Fairway Tower and Manor Apartments

Pros

• The location is excellent, close to shopping centers, healthcare facilities, and public transportation.
• The apartments are spacious and well maintained.
• These apartments have a gym, laundry facilities, a parking garage, and a community room.
• The common areas are clean.
• The apartments are large, homey, and comfortable, with patios and washer/dryer hookups.
• The complex has recently been updated with new paint, a new lobby, new washers/dryers, and a new workout and TV sitting room.

Cons

• After the old manager Tricia left, maintenance and service deteriorated and the place is not recommended.
• There has been no swimming pool since 2020.
• Maintenance is neglected and work orders go unanswered, with issues like leaks and broken windows.
• A raccoon problem persists on the property and pests are not adequately addressed.
• Heating is inadequate in winter and the air conditioning does not work.
• Plumbing is horrible, with slow drains and water backing up; carpets get wet from leaks.
• Spiders and other pests are constantly present.
• The parking lot has numerous holes and can damage tires.
• The manager is hard to reach and described as unprofessional; some reviews claim deposit theft.
• The property has become run-down with trash and storm debris left around, and amenities like the pool and garages are unusable or falling apart.

Review

Fairway Towers and Manor Apartments in Akron present a complex picture that blends appealing features with a long list of resident concerns. On the positive side, many reviews highlight a superb location: close to shopping centers, healthcare facilities, and robust public transportation. The units are repeatedly described as spacious, and several tenants note that the buildings are well maintained when management is doing its job. Amenities such as a gym, on-site laundry facilities, a parking garage, and a community room are frequently cited as valuable perks, and several residents say the common areas are kept reasonably clean. For families and individuals looking for a convenient, neighborly spot with easy access to everyday essentials, the property has long been viewed as a strong contender.

A thread running through the more favorable commentary is the presence of capable, attentive management. For years, Tracie Steffee is referenced glowingly, with residents calling her an "angel" and an "amazing manager." Some tenants who have lived there for many years emphasize that under her guidance the property felt like a well-run community - new paint, a refreshed lobby, updated washers and dryers, and improved common spaces. One long-tenured resident speaks of a setting that felt like a condo-like experience in the Manor section, praising security, large apartments, and responsive service from management. In short, when the management team is proactive and responsive, residents describe a safe, comfortable, and community-focused living environment.

However, a sizable portion of the feedback centers on a dramatic downturn tied to management changes and the ensuing maintenance and communication problems. Several reviewers attribute a decline to a shift away from the prior manager, Tricia, noting that "after the old manager changed, everything changed" and that the place "isn't recommended" anymore. Complaints pile up about slow or non-existent response to work orders, a lack of basic maintenance, and even outright neglect in critical areas. Leaking roofs, unpainted balconies, neglected lawns, broken windows, and pervasive pest problems (raccoons, spiders, and a persistent infestation feel) are all cited as evidence that the property has spiraled. The absence of a functioning swimming pool since 2020 is singled out as emblematic of deteriorating service and broken promises.

Communication issues compound the maintenance problems. A frequent grievance is the challenge of getting in touch with the manager, with reports of long delays in updates on application status and approvals, and in some cases the perception that an approved tenant could be displaced or lost to others because of slow responses. One reviewer explains paying a $75 application fee only to feel ignored, and multiple accounts recount calling from different numbers or using persistence just to obtain a callback. The tone ranges from frustration to outright disappointment, with some residents describing the management style as unprofessional and inconsistent, making the property feel less like a cohesive community and more like a place where tenants' concerns aren't prioritized.

The negative feedback often circles back to the day-to-day lived experience. Several tenants recount a string of tangible defects: builders' messes left behind after moves, dirty or rapidly aging interiors, and a lack of timely renovations despite months or years of residence. Heating and cooling problems are another common complaint: some units are described as uncomfortably hot in winter or unable to heat efficiently because venting is restricted, and plumbing issues are described as taking too long to resolve, with showers backing up and water not draining promptly. A few residents report structural and cosmetic issues that erode their sense of value: damp carpets around bathrooms and bedrooms, mismatched or falling blinds, and a general sense that certain areas have been neglected or allowed to degrade.

