Capital Towers

Pros

• They commend Mrs Julene Taylor (Assistant Manager) and her team for outstanding and professional service.
• They describe Julene Taylor as awesome and going above and beyond to speed up the move-in process.
• They note the staff they met are very friendly.
• They praise Julienne, the property manager, as awesome and hardworking throughout the process.
• They highlight newly renovated affordable housing in a great location with nice amenities.
• They mention rent includes utilities and amenities such as a library, regular mini-bus transportation to groceries, donations from food banks, and sweeping views of Raleigh, offering good value.

Cons

• The building has bed bugs and roaches, with roach egg cases found on countertops every morning.
• Elevators frequently malfunction and, when they work, rattle and shake.
• Laundry facilities are poorly maintained, with many machines out of order and rinse cycles not filling, leaving clothes dirty.
• Drug activity is a problem, including a fentanyl-related death that occurred in the building in 2023.
• Apartment inspections occur every three months, invading residents' privacy.
• Maintenance requests are slow to be addressed, sometimes taking months to fix issues.
• Emergency call bells in units fail to reach the office and are ignored.
• The property is under construction for 18 months, resulting in no operational security cameras or 24-hour security, and parking is difficult.

Review

This community is a study in contrasts. On one hand, it sits in a convenient, affordable spot with easy access to shops and services, a level of independence for residents who rely on public transportation and walking distance to stores, and a sense of purpose among staff who care deeply about helping people get settled. On the other hand, multiple residents paint a troubling picture of recurring maintenance problems, health and safety concerns, privacy challenges, and the hard realities of living in a building that serves many low-income residents. The overall tone is a mix of gratitude for compassionate management and frustration with systemic issues that make daily life harder than it should be.

Several residents single out specific staff members whose efforts stand out in tough circumstances. Mrs. Julene Taylor, identified as the Assistant Manager, is repeatedly praised for providing outstanding, professional service and for giving tenants hope during difficult times. Descriptions such as "she gave us a glimmer of hope when our circumstances seemed bleak" appear alongside thanks for "excellent management, customer service, and compassion." Another popular name is Julienne, referred to by some as the Property Manager who is described as "Awesome" and "very hard working throughout the whole process." In several accounts, these team members are the bright spots in a building that otherwise faces a long list of serious challenges. The gratitude toward their responsiveness and willingness to go "up and beyond" to help people move in underscores how much residents depend on capable, caring staff when other aspects of the building fall short.

Crime, safety, and health concerns are a persistent thread in the reviews. Theft is repeatedly documented, with mentions of jewelry, money, clothes, and food being taken from apartments and multiple police reports logged as a result. Residents also describe the building as a place where drugs are a problem, including a reported incident in 2023 in which a woman died from opiate pills laced with fentanyl and the drug dealer lived in the same building. The atmosphere is further complicated by odors of marijuana and cigarette smoking in units, which management is said to do little about. In addition to crime and drugs, there are concerns about the physical and social safety of the tenants, including elderly residents in powerchairs who are expected to endure frequent inspections and privacy intrusions.

The inspection regime is a major point of contention. Some reviews characterize inspections as routine and even intrusive, occurring every three months and extending into private living spaces. Tenants argue that these inspections violate privacy and force them to endure scrutiny of how they live, with some residents noting that there are elders who cannot easily access their own spaces during these checks. The list of maintenance and safety gaps grows longer: broken or failing emergency bells that only ring in hallways, lack of emergency lights in stairwells during power outages, and persistent maintenance delays - six months to fix a leak is not uncommon. Laundry facilities are routinely criticized for being underperforming and uncomfortable, with about half of the machines out of order at any given time and no cooling or ventilation in the rooms. Elevators break multiple times a year, and when they do operate, they're described as rattling and shaking. The overall sense is that while upkeep is attempted, it often falls far short of what residents deserve for basic safety and comfort.

