Park View at Cheltenham in Elkins Park, PA

Pros

• Park View at Cheltenham is a beautiful place to live, with very clean and quiet surroundings and friendly tenants.
• The management is professional and respectful.
• The location offers convenient access to public transportation, a large shopping mall, diverse dining options, medical facilities, supermarkets, emergency services, and Center City is not far away.
• The cost of residing at Park View at Cheltenham is budget-friendly.
• The building is a well-maintained three-story senior apartment complex with greenery, trees, and shaded sitting areas.
• The interiors provide spacious apartments with walk-in bedroom closets and ample kitchen storage.
• Residents enjoy free, well-lit parking.
• Potpourri is placed at apartment shelf entrances, adding a pleasant touch inside.

Cons

• The reviewer was treated with disrespect.
• There were way too many mouse traps and bugs everywhere.
• The rental agent Shavone was unprofessional, favored friends and family, and did not follow waitlist rules.
• Shavone tried to solicit a kickback from the reviewer.
• The place is infested with roaches, and the manager does not address the issue, only paints over it.
• The staff is rude.
• There are no amenities or caretaking—just apartments.
• The management is the downside of the property.
• There is no security for residents.

Review

This community is best suited for budget-conscious seniors who want independence in a location where everything important is within easy reach. Park View at Cheltenham serves residents who don’t require ongoing care or extensive on-site services but appreciate a straightforward, apartment-style option close to Cheltenham Mall, public transit, hospitals, and a cluster of shops and services. It’s a three-story, unattached building with ample free parking, appealing to those who value predictability, control over their space, and a quiet, low-stress environment. Families should recognize that Park View is not an assisted living campus; it is independent living with limited perks, not a care-focused community.

Pros that matter to this profile include a location that puts everyday needs within easy reach and a generally clean, quiet atmosphere. Several reviews highlight courteous, friendly neighbors and a professional veneer when management is functioning, along with spacious apartments and practical layouts, walk-in closets, ample kitchen storage, and generous room to tailor the space. The absence of large, busy common areas is offset by well-lit parking and greenery that contribute to a comfortable, low-stress living environment. For someone watching the budget, the rent represents real value in exchange for a private apartment instead of a rooming house.

However, the downsides are significant and hard to ignore. Pest issues, roaches and mice, appear repeatedly, and maintenance seems reactive at best. Several accounts describe rude or unresponsive staff and, in at least one case, an unprofessional leasing experience marred by alleged favoritism. The community is described as “just apartments” with little or no amenities or on-site caretaking, and some reviews depict management struggles to handle the volume of inquiries and resident concerns. The combination of pests, minimal services, and inconsistent management erodes the basic quality of daily life for many residents.

Those balancing pros and cons will find that the positives can partially offset the negatives if independence and location are the top priorities. A quiet building with roomy units, good storage, and the freedom to come and go as desired is meaningful for seniors who want privacy and predictable costs. Yet the pest infestations and the lack of on-site services ensure that this remains a trade-off. Prospective residents must weigh whether the ability to live near shopping, transit, and medical facilities simply justifies accepting ongoing maintenance issues and limited security features. In short, Park View favors independence over assisted living or robust resident support.

Alternatives become worth considering for anyone who needs regular staff interaction, safety monitoring, or a more actively managed environment. If a true community with daily activities, social programs, on-site caretaking, and stronger pest control is desired, other nearby options will serve better. Families should pay close attention to what is promised in the lease, what is included in rent, and what charges apply for maintenance, pest control, and security upgrades. The decision should pivot on whether the resident’s priorities align with private living space and location versus integrated services and consistent, attentive management.

Next steps should be deliberate and thorough. Schedule a on-site tour with a critical eye: inspect several apartments for visible pest issues, probe maintenance response times, and request a copy of recent pest-control records if available. Ask about security features, emergency protocols, and how often common areas are cleaned. Speak with current residents about day-to-day experience and management responsiveness. Compare Park View’s rent, renewal terms, and any anticipated increases against nearby options with stronger upkeep and more amenities. The choice will hinge on whether independence and location outweigh the ongoing maintenance challenges and service gaps.

Elkins Park, Pennsylvania offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With several pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians located within a short distance, residents have easy access to healthcare services. The area also boasts a variety of dining options, including Chick-Fil-A, Dalessandro's Steaks, and Custard & Cakes Creamery. Transportation is easily accessible with SEPTA stations nearby for convenient travel around the city. For leisure activities, there are parks like Champion Park Playground and Womrath Park nearby for outdoor enjoyment. Additionally, cafes such as Starbucks and Panera Bread provide relaxing spaces to socialize and enjoy a cup of coffee. Overall, Elkins Park offers a vibrant community with numerous amenities for seniors to enjoy a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (4.2 miles)
• Dalessandro's Steaks (4.5 miles)
• Custard & Cakes Creamery (4.9 miles)
• Point After (5.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)

Transportation

• SEPTA Jenkintown-Wyncote Station (1.2 miles)
• Stenton Station (2 miles)
• Septa Wayne Junction Station (3.8 miles)
• Ambler Station (6.6 miles)
• 30th Street Station (8.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Albert Einstein Employee Health Center (2.7 miles)
• Fox Chase Cancer Center (3 miles)
• Abington Hospital, Widener Building (3.2 miles)
• Abington Memorial Hospital (3.3 miles)
• Chestnut Hill Emergency Room (3.4 miles)
• Holy Redeemer Hospital (4.2 miles)
• Temple University Hospital (5 miles)

Physicians

• Simms Hank Md Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia (2.8 miles)
• Frankford Avenue Health Center (5.4 miles)
• AMS Cardiology (5.8 miles)
• Mid Atlantic Retina (7 miles)
• Hatboro Medical Associates (7.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Pilgrim Roasters (5.3 miles)
• The Landing Kitchen (5.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)

Parks

• Champion Park Playground (4.2 miles)
• Womrath Park (5.6 miles)
• Fairmount Park (7 miles)
• Palmer Doggie Depot (7 miles)
• Palmer Park Farmers Market (7.1 miles)
• Homested Park (7.3 miles)
• Piazza Dog Park (7.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Plymouth Meeting Mall 12 (7.4 miles)