Patten Towers in Chattanooga, TN

Pros

• The public transportation was terrific.
• She was very happy there.
• The view from the ninth-floor apartment is good.
• The new management company has made many improvements, including remodeling and pest control.
• The location is right downtown, near markets and venues.
• Grandfather really liked living there.

Cons

• The complex is riddled with roaches and bedbugs.
• The air conditioning doesn’t work in extreme heat.
• Bathrooms back up and aren’t addressed for months.
• A resident’s toilet contents were thrown out of a window onto the street.
• The building is infested with bedbugs, even in the lobby and elevators.
• It is not safe for residents, with reports of urine, feces, meth, and fentanyl present during inspections and odors from dead bodies.
• Residents must beg management for working cameras and protection.
• The place is described as not a real choice to live and as death and hell wrapped in a monthly “clean.”

Review

Patten Towers in downtown Chattanooga is best suited for cost-conscious seniors or adults with mobility or disability who can tolerate ongoing maintenance and safety challenges in exchange for a central location and affordable rent. The urban setting delivers easy access to public transit, nearby markets, and city amenities, which matters for residents who depend on transit or who want to stay connected to downtown life. The trade-off is significant: a pristine, well-maintained environment and predictable care are not reliably delivered here. For families prioritizing cleanliness, safety, and proactive maintenance, alternatives should be pursued aggressively.

Those evaluating alternatives should be candid about who may be harmed by staying here. Anyone who cannot tolerate persistent pests, strong odors, and inconsistent upkeep should steer toward other options. For elderly or disabled residents who rely on consistent housekeeping, rapid maintenance responses, and robust safety measures, Patten Towers risks undermining daily comfort and health. If budget is not the sole driver and quality of living, resident safety, or predictable service is non-negotiable, consider other downtown or suburban options with demonstrated track records in pest control and resident protections.

On the positive side, the location remains a practical asset. Residents and visitors alike repeatedly note that downtown access, plus nearby transit and urban amenities, adds a layer of convenience that can compensate for other drawbacks. Views from higher floors are cited as pleasant, and the building’s continued proximity to markets and cultural venues supports an engaged, affordable lifestyle for those who can tolerate the surrounding conditions. There is also evidence that management changes around 2021 brought remodeling and stronger pest control strategies, a shift that reduced some conflicts and improved the atmosphere in certain common areas.

The downsides, however, are stark and persistent. Bedbugs and roaches recur as pervasive complaints, accompanied by odors ranging from ammonia to trash in some corridors and units. Maintenance issues, backed-up toilets, unreliable odor control, and slow or inconsistent repairs, compound health and comfort concerns, particularly for residents with limited mobility. Safety concerns echo through reports of fights, drug activity, and police presence, with some residents describing eviction practices as abrupt and unfair and refunds being withheld. Across several reviews, management responsiveness feels inconsistent, leaving tenants uncertain about when problems will be addressed.

Even where improvements have occurred, the scale of ongoing problems neutralizes the gains. Infestations, persistent odors, safety incidents, and perceived neglect by management create a climate of distrust and unease that affects day-to-day life. For seniors and disabled residents, these conditions translate into real health and well-being risks, not just inconveniences. The few advantages, downtown accessibility, lower cost, and occasional building upgrades, do not sufficiently offset the risk profile, and this is not a dependable home base for those requiring reliable, clean, and safe living environments.

Families weighing Patten Towers should enter decision-making with a clear, action-oriented plan. Demand a current pest-control schedule and request a recent, thorough unit cleanup before move-in. Visit at different times, including evenings, to gauge how promptly issues are resolved and to assess general cleanliness. Speak with current residents about maintenance turnaround times, camera coverage, and how incidents were handled; review lease terms and eviction practices; and confirm whether 24/7 on-site staff are genuinely available. If non-negotiables are safety, cleanliness, and dependable service, steer toward options with stronger safety records and pest management. If cost and downtown access trump concerns and tolerance for risk is high, Patten Towers can be considered, but only after rigorous vetting and explicit assurances.

This area of Chattanooga, Tennessee offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to settle down in a vibrant community. With a wide selection of restaurants such as Pickle Barrel, Public House, and Tupelo Honey, seniors can enjoy diverse dining options within walking distance. Additionally, there are several cafes like Goodman Coffee Roasters and Cadence Coffee Company where they can socialize with friends or relax with a good book. For their spiritual needs, nearby places of worship like Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church and First-Centenary United Methodist Church provide opportunities for spiritual growth and community engagement. Access to medical care is also convenient with physicians such as Chattanooga Allergy Clinic and Tin Laser Vision Center in close proximity. Parks like Bluff view river walk entrance and Coolidge Park offer serene outdoor spaces for leisurely walks or picnics. Lastly, pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS ensure easy access to medication and healthcare supplies if needed. Overall, this part of Chattanooga provides a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Restaurants

• Pickle Barrel Restaurant (0 miles)
• Public House Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• Tupelo Honey (0.1 miles)
• Two Ten Jack (0.1 miles)
• Community Pie (0.1 miles)
• Bridgeman's Chophouse (0.2 miles)
• Sekisui (0.2 miles)

Cafes

• Goodman Coffee Roasters (0.1 miles)
• Cadence Coffee Company (0.3 miles)
• Mean Mug Coffeehouse (0.5 miles)
• Rembrandt's Coffee House (0.7 miles)
• Velo Coffee Roasters (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church (0.2 miles)
• First-Centenary United Methodist Church (0.3 miles)
• The Wesley Center (0.5 miles)

Physicians

• Chattanooga Allergy Clinic (0.6 miles)
• CHI Memorial Integrative Medicine Associates - Chattanooga (0.7 miles)
• Paul M Holliday, DDS (0.8 miles)
• Tin Laser Vision Center (1 miles)
• Academic Urologists at Erlanger (1 miles)
• Miriam Pa Edwards C (1 miles)
• Cardiac & Vascular Associates (1.1 miles)

Parks

• Bluff view river walk entrance (0.7 miles)
• Coolidge Park (1.2 miles)
• Renaissance Park (1.2 miles)
• Stringer's Ridge Park (2 miles)
• Red Bank Dog Park (2.9 miles)
• Missionary Ridge Tunnel (3.1 miles)
• Lookout Mountain Battlefield (3.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Erlanger NICU (1.1 miles)
• Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute (2 miles)
• Diabetes Care Center (2.4 miles)
• Alton Park Cmmnty Health Center (2.6 miles)
• Memorial Health Care System (2.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Surgery Pharmacy Services (2.6 miles)
• CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga Outpatient Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.7 miles)