New Southern Senior Ctr in Jackson, TN

Pros

• The hotel is beautiful and nostalgic, reminding visitors of cherished memories.
• The venue in downtown Jackson is a gem.
• The decor and atmosphere are wonderful.
• The building is old but very well kept.
• It is a beautiful venue for weddings and events.
• It is absolutely gorgeous and transports guests back in time.
• The architecture is absolutely gorgeous and perfectly suited for weddings.
• The acoustics in the main hall are fabulous, making music sound beautiful.
• The reception area is set up well for food and guests.
• It is one of the most beautiful buildings in downtown Jackson.
• The venue has been beautifully renovated.
• The staff are friendly and helpful.

Cons

• They don’t care about keeping the residents safe.
• The apartment entrance is not well lit at night, making it very unsafe.
• They are aware that homeless people sneak into the building, which makes it unsafe for residents.
• They have a security person only a few days and hours.
• There is a lot of trash behind the building, like old mattresses, and the inside is dirty and nasty in the common areas.
• Apartments are still dirty when residents move in; they need to hire people who actually clean.
• Alco doesn’t care enough about the low-income senior and disabled residents on the apartment side.
• Alco is failing and needs to do better.
• The venue is a joke and should be condemned; it is nasty, stinks, and homeless and drug addicts walk the halls, with bed bugs infestations.
• The floors were dirty with hair, and management expects clients to clean after the event instead of cleaning before renting.
• Across the wall, the New Southern apartments are infested with bedbugs; the hallways smell of urine and drug addicts hang around daily.

Review

New Southern Senior Center in Jackson is best suited for seniors and disabled adults who prize a dramatic, historic address and a built-in social environment anchored by an in-house events venue. The property delivers art-deco grandeur and a downtown vibe that makes daily life feel connected to the city’s cultural pulse. For residents who want a residence that sits beside, and can be used for, weddings, receptions, and other gatherings, this campus offers a rare combination: residential space and a premier event space under one roof. This is especially compelling for those who value ambiance, architectural character, and the convenience of hosting or attending social functions close to home.

Those who should consider alternatives are families prioritizing a consistently safe, clean, and maintenance-responsive living environment. Reviews highlight serious concerns about the apartment side: inconsistent cleanliness on move-in, lingering dirt in common areas, and questions about ongoing pest management. Security and safety gaps are repeatedly noted, poor lighting at night in the apartment entrance, reports of homeless individuals accessing the building, and limited on-site security coverage. For seniors who depend on predictable, well-supervised living conditions, such gaps are not easily dismissed and may justify looking at other independent living or assisted options.

The strongest pros center on the building’s beauty, historic charm, and the venue’s proven strength as a site for weddings, receptions, and gatherings. The interiors are repeatedly described as gorgeous, well-appointed, and conducive to memorable events, with staff at the event side praised for their helpfulness. For households that plan to leverage the space for celebrations or want a landmark setting for social activity, these assets can meaningfully enhance quality of life and create a sense of occasion that few other communities offer. The positive reception of the venue’s aesthetics and acoustics is a legitimate and important counterpoint to the downsides when the calendar centers on events rather than daily living.

However, the negative realities on the residential side weigh heavily in decision-making. Security and maintenance gaps compromise day-to-day peace of mind. Reports of bed bugs, urine odors in hallways, and general infestations on the apartment side are not trivial. Cleaning quality at move-in and ongoing upkeep appear uneven, and the dual-ownership arrangement (Alco managing the apartments and renting the public-facing space) can create confusing accountability. For a family whose priority is a stable, hygienic home environment with consistent service levels, these are material faults that can erode confidence in long-term residency.

Families evaluating this option should approach with a rigorous, first-hand assessment plan. Schedule a comprehensive tour focusing on the apartment entrances, hallways, and common areas; request the latest pest-control and cleaning records; verify current lighting and security measures, including the presence and frequency of security staff; talk to current residents about maintenance response times and daily living conditions; and review lease language to delineate responsibilities for cleaning, safety upgrades, and incident management. If possible, separate arrangements for residential and event-use concerns should be clarified to prevent crossover gaps. Financial questions, monthly rent versus HUD-supported subsidies, maintenance fees, and what composes the “all-in” cost, must be explicit before committing.

Ultimately, New Southern Senior Center is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It serves as a downtown landmark and event-enabled community for those who want the ambiance and social capital of a historic venue, and who can tolerate or actively monitor the residential environment’s shortcomings. For families whose top priorities are rock-solid safety, pristine living spaces, and reliable, proactive maintenance, alternatives should be pursued. For those who view the venue and architectural magic as a meaningful benefit, with a plan to address ongoing residential safety and cleanliness issues, the option warrants careful due diligence, strict expectations, and clear accountability from management before a decision is made.

This part of Jackson, Tennessee, offers a convenient and well-equipped location for senior living. With multiple pharmacies in close proximity, access to medical supplies and prescriptions is easily accessible. There are numerous dining options available, ranging from casual fast food to sit-down restaurants. The area also boasts various healthcare facilities and physicians' offices, providing quality care for seniors. Nearby hospitals ensure quick access to medical services in case of emergencies. Additionally, the presence of churches and parks promotes a sense of community and opportunities for outdoor activities. Overall, this neighborhood provides a comfortable and convenient environment for older individuals looking to settle down in Jackson.

Pharmacies

• Bakers Family Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Jackson Clinic Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Vantreese Discount Pharmacy (2.8 miles)

Restaurants

• The Blacksmith Bar & Grill (0.2 miles)
• Catfish Cabin (2.3 miles)
• Rafferty's (2.9 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (3 miles)
• Waffle House (3.4 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)
• Burger King (3.6 miles)

Physicians

• Ballard Clinic-Family Medicine (0.2 miles)
• Lift Health (0.3 miles)
• LIFT Health - Walk-in Clinic (0.3 miles)
• Diffee III, James Dr-Jackson Clinic PA (1.6 miles)
• East Jackson Family Medical Center (1.7 miles)
• West Tennessee Neuroscience & Spine (1.7 miles)
• Medical Specialty Clinic PC (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Jackson-Madison County General (0.3 miles)
• Jackson Clinic Psychiatry (1.7 miles)
• Jackson-Madison County General Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Jackson-Madison County General Hospital (2.2 miles)
• West Tennessee Healthcare North Hospital (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Zion Church (0.6 miles)
• Campbell Street Church of Christ (2.7 miles)
• Tennessee District United (3 miles)
• Browns Chapel Missionary & Baptist Church (3 miles)
• Calvary Christian Church (3.5 miles)
• Thrive Community Church (4 miles)
• Bethel Baptist Church (4.9 miles)

Parks

• Fairgrounds Park (0.9 miles)
• Leeper Lane Park (4.4 miles)

Cafes

• Bonwood Cafe (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)