Brighton Towers Inc

Pros

• The place is nice.
• The staff are friendly and helpful.
• There is a lovely outdoor space to walk around.
• The security is decent.
• The towers offer a warm welcome and a sense of safety.
• The grounds are beautiful.
• There are church services, game activities, and shuttles to grocery stores.

Cons

• They feel that management turnover has caused the property to decline.
• They note a balcony light on building one has been out for more than a year.
• They report a handicap button coming away from the wall and needing repair for months.
• They describe dirty stairwells and slow response to work orders.
• They report bedbugs.
• They report road construction noise and traffic noise around the buildings.
• They say there was only one working elevator for 18 floors for 28 weeks during the pandemic, with other elevators frequently out of service.
• They claim staff and maintenance are rude and unhelpful, and some security staff lie or fail to act.
• They allege violent residents and drug activity, making residents feel unsafe.
• They say elderly residents are afraid to leave their apartments.
• They claim the ventilation is inadequate, allowing cigarette smoke to invade non-smokers' units, and that fire safety could be compromised by open ventilation shafts.
• They say bed bug issues persist and management's handling is insufficient.

Review

What emerges from these comments is a strikingly mixed portrait of a subsidized housing complex that can feel like two very different places at once. On one hand, visitors and some residents describe a neighborhood-like setting with real amenities and a sense of community. They point to an inviting exterior and grounds, a usable outdoor path for walking, a store and deli, a library, a fitness and laundry room, a generous community room for meals and activities, and even church services, shuttles to groceries, and convenient bus stops. For some, the place has an appealing social fabric: a warm, welcoming vibe among visitors, and a level of safety and familiar routine that makes the grounds feel livable and cared for when things are running smoothly. In short, the potential is palpable: a cared-for campus-like feel with ample programs and social spaces that could make subsidized living feel connected and supportive.

But the other, more persistent thread is harsh and hard to ignore. A recurrent theme across many reviews is that management and maintenance have deteriorated, sometimes noticeably so, as personnel turnover and aging infrastructure accumulate. Specific repair needs pile up: a balcony light on the second floor of Building 1 that has been out for over a year, a handicap call button that is coming away from the wall and has been in that state for months, and stairwells that are sometimes dirty or neglected. Work orders are criticized for slow responses, and even when visible improvements appear on renovations or brighter walls, residents worry that these do not translate into reliable day-to-day upkeep. The sense is that the building once had tighter supervision and responsiveness, but that pattern has frayed with changes in staff and management.

Safety concerns loom large in several accounts. One reviewer recalls an alarming period with only one working elevator serving 18 floors for 28 weeks during the pandemic, raising questions about access to doctors' appointments, groceries, and other essentials for seniors and disabled residents. Elevator outages crop up repeatedly in multiple testimonies, sometimes accompanied by reports of property being stolen when elevators were down. There are also troubling notes about security - some reviewers describe rude or disengaged staff, while others allege inconsistent security measures and a tense, anxious atmosphere shaped by encounters with violent or disruptive residents. The rhetoric in some posts is blunt: "horrible," "unsafe," and "don't expect office help" when problems arise.

Bed bugs and pervasive odors appear in a number of reviews, further complicating the living experience. Several comments claim bedbug outbreaks, with residents reporting the ongoing inconvenience of management's attempts to address the issue. There are also mentions of strong, persistent smells in some units, with people suggesting that odor issues permeate hallways and vertical ventilation shafts, contributing to a sense of compromised air quality and safety. One especially troubling note describes a broader culture of harassment and intimidation within the building, including claims of drug activity or other illicit behavior, which adds to the perception that some parts of the community do not feel safe or well-regulated.

Noise and external disruptions add another layer of challenge. For many residents, the noise of highway traffic - even on upper floors - becomes a constant intrusion. In recent updates, road construction noise around 481 and traffic from nearby roads has intensified, making quiet evenings and restful sleep harder, especially for people living in the middle of summer when closing windows is not a preferred option. While some of this isn't the building's fault, it compounds the difficulty of finding a peaceful living environment and colors the overall experience with frustration.

