Smith Tower Apartments in Vancouver, WA

Pros

• They are happy living in this wonderful place.
• Everyone in the administration is very nice.
• They feel like a member of a wonderful family.
• It is a great, safe building for residents with a safe, affordable place to stay.
• The rent is very low for seniors.
• Affordable housing for the elderly with great people.
• It has a warm environment.
• The building is beautiful.

Cons

• The food was lousy.
• The place is ugly and ruins the skyline.
• It really needs updating.
• The management is not honest about anything.
• The building is not secure; management unlocks and enters apartments at will.
• The place is cockroach-infested and bed-bug ridden.
• The landlord Michelle is on a power trip and enters apartments without permission.
• The passcodes were kept from residents for two weeks.

Review

Smith Tower Apartments is best suited for budget-conscious seniors who want independent, small-scale living with a welcoming, close-knit sense of community. The apartments are compact - studio spaces under 400 square feet - yet the building offers affordable rents and, for many residents, a feeling of safety and belonging. The location is a practical asset: convenient access to public transit and a path to the city's services, with several long-tenured residents who describe the atmosphere as warm and friendly. This community works best for those who prioritize price stability, social contact, and a low-stress footprint over upscale amenities or on-site healthcare oversight.

Those who should consider alternatives are seniors who require regular medical monitoring, daily caregiving, or more extensive on-site services. It's also wise to look elsewhere if a larger living space or newer, trendier finishes are non-negotiable. Privacy concerns have surfaced in several accounts, and potential residents should be aware that not every unit is treated as private sanctuary. If the priority is a spotless, modern building with turnkey security and a robust, on-site care program, this is not the right fit.

The strongest positives - affordability, a warm staff, and a sense of community - often offset the less desirable elements for many residents. Low rents for seniors, coupled with easy transit access and a neighborly vibe, create real value for people living on limited fixed incomes. Several residents praise the caregiving attitude of maintenance and office staff, and long-term residents speak to a stable, familiar environment that can feel like family. The building's character and the social fabric can meaningfully improve daily life, especially when healthcare needs are minimal and independence is the goal.

However, the cons are meaningful enough to shift a decision for a sizable share of potential residents. Security and privacy have been flagged as concerns: some accounts describe staff entering apartments or relying on passcodes, sometimes with inconsistent access and unclear boundaries. Reports of pest problems - cockroaches and bed bugs - are hard to dismiss, as are stories of a busy, noisy environment with frequent activity and visitors. Parking is limited, groceries aren't right across the street, and climate control can be unpredictable in extreme weather. Most importantly, there is no on-site assisted living or routine health monitoring, which makes it unsuitable for anyone who will eventually rely on regular care.

The pros do not vanish in the face of these drawbacks; they recalibrate the risk for the right buyer. For seniors who value affordability, the sense of community, and a practical base near transit, Smith Tower offers a compelling envelope of benefits. The price-quality ratio can be a decisive edge when compared with market-rate independent living or private rental options in Vancouver. A stable, affordable home with friendly staff can render most drawbacks manageable, provided expectations are aligned with what the building can realistically deliver - independence, not care.

In the end, Smith Tower Apartments serves a clearly defined profile: independent seniors on modest budgets who want a sociable, affordable housing option with a long-standing, caring staff. It is not a fit for those needing daily care, a modern or spacious living environment, or a setting with rigorous privacy safeguards. Prospective residents should schedule visits with a critical eye - inspect units, verify lease terms, ask about pest history, and talk candidly with current residents about the management dynamic. If those checks raise red flags, exploring other independent living options or real assisted-living communities in Vancouver will likely yield a more predictable care-and-security plan, even if at a higher price.

This area of Vancouver, Washington offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing for senior living. With several parks such as Esther Short Park and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site nearby, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely walks. The proximity to cafes like Compass Coffee and Relevant Coffee provides opportunities for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple physicians' offices, pharmacies, and hospitals in the vicinity, ensuring easy access to medical services. Additionally, transportation options including Amtrak and Portland International Airport make traveling convenient. Restaurants like Beaches Restaurant & Bar and Darcy's Restaurant & Bar offer dining options for those who prefer not to cook. Overall, this area provides a mix of recreational, healthcare, and dining options suitable for seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Parks

• Esther Short Park (0.1 miles)
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (0.9 miles)
• Vanport Park (2.1 miles)
• Douglas Carter Fisher Park (3.5 miles)
• Northgate Park (3.5 miles)
• Gammans Park (3.6 miles)
• Arbor Lodge Park (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Compass Coffee (0.1 miles)
• Relevant Coffee (0.6 miles)
• Posies Cafe (3 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.4 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (3.5 miles)
• Cyclemaster Coffee (3.5 miles)
• The Great North (4.7 miles)

Physicians

• Ideal Option (0.4 miles)
• Vancouver Eye Care (1.3 miles)
• Family medicine clinic (1.4 miles)
• Harpers Playground (3.8 miles)
• Sea Mar Community Health Centers (4.1 miles)
• The Vancouver Clinic (4.2 miles)
• To Summy Od Myoptic Optometry Dr Summy To Optometrist Portland (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (0.7 miles)
• Concourse D (4.5 miles)
• Alaska Airlines Lounge - PDX (4.5 miles)
• Concourse C (4.6 miles)
• TSA Checkpoint A/B/C - Portland International Airport (4.6 miles)
• