1 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (0.5 miles)

Physicians

• Imaging Center - Alexander Park (0.7 miles)
• Allergy & Rheumatology - Rochester/Alexander Park (0.8 miles)
• Pain Management Center (1.4 miles)
• Highland Hospital Radiation/Oncology (1.4 miles)
• Occupational Medicine Services (1.7 miles)
• Urmc Labs (2.1 miles)
• Culver Medical Group (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Strong Memorial Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Highland Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Strong Memorial Hospital - Cardiology (2.4 miles)
• SMH Nicu (2.5 miles)
• James P Wilmot Cancer Center (2.5 miles)
• Neuro ICU 8-1200 (2.5 miles)
• University Of Rochester Medical Center Surg/Path Lab (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Highland South Wedge Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Highland Hospital Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Genesee Campus Apothec (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Southside Apothecary (2.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Artisan Church (1.7 miles)