Canterbury House

Pros

• Residents describe Canterbury House as a nice place to live with downtown Charleston life.
• Upper-floor apartments provide incredible views of Charleston.
• The staff and atmosphere are friendly, and the facility is well maintained.
• The meals are absolutely wonderful and widely loved by residents.
• The location is ideal for culture lovers, with walking access to shops, churches, theatres, and hospitals.
• The community offers a variety of activities, including socials, games, movie nights, and exercise programs.
• The building is service-dog friendly and accommodates visiting family members.

Cons

• Bed bugs are a persistent problem, with residents reporting inadequate treatment and ongoing infestations.
• The director and staff are accused of harassment, discriminatory behavior, and creating a toxic environment that makes residents feel unwelcome.
• Elevators are almost always broken, and maintenance is insufficient to keep essential systems functioning.
• Residents report unsafe living conditions, including water that cannot be drunk and lingering chemical sprays that affect air quality.
• There is fear of retaliation or eviction for speaking up about problems, leading to residents being silent about serious issues.
• The facility is described as poorly managed, with gossip among staff and residents undermining trust and safety.
• Promises about services (like transportation and outings) are alleged to be misleading or poorly executed, with long or opaque wait times.
• The laundry facilities are inadequately maintained, with dryers not hot enough to kill pests and overall cleanliness concerns.
• Some reviewers harshly label the place as a "dump" and not suitable for genuinely elder-friendly care.

Review

Across a range of remarks about independent senior living in Charleston, a single thread emerges: some residents and families praise the idea of a convenient, downtown home for 62-plus adults, while others raise serious concerns about maintenance, safety, management, and how residents are treated. The reviews touch several facilities, with Canterbury House and properties described as HUD/ Episcopal diocese?affiliated, high-rise options that promise social programs, on-site amenities, and close proximity to shops, theaters, and churches. Yet the sentiment in many comments is mixed at best, and at times severely critical, depending on who was doing the reporting and when.

In the mix are heartfelt endorsements of the overall concept. For those who have found the right fit, these buildings offer independent living, affordable rents, and the perk of living in a historic downtown area. Several accounts highlight the attractive features: upper-floor apartments with striking city views, proximity to cultural amenities, and a sense of community with neighbors who "are very friendly" and who offer activities such as bingo, Bible study, and group socials. A few residents describe their living spaces as part of a broader cultural experience - "the views from my upper floor window are incredible," or "it's a lucky find for culture buffs and convenient within walking distance to shops, churches, theatres, hospitals." Some residents also note practical conveniences like in-building laundry and access to exercise equipment, and they emphasize the value of the social and spiritual programs that the facilities advertise.

But beneath these positives lie substantial, sometimes explosive complaints. Bed bugs and pest problems recur as a dominant theme in multiple reviews, with residents describing ongoing infestations that persist despite "monthly pest control" and heat treatments. One family member describes a cycle where treatments provide only temporary relief and insists on a "proper treatment," alleging reluctance by staff to acknowledge the scope of the problem. The same narrative recounts unhealthy indoor air or residue from sprays, washing facilities that fail to resolve the issue, and a sense that the problem is not being addressed at the level needed for residents' health and safety. Coupled with pest issues are concerns about water quality and general cleanliness, with complaints that the environment is not consistently clean or safe.

Maintenance and infrastructure fester as other recurring problems. Elevators are described as frequently broken, and residents report a sense of instability and inconvenience when access to essential services is intermittently cut off. Several reviews mention aging facilities with leaking toilets and other repair needs, while some residents question whether enough money is being invested to maintain safety and livability. In addition, residents note general service gaps - transportation for outings that is allegedly unreliable or slow, and "joke" transportation arrangements that leave families waiting or frustrated. The overall tone suggests that even when the facilities offer a broad menu of services, the execution of those services can be inconsistent, creating daily friction for residents and their visiting family members.

