Carriage House Apartments

Pros

• Residents describe Carriage House as well-maintained with professional, friendly staff.
• Mrs. Debbie is praised as a jewel who cares for residents.
• Briae is described as sweet, welcoming, and highly responsive to concerns.
• Maintenance is fast and the work is well done.
• The Carriage House community is a lovely, family-friendly neighborhood.
• The office staff are wonderful, professional, and polite.
• The complex is peaceful and great for families.
• Many residents recommend living there and commend the staff for excellent customer service.
• The grounds are well-kept, contributing to a positive living environment.
• Miss Shaw and the property manager are praised for patient and helpful move-in support.

Cons

• The property manager is rude and disrespectful to residents.
• They believe what others say before listening to the full story.
• Their communication skills are poor and maintenance tasks are not completed as started.
• The property manager is described as nasty.
• They allegedly misused a minor's information to influence a housing decision.
• The application process is long and does not allow editing.
• The front office staff are rude with poor customer service skills.
• The receptionist was very rude and unprofessional.
• The office manager slammed the door in a resident's daughter's face, which was unprofessional.
• The landlord (Jameka Williams) allegedly harassed a resident and talked about them to other tenants.

Review

The Carriage House Apartments community comes through across a wide range of voices. A number of residents light up with pride about how the property looks and how quickly maintenance issues are handled. They describe the grounds as well kept and the buildings as consistently cared for, noting that work orders are typically addressed promptly. A few standout supporters even single out Mrs. Debbie as a "jewel" of sorts - someone who feels like more than a landlord, a person who genuinely cares about residents and their families. For those who have lived here for years, the location itself is a major selling point, with some expressing that they would be eager to return or recommend the community to others because of the strong sense of place and the favorable impression left by staff who go the extra mile.

But alongside this positive view, there is a steady drumbeat of concerns about the property management team in some reviews. Several residents describe the property manager as rude and disrespectful, accusing them of forming judgments based on what others say rather than listening to the full story. They argue that communication could be improved and that some maintenance tasks begin without finishing what should have been completed. In these accounts, the speaker positions themselves as an observer, often calling out a disconnect between resident needs and how the management team responds. This tension highlights a split experience: one part of the community is buoyed by service and upkeep, while another portion feels unsupported or dismissed by leadership at times.

There are also specific, pointed critiques that touch on privacy and due process. One reviewer recounted a confrontation involving their minor child and the front office, alleging the office manager used their child's information inappropriately to justify a decision about a different resident, and even claiming to have recorded the conversation and to be pursuing additional action. This incident underscores a recurring theme in the reviews: the line between professional management and personal boundary can feel blurred to some residents, and concerns about how sensitive information is handled are a real and present worry for a portion of the community.

The experience of navigating the application and admission process adds another layer of nuance. A reviewer notes that there is new management in place, while another comments that the application process is lengthy and not easily editable once started. In the same breath, however, other reviewers praise the community for being welcoming and well managed, and they point to the staff as a whole - particularly the maintenance team and office personnel - as a strength. The tension between a thorough, potentially cumbersome process and a perceived high level of customer service illustrates how potential residents might weigh the trade-offs when considering moving in.

Within the positive spectrum, there is a strong, almost enduring appreciation for the on-site team. Carriage House is often described as a lovely neighborhood to raise a family, with the staff repeatedly praised for their courtesy and responsiveness. Maintenance personnel receive frequent kudos for their speed and quality of work, and the property's improvements over time are celebrated by longtime residents who have witnessed a steady uplift in service and atmosphere. Several residents specifically mention Briae - the assistant and, in some reviews, the property manager - as a standout figure who is kind, attentive, and dedicated to resolving issues and making residents feel supported.

Beyond individual staff praise, there are stories of stability and trust built over multiple years. One resident celebrates nearly six years of residence without major issues, attributing this to professional and understanding management and maintenance teams. Others speak to the quiet, family-friendly atmosphere, with occasional rowdiness to be expected in a neighborhood that remains otherwise peaceful and safe. The sentiment is that when issues do arise, the response is typically swift and effective, solidifying a sense of reliability in the eyes of many residents.

Yet the rollercoaster story continues with more mixed experiences. Some reviewers recount disappointing interactions with office staff, including reports of rudeness, poor customer service, and even false accusations about family members. One person describes a particularly damaging incident where their daughter was treated poorly, including a door being slammed in her face. These accounts are stark and emphasize that for every resident who feels well-supported, there is at least one who feels disrespected or dismissed by the front office.

Finally, there are practical concerns that recur across several reviews: questions about income-based options, waiting lists, and the ability to reapply after prior denials. A number of comments acknowledge that this is an income-based housing complex with well-kept grounds, a safe outdoor space for children, and generally courteous maintenance staff. At the same time, potential applicants and current residents alike voice frustration with unanswered phone calls, long waiting periods, and the sense that some staff attitudes toward low-income residents could be more professional. Taken together, the community presents a mosaic of loyalty and affection for Carriage House, tempered by understandable frustrations about management communication, consistency, and respect in day-to-day interactions.

In sum, Carriage House Apartments appears to be a place many residents love for its location, appearance, and reliable maintenance, with a core team that includes several highly regarded staff members who frequently go above and beyond. At the same time, a notable subset of residents experiences frustrations centered on management's communication style, consistency, and treatment of residents, particularly in sensitive or conflict situations. The result is a community with strong positives and equally strong cautions - a place that draws people in with its strengths but requires ongoing attention to management relationships, transparency, and respectful interaction to fully meet the expectations of all residents.

This area in Columbia, South Carolina, is a vibrant and convenient location for senior living. With a variety of physicians and healthcare facilities nearby, residents have easy access to medical care. Additionally, the presence of pharmacies ensures that medication needs are easily met. The dining options in the area offer a mix of casual and fast food restaurants, providing plenty of choices for meals out or takeout. Proximity to hospitals like Lexington Medical Center offers peace of mind in case of emergencies. The nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, while theaters offer entertainment options for those interested in movies. Places of worship such as Cornerstone Presbyterian Church cater to spiritual needs, and cafes like Starbucks offer spaces for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. Overall, this neighborhood provides a blend of amenities that cater to the diverse needs and interests of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment.

Physicians

• Blue Ridge Health Group (0.9 miles)
• Gilliam Psychiatric Hospital (1.9 miles)
• Columbia Neurological Assoc Pa (2.4 miles)
• Riverside Surgical Group (2.5 miles)
• Emmons Ellen M - Lexington Ent (2.5 miles)
• Lexington Orthopaedics (2.6 miles)
• Associates In Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Alcohol & Drug Abuse (1.1 miles)
• Intramed Plus (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Medicine Mart Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Agape Pharmacy (3.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Real Mexico Restaurant Y Tienda (1.2 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (1.2 miles)
• Cook Out (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (2.8 miles)
• Rush's (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Lexington Medical Center (2.6 miles)
• Lexington Medical Center Emergency Room (2.6 miles)
• Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge (4.2 miles)
• Palmetto Health Parkridge (4.2 miles)
• Urgent Care Center (4.7 miles)

Parks

• Saluda Riverwalk (2.6 miles)
• Saluda Shoals Park (4.2 miles)
• River Center At Saluda Shoals (4.2 miles)
• Columbia Canal & Riverfront Park (4.3 miles)
• West Columbia Riverwalk (4.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Columbiana Grande (3.1 miles)
• AMC Harbison 14 (3.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.6 miles)