Dogwood in Chillicothe, OH

Pros

• Emily is a lifesaver who helps residents find a home.
• Emily and the management team receive high praise for their outgoing attitude and dedication.
• Andy is amazing and patient with questions.
• Emily is sweet and understanding, making inquiries easy.
• Emily is absolutely amazing to work with during moves.
• The Dogwood staff and neighbors are respectful, and the complex is kept clean and well maintained.
• The new staff are compassionate with requests and knowledgeable about payments.
• Corey provided prompt service by replacing broken door shelves in a few days.
• The facelift of the complex is very nice and welcoming.
• The new ownership has fixed past mistakes and improved the complex.
• Todd went above and beyond to fix the stove and ensure it works.
• Maintenance is highly responsive and fixes requests the same day or the next day.
• The pool and amenities make the complex a great place to call home.

Cons

• The management team is described as an absolute disgrace, and the office staff are said to lack people skills.
• Trash piles up for weeks and residents are blamed for things they didn't do.
• The complex is labeled by some as the worst apartment complex they've experienced.
• The property is said to have bed bugs and to withhold tenants' security deposits.
• Maintenance requests are often not addressed promptly, with some issues taking weeks or months to fix.
• Parking is a major hassle: limited guest spots and assigned spots frequently being taken.
• Residents report excessive, nonrefundable fees and repeated invoices for charges already paid.
• Some property groups are accused of skimming or scamming money from tenants.
• Staff are described as rude or unhelpful, including instances of threats of eviction.

Review

Dogwood Apartments in Chillicothe, Ohio is best suited for independent seniors or budget-conscious renters who want a refreshed complex in a convenient location and can tolerate ongoing management changes. The community delivers value through a noticeably upgraded feel, a central pool, and proximity to groceries and highways. It rewards residents who are self-directed about upkeep and who appreciate maintenance responsiveness when issues arise. However, it is not a fit for households needing a stable, senior-focused care environment or for those who require predictable billing and consistently smooth administrative operations. For families weighing options, alternatives with steadier oversight and built-in care services will deliver greater reliability.

The upside centers on a recent shift in leadership and the noticeable upgrades that followed. Maintenance requests are often completed promptly, with some fixes completed within 24 to 48 hours, signaling a more responsive service culture. Specific staff members have become recognizable faces for reliability and courtesy, and their attention has become a recurring positive theme. The completed pool renovation and the generally cleaner common areas contribute to a more welcoming atmosphere. The setting remains attractive for those who want easy access to major routes and nearby amenities, making daily life more convenient without sacrificing a sense of community. When management alignment is functioning well, the rent-to-value proposition becomes reasonable for independent living.

Yet the drawbacks recur with enough frequency to warrant caution. The property has cycled through multiple management companies and owners, producing inconsistent communication and shifting policies that leave residents navigating a moving target. Several reviews highlight billing quirks and disputes over charges, with some residents reporting nonrefundable fees and contested move-out deposits. Maintenance, though better of late, can still lag on longer-standing repairs, and some units have experienced ongoing workmanship concerns. Parking remains tight, with assigned spots and limited guest parking creating friction for visitors. Reports of pests, unfinished repairs, and privacy concerns also emerge, suggesting that the living experience can vary widely depending on which management team is in charge at any given time.

These trade-offs can be weighed in favor of those who can anchor themselves to a stabilized, customer-focused operation. When the administration aligns around reliability and transparent practices, the combined effect of upgrades, a refreshed property, and quick maintenance can translate into a practical, affordable independent option. The pool and common spaces, coupled with a improving neighbor dynamic, help create a comfortable environment for residents who value convenience and a reasonable monthly price. However, without a consistent governance backbone, the same benefits can quickly dissolve into frustration over billing surprises and policy inconsistencies. For seniors and families, the choice hinges on whether the management trajectory has genuinely stabilized and how closely the current practices mirror promised terms.

For decision-making, insist on clear, up-to-date evidence of management stability and service levels. Ask for a recent maintenance ticket log and typical response times; confirm guest- and assigned-parking rules and any changes to them; obtain a detailed, itemized list of all fees and which are refundable at move-out; review the security-deposit policy and the process for refunds; and tour with specific questions about the pool's operating hours and maintenance cadence. Speak with current residents about their experiences with the office and maintenance team, and verify who approves repairs and improvements. Request a written plan from the management company outlining commitments to ongoing repairs and dispute resolution before signing anything. This due diligence will determine whether the positives can truly outpace the ongoing governance risks.

Bottom line: Dogwood offers a refreshed, amenity-rich option at a competitive price point, with maintenance responsiveness that can serve independent seniors well - provided the management remains stable, transparent, and customer-focused. For families prioritizing predictable care, consistent billing, and built-in senior-services support, alternatives with established track records will deliver greater peace of mind. If Dogwood is under consideration, approach with diligence, view recent improvements as a meaningful sign of direction, and verify that current governance is committed to steady, reliable operation rather than episodic fixes.

Restaurants

• Casa Del Taco (0.1 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Subway (0.9 miles)
• Giovanni's Pizza (1.2 miles)
• Hooks Pizza On The Hill (1.4 miles)
• Papa John's Pizza (1.8 miles)
• The Pour House At Machinery Hall (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• Chillicothe Family Physicians (0.3 miles)
• Family Healthcare (0.5 miles)
• Hope Clinic Of Ross County (1 miles)
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (1.1 miles)
• Adena Family Medicine of Chillicothe (1.1 miles)
• Jenison Gary MD PhD (1.1 miles)
• Pickaway-Ross Family Physician (2 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Knisley Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Anderson's Drug Store (2.4 miles)
• Allen's Medical Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Adena Health Center (0.4 miles)
• Family Urgent Care (2.8 miles)
• Chillicothe VA Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Chillicothe VA Medical Center (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Voice Of Hope Church Of God (0.7 miles)
• Our Savior Lutheran Church & Preschool-Lcms (0.9 miles)
• Grace Fellowship (1.3 miles)
• Calvary Baptist Church (1.6 miles)
• Saint Peter's Church (1.7 miles)
• First Christian Church (1.7 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (1.8 miles)

Cafes

• Hilltop Cafe (1 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.2 miles)

Theaters

• Chillicothe Civic Theater (2 miles)

Parks

• Yoctangee Playground (2.1 miles)
• Poland Park (2.5 miles)
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park (3 miles)
• Mary Lou Patton Park (3.7 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.4 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.5 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.4 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (3.6 miles)