Watauga Square Apartment in Johnson City, TN

Pros

• Residents have access to senior amenities such as bingo, potluck meals, and free food deliveries on certain days.
• Overall, the community is described as a great place to live.
• The staff are caring, compassionate, and efficient, and they take care of business.
• The apartments are large and attractive.
• Emergency pull cords are provided in each apartment, and EMS respond quickly to calls.
• The building features safety measures like safety key card entrances and security cameras.
• The community is described as friendly and like a big family.
• Residents frequently highly recommend these apartments.

Cons

• The roaches, bedbugs, and mold in the building are out of control.
• The manager is one of the snobbiest and most apathetic people described.
• Repairs often amount to putting a band-aid on a festering wound.
• The place is heavily infested and not worth living in.
• Management is slow to address problems, sometimes six months to a year or never.
• The maintenance man is grumpy and unfriendly.
• The building experiences thievery and drug activity, with no real security.
• The place is described as an obvious drug den with a lingering smell and should be shut down and condemned.
• In-home inspections are excessive, halls are poorly lit, and elevators are faulty.

Review

Watauga Square Apartments in Johnson City is best suited for seniors or disabled residents who need a financially attainable, accessible place to anchor their daily life and who can tolerate ongoing pest issues and uneven maintenance. The building offers features that matter for independent living, including relatively large apartments, emergency pull cords, laundry on each floor, and security measures like controlled entry and cameras. For someone who prioritizes safety infrastructure and social programming - bingo, potluck meals, and occasional deliveries - these elements provide usable value. This is a setting where the logistical basics can work for a resident, provided expectations remain grounded in the realities that frequently surface in resident feedback.

Those who should seriously consider alternatives are families or individuals who require a consistently clean, pest-free environment, prompt and respectful maintenance, and a safe, drug-free atmosphere. The reviews repeatedly flag roaches, bed bugs, and mold as persistent problems, with repair work described as slow or superficial. Management is criticized for being unresponsive or dismissive, and there are accounts of security and communal-life concerns, including smoke issues, theft, and disruptive behavior. For anyone with allergies, a sensitivity to odors, or a strong emphasis on quiet, predictable routines, the drawbacks here are likely to outweigh the potential benefits.

The core positives - larger apartment spaces, emergency pull cords, quick EMS access, and a level of on-site security - do create tangible value for residents who can live with the downsides. The building's layout and amenities support independent living, and some staff members are praised for care and efficiency. Social opportunities and a sense of community emerge in several accounts, which can ease the transition for new residents and improve daily life for those who appreciate neighbors nearby and structured activities. Yet these strengths only partially offset the most serious cons, because pest infestations, odor issues, and safety concerns permeate many experiences and undermine the overall living environment.

In practice, a subset of residents reports positive personal experiences: veterans, long-term tenants, and families who value neighborly connections and accessible services. There are anecdotes of friendly staff, practical safety features, and residents who genuinely enjoy living among a familiar community. These views show that Watauga Square can function as a workable home for people who prioritize community ties and basic conveniences over pristine conditions. The contrast with negative reports underscores a bifurcated reality: some live harmoniously within the building, while others endure recurring crises that erode daily life.

Prospective movers should conduct thorough due diligence before deciding. Check the elevator reliability and common-area conditions, verify pest-control history and current status, and confirm how rapidly maintenance requests are resolved. Speak with current residents about package theft, noise levels, and dog-related incidents, and assess the management team's responsiveness during a visit. Clarify service-dog policies and compliance with federal guidelines, and inquire about security measures such as cameras and access controls. Understanding these practicalities will illuminate whether the claimed amenities translate into everyday livability or remain theoretical benefits in a system with notable shortcomings.

The bottom line is pragmatic: Watauga Square offers essential amenities and a framework for independent senior living, but infested common areas, inconsistent maintenance, and management gaps cast a long shadow over quality of life. For most seniors and disabled residents seeking stability, cleanliness, and reliable service, alternatives with stronger pest control, safer environments, and more responsive on-site management are advisable. If cost constraints are the sole determinant and tolerance for risk is high, Watauga Square could be considered with caution, yet there is little justification to settle into a setting carrying so many documented red flags. The right choice hinges on whether the priority is budget with acceptable risk or a safer, cleaner, more responsive living experience.

This part of Johnson City, Tennessee offers a variety of amenities and services that may be attractive for seniors looking to relocate. With several restaurants within close proximity, including Atlantic Ale House and Wild Wing Cafe, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, there are pharmacies such as The Compounding Lab Johnson City and Hillcrest Drug Store nearby for convenience in accessing medication. For medical needs, there are physicians like Appalachian Family Care and Etsu Family Medicine Associates as well as hospitals like James H. Quillen VA Medical Center and Woodridge within a short distance. Places of worship such as St Mary's Church and Covenant Presbyterian Church offer spiritual support, while theaters like AMC Johnson City 14 provide entertainment options. Overall, this area of Johnson City provides a mix of essential services and recreational opportunities for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Restaurants

• Atlantic Ale House (0.3 miles)
• Wild Wing Cafe (0.3 miles)
• Yee Haw Brewing Co. (0.3 miles)
• Go Burrito (0.4 miles)
• Holy Taco & Cantina (0.4 miles)
• The Firehouse (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)

Physicians

• Appalachian Family Care (0.4 miles)
• Etsu Family Medicine Associates (0.8 miles)
• Watauga Medical Clinic (0.8 miles)
• Appalachian Neurosurgical Clinic (1.4 miles)
• Regional Cancer Center (1.6 miles)
• Appalachian Radiation Oncology Associates, PC (1.6 miles)
• Ask-A-Nurse (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• The Compounding Lab Johnson City (0.6 miles)
• Hillcrest Drug Store (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• West Towne Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Ballad Health Pharmacy (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Dos Gatos Coffee Bar (0.6 miles)
• Open Doors Coffeehouse (0.6 miles)
• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Mary's Church (0.6 miles)
• Covenant Presbyterian Church (2 miles)
• Grace Fellowship Church (2.4 miles)

Hospitals

• James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (0.8 miles)
• Woodridge (1.7 miles)
• Franklin Woods Community Hospital (2.8 miles)
• Center For Women's Health (3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Johnson City 14 (1.5 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (3.1 miles)