Financial and safety concerns also surface in the reviews. One account mentions high rent for a unit that felt substandard, while others point to expensive or questionable charges, such as the lingering impact of an application fee in a process perceived as opaque or unfair. Some residents raise safety and quality-of-life questions, noting that the property used to feel resort-like but now resembles a "project" atmosphere in the last several months. At least one review accuses management of manipulating the process around deposits, alleging improper handling or even theft of security deposits, and another references threats and intimidation from staff, painting a picture of a workplace culture that undermines trust.

Despite the breadth of criticism, there are still voices that acknowledge improvement under new or renewed management in portions of the property. A number of reviewers point to visible rehabilitations and upgrades: fresh paint, updated lobbies, newly installed washers and dryers, a refreshed workout area, and the addition of a TV sitting room - all of which can elevate daily life and support a more family-friendly, comfortable community. The proximity to markets like Acme, Gabe's, and Whole Foods, along with nearby restaurants, is repeatedly highlighted as a strong locator advantage. For some tenants, particularly those who have seen renovations paired with more responsive management, the experience has shifted back toward the positive end of the spectrum.

In the end, the reviews sketch a property with undeniable strengths and equally undeniable strains. The physical footprint - spacious apartments, useful amenities, and a central, convenient Akron location - remains attractive to many residents. But the emotional and practical reality for several current and former tenants hinges on management consistency, timely maintenance, and open, respectful communication. When the management team is proactive and responsive, Fairway Towers and Manor Apartments can feel like a welcoming, well-maintained community with a strong sense of safety and neighborliness. When management falters or communication breaks down, the same buildings quickly become associated with frustration, ongoing repair needs, and a growing perception of neglect. Prospective residents are advised to verify the current management approach, maintenance responsiveness, and the status of key amenities - especially the pool, parking structures, and ongoing renovations - before committing, while personal experiences will likely continue to reflect the ongoing balance between these competing forces.

This part of Akron, Ohio offers a variety of healthcare options with several physicians, digestive health centers, and pharmacies located within close proximity. There are also numerous dining options including fast food restaurants like McDonald's and Taco Bell, as well as more upscale choices like Rizzi's Ristorante & Pizzeria. For those looking for leisure activities, there are cafes such as Nervous Dog Coffee Bar and parks like Summit Lake Park nearby. Additionally, there are hospitals like Akron Children's Hospital in the vicinity for any medical emergencies. Overall, this area provides a mix of amenities and services that could be convenient for seniors looking to reside in a well-equipped neighborhood.

Physicians

• Digestive Health Center (0.6 miles)
• Neurology & Neuroscience Associates (0.7 miles)
• Dylan R Childs, MD (0.9 miles)
• Hofacker (1.5 miles)
• Center for Urologic Health (2.1 miles)
• Internal Medicine Center of Akron (2.7 miles)
• Akron General Hematology & Oncology (2.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Swenson's Drive In Restaurants (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.9 miles)
• 750 Ml Wines (1.5 miles)
• Frank's Place On Market (2.1 miles)
• Rizzi's Ristorante & Pizzeria (2.3 miles)
• R Shea Brewing (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Nervous Dog Coffee Bar (0.8 miles)
• Biggby Coffee (1.4 miles)
• Cafe Arnone (2.4 miles)
• Molly Brown Cafe (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Akron Children's Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Summa Western Reserve Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Summa Akron City Hospital (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Summit Lake Park (3.3 miles)
• Mountain Bike Area (3.8 miles)
• Green Leaf Park (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Grace Church (4.2 miles)
• Ghent Christian Church (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Cuyahoga Falls And Xd (5.1 miles)