Shockoe Hill Apartments

Pros

• Shockoe Apartment has a real nice staff.
• They are beautiful people.
• It is a nice place to live.
• People are respectful.

Cons

• The staff is very rude.
• The place is infested with bedbugs.
• The building is infested with drugs and roaches.
• Smoking occurs throughout the building, including in the elevator.
• The fire alarms go off at all hours, frightening residents.
• The elevators shut down, trapping residents.
• There is little to no security in the building.

Review

The online impressions of Shockoe Apartment come in as a stark mix of horror stories and fleeting praise, a jumble that leaves the place feeling like two different worlds existing in the same building. At the most negative end, one reviewer describes the property as "the worst," accusing the staff of being "bad very rude" and vowing never to try to move in again. Another immediate alarm bell comes from a resident who bluntly states, "This place is infested with bedbugs," warning readers to tread carefully and to play at their own risk. Taken together, these extreme lines set a tone of serious concern about pests, management, and the overall quality of life in the building.

Other voices offer a more nuanced take, suggesting that what you see on the surface may not fully reveal what's inside. One commenter writes, "What I can see from here it seems to be fairly okay; it can be approved some more from what I see," implying a potential that is not yet fully realized or stabilized. This middle ground hints at a property that could improve with time, even as it is currently far from flawless. The contrast between this tempered view and the harsher judgments underscores a complex living environment where impressions can swing dramatically from one resident to another.

A second long and strongly negative narrative centers on the building's population and day-to-day realities. The reviewer notes that the property is "mostly government-subsidized elderly and disables," suggesting a specific demographic that relies heavily on the building for housing. The tour after approval is described with unsettling specifics: "People smoking cigarettes everywhere, including in the elevator." Adding to the alarm, the reviewer urges readers to look up crime reports for the address with the Richmond Police Department, claiming readers will be "horrified and amused" by what they find. This blend of smoking in shared spaces and perceived crime paints a picture of a building that feels unsafe and poorly managed to some residents.

Beyond these warnings, safety and alarm systems emerge as a major source of distress. A reviewer relays that "the fire alarm blasting anytime morning noon and night" is so disruptive that it "scares you so bad" and makes it feel futile to even identify a safe exit - the elevators "shuts down," forcing a frantic scramble in the middle of the night. The visceral image of leaping out of bed, sprinting to the kitchen, and hoping for an exit with limited routes is enough to convey a living environment that feels unstable and unpredictable. The persistence of alarm cycles amplifies the sense of vulnerability and fear among residents.

The pest and drug concerns compound the tension. The same account points to a building "infested with drugs and roaches plus bed bugs," adding that if the writer hadn't turned on the lights, they might not have moved in at all. The emotional strain is clear: the writer acknowledges gratitude for having a place to sleep after previously living on a couch, but the price of safety and comfort is steep. The narrative continues with a sense of futility about improving the situation, yet a stubborn determination to stay because alternatives are scarce, painting a portrait of residents who feel trapped by circumstance.

Security and daily life in the building appear fragile from another perspective as well. The reviewer describes "people waiting at the door waiting for someone to let them in when you go in," emphasizing that the interior can feel immediately unsafe or unwelcoming to outsiders. The line between public and private space seems thin, and the sense that "you don't know who's in the building" contributes to a climate of anxiety. Against this backdrop, some readers note a paradox: outward appearances can be appealing - "from the outside it looks nice" - yet inside, the reality for many residents is crowded with hazards and tensions that undermine comfort and peace.

Against this chorus of critiques, a few positive notes surface that offer a counterbalance. One entry specifically lauds "SHOCKOE APARMENT has a real nice staff," acknowledging that the staff are "beautiful people" even though the writer is still waiting for an apartment. Another reviewer simply states, "It is a nice place to live; people are respectful," suggesting that when functioning as intended, the community can be cooperative and civil. These glimpses of kindness and professionalism hint at what the building could be under different conditions, where the staff's commitment could potentially translate into improved living conditions and a safer, cleaner environment.

Taken together, the collection of reviews presents a divided portrait of Shockoe Apartment. Some residents recount severe pest problems, pervasive smoke in common areas, disruptive and recurrent fire alarms, and concerns about drugs and safety that color every day with anxiety. Others recognize the potential of the staff and the basic decency of neighbors, as well as the appearances that can draw people in and keep them hopeful. It's a picture of a building with serious, ongoing challenges that affect comfort and security for many residents, alongside pockets of positive experience and staff-related goodwill that suggest there could be a path to improvement if conditions were addressed and managed more consistently.

This part of Richmond, Virginia offers a convenient location with close proximity to several hospitals, medical facilities, and pharmacies, making it an ideal choice for seniors looking for easy access to healthcare services. The area also features a variety of cafes and restaurants, providing plenty of dining options for residents. In addition, there are several parks nearby where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities or simply relax in nature. For those interested in cultural and religious activities, there are places of worship within a short distance. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded living environment with amenities that cater to the needs of seniors.

Hospitals

• Hospital Hospitality House (0.7 miles)
• Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU (0.8 miles)
• VCU Critical Care Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Vcu Health System Authority (1 miles)
• VCU Medical Center Emergency Department (1.1 miles)
• Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center (4.3 miles)

Transportation

• GRTC Pulse - Convention Center (0.8 miles)
• Main Street Station (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Quench (1.2 miles)
• The Smoky Mug (1.3 miles)
• Ironclad Coffee Roasters (1.3 miles)
• Union Market (1.4 miles)
• Riverbend Coffee (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• Clanton, Samuel Ambulatory Care Center (0.8 miles)
• MCV Children's Pavillion (0.8 miles)
• Wickersham Jodi Hume Lee Transplant Clinic Richmond (0.9 miles)
• Bergen Nelson, MD, MS (0.9 miles)
• Surgical Specialists of Richmond (2.3 miles)
• Dhakar Family Dentistry (3.3 miles)
• Brooks Optical (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Brown's Island (0.8 miles)
• Battery Park (1 miles)
• Monroe Park (1.2 miles)
• Lombardy Park Playground (1.5 miles)
• Libby Hill Park (1.9 miles)
• Chimborazo Park (2 miles)
• Byrd Park (2.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Secret Sandwich Society (0.9 miles)
• Maya Mexican Grill And Tequila Lounge (0.9 miles)
• Penny Lane Pub (0.9 miles)
• Spice of India (0.9 miles)
• Cobra Cabana (1 miles)
• Capital Ale House (1 miles)
• Jimmy John's (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.9 miles)
• Paragon Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• McGuire Park Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• 31st Street Baptist Church (1.8 miles)
• Remnant Church (2.3 miles)
• Tikvat Israel Congregation (2.4 miles)
• Christadelphian Chapel (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• Bow Tie Movieland at Boulevard Square (2.2 miles)