Hampton Woods in Columbus, OH

Pros

• Chad Smith is praised as wonderful, helpful, and pleasant to deal with.
• Chad's leadership makes Hampton Woods feel welcoming to residents.
• John is highly regarded for his competence and HVAC expertise.
• John fixes issues quickly and does a wonderful job.
• The maintenance team is professional, efficient, and caring.
• The staff are friendly, helpful, and responsive to residents' needs.
• The move-in experience is described as positive with good staff.
• Jessa is extremely helpful and goes above and beyond.

Cons

• They are being charged a common area electric bill based on apartment size, which feels unfair and confusing.
• Residents worry about safety as kids ride bikes in the parking area and feel nickel-and-dimed by charges, ready to leave.
• There appears to be no on-site staff for tours; all calls are handled by AI bots, and the in-person appearance looks dismal.
• Management changes and unforeseen rent increases have caused confusion and frustration.
• The removal of the 55+ restriction makes the community unsuitable for some residents, prompting consideration of moving.
• A long-time resident reports no maintenance and rising rent, expressing they would not rent here again.
• There is no maintenance and the manager is not nice; residents are treated poorly if they advocate, and bed bugs have been present with heat treatment not performed.
• The staff are not friendly and can be disrespectful; one staff member was so disrespectful that a grandmother was pulled from the facility.

Review

Hampton Woods in Columbus is best suited for independent seniors who want one-level, apartment-style living with abundant common spaces and a clearly social, resident-driven culture. The community rewards residents who value indoor convenience, everything from a library and post office to a fitness room and computer room, plus a welcoming, connected atmosphere in which neighbors gather in a well-used community room. It suits those who prefer a home-like environment over a hospital-style campus, and who can tolerate a price structure that blends rental living with shared-cost considerations. In short, this is a solid fit for active independents who want easy access to services, plenty of social opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging, without the on-site care services that memory care or skilled nursing communities provide.

On the upside, Hampton Woods shows a remarkably engaged leadership and steady maintenance responsiveness that many families will value. Resident sentiment consistently highlights Chad, the property manager, as a steadying force who understands needs and fosters a sense of community. A hands-on maintenance team, often described as professional, capable, and dependable, frequently resolves issues quickly, sometimes within hours, and residents applaud the care shown in routine repairs, HVAC work, and even more basic fixes. The atmosphere reflects real warmth: residents speak of friendly staff, neighbors connecting in the community room, and a campus design that makes everything easy to reach on one level. For families seeking a welcoming culture where staff take time to know residents and residents know each other, Hampton Woods delivers a tangible sense of home.

Yet the cons cited by residents are not incidental and warrant careful consideration before committing. A recurring theme is the billing framework, specifically a shared common-area electric charge pegged to apartment size, which feels illogical to some residents who already pay their own electric bill. Add in rent increases and a carport surcharge, and the financial picture becomes less predictable than hoped. Management changes and a sense that office practices can be opaque also appear in several reviews, contributing to distrust among some residents. A few residents report rude or unwelcoming interactions with staff, which clashes with the otherwise warm tone of the site’s strongest advocates and undermines confidence in day-to-day operations for those who rely on consistent service.

The drawbacks extend into the lived experience of maintenance and amenities. While John the HVAC-savvy maintenance technician and other team members are repeatedly praised for prompt, capable work, other residents describe a stark inconsistency: some units and common spaces receive timely attention, while others feel neglected, especially outdoor areas or non-emergency updates. Heat problems have been highlighted, one unit endured a year without heat, creating a vivid reminder that even a community praised for responsiveness can fall short under persistent system failures. Bed bugs have surfaced in certain concerns, and the response to such issues, including heat treatments, is uneven across reports. Aesthetics and modernization lag in places, with complaints about outdated kitchen cabinets and appliances, limited in-unit laundry, and a general sense that some spaces are overdue for renovation.

How the positives balance the negatives depends heavily on resident needs and priorities. For families prioritizing social engagement, resident autonomy, and dependable maintenance, the merits can outweigh the flaws: a genuine sense of belonging, responsive staff leadership, and a compact, accessible footprint that eases daily routines. For someone seeking predictable, transparent billing, robust on-site care services, or a modern, updated apartment, the disadvantages may loom larger. The community’s strengths, especially the leadership of Chad, the approachable maintenance crew, and the consistent friendliness among many staff and residents, provide a strong counterweight to the cost and service caveats. However, the presence of small apartments, limited in-unit laundry, and ongoing questions about charges and management practices mean alternatives should be considered, particularly for those with higher care needs or tighter budgets.

For families evaluating Hampton Woods, concrete, forward-looking questions are essential. During a visit, verify the current pricing structure and what exactly is included in rent versus what rides on the common-area electric charge. Confirm whether age policy restrictions have shifted and how that affects potential transfers into the community, and clarify the availability and cost of in-unit laundry options. Inspect the apartment size, kitchen condition, storage space, and whether renovations are planned or underway, particularly in the computer room and other frequently used spaces. Ask for recent maintenance response times in different parts of the building and request references from residents who have had prolonged stays. Finally, probe the future: what renovations are scheduled, what steps are taken to prevent bed-bug reoccurrences, and how leadership plans to maintain transparent communication with residents and families.

In the end, Hampton Woods delivers a practical, neighborly environment with proven strengths in leadership and maintenance culture, alongside a design that emphasizes convenience and social opportunity. It is a compelling option for independent seniors who want to stay engaged, keep routines simple, and rely on a strong community fabric. Those who need memory care, 24/7 care on-site, or a stricter, price-transparent model should closely compare alternatives, and demand detailed, written assurances before committing. The right choice depends on whether the priority is a true sense of home and community or a flawless fit of services, cost structure, and modern interiors. Hampton Woods stands out as a solid, seniors-first option for the former.

This part of Columbus, Ohio, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple pharmacies located within a few miles, access to healthcare is readily available. In addition, there are various dining options nearby including family-friendly restaurants like Bob Evans, fast-food chains like McDonald's and Wendy's, and upscale options such as Golden Phoenix Restaurant. The area also features several parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation, as well as cafes where residents can enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal with friends. For medical needs, there are reputable hospitals and physicians in close proximity. Places of worship such as Westerville Christian Church and Faith Ministries Church offer spiritual support for those seeking community connections. Overall, this neighborhood provides a vibrant and convenient lifestyle for seniors looking to make Columbus their home.

Restaurants

• Columbus Square Bowling Palace (0.5 miles)
• Golden Phoenix Restaurant (1.5 miles)
• Bob Evans (1.9 miles)
• The Volleypark (2 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Wendy's (2.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Marc's Stores (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Sharon Woods Metro Park (2.1 miles)
• Metzger Park (3.4 miles)
• Flint Park (4.7 miles)
• Whetstone Park / Park of Roses (4.9 miles)
• Antrim Park (5 miles)
• Thompson Park (5.4 miles)
• Centergreen Park (5.5 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (2.2 miles)
• Northstar Cafe (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Crimson Cup (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Mount Carmel St Ann's OBGYN Clinic (2.3 miles)
• Ohio Health (5.7 miles)

Theaters

• Dreamscape at AMC Easton Town Center (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Worthington Family Physicians (3.2 miles)
• Center for Surgical Dermatology & Dermatology Associates (3.8 miles)
• Premier Women's Health (4 miles)
• Rgi Dr James (4 miles)
• PrimeMD - Westerville Primary Care Walk-ins (4 miles)
• Maureen Ann Stark (4.1 miles)
• Stickel, Brian C DDS (4.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Westerville Christian Church (3.4 miles)
• Faith Ministries Church (3.9 miles)