Salem Village Senior Apartments

Cons

• The complex is described as poorly managed with inadequate maintenance and poor manager communication.
• The hallways are not air-conditioned and the carpets are ancient.
• The property is full of mold, with signs on the walls and a pervasive musty smell in the halls and stairwells.
• The manager is accused of dishonesty, including stealing money from tenants on gas utility bills.
• The owner is perceived to prioritize rent collection over upkeep, with minimal maintenance.
• The manager is rarely available - only one day a week (10 a.m.?4 p.m.) - with appointment-only Thursdays and long wait times.
• The parking lot has experienced car break-ins, with little action to address security.
• The property is church-owned and described as filthy, with carpets not shampooed for 15 years and a strong musty/mold smell.
• The church is accused of padding pockets and neglecting residents, including seniors and the disabled.
• Applicants report denial and waiting lists, and the manager refused to provide an application, raising concerns about equal housing opportunity.

Review

Residents describe a troubled apartment complex managed by Coast Management Company, with a pattern of dissatisfaction that spans maintenance, communication, safety, and overall stewardship. Across multiple accounts, the common thread is a sense that the property is poorly cared for, poorly managed, and not responsive to the needs of those who live there. The tone ranges from frustration to alarm, with some writers urging others to look elsewhere before committing to a lease.

On the condition of the property, mold is a persistent and alarming concern. Reviewers report visible signs of mold in walls and a pervasive musty smell in the hallways and stairwells. They describe carpets as ancient - original and untouched for years, with one account noting carpet dating back 21 years - and they lament a lack of updates or cleaning that would address health and comfort. Hallways are described as not being air-conditioned, reinforcing a sense of neglect and discomfort. Overall, tenants feel there has been little meaningful investment in upgrading the building despite its age and ongoing maintenance issues.

Financial arrangements and rent values add another layer of complaint. Some reviews mention sliding scale rents that are supposed to be not-for-profit, with the expectation that the building would be paid off by now. However, tenants say there have been no drastic rent reductions or substantial upgrades in exchange for the ongoing problems. The implication is that rents are being collected without corresponding improvements or relief for residents, contributing to a sense that the financial model is more about income than community well-being.

Management and communications are repeatedly criticized. The on-site presence of the manager is described as limited - one day a week, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - with Thursdays being appointment-only. Tenants report waiting up to four hours to see the manager, creating a workday headache for residents who need timely responses to issues. The overall perception is that management is inaccessible and unresponsive, making it difficult for residents to address day-to-day problems or advocate for improvements.

Allegations of dishonesty and governance concerns surface alongside complaints about rude behavior. One review accuses the manager of not always being honest, particularly in connection with money taken from tenants' gas utility bills. Coupled with reports of rude interactions and a perception that management prioritizes other concerns over resident welfare, these statements contribute to a fragile trust between tenants and those running the property.

Safety and security problems compound residents' displeasure. A serious incident involves a car break-in in the parking area, with a damaged window and stolen items. Reports of ongoing parking lot theft emerge, with several tenants noting that little has been done to deter crime or enhance security. The sense of vulnerability in a place that tenants must call home reinforces the impression of neglect and insufficient safety planning by management and ownership.

Ownership and ethical questions are raised in some accounts. The property is described as church-owned, which some reviewers interpret as a structure that benefits from tax advantages while not adequately serving residents. Claims that the church prioritizes padding its pockets over meeting the needs of tenants - especially seniors and the disabled - are used to argue that the institution's stewardship of the property is lacking. Additional comments focus on cleanliness and upkeep, with accusations that the complex is filthy and that carpets have not been shampooed for years, reinforcing a view of systemic neglect.

Finally, access to housing and equal opportunity concerns emerge in the context of applying for a unit. A review recounts attempting to obtain an application for a 73-year-old mother and being told there was a waiting list, followed by an explicit denial of receiving an application. The reviewer questions whether equal housing opportunity is actually upheld, suggesting that the waitlist and the refusal to provide an application act as obstacles that drive people away or keep them from pursuing housing, particularly seniors and those with disabilities.

Taken together, these accounts sketch a consistently troubling picture of a property where mold and aging infrastructure, limited management accessibility, questionable ethics, and inadequate attention to residents' needs dominate daily life. The overarching message is a cautionary one for prospective tenants: proceed with care, consider alternative options, and be mindful of the reported conditions and management practices before committing to a lease.

Located in Mt Vernon, Washington, this area boasts a variety of amenities perfect for senior living. With several parks nearby such as Skagit Valley Playing Fields and Lions Park, residents have plenty of options for enjoying the outdoors. Transportation options including Yellow Cab and Burlington Airport Shuttle make getting around easy. A range of dining choices like McDonald's, Olive Garden, and El Gitano cater to different tastes. Close proximity to medical facilities like Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics and Skagit Northwest Orthopedics ensures quality healthcare access. Additionally, cafes such as Whidbey Coffee and Starbucks offer convenient spots to socialize with friends. With theaters like AMC Cascade Mall 14 and places of worship such as Second Mile Mount Vernon nearby, seniors have plenty of entertainment options in this vibrant community.

Parks

• Skagit Valley Playing Fields (0.5 miles)
• Skagit River Park (1.2 miles)
• Bakerview Park (1.2 miles)
• Lions Park (1.7 miles)

Transportation

• Yellow Cab (0.6 miles)
• Burlington Airport Shuttle (1.9 miles)
• Skagit Station (2.1 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Taco Time NW (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• El Gitano (1.1 miles)
• Sports Keg Grill (1.2 miles)
• Olive Garden (1.2 miles)
• Wendy's (1.2 miles)

Physicians

• Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics (0.8 miles)
• Rosario Skin Clinic (0.8 miles)
• Cornerstone Prosthetics & Orthotics (0.8 miles)
• Skagit Northwest Orthopedics (0.8 miles)
• Northwest Eye Surgeons (0.9 miles)
• RejuvenationMD - Dr Tianna Tsitsis (0.9 miles)
• Vitreoretinal Associates (1 miles)

Cafes

• Whidbey Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Bigfoot Java (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Bigfoot Java (1.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.2 miles)
• Mr T's Family Cafe (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.3 miles)
• Haggen Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Hilltop Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Skagit Valley Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• Makers Compounding Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Haggen Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Cascade Mall 14 (1.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Care Center (1.8 miles)
• Public Hospital District 1 Skagit County (1.9 miles)
• PeaceHealth United General Hospital (4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Second Mile Mount Vernon (1.9 miles)
• First Baptist Church (2.2 miles)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (2.5 miles)