Amidst the doubts and complaints, there are also clearly positive experiences worth noting. Some residents report friendly, helpful staff and highlight the existence of supportive services and a social, active campus culture when things are functioning well. They speak of a sense of community, a welcoming environment for visitors, and a model of subsidized living that can be advantageous for seniors and others who need affordable housing. A few guests and long-time visitors emphasize that the grounds are pleasant, the outdoor spaces are a joy to walk, and the residential campus has become a reliable place to gather and participate in activities, even if those experiences are not universal.

In another vein, one or two reviews emphasize personal agency and mobility within this setting. A reviewer who has lived there briefly notes ongoing construction noise and the sheer density of residents - about 600 people - describing it as challenging yet livable for a period of time while they weighed options for moving to other senior housing. A visiting observer praises a sense of safety and the variety of services inside, such as the store, deli, library, workout room, and community spaces, while acknowledging the reality that living in a large, multi-building complex comes with its own set of frustrations and compromises.

Taken together, the collection presents a place that clearly has real upside - amenities, community opportunities, and a tangible sense of purpose for subsidized housing - yet is repeatedly tested by aging infrastructure, inconsistent maintenance, safety concerns, and external disturbances like construction and traffic noise. For some, the promise of a supportive, affordable home remains intact when maintenance is responsive, security feels solid, and elevators function reliably. For others, the experience has become a cycle of delayed repairs, uncomfortable living conditions, and an atmosphere of unease that makes long-term residence untenable. If you're considering moving in, the prevailing message seems to be: the facility can work beautifully for some, but it requires careful negotiation of maintenance reliability, safety, and the realities of a very busy, crowded living environment.

This part of Syracuse, New York offers a convenient location with easy access to various medical facilities such as physicians' offices, hospitals, and pharmacies. The proximity to specialists in orthopedics, plastic surgery, gastroenterology, and vision care ensures quality healthcare options for seniors. Additionally, there are several dining options ranging from casual eateries like McDonald's to more upscale restaurants like Eleven Waters. The area also boasts recreational opportunities with parks like Clark Reservation State Park nearby. For those who rely on public transportation, the Centro Transit Hub is easily accessible. Overall, this part of Syracuse provides a mix of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a well-rounded living environment.

Physicians

• Dr Anne Barash, MD (0.2 miles)
• Orthopedics East (0.2 miles)
• DeRoberts Plastic Surgery (1.9 miles)
• Upstate University Hospital Community Campus (1.9 miles)
• Haxton Frances G MD (2.2 miles)
• The Vision Center (2.2 miles)
• Syracuse Gastroentrological Associates (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Specialists One Day Surgery (0.3 miles)
• Upstate Golisano After Hours Care (1.9 miles)
• Upstate University Hospital (1.9 miles)
• Syracuse VA Medical Center (2.3 miles)
• Suny Upstate Medical University University Hospital (2.4 miles)
• Crouse Promptcare (2.5 miles)
• Crouse Hospital: Human Resources (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Kinney Drugs (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (1.9 miles)
• Syracuse Community Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Gifford & West Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Wegmans (3.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Pfohl's Tavern (0.7 miles)
• Gannon's Ice Cream (1.2 miles)
• Luigi's Restaurant (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Eleven Waters (2.9 miles)
• Strong Hearts Cafe (3 miles)
• John H Mulroy Civic Center (3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Islamic Society of Central New York Mosque (1.9 miles)
• May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society (3.4 miles)
• Holy Cross Church (3.5 miles)
• Apostolic Church (3.6 miles)
• St Elias Orthodox Church (3.8 miles)

Parks

• Clark Reservation State Park (1.9 miles)
• Clinton Square (3.3 miles)
• Burnet Park (3.7 miles)

Transportation

• Centro Transit Hub (2.8 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Cafe Kubal (3.1 miles)
• Original Grain (3.2 miles)
• Tous Les Jours (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)