Brith Sholom House in Philadelphia, PA

Pros

• Management is doing a great job and improvements have been made to the property.
• The location is great and the area is quiet and affordable.
• The staff has been completely nice and sincere.
• The apartments are clean and spacious with lots of natural light.
• The public areas are welcoming, quiet, and homey.
• Christine is amazing and provides friendly, helpful service.
• It is a diverse senior community where residents seem happy, and the management is knowledgeable, patient, and eager to assist.
• The building is very clean and the apartments are good accommodations with good security.

Cons

• No one ever answers the phone.
• The place creates inhumane conditions for residents, with bedbugs, leaks, flooding, and disrepair.
• The new owners are slumlords.
• The building is infested with roaches and has trash in the hallways, with no air, no heat, and no hot water.
• The HVAC is leaking and the floors are saturated with water.
• The sprinkler system has not worked in years, and the building lacks a license to rent.

Review

Brith Sholom House in Philadelphia is best suited for price-conscious seniors who want a social, apartment-style setting with easy access to groceries, transit, and community activities. The environment can feel like a neighborhood with friendly residents, nighttime security, and on-site conveniences such as a laundry room and common spaces. Several reviews point to spacious, well-lit apartments with large windows and a homey feel, and to staff who appear courteous and approachable, especially when guided by a responsive property manager. For those who value an active schedule - bingo, church programs, crafts - and a place where neighbors mingle, this community offers a practical, low-friction base.

However, families should consider alternatives if safety, licensure, and consistent maintenance are non-negotiable. A notable thread in the feedback is concern over licensing and regulatory compliance, with claims that the building has faced code issues and disputes involving ownership. The most alarming red flags center on infestations (bed bugs and roaches), persistent leaks and water damage, and periods when heat or hot water are unavailable. If dependable climate control, reliable utilities, and transparent, stable management are essential, this community may fall short of those baseline expectations.

On the upside, there is visible momentum under newer leadership. The property manager, Christine White, receives praise for showing units, answering questions, and guiding families through the process. Residents frequently mention cleanliness in parts of the building, convenient laundry, and proximity to a bus line, supermarkets, and drugstores - features that reduce daily stress. The social fabric is tangible: neighbors who know one another, a quiet, home-like atmosphere, and staff described as helpful when issues arise. For seniors who prize a friendly, small-community vibe, these elements carry real weight.

Yet the cons are hard to overlook. A pattern of operational shortcomings appears in multiple accounts: phone lines not answered, repairs delayed or inconsistently performed, and fragmented communication from management. Infestations and significant maintenance failures - roaches, bed bugs, leaks, and water intrusion - create ongoing health and comfort concerns. HVAC problems and intermittent heat or hot water impose real hardship, especially for residents with medical needs or limited mobility. Reports that owners faced court action and questions about current licensing cast doubt on long-term stability and resident protections. In short, safety and dependability issues remain central, not optional.

Pros like a lively social calendar, easy access to essential services, and a willing, approachable staff do mitigate some daily friction, but they do not fully offset the severity of core reliability problems. When the essential operations - safety, habitability, and regulatory compliance - are flagged, optimistic moments become episodic rather than the norm. The improvements cited by some residents are meaningful, yet they sit against a backdrop of a building's troubling maintenance and governance history. For families weighing options, the challenge is whether the social and budget-friendly advantages can sustain a resident's welfare in the face of ongoing risk.

Decision-makers should take concrete, proactive steps before committing. Verify the current licensing status and any active compliance actions with city or state authorities, and request a transparent, written plan with timelines for outstanding repairs. Schedule multiple visits to observe heat, hot water, pest control, and overall cleanliness at different times of day, and meet with the property manager to gauge responsiveness and follow-through. If the resident values social engagement and affordability and is prepared to monitor operations closely, Brith Sholom House can be a viable choice. If, instead, safety, consistent climate control, and predictable maintenance are non-negotiable, favor communities with stronger records on code compliance, licensure, and resident protection.

This part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offers a convenient and bustling urban environment with easy access to a variety of amenities. There are numerous cafes such as Panera Bread and Starbucks within close proximity, providing opportunities for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Additionally, there are several dining options nearby including Pizza Hut and Larry's Steaks for delicious meals. For medical needs, there are several pharmacies in the area such as Rite Aid and CVS Pharmacy, ensuring easy access to medication and health supplies. The neighborhood also features beautiful parks like Fairmount Park and Schuylkill River Park, perfect for leisurely strolls or enjoying nature. Transportation options are readily available with Septa stations nearby including Wayne Junction Station for convenient travel. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable hospitals like Temple University Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center in close proximity. Overall, this part of Philadelphia provides a vibrant and well-connected community suitable for senior living.

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• The Landing Kitchen (1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Pilgrim Roasters (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)

Restaurants

• Pizza Hut (1 miles)
• Custard & Cakes Creamery (1.4 miles)
• Larry's Steaks (1.5 miles)
• Dalessandro's Steaks (1.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)
• Rosy's Taco Bar (3.9 miles)
• K'Far (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Fairmount Park (1.1 miles)
• Schuylkill River Park (4 miles)
• Rittenhouse Square (4.2 miles)
• Palmer Doggie Depot (4.4 miles)
• Palmer Park Farmers Market (4.4 miles)
• Piazza Dog Park (4.5 miles)
• Franklin Square (4.5 miles)

Transportation

• Septa Wayne Junction Station (2.9 miles)
• 30th Street Station (3.6 miles)
• SEPTA: MFL/TRL 30th Street Station (3.6 miles)
• Stenton Station (4.2 miles)
• Jefferson Station (4.4 miles)
• SEPTA: 101/102 Lansdowne Avenue Station (5.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Temple University Hospital (3 miles)
• Lankenau Medical Center (3 miles)
• Philadelphia VA Medical Center (3.8 miles)
• The Pavilion (3.9 miles)
• Veterans Administration Community Living Center (4 miles)
• Albert Einstein Employee Health Center (4.2 miles)
• Episcopal Hospital (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (3.8 miles)
• CHOP Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care - Raymond G. Perelman Campus (3.9 miles)
• Simms Hank Md Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia (4.1 miles)

Theaters

• Landmark Theatres - Ritz Five (5.1 miles)