Harriman Gardens

Pros

• The staff are very pleasant and helpful.
• It's a great place to live.
• The apartments are clean and the people are nice.
• The maintenance team is great, and neighbors are never rude.
• The new management cares about residents.
• Past management and staff were wonderful and respectful toward a special needs resident.
• A resident would live there forever if possible.
• People would recommend Harriman Gardens to others.

Cons

• The staff would not answer questions over the phone.
• Management is rude and biased against people with disabilities.
• Move-out inspections were never conducted or properly communicated.
• Residents are billed for damages they claim to be unable to cause, sometimes over $1,900.
• The case worker is rude, nasty, and shows favoritism, including withholding food services from elderly disabled tenants.
• There is a bed bug problem and ongoing maintenance issues.
• A manager spoke against a resident with special needs, showing no decency.
• Staff did nothing during a violent incident involving a resident with known mental health issues.
• There is perceived mismanagement and favoritism in granting special services and housing privileges.

Review

Harriman Gardens presents a mosaic of resident experiences, with some people singing its praises and others voicing serious concerns. In several accounts, the staff are described as pleasant and helpful, the apartments as clean and well-kept, and the neighbors as friendly. For instance, reviewers note that the staff feel "very pleasant" and "helpful," that the complex is a good place to live, and that maintenance personnel are responsive and effective. People also mention that the community is peaceful, with little or no violence and a sense of camaraderie among residents. A number of tenants emphasize the strong positives: clean units, well-maintained grounds, and a general sense of care from the people who work there.

On the other hand, there are many voices that describe frustrating and sometimes disheartening experiences with management and administration. Several reviews fault the office for not answering the phone or being slow to respond to inquiries about applications or availability. One observer described watching a desk attendant ignore a caller's questions while returning to other tasks, raising questions about accessibility and customer service. There are also specific complaints about move-out inspections not being carried out as scheduled, disputes over charges for damages, and alarming claims about foul odors or conditions that were not promptly addressed. The tension between residents and management in these threads centers on perceived inefficiencies and a lack of proactive communication.

A significant portion of the commentary centers on allegations of discriminatory or biased treatment by management, particularly toward residents with disabilities. Some reviewers describe the management as rude and biased, and recount perceived favoritism or unequal treatment that affected important services. There are vivid accusations of a case worker who allegedly withholds elderly or disabled tenants' food services based on gossip, and of a culture where procedures are unevenly applied or circumvented. One account alleges that a case worker's actions - driven by interpersonal dynamics rather than policy - led to the denial of services and benefits for a vulnerable tenant, with claims that these practices may violate protections intended for people with disabilities. These accounts emphasize a broader concern about fairness and professional conduct at the management level.

Safety concerns also surface in the reviews. Several residents recount incidents that shook their sense of security, including a claim that an attack occurred by a resident with known mental health issues and that staff failed to respond adequately. Another reviewer notes that violence had not occurred in their decade-long residence until a recent incident, highlighting how quickly conditions can deteriorate in a community where management patterns and responsiveness may change. These episodes are juxtaposed with comments from other tenants who feel secure and supported, underscoring the mixed reality within the same property.

The history of management at Harriman Gardens appears to be a study in contrasts. One longtime resident recalls that, ten years ago, the management and staff were wonderful and respectful toward a special needs family member. When management changed, however, that same reviewer describes a dramatic shift to treatment that was "absolutely horrible," especially toward a family member with special needs. In another thread, a different tenant with a special needs son notes a positive experience during the first stay, followed by a negative experience after a later return under new management. This evolving narrative suggests that resident experiences may be highly sensitive to leadership and staffing changes, with prior goodwill giving way to new, harsher perceptions of management practices.

Despite the darker notes, there are also calls for optimism and tangible signs of progress. Some reviews praise the newer management for caring about residents and anticipate a brighter future as renovations advance. The expectation of a total renovation of all units signals a commitment to improving living conditions, and a more favorable view of the management team emerges in these contexts. For some tenants, the changes are welcome and timely, aligning with their hopes for a cleaner, safer, and better-run community.

Taken together, the collection paints a complex picture of Harriman Gardens: a place where clean, well-kept apartments, friendly neighbors, and a responsive maintenance staff can coexist with complaints about unresponsive office personnel, perceived discriminatory practices, inconsistent enforcement of policies, and safety concerns. The shift in management appears to be a central thread, with some residents experiencing genuine improvement and others feeling that essential protections and services have fallen short. For prospective residents, the decision to consider Harriman Gardens may come down to weighing the value of a generally pleasant living environment and cooperative maintenance against the risks associated with management reliability, fair treatment, and safety assurances. For current residents, the conversation seems to be ongoing, as renovations progress and leadership continues to evolve.

This part of Harriman, Tennessee offers a variety of conveniences for senior living. With several places of worship nearby such as St Mary's Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church, residents can easily maintain their spiritual practices. There are also a number of restaurants in close proximity like El Cantarito 2 and Amazing Bakes for dining out options. Pharmacies like Riddle Drugs and Chase Drugs are within walking distance, providing easy access to medication needs. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable physicians in the area such as Miriam B Tedder and Oak Ridge Urology Associates. The Princess Theatre offers entertainment options, while Roane Medical Center is just a short drive away for any medical emergencies. Additionally, River Front Park and David Webb Riverfront Park provide serene outdoor spaces for leisurely walks. Overall, this neighborhood is ideal for seniors looking for a peaceful and convenient place to reside.

Places of Worship

• St Mary's Baptist Church (0.2 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.3 miles)
• Church of Christ (0.4 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (0.4 miles)
• Sevier Drive Church Of Christ (0.4 miles)
• Trenton Street Baptist (0.5 miles)
• First Christian Church (0.6 miles)

Restaurants

• El Cantarito 2 (0.3 miles)
• Amazing Bakes (0.5 miles)
• Subway (2.9 miles)
• Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits (3.2 miles)
• Zaxby's (3.2 miles)
• Nowhere (4.2 miles)
• The Brewery (4.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Riddle Drugs (0.5 miles)
• Chase Drugs (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Chase Pharmacy at Physicians Plaza (3.3 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (4.7 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Physicians

• Miriam B Tedder (0.5 miles)
• Parkway Cardiology Associates (0.5 miles)
• Oak Ridge Urology Associates (0.6 miles)
• Roane County Family Practice (3.2 miles)
• Physicians Plaza-Roane County (3.2 miles)
• Family Foot & Ankle Care (3.3 miles)
• Kingston Family Practice (3.7 miles)

Theaters

• Princess Theatre (0.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Roane Medical Women's Center (0.7 miles)
• Roane Medical Center (3.4 miles)
• Kingston Dialysis Center (4.2 miles)

Parks

• River Front Park (0.8 miles)
• David Webb Riverfront Park (0.8 miles)
• Kingston City Park South (4.9 miles)
• Lone Mountain State Forest (9.2 miles)
• Coalfield Park (9.3 miles)

Cafes

• Harriman Cafe (1.9 miles)
• Papa Joe's Country Cafe (5.8 miles)
• Best Chance Sports Cafe (7.1 miles)

Transportation

• Sound Aviation (6 miles)