Armstrong Uniserve Inc in Federal Way, WA

Pros

• Teresa is very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable.
• Teresa Green-Hughes showed the apartment and guided them through the application.
• They could not have completed the application without Teresa's help.
• Teresa's service is professional, kind, and helpful.
• Michelle is professional, welcoming, and accommodating.
• Catrice and Michelle are the best managers who care about the senior community.
• The maintenance team is quick, thorough, and professional.
• The property is clean, well-maintained, and the apartments are spacious.
• The staff communicate clearly about required paperwork and make the move-in process smooth.

Cons

• One reviewer stated Meridian Court is the worst place to park a vehicle, citing frequent thefts and no security.
• One reviewer described the on-site manager as rude and unhelpful, noting a lack of amenities and limited presence.
• A reviewer criticized the local office staff for offering little support when tenants are harassed and for not enforcing the lease.
• One reviewer called the community a terrible place and advised others not to move there.
• A reviewer pointed out that the property is outdated with limited parking and amenities, and that rent is high for a low-income housing community.
• A reviewer complained about the continual beeping of low-battery smoke detectors filling the air.

Review

Armstrong Uniserve Inc’s Meridian Court in Federal Way is best suited for budget-conscious seniors who want a practical, accessible, 55-plus independent living option with solid on-site management and straightforward access to daily needs. The community has been recently remodeled, delivering clean, reasonably spacious one-bedroom units that accommodate mobility needs and aging in place. The emphasis is on safety, predictability, and neighborly routines, with a secure entry system and a walkable location close to shops and transit. This is not a luxury retreat; it is a dependable, value-focused choice for seniors prioritizing affordability, ease of maintenance, and real on-site support.

The strongest, most consistent positives revolve around people. On-site staff, especially Teresa Green-Hughes and Michelle, are repeatedly praised for courtesy, knowledge, and hands-on help with tours, applications, and day-to-day questions. The maintenance crew, including Larry, earns kudos for rapid responses, clear explanations, and reliable problem resolution. Cleanliness and ongoing upkeep are evident in remodeled interiors, bright corridors, and well-kept common spaces. The 55-plus designation, combined with accessible design features, wheelchair-friendly layouts, easy-entry doors, and predictable routines, creates a living experience that many families value for preserving independence without sacrificing safety. While affordability is never perfectly uniform across options, Meridian Court generally presents a rental value that aligns well with the expectations of seniors on fixed incomes who still want a presentable, comfortable apartment.

Yet, the review landscape contains clear caveats. Parking is consistently described as limited, and guest parking is not reliably guaranteed, which can complicate visits or social plans. Several residents report security dynamics that feel overly nosy or intrusive, and there are concrete notes about theft or mismanagement of packages in the broader area. Amenities lag behind what some expect from senior communities, there is a single social room and modest programming, with little in the way of expansive common spaces or elaborate activity calendars. Communication can disappoint at times: intermittent delays in returning calls or coordinating with the office, and a few earlier experiences with management that felt unresponsive or harsh. The social environment is therefore mixed: many thrive on the warmth of the staff and neighbors, while others perceive limits in programming, space, and daily conveniences.

Those pros do offset the cons for many families, but only to a degree. The remodeled, accessible living spaces and the reliable on-site team provide a solid foundation for independent living without creeping escalations in cost or complexity. A secure building and proximity to shopping and services reduce the burden of daily errands and car reliance, which matters a great deal for mobility and safety. The open-door policy and straightforward lease processes help reduce move-in stress, while staff turnover appears to be managed capably, with leaders demonstrably prioritizing resident welfare. For households prioritizing predictable expenses, Meridian Court’s affordability within the senior housing niche can tip the scales toward choosing this community, especially when paired with the ease of maintenance and the relief of knowing there is someone responsive on-site when issues arise.

However, the decision cannot ignore the realities that some families must contend with. If abundant on-site amenities, a robust calendar of social activities, or guaranteed, convenient parking are non-negotiables, alternatives will be more satisfying. For those who value a quieter, more contained social scene or who require stronger, more proactive conflict resolution and enforcement of community rules, Meridian Court may feel limiting. Some prospective residents may also be deterred by the “low-income housing” optics, especially if a stigma around affordability affects overall satisfaction or long-term residency plans. In short, this is a strong fit for seniors who want reliable value, a responsive local team, and straightforward, safe living, provided the trade-offs of limited amenities, parking constraints, and occasional friction with management are acceptable.

Ultimately, a practical visit should anchor the decision. Schedule a daytime tour to assess parking access, entry security, and the feel of the lobby and hallways. Inspect a current unit for brightness, layout, and accessibility, and talk to multiple residents about day-to-day routines and how responsive the team remains on repairs or questions. Confirm current pricing in writing, ask about what is included in rent, and verify the status of guest parking and package handling. If the on-site managers, Catrice and Michelle among them, deliver the same consistency and warmth described by current tenants, Meridian Court offers a sturdy, sensible home base for aging in place in Federal Way. If not, there are other 55-plus communities that may deliver more expansive amenities, stronger programming, or broader security features, so the choice should be guided by which factors truly drive peace of mind for the resident and their family.

Parks

• Steel Lake Park (0.2 miles)
• French Lake Off-Leash Dog Park (1.5 miles)
• Saltwater State Park (4 miles)
• Dash Point State Park (4.8 miles)
• Lea Hill Park (5.9 miles)
• Johnson Pit #30, Earthworks Park (6.1 miles)
• Lakeland Hills Park (6.2 miles)

Physicians

• Federal Way Dental (0.3 miles)
• Lateef J Harper MD | Kaiser Permanente (1.4 miles)
• Wyman Carl MD (1.9 miles)
• Digestive Health Specialists (2 miles)
• Pediatrics NW (2.1 miles)
• UW Medicine - Valley Women’s Health (3.6 miles)
• Molen Oral & Facial Surgery (4.1 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Traditional Korean Beef Soup (0.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.6 miles)
• Wendy's (2 miles)
• Del Taco (2 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Angel Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)

Hospitals

• St Francis Hospital (2.2 miles)
• St Francis Sleep Disorders Clinic (2.2 miles)
• St. Francis Hospital (2.2 miles)
• Federal Way Community Dialysis (2.3 miles)
• Group Health Cooperative (8.1 miles)
• MultiCare Regional Cancer Center - Tacoma (8.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Auburn Way Big Foot Java (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (5.9 miles)
• South Auburn Bigfoot Java (6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Auburn (3.3 miles)
• AMC Kent Station 14 (5.5 miles)
• Grand Cinema (7.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Theresa's Church (3.9 miles)
• Church Of The Nazarene Auburn (5 miles)
• Holy Spirit Parish (5.2 miles)
• Christ Episcopal Church (8.2 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (4.1 miles)
• Angle Lake Station (7.1 miles)
• South Satellite (8.2 miles)
• International Arrivals Facility (8.2 miles)
• Club at SEA (8.2 miles)
• Concourse A (8.3 miles)