Other comments highlight the day-to-day inconveniences that compound the stress of living in a building with real infrastructure problems. The laundry rooms lack air movement and have stifling smells, while machines that do work don't always fill or rinse properly, leading tenants to suspect dirty water or faulty settings. Parking is described as horrible, and arrival at the facility can feel unwelcoming, especially when a mid-day visit reveals an unstaffed entrance or a lack of a warm greeting. Some residents even recount negative experiences when calling to inquire about renting a unit, describing the initial phone interaction as unfriendly or unhelpful. Yet in the same breath, several tenants recount positive experiences from staff when moving in, noting that the same team members who handle issues also demonstrate efficiency, warmth, and a commitment to helping people transition into their homes.

Another major theme is the contrast between the reality on the ground and the broader narrative around the property's value and purpose. One account frames the property as newly renovated affordable housing in a great location with strong amenities, including utilities included in rent, a library, regular bus transport to grocers and retailers, donations from food banks, and scenic views of Raleigh. This perspective emphasizes social value: rents that stay within reach for seniors or low-income residents, proximity to daily necessities, and the sense that for many tenants this is a workable, even decent, long-term home. The reviewer emphasizes that the building is older and HUD-funded, and that if it were modernized further, rents would necessarily rise and exclude many current residents. The conclusion drawn here is not that the building is perfect, but that for the money and the circumstances, it remains a reasonable deal for those who would otherwise be priced out of more upscale options.

In sum, the place presents a dichotomy: it can be a lifeline for affordability and community, supported by staff who show genuine care and take decisive steps to assist tenants in difficult times; yet it is haunted by serious operational shortcomings. Bed bugs and roaches, frequent inspections, privacy concerns, drug-related problems, and a host of maintenance and safety issues create a sense of instability that many residents cannot escape. For some, the combination of affordable rents, supportive staff, and proximity to services makes Capital Towers a reasonable option in Raleigh and beyond. For others, the same factors feel outweighed by persistent hazards and frustrations that disrupt daily life. The stories collectively depict a housing situation where good intentions and good people meet systemic challenges that demand attention, accountability, and ongoing improvement.

This part of Raleigh, North Carolina offers a convenient location with easy access to various amenities and services. There are several pharmacies nearby, making it convenient for seniors to access their medications. A variety of restaurants offer diverse dining options, including fast food and sit-down establishments. For medical needs, there are multiple physicians' offices in the area, as well as hospitals for more specialized care. Parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, while places of worship cater to spiritual needs. Several cafes offer places to socialize and enjoy a cup of coffee. Transportation options include car rental services and access to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for travel needs. Additionally, there are theaters for entertainment purposes within a short distance. Overall, this area provides a range of conveniences and resources that may be appealing to seniors considering senior living in Raleigh.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Vivace (0.5 miles)
• Panda Express (1.8 miles)
• Salt & Lime Cabo Grill (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• P.F. Chang's China Bistro (2 miles)
• Metro Diner (2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Midtown Dermatology (1.1 miles)
• Wake Radiology Diagnostic Imaging (1.3 miles)
• Family Medical Associates of Raleigh (2.1 miles)
• ENT & Audiology Associates (3.6 miles)
• Wake Internal Medicine Consultants (3.8 miles)
• Rex Wound Care Center (3.9 miles)
• Rex Surgical Specialists (3.9 miles)

Parks

• Eastgate Park (1.2 miles)
• Williams Park (2.1 miles)
• Brookhaven Nature Park (2.4 miles)
• Marsh Creek Park (4.5 miles)
• Durant Nature Park (4.6 miles)
• Method Road Park & Community Center (4.7 miles)
• Dorothea Dix Park (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Duke Raleigh Hospital (1.8 miles)
• UNC Specialty Women's Center at Rex (4 miles)
• WakeMed Heart Center (5.2 miles)
• WakeMed Health & Hospitals (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Gethsemane Lutheran Church (2.4 miles)
• Beacon Baptist Church (4.6 miles)
• Christ the King Lutheran Church (8.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (8 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.5 miles)
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) (8.7 miles)
• RDU - Terminal 2 (8.7 miles)
• American Airlines (8.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Raleigh NC (4.5 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh (5.1 miles)