Northlake Apartments

Pros

• The complex is beautifully maintained with a lake, walking trail, and wildlife.
• It has a close-knit community and a community center that includes a library and a cafeteria serving meals daily.
• The staff are described as having a tremendous amount of compassion for residents and prioritizing their safety and wellbeing.

Cons

• The lake is drying up, there is no walking trail, trash is being thrown everywhere, and there is no manager under new management.
• The complex is severely understaffed; two office staff for 232 apartments leaves many tasks undone and phones often go unanswered.
• Ground maintenance is neglected; branches have been left on the grounds for almost a year and the ground crew doesn't pick up debris, creating safety hazards.
• Phone lines are down and messages are never returned.
• The management and maintenance staff are racist and do not treat Black residents fairly.
• The facility is misrepresented as Assisted Living; there are too few washers and dryers and residents lack guidance/resources due to understaffing.
• There is ongoing discrimination against Black residents; Black folks are not treated fairly.

Review

In 2015, this community felt like a bright, inviting place to call home. One reviewer reminisces about a time when the surroundings were beautiful, with a lake, a walking trail, wildlife, and a close-knit feeling that made it easy to recommend to friends and family. That sense of appeal is echoed by others who remember a well-kept facility and a lively central hub - a library and a cafeteria that served meals daily, all contributing to a shared sense of pride among residents. For some, the experience remained largely positive, anchored by a community center that offered social opportunities and a scenic environment with a lake and wildlife.

But the mood across many recent accounts has shifted dramatically toward disappointment and concern. A number of reviews describe a stark decline: the lake has been drying up, the walking trail is no longer available, and trash is reportedly strewn about the grounds. Tree branches were left on the grounds for almost a year, creating safety hazards for residents, with ground crews not picking up debris and large clutter contributing to a sense of neglect. In these voices, the physical decline mirrors a broader sense that the property is no longer the picturesque haven it once was.

Management and staffing emerge as persistent bones of contention. Several reviewers lament new management and, in some cases, the absence of an active on-site manager. The operations appear hampered by understaffing: a complex with hundreds of units (one note mentions 232 apartments) is said to run with a two-person office, leaving little time for calls, work orders, and rent checks. One line is often busy, and messages go unreturned, which compounds frustration for residents trying to navigate recertifications and urgent maintenance needs. The combination of limited personnel and limited communication channels has left many residents feeling brushed off when they raise concerns.

Care and services are another area of contention, particularly for residents who are not in an assisted-living arrangement. A reviewer notes that "home care is on the office," suggesting a gap between the level of care residents may expect and what the community can practically provide. The overall sense is that the facility is not equipped to be truly supportive at a level many residents require, even as some staff members are described as compassionate and dedicated. The contrast between a desire to protect resident safety and the reality of limited resources contributes to a complex, sometimes bittersweet picture of care.

Allegations of discrimination add a troubling layer to the discussion. In several accounts, reviewers claim that management and maintenance staff exhibit racist attitudes, with residents themselves reporting that Black residents are not treated fairly. These accusations of bias paint a troubling atmosphere that undermines trust and the sense of community that the complex once fostered. Alongside concerns about understaffing and maintenance, the reports of discriminatory behavior intensify worries about whether all residents can expect equal treatment and access to resources.

There is also criticism of how the community is marketed and described. Some reviewers argue that the facility is not truly an Assisted Living community, but rather a place that resembles a senior center with added challenges. The terminology itself is contested: "Assisted living" is deemed inaccurate by those who feel the staff does not provide meaningful assistance. They point to a shortage of washers and dryers, a need for better guidance on available resources, and the sense that residents would benefit from more human resource support to connect them with services and supports. The overall verdict lands somewhere between "not a bad place" and "grossly understaffed," with the caveat that the designation and promised services do not always align with the on-the-ground experience.

Taken together, the reviews present a community in tension between what it once was and what it has become. Some residents praise the enduring compassion of the staff and the fundamental safety of living among neighbors who care about one another, even as they acknowledge the challenges of staffing and maintenance. Others describe a facility stretched thin - overwhelmed by workload, hampered by communication gaps, and strained by management changes and resource limitations. The most troubling throughlines are the persistent maintenance gaps, the drying lake and missing trail, the inconsistent operational support for residents, and, most upsetting for some, allegations of discrimination that threaten the sense of belonging and fairness for all who call this place home.

This area of Memphis, Tennessee is a well-equipped and conveniently located neighborhood with various amenities tailored to the needs of seniors. With multiple physicians' offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and places of worship in close proximity, residents can easily access healthcare services and spiritual support. The presence of parks like Freeman Park and Shelby Farms Park offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are several dining options ranging from fast food to comfort food restaurants nearby for convenient meal choices. The neighborhood also features a cinema grill and cafes for entertainment and socializing. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and accessible environment for seniors looking to settle down in Memphis.

Physicians

• Flinn Jr, George S, Md - Diagnostic Ultrasound Conslnts (0.3 miles)
• Medical Associates Of Memphis (0.4 miles)
• Newstart Family Care (3.8 miles)
• Onyx Medical (4.3 miles)
• Norwood Family Eye Care (4.5 miles)
• East Memphis Orthopedic Group (5.2 miles)
• Pediatrics East (5.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Methodist Healthcare North (0.3 miles)
• BioLife Plasma Services (6.2 miles)
• Lebonheur Outpatient Center-East (6.8 miles)
• Methodist Healthcare Employee Assistance Program (8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Bartlett Prescription Shop (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• El Idolo (2.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.2 miles)
• Pop's Comfort Kitchen (3.3 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (3.4 miles)
• McDonald's (4.4 miles)

Parks

• Freeman Park (2.5 miles)
• Shelby Farms Park (7.1 miles)
• Davies Plantation Park (7.3 miles)
• Chickasaw Garden Park (8.1 miles)
• Overton Square (8.1 miles)
• Audubon Park (8.2 miles)

Theaters

• Malco Stage Cinema Grill (5.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)
• Starbucks (7.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Advent Presbyterian Church (6.6 miles)
• Second Chance Fellowship (6.6 miles)
• McLean Baptist Church (7.7 miles)
• Lindenwood Christian Church (8.4 miles)