Marshall Union Manor

Pros

• The building is exceptional, especially for the area.
• The property and building are very well kept and maintained.
• The tenants are friendly and seem pleased to live there.
• It is a great place to retire in the city.
• There are no reported complaints about the property.
• Long-term leases among residents suggest tenant satisfaction.

Cons

• The staff at the apartment were unprofessional and rude.
• The building as a whole should be prioritized over the few selfish individuals.
• Consistently littering broken glass into the street.
• The trash collectors have brooms and still blamed it on cars break ins when it's in the same dam spot every time where they empty the garbage in 20th.
• Extremely irresponsible and blatant disrespect to the community and the people that pay to park and live in the area.
• This complex needs to dial it back with the leaf blowers.
• During autumn, they use extremely loud gas-powered leaf blowers for hours per day, up to 4 days every week.

Review

Across the mixed set of reviews, a complex picture emerges of a downtown apartment complex that is praised for upkeep and community feel in some quarters, while provoking concern in others about policy enforcement, staff conduct, and intrusive noise. The threads run from safety-minded debates about smoke in units to complaints about noise from landscaping equipment, and from accusations of rude management to appreciative notes about the property's cleanliness and tenant stability. Taken together, they sketch a living environment where residents value maintenance and location but feel unevenly supported by management and policy decisions.

One major thread centers on smoking in the units and how aggressively the building should police it. Several voices push for stronger enforcement, arguing that existing policy should be applied more rigorously and that unscheduled spot checks could deter smoking or at least send a clear message that the building puts safety and habitability first. The idea of giving residents notice before inspections is mentioned, but the overarching impulse is to prioritize the health and safety of the building as a whole over the convenience of a few individuals. The rhetoric conveys a fear that a single spark could have cascading consequences, and it frames the issue as a matter of communal responsibility that extends beyond personal choice.

Another recurring concern is the impression of staff behavior and professionalism. A visitor recounts having encountered some of the rudest management personnel she has ever met, which raises questions about whether there is adequate training for employees or clear rules guiding their conduct. The worry is that more than 200 elderly residents live under the care of people who seem to lack respect and kindness, leading to unease about daily interactions with management and about whether resident needs are being understood and addressed in a humane way. The critiques imply that staff training and clarity of expectations could meaningfully alter the experience of living there, especially for vulnerable residents.

By contrast, there is a parallel perspective that paints the building in a highly favorable light from a different vantage point. A cleaning business client, who has multiple accounts in the complex, describes it as exceptional for the area, with the property and grounds well kept, and tenants who appear friendly and content - evidenced by long lease terms. This account also notes that rent sits at a standard level for the region and times, and it frames the complex as a stable, respectable place to live. The author pushes back against some negative perceptions by arguing that two 1-star reviews are not valid reflections of the property's quality, attributing at least one critique to outside factors (like garbage handling) and another to landscaping practices (gas-powered leaf blowers) rather than the apartments themselves.

That said, other reviewers focus on direct nuisances and safety concerns that tarnish the overall experience. One reviewer mentions consistent littering and broken glass in the street, describing it as a hazard to people and animals, and notes that they are filing a police report. They blame the debris on the garbage pickup routine and point to a recurring problem at the same spot when bags are emptied, calling out the behavior as irresponsible and disrespectful to the surrounding community. This thread highlights the tension between maintenance tasks, municipal services, and community safety, and it underscores a desire for accountability and cleaner streets.

The leaf blower issue dominates another facet of the feedback. Multiple reviewers describe autumn as an especially challenging season due to the heavy, ongoing use of loud gas-powered leaf blowers - sometimes for hours on end, several days a week. The noise is characterized as meticulous to a fault and disproportionate to the task of moving a handful of leaves, to the point of being aggravating for neighbors. There is a clear preference expressed for quieter, possibly electric alternatives, or for more considerate scheduling, so that daily life in adjacent units is not disrupted. The frustration captures a broader urban living tension: the need to maintain grounds and safety versus the right to quiet enjoyment of one's home.

Despite the tensions, the reviews also acknowledge a certain degree of value in living there. A prevailing sentiment is that the complex could be seen as a solid place to retire in the city, offering a degree of stability and proximity to urban amenities, even while acknowledging crime and grime associated with downtown areas. This nuanced view suggests that while the property's maintenance and grounds are commendable, the experience is tempered by compliance challenges, staff interactions, and noise concerns that affect daily living. The overall tone suggests that the relationship between residents and management could be improved through clearer policies, better training, and more thoughtful approaches to noise and nuisance issues.

Taken as a whole, the reviews depict a community at a crossroads. There are strong positives - careful upkeep, a generally stable resident base, and a sense of home in a busy urban setting - paired with pressing concerns about enforcement, staff demeanor, safety, and disruption from landscaping practices. The underlying message across the pieces is not simply a complaint about one issue but a call for holistic improvements: fair and consistent enforcement of policies, respectful and trained staff who can serve a diverse resident population, safer streets with fewer hazards, and quieter grounds management that respects the comfort of neighbors. If these elements can align, the complex could more consistently offer the quiet, safe, and well-maintained home that many residents already value.

This neighborhood in Portland, Oregon offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to relocate. With several hospitals and medical facilities within close proximity, including Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center and Randall Children's Hospital, residents can easily access healthcare services. Additionally, there are numerous pharmacies nearby for medication needs. The area also boasts a variety of dining options, from casual eateries like Paymaster Lounge to upscale restaurants like Jake's Famous Crawfish. For leisure activities, Washington Park and other green spaces offer relaxing outdoor settings, while theaters like Regal Pioneer Place provide entertainment options. Convenient public transportation options such as Amtrak and TriMet Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave Transit Center make getting around the city easy for seniors residing in this neighborhood.

Hospitals

• Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Legacy Emanuel Childrens Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Randall Children's Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Legacy Emanuel Burn Center (1.5 miles)
• Shriners Hospitals For Children (2 miles)
• Doernbecher Children's Hospital (2.3 miles)
• Portland VA Medical Center (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Good Samaritan Building 1 (0.2 miles)
• Legacy Medical Group-Emanuel (1.5 miles)
• To Summy Od Myoptic Optometry Dr Summy To Optometrist Portland (1.9 miles)
• Legacy Medical Group (2.2 miles)
• Harpers Playground (2.9 miles)
• Family Medical Group, PC (3.1 miles)
• ZoomCare (3.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Paymaster Lounge (0.3 miles)
• Salt & Straw (0.3 miles)
• 10 Barrel Brewing Portland (0.5 miles)
• Von Ebert Brewing Pearl (0.7 miles)
• Teardrop Lounge (0.7 miles)
• Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House (0.7 miles)
• Jake's Famous Crawfish (0.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Safeway Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.1 miles)
• Kaiser Interstate East Pharmacy (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• King's Hookah Lounge (0.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.6 miles)
• Coava Coffee Roasters (2 miles)
• Peet's Coffee and Tea (2.1 miles)
• Cyclemaster Coffee (3.2 miles)
• Posies Cafe (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Washington Park (0.6 miles)
• Alberta Park (1 miles)
• Overlook Park (1.3 miles)
• Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park (1.5 miles)
• Irving Park (2 miles)
• Colonel Summers Park (2.5 miles)
• Peninsula Park and Rose Gardens (2.7 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (0.8 miles)
• TriMet Hollywood/NE 42nd Ave Transit Center (3.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Pioneer Place (1.2 miles)
• Hollywood Theatre (3.5 miles)