Sawyer Towers in Columbus, OH

Cons

• The management office is hard to reach, with voicemails that go unanswered for two weeks and no callbacks.
• The reviewer has waited three years on a waiting list; promises of a two-bedroom were made by three managers but never kept, and the apartment was given away with a three-to-five year wait still expected.
• The staff are rude, unhelpful, and biased toward tenants' livelihoods; the office is described as unbelievable terrible and warrants investigation.
• Maintenance doesn't fix anything; when called, they never come; mice are prevalent in the apartments and crime is ongoing in the neighborhood; not recommended.
• They don't fix issues, are very lazy, and make excuses.
• There may be shootings at night.

Review

Sawyer Towers in Columbus is best suited for seniors who can tolerate significant administrative friction and safety concerns in exchange for a price-conscious option. The reviews depict a pattern of opaque communication, with staff hard to reach and voicemail that routinely goes unanswered for weeks. A long-standing wait list compounds the problem, with promises of a two-bedroom apartment that never materialize and hints of preferential treatment toward other applicants. For families seeking reliability, responsiveness, and predictable service, Sawyer Towers does not fit. This is a residence to avoid unless every other option in the area has already proven worse and affordability is the sole driving factor.

Those who should consider alternatives are clear: anyone who relies on timely maintenance, respectful staff, and straightforward leasing processes. The most fundamental expectations - being able to reach management, receiving accurate information, and seeing basic commitments honored - appear unmet here. Prospective residents should not have to endure repeated calls that go unanswered or misleading assurances about unit availability. If safety, dignity, and administrative professionalism are priorities, other options in Columbus deserve serious comparison.

The main drawbacks are not isolated incidents but a pattern that undermines daily life. Management communication is described as virtually nonfunctional, with calls not returned and inquiries left to wither on voicemail. Maintenance is a chronic weakness - repairs are not completed, and residents report pests and neglected issues that persist. The surrounding environment compounds the risk narrative: neighbors report crime and even gunfire at night, creating an unsettled, unsafe backdrop for a senior living setting. Staff behavior is another strain, characterized as rude or biased, with residents feeling talked down to and dismissed rather than helped. Taken together, these elements create a cascading effect: when repairs and safety are in doubt, the appeal of any potential affordability collapses.

There are essentially no credible pros to offset these core cons. If any value is perceived, it lies in the promise of lower rent or the possibility of finally securing a unit after years on a wait list; but the reviews make clear that those benefits rarely translate into stable, livable reality. The absence of reliable service, combined with ongoing maintenance failures and safety concerns, means any cost savings are quickly swallowed by the stress and inconvenience of living in a property with unmanaged issues. In practical terms, affordability loses its appeal when it's paired with unpredictability, poor communication, and a deteriorating living environment.

Families evaluating options should demand concrete assurances before considering Sawyer Towers. Request written deadlines for any promised move-in dates and a firm, accountable contact who handles both leasing and maintenance. Seek recent unit-exit reports, inspect a current unit for pests and condition, and verify the property's pest-control and remediation records. Talk to multiple residents if possible to gauge consistency in management response times, and obtain a copy of the neighborhood safety profile for the building's area. Above all, require a clear escalation path for repairs and complaints, with documented follow-ups and time-bound commitments.

The bottom line is clear: Sawyer Towers presents a high-risk, low-trust proposition for seniors who need reliable service, safety, and reasonable management access. It may appeal only to those who have exhausted other options or who are uniquely constrained by cost, location, or housing subsidies. For most families, alternatives that offer responsive management, transparent communication, timely maintenance, and a safer living environment will deliver far greater peace of mind. When a decision hinges on dependable care and a dignified daily living experience, Sawyer Towers warrants serious caution and, in most cases, a measured pivot toward better-rated communities in the Columbus area.

This area of Columbus, Ohio offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to live in a vibrant and convenient location. With several hospitals, physicians' offices, pharmacies, and cafes nearby, residents have easy access to healthcare services as well as opportunities for socializing and relaxation. The proximity to parks such as Goodale Park and Schiller Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisurely walks. Additionally, the diverse selection of restaurants and places of worship cater to different preferences and needs. Transportation options are also readily available with the John Glenn Columbus International Airport located just a short distance away. Overall, this part of Columbus offers a well-rounded community with plenty of resources to support senior living.

Physicians

• Equitas Health King-Lincoln Medical Center (0.7 miles)
• Nationwide Children's Hospital Livingston Ambulatory Center (1.7 miles)
• The Eye Center of Columbus (1.9 miles)
• Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center (2.5 miles)
• Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry (3.4 miles)
• Martha Moorehouse Medical Pavillion Lung and Allergy Center (3.5 miles)
• Tri-Village Family Health (4.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Royal Fish Shrimp & Chicken (0.8 miles)
• Greater Columbus Convention Center (1.4 miles)
• Marcella's (1.4 miles)
• Union Cafe (1.5 miles)
• Standard Hall (1.6 miles)
• Condado Tacos (1.7 miles)
• Katzinger's Delicatessen (2 miles)

Hospitals

• Ohio State University Hospital East (0.8 miles)
• Nationwide Children's Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Richard M Ross Heart Hospital (2.6 miles)
• OSU Harding Hospital (2.7 miles)
• Ohio Health (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Fox in the Snow Cafe (1.3 miles)
• One Line Coffee (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)

Parks

• Goodale Park (1.6 miles)
• Scioto Mile - Promenade/Riverfront (1.9 miles)
• Schiller Park (2.5 miles)
• Whetstone Park / Park of Roses (5.1 miles)
• John Bishop Memorial Park (5.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Market District Supermarket (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (1.9 miles)
• Holy Name Church (2.8 miles)
• St Catharine Church (3 miles)
• St Christopher Church (3.7 miles)
• Faith Ministries Church (3.9 miles)

Transportation

• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) (4.9 miles)
• Concourse C (5.1 miles)
• TSA Security Checkpoint A (5.1 miles)
• CMH Passenger Drop-off / Pick-up (5.1 miles)
• TSA Security Checkpoint B (5.2 miles)
• TSA Pre-Check B (5.2 miles)
• Concourse B (5.2 miles)