The management dynamic is a central nerve in these accounts. A recurring pair of names - Sally and Ann - appears in multiple reviews, sometimes portrayed as responsive and service-oriented, at other times accused of harassment, discrimination, or a lack of concern for residents' voices. One reviewer explicitly condemns a manager for "discriminatory behavior" and concerns about harassment, going so far as to describe the director as dismissive of complaints and to suggest a "toxic environment" created by staff interpersonal dynamics. These intense claims often pair with broader anxiety about residents' ability to advocate for themselves, because some reviewers say they or their loved ones fear retribution or eviction for speaking up. In one notably vehement post, a writer calls for welfare checks and for broader accountability, even naming local civic leaders in a bid to prompt oversight. The combination of praise for the intended mission of elder care with sharp accusations about how residents are treated creates a polarized portrait.

Some visitors and residents emphasize the importance of dignity and choice, insisting that these places should be safe, respectful homes that honor residents' autonomy. There are also touches of nostalgia and personal ties: families grateful for care that helped a parent through illness, or residents who feel blessed by the opportunity to live independently in a city setting. Yet even these affirmations sit within a broader frame that acknowledges serious concerns about how residents' voices are heard, how problems are managed, and how timely improvements are made. The contrast between the ideal of a thriving 62-plus community and the reality described by multiple accounts points to a need for careful due diligence, transparent complaint channels, and stronger accountability measures.

Taken together, the collection of remarks paints a nuanced picture of Charleston's downtown senior-living scene. For prospective residents and families, the message is clear: the concept of independent senior living in an urban, culturally rich setting can be highly appealing, offering proximity, social programs, and heartfelt community moments. At the same time, the experiences shared here underscore real, sometimes escalating, concerns about pest control, maintenance, safety, the reliability of transportation and social activities, and the quality of management. Anyone considering these communities would do well to verify current conditions, request transparent information on service levels and repairs, examine the grievance and escalation processes, and talk directly with current residents about day-to-day realities. In the end, the best choice may hinge on ongoing oversight, open communication, and a shared commitment to preserving residents' dignity, safety, and independence.

This area of Charleston, South Carolina offers a vibrant mix of dining options, ranging from seafood restaurants like Le Farfalle and Hyman's Seafood to charming cafes such as Off Track Ice Cream and Babas on Cannon. For healthcare needs, there are several pharmacies nearby like CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, as well as reputable medical facilities including the Medical University of South Carolina and Roper Hospital. Residents can also enjoy the green spaces in the area, with parks like Joe Riley Waterfront Park and Gadsdenboro Park providing serene settings for outdoor activities. Additionally, there are various places of worship such as the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity within a short distance. Overall, this part of Charleston offers convenient amenities and healthcare services that cater to senior living needs.

Restaurants

• Le Farfalle (0.1 miles)
• 167 Raw Oyster Bar (0.1 miles)
• Hyman's Seafood (0.2 miles)
• Muse Restaurant (0.2 miles)
• Poogan's Porch (0.2 miles)
• Tommy Condon's (0.3 miles)
• Henry's House (0.4 miles)

Cafes

• Off Track Ice Cream (0.1 miles)
• Babas on Cannon (0.9 miles)
• Sightsee (1.1 miles)
• The Daily (1.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Rutledge Tower Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Low Country Diagnostics Compounding Lab (2.1 miles)

Transportation

• Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed (0.6 miles)

Physicians

• Kmetz, Emily C, Md - Musc Dermatology (0.7 miles)
• MUSC Radiology (0.7 miles)
• Kratz John M MD (0.8 miles)
• Chucktown Dental (0.9 miles)
• Eyecare Physicians & Surgeons (0.9 miles)
• Anesthesia Associates PA (0.9 miles)
• MUSC Health University Family Medicine - Peninsula (0.9 miles)

Parks

• Joe Riley Waterfront Park (0.7 miles)
• Gadsdenboro Park (0.8 miles)
• Brittlebank Park (1.6 miles)
• Hampton Park Dog Run (1.9 miles)
• Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park (2.4 miles)
• Medway Park (3.6 miles)
• Bayview Soccer Complex (3.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Medical University of South Carolina (0.8 miles)
• Buxton Surgical Pavilion (0.8 miles)
• Emergency Department, Roper Hospital (0.8 miles)
• Roper St Francis Foundation (0.9 miles)
• Musc Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital (0.9 miles)
• MUSC Ashley River Tower (1 miles)
• Roper Hospital Ambulatory Surgery & Pain Management (2.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity (1.4 miles)