Clinton Plaza Apartments in Syracuse, NY

Pros

• The resident appreciates the quiet on the 20th floor during the day and at night.
• The resident loves the sound of the city.
• The view from the apartment is beautiful.
• The location offers very good access to shopping and transportation.
• The first year at Clinton Towers was great.
• The resident considers apartment living reasonable overall.

Cons

• The laundry room is dirty, with many washers and dryers that do not work, and a moldy smell from closed machines.
• A neighbor’s harassment causes fear and disruption and seems unlikely to change.
• The building is far from perfect.
• Management manipulates applicants, asks for different documents to cancel applications, and mocks residents.
• Tenants are nasty, rules aren’t followed, trash rooms are filthy, bed bugs are common, and management sucks.
• Drugs go missing from the residence, with claims of drug dealing, and the office dismisses complaints.
• Customer service is unhelpful and unresponsive, with terrible communication and mishandling of confidential information.

Review

Clinton Plaza Apartments in Syracuse is best suited for independent adults who prize a city-centered address, quiet living on higher floors, and strong proximity to shopping and transportation, provided daily living does not require on-site care or formal assistance. The standout appeal rests in the views and the relative calm residents describe on upper levels, along with a door-theft security presence that some tenants feel offers a layer of reassurance. This is a scenario where personal initiative and a tolerance for maintenance variability matter more than any promise of assisted living traditions.

Explicitly, families should consider alternatives if the primary goal is reliable care, predictable maintenance, and a management team that treats residents with consistency and respect. The building’s recurring issues, especially with maintenance responsiveness, pest and cleanliness concerns, and intrusive or unprofessional conduct by staff, make it a questionable choice for seniors or households that depend on steady support. For those requiring medication reminders, emergency assistance, or frequent on-site intervention for safety, Clinton Plaza does not deliver.

The strongest positives center on location, accessibility, and the potential for a peaceful lower-stress environment for independent residents. The proximity to shopping and transit simplifies day-to-day logistics, and the upper-floor units offer city views that some tenants describe as genuinely beautiful. The presence of a security guard at the entrance further contributes a perceived layer of safety, an important factor for residents who value control over access in a dense urban setting. When these elements align with personal independence, the appeal is tangible enough to offset a modest number of upkeep quirks.

Yet the main drawbacks are substantial and repeatedly documented. The laundry facilities are a chronic hot spot for frustration: broken machines, non-functional dryers, and moldy smells from closed-off washers create a daily irritant that undermines convenience and hygiene. Beyond that, the building culture appears hampered by inconsistent maintenance, unreliable communications from management, and neighborhood-level behavior that spills into common areas. Reports of mismanagement, privacy breaches, and a perceived lax attitude toward tenant concerns contribute to a sense of insecurity that no amount of quiet floors can fully counterbalance.

Bed bugs and pest control problems, coupled with filthy trash rooms and rules that tenants feel are not consistently enforced, paint a troubling backdrop for anyone prioritizing a clean, well-regulated living environment. The combination of theft concerns, drug-related anecdotes, and a sense that tenant screening is insufficient further complicates the risk calculus for retirees or families seeking predictable, safe housing. When personal safety, hygiene, and responsible property management are non-negotiable, these aren’t minor caveats; they are pivotal deterrents.

In weighing pros against cons, the positives do not sufficiently offset the core risks for most households considering assisted living or senior-focused options. A city-view, upper-floor apartment may be an attractive stepping stone for independent living, but the absence of on-site care, uncertain pest and maintenance control, and management practices that residents describe as unprofessional undermine the core needs of seniors or households seeking steadfast support. For those evaluating assisted living, Clinton Plaza should be crossed off the short list in favor of communities that guarantee routine maintenance, rigorous pest management, robust screening, and respectful, transparent administration. If choosing here, approach with tight lease specifics, insist on documented service commitments, and prepare for ongoing personal oversight rather than relying on institutional guarantees.

Located in the heart of Syracuse, New York, this neighborhood offers a convenient and vibrant environment for senior living. With a variety of cafes, restaurants, and pharmacies within walking distance, you can easily access daily essentials and enjoy dining out with friends and family. The proximity to parks like Clinton Square and Burnet Park provides opportunities for leisurely strolls or picnics in a peaceful setting. Additionally, access to reputable physicians and hospitals like Upstate University Hospital and Crouse Hospital ensures quality healthcare services are readily available. Places of worship such as the Islamic Society of Central New York Mosque offer spiritual nourishment for residents seeking community connections. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded living experience with easy access to amenities and services tailored for seniors.

Cafes

• Cafe Kubal (0.1 miles)
• Original Grain (0.2 miles)
• Tous Les Jours (3 miles)
• Cafe Kubal (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Modern Malt (0.2 miles)
• Eleven Waters (0.2 miles)
• Pastabilities (0.2 miles)
• Kitty Hoynes (0.2 miles)
• A Mano (0.2 miles)
• John H Mulroy Civic Center (0.3 miles)
• Talking Cursive Brewing Company (0.4 miles)

Transportation

• Centro Transit Hub (0.2 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.6 miles)
• Amtrak (2.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Gifford & West Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Syracuse Community Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Wegmans (2.1 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Clinton Square (0.3 miles)
• Burnet Park (1.6 miles)

Physicians

• Syracuse Community Health Center Incorporated, Infectious Diseases Department (0.5 miles)
• Titoff, Victoria Upstate Neurology Clinic (0.5 miles)
• Neurology Infusion Center (0.5 miles)
• Orthopedic Appliances-Cny (0.5 miles)
• Jon B Loftus MD (0.6 miles)
• Upstate University Hospital OB/GYN Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Heller Kishani H MD-Saint Joseph's Healthcare Network (0.7 miles)

Hospitals

• University Hematology/Oncology (0.7 miles)
• Bio Essex & Humanities (0.8 miles)
• Crouse Hospital: Human Resources (0.8 miles)
• Crouse Promptcare (0.9 miles)
• Suny Upstate Medical University University Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Syracuse VA Medical Center (0.9 miles)
• Upstate Golisano After Hours Care (2.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Islamic Society of Central New York Mosque (1.6 miles)
• Apostolic Church (2.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Destiny USA IMAX & RPX (1.9 miles)