Hillrise Retirement Community

Pros

• Michele reached back out to me and was very informational and helpful this time around.
• Very good family experience.
• Clean.
• Meeting went great! Management was awesome!

Cons

• The heat never works.
• The building is dirty and maintenance never fixes anything.
• Bugs, including roaches and bed bugs, persist despite assurances.
• Parking is insufficient and cars are towed or at risk due to limited space.
• The gym is false advertisement; there is nothing in it.
• Elevators barely work.
• The property is falsely advertised and overall horrible.
• There is mold in the AC and dusty, poorly maintained vents.
• Communication is non-existent, and staff are rude or unhelpful.
• Pest control issues are frequent, and tenants are blamed for problems.
• Move-in assurances about extermination are contradicted by lack of action.
• Management and ownership are unresponsive and indifferent to tenants.

Review

Residents across multiple years paint a consistently troubled picture of this apartment complex, where core comforts and basic reliability appear to be in short supply. A recurring refrain is that heat and HVAC issues are not just intermittent annoyances but a pervasive problem that never seems resolved. Tenants recount repeatedly that the heat fails to come through when it's needed, and even when maintenance requests are submitted, the work order is stamped as complete without any visible attempt to fix the issue. The effect is a chilly, uncomfortable living environment in winter and a sense that the property's upkeep is more performative than effective.

Cleanliness and maintenance glitches thread through many of the accounts. Several tenants describe a dirty building with lingering grime and dust, and they insist that maintenance staff do not follow through on promised repairs. One particularly disturbing pattern is the frequent presence of pests, including roaches and bed bugs, with some reviewers reporting live infestations and others discovering dead insects tucked away in cabinets or appliances after moving in. Reports even describe roaches behind ovens, in kitchen cabinets, and roaches and bed bugs visible in laundry rooms. The fear and health concerns escalate when tenants recount allergic reactions and the emotional toll of trying to address an ongoing infestation that frontline staff seem unwilling or unable to eradicate effectively.

The pest and cleanliness issues are often linked to concerns about mold, nicotine stains, and general dirt that allegedly predate new tenants. One reviewer describes mold in the AC unit and dusty vents that make the bathroom vent noisy, while others describe nicotine staining on bathroom walls and a long-lasting sense that units were not properly cleaned before occupancy. The combination of mold, stale smoke residue, and pest problems creates an environment that feels unhealthy and unwelcoming, with some residents spending substantial effort to sanitize and rearrange spaces only to have problems reappear after the next round of extermination attempts.

The building's amenities are a frequent point of contention, particularly the claim that certain advertised features do not exist in reality. The gym, for example, is described as nonexistent or inaccessible, a case of false advertising that compounds other frustrations about facilities. Elevators are said to barely function, compounding the daily headaches of moving in and out with groceries, furniture, and laundry loads. Parking - the space where many residents feel most squeezed - emerges as another major sore spot. Tenants report insufficient parking for all residents, frequent towings, and a sense that the parking arrangements shift unpredictably. Some accounts mention a move to a church parking lot for pavement work that yielded ongoing security concerns and car break-ins, underscoring a broader sense that the property neglects resident safety and convenience in favor of short-term construction tasks.

Communication and interaction with management are repeatedly criticized. Several reviews describe rude or dismissive staff, miscommunications, and a sense that questions about policies or procedures are met with evasiveness or frustration. Maintenance requests are said to vanish into a void, or to be acknowledged without any follow-through, leaving tenants feeling ignored and powerless. In one notable thread, a reviewer recounts a long back-and-forth in which the property manager's tone and responsiveness appeared inconsistent, ranging from curt dismissals to more constructive outreach in separate incidents. The administrative side of rental life, including lease terms and paperwork, is depicted as opaque, occasionally contradictory, and slow to respond, contributing to a climate of distrust and frustration.

Within this mosaic of complaints, there are a few rare rays of more neutral or even positive experience. Some reviewers note that the rent remains relatively affordable for the area and that a move-in on certain occasions felt clean and in decent shape. A few residents describe quick, practical fix-ups or a generally functional living space once pests were addressed, and one update acknowledges a staff member who eventually provided clearer information and assistance after an initially rough interaction. There are also mentions of family-friendly vibes and a sense of community in certain eras of occupancy, suggesting that experiences can vary significantly over time and between units.

The most dramatic stories center on health and safety risks tied to infestations and environmental quality, alongside the stress of dealing with property management that many tenants feel lacks transparency or accountability. The combination of persistent heat issues, ongoing pest problems, questionable cleanliness at move-in, unsafe or poorly maintained facilities, and a parking system that feels punitive and chaotic leaves a lasting negative impression for many. Yet amid the chorus of dissatisfaction, there are occasional accounts that emphasize the value of price, accessibility, and a few well-meaning staff interactions that temporarily ease the strain - reminders that individual experiences can diverge even within the same property.

For anyone considering moving here, the overall tone of the accounts is cautionary. Prospective tenants should seriously investigate current pest control status, confirm the reliability of heating and elevator service, inspect the unit for cleanliness and mold, and scrutinize the parking situation and building security. It's also wise to probe how maintenance requests are tracked and resolved, and to seek up-to-date information about the management team's responsiveness before signing a lease. While a small number of residents have found some positive aspects or more constructive engagement with staff, the prevailing narrative across the reviews paints a picture of a complex with significant ongoing quality and service challenges that can dramatically affect daily living.

Hospitals

• Cincinnati Children's (0.2 miles)
• Mercy Health - West Hospital Campus (3.4 miles)
• Summit Behavioral Healthcare (3.9 miles)
• Good Samaritan Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Veterans Hospital (4.3 miles)
• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (4.4 miles)
• University of Cincinnati Medical Center (4.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Lifespring Christian Church (1.4 miles)
• St Vivian's Catholic Church (1.8 miles)
• White Oak Chapel (2.6 miles)
• Vineyard Church Northwest (4.1 miles)
• St James of the Valley (4.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Skyline Chili (1.6 miles)
• Lake Nina Restaurant (1.9 miles)
• Buffalo Wings & Rings (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• Skyline Chili (3.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• Skyline Chili (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2.2 miles)
• The 86 Coffee Bar & Concert Venue (4.7 miles)
• Gabby's Cafe (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Coffee Emporium (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• Western Family Physicians (2.9 miles)
• Seven Hills Women's Health Centers (3 miles)
• White Oak Family Practice (3.4 miles)
• Cincinnati Foot Care (3.5 miles)
• University Hospital Outpatient Building (4.6 miles)
• The Urology Group (5 miles)
• Hand Surgery Specialists (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Metro Bond Hill Garage (4 miles)

Parks

• Winton Woods Cherry Hill Shelter (5.1 miles)
• Ziegler Park (6.1 miles)
• Washington Park (6.2 miles)
• Washington Dog Park (6.2 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark (5.3 miles)