Mount St James Apartments in Syracuse, NY

Pros

• The complex is described as a budget-friendly place to live in Syracuse.
• In-person maintenance requests are handled instantaneously.
• The management is very fair in returning security deposits.
• The staff are professional, friendly, and responsive to maintenance requests.
• The building is nice, courteous, clean, and secure.
• The manager and staff are polite and professional.
• Maintenance and appliances are well maintained.

Cons

• There is no management on the premises.
• There is no hot water.
• Water leaks occur.
• There is no response to emergency maintenance calls.
• The property is described as unsafe, dirty, and unprofessional.
• The place has drug dealers and crackheads coming in and out day and night.
• Maintenance responses are sometimes slow.

Review

Mount St James Apartments in Syracuse is best suited for budget-conscious adults, including seniors, who want affordable housing and can tolerate uneven on-site management and occasional maintenance headaches. The building presents as modest and clean, with several tenants reporting courteous staff when they are on site and a quiet, low-disruption living environment. A number of residents have stayed for years, noting reasonable upkeep of appliances and a peaceful atmosphere, which matters for long-term budgeting. The upside is obvious: a lower rent relative to other options and deposits that are reportedly returned fairly. The trade-off, however, is real: visible management presence and consistent service can be inconsistent, which matters for households counting on timely fixes and decisive leadership.

Those prioritizing strong on-site oversight, reliable hot water, and a consistently safe, well-policed environment should consider alternatives. The reviews reveal a split between management being truly on premises and professional staff showing up only episodically, creating ambiguity about accountability. Reports of no hot water, recurring water leaks, and slow or absent emergency maintenance responses elevate risk for anyone who cannot tolerate repeated service delays. Added concerns about safety and neighborhood conditions - some descriptions hint at unsafe activity and drug-related issues - make this a less suitable home for families or individuals who place safety and predictable service at the top of their criteria. In short, this property is less compelling for those who demand unwavering reliability.

On the pro side, affordability carries tangible weight. Rent and deposit practices are perceived as fair, and when maintenance requests are handled in person, responses can be immediate, which matters for urgent needs in a tight budget. Several tenants praise the staff for friendliness, professionalism, and respectable upkeep of common areas, suggesting that competent on-site talent can deliver solid service when present. The building's cleanliness and the perceived security contribute to a sense of stability for residents who value quiet, orderly surroundings. These positives do offset some concerns, but only when management coverage is reliable and critical systems stay functioning without repeated interruptions.

The most consequential drawbacks center on the basics: hot water reliability, plumbing issues, and emergency responsiveness. No hot water and persistent leaks disrupt daily living and can escalate into bigger, more expensive problems. The perception that emergency maintenance either fails to respond or takes too long leaves residents feeling exposed, especially during weekends or after-hours. The social environment compounds caution for families evaluating safety, with occasional characterizations of the building as unsafe or unprofessional. Noise, such as stomping from neighbors above, further undermines comfort. Taken together, these issues erode a sense of dependable residency and can derail plans for comfortable aging in place or stable housing during tight financial times.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on tolerance for risk versus budget flexibility. For those who prize affordability above all and can endure an imperfect maintenance flow, the positives - reasonable upkeep of appliances, a clean and secure feel, and courteous staff when available - provide a meaningful buffer. The ability to resolve some issues through in-person requests offers a practical workaround when remote management lags, and the honest handling of security deposits reduces financial friction at move-out. Yet these advantages require a readiness to live with intermittent service gaps, potential safety concerns, and a management presence that isn't consistently reliable. The bottom line is clear: Mount St James can work for a budget-first buyer who accepts variability, but families seeking steady service, robust on-site leadership, and unwavering safety should keep looking.

Places of Worship

• Islamic Society of Central New York Mosque (0.7 miles)
• May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society (2.9 miles)
• Apostolic Church (3.2 miles)
• Holy Cross Church (3.2 miles)
• St Elias Orthodox Church (3.5 miles)

Physicians

• The Vision Center (1.1 miles)
• Haxton Frances G MD (1.2 miles)
• Syracuse Gastroentrological Associates (1.2 miles)
• Dr Ray T. Forbes, MD (1.2 miles)
• Infectious Diseases (1.3 miles)
• Frameology Optical (1.3 miles)
• University Surgical Associates (1.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Syracuse VA Medical Center (1.1 miles)
• Suny Upstate Medical University University Hospital (1.1 miles)
• Crouse Promptcare (1.2 miles)
• Crouse Hospital: Human Resources (1.3 miles)
• University Hematology/Oncology (1.4 miles)
• Bio Essex & Humanities (1.4 miles)
• Specialists One Day Surgery (1.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (1.3 miles)
• Syracuse Community Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Gifford & West Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Wegmans (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Pfohl's Tavern (1.5 miles)
• Gannon's Ice Cream (1.7 miles)
• Luigi's Restaurant (1.7 miles)
• Strong Hearts Cafe (1.7 miles)
• Eleven Waters (1.7 miles)
• John H Mulroy Civic Center (1.7 miles)
• XO Taco (1.8 miles)

Transportation

• Centro Transit Hub (1.6 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Cafe Kubal (1.8 miles)
• Original Grain (2 miles)
• Tous Les Jours (2.9 miles)

Parks

• Clinton Square (2.1 miles)
• Burnet Park (2.8 miles)
• Clark Reservation State Park (2.8 miles)