Ripley - Heatwole Company Inc. in Virginia Beach, VA

Pros

• Mrs. Stout and Mrs. Woodworth were the saving grace in this process.
• The reviewer has been very happy living in a Ripley Heatwole property in Norfolk, VA for three years.
• Ripley Heatwole staff are very hard working and reliable.
• Mill Creek Apartments was a nice place to live, and it was once clean, peaceful, and respectful.
• The reviewer was very happy to be leaving Holland House and moving to a sister property.

Cons

• Tyrell Judge is lazy, unresponsive, and retaliatory.
• The leasing process shows a chronic lack of proactive communication, with Judge often unreachable and information that is incomplete or misleading.
• Shay (or Shy), a leasing office staff member, is rude, unprofessional, and dishonest about being the property manager.
• Renee the receptionist is unprofessional and dismissive, hanging up on callers and placing them on hold.
• The company demonstrates persistent unresponsiveness and poor customer service, undermining trust in management.
• Move-in conditions were neglected, featuring water damage, mold, and other issues that the management ignored.
• Sara, the property manager, is aggressive and frequently cuts residents off, reflecting unacceptable management.

Review

Ripley - Heatwole Company Inc. in Virginia Beach is best suited for renters who need an affordable option and are prepared to manage a lease process with uneven communication and uncertain move-in quality. This community rewards those who can shoulder risk, stay vigilant, and push for clear written terms, rather than those who rely on consistently proactive leasing support or pristine, move-in ready apartments.

Those most likely to want alternatives are seniors and families who depend on dependable, courteous, and timely management. If prompt, respectful communication, transparent billing, reliable maintenance, and clean, ready-to-live-in units are non-negotiables, this property is not the ideal fit. Prospective residents who require a smooth, predictable onboarding and ongoing service will likely find better alignment elsewhere, even within the broader Ripley Heatwole footprint or in comparable local options.

On the upside, there are scattered signs of professionalism that can matter in a tight housing market. In reviews where corporate escalation occurred, representatives such as Mrs. Stout and Mrs. Woodworth delivered a more competent, solution-focused response. That pattern suggests when issues are taken seriously at a higher level, some accountability appears possible. The property's affordability and the potential for some on-site staff to step up under pressure are real positives, but they are inconsistent and do not reliably counterbalance the more frequent service gaps described by residents.

The dominant downsides, however, are severe enough to overwhelm any nominal price advantage. Chronic communication failures from key staff, particularly a leasing lead who proved unreliable and evasive, repeatedly left applicants in the dark about move-in costs, unit availability, and critical timelines. The most troubling examples include undisclosed charges, refusals to provide itemized receipts, and a sudden, unhelpful shift in unit allocation. Once move-in day arrives, the experience often devolves into a mismatch between expectations and reality, with reports of water damage, mold in vents, visible grime in bathrooms, and damaged cabinetry that undermines basic livability. These issues are not isolated anecdotes but recurring themes cited by multiple reviewers, raising red flags about maintenance responsiveness and quality control.

Safety and courtesy concerns further complicate the decision. Instances of unsafe driving behavior by a company vehicle, rude or dismissive office interactions, and inconsistent accessibility to staff after move-in multiply the risk. One reviewer explicitly described rude treatment and a lack of accountability from the on-site office, while others encountered stalled communications and unreturned calls. The bottom line is a pattern of disengagement from management that undermines trust and makes it difficult to feel secure in a living arrangement where routine repairs or clarifications should be straightforward.

To navigate a potential lease with this community, concrete, pre-emptive steps are essential. Demand a detailed, written move-in cost breakdown with any applicable fees, and ensure the lease contains an explicit, itemized charge ledger. Insist on a guaranteed before-and-after walkthrough with documentation of any existing damage or defects, and require a fixed move-in date to avoid scrambling on arrival. Request a clear maintenance response timeline and a written policy on how urgent repairs are prioritized. Tour the property with a critical eye for cleanliness and safety, and request current resident references about responsiveness and the reliability of management. Have a designated line of escalation in hand - ideally a regional or corporate contact - and verify that the on-site manager is committed to timely, respectful communication.

In the end, Ripley - Heatwole Company Inc. should be approached as a contingent option rather than a sure bet. It can serve budget-conscious renters who are prepared to monitor, persist, and potentially negotiate hard for basic standards. But for most seniors and families seeking dependable management, well-maintained apartments, and predictable operations, better alternatives exist - whether other Ripley Heatwole properties with stronger reputations or comparable communities known for steadier service. The prudent path involves cautious engagement: insist on transparency, verify every critical detail in writing, and be ready to pivot if the responses and conditions don't align with the needs of imminent, worry-free living.

Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this area offers a range of amenities suitable for seniors looking for a convenient and comfortable lifestyle. With multiple pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and Rite Aid, access to healthcare services is readily available. Several physician offices including Jordan Young Institute and Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater are within close proximity for medical needs. For dining options, restaurants like Olive Garden and Village Inn offer a variety of choices, while cafes such as Starbucks provide a relaxing setting for socializing. In terms of recreation, parks like Mount Trashmore Park offer opportunities for outdoor activities, and theaters like Regal Entertainment Group provide entertainment options. Transportation is easily accessible with The Tide-Newtown Road Station and Norfolk International Airport nearby. Overall, this area provides a convenient and safe environment for seniors to consider for their retirement years.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Wegmans (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• Jordan Young Institue (1.2 miles)
• Patient First (1.2 miles)
• Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater (1.3 miles)
• Austin Warren Md Norfolk (1.6 miles)
• Virginia Ophthalmology Associates (1.6 miles)
• Pariser Dermatology Specialists (1.6 miles)
• Sentara Comprehensive Weight Loss Solutions (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Kahiau's Bakery & Cafe (4.5 miles)
• Coalescence Coffee (6.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (1.6 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (2 miles)
• Olive Garden (2 miles)
• Village Inn (2.2 miles)
• Hooters (2.2 miles)
• Yard House (2.4 miles)
• P.F. Chang's China Bistro (2.4 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Entertainment Group (2.7 miles)
• AMC Lynnhaven 18 (6.3 miles)

Transportation

• The Tide-Newtown Road Station (2.9 miles)
• American Airlines Ticket Counter (3 miles)
• Norfolk International Airport (ORF) (3.1 miles)
• Norfolk Airport USO (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Mount Trashmore Park (3.3 miles)
• Kings Grant Park (3.6 miles)
• Bay Oaks Park (5.4 miles)
• Broad Bay Estates Park (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Third Presbyterian Church (5.4 miles)
• Tabernacle Church Of Norfolk (6.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Sentara Health Care (5.9 miles)
• Chkd (6.4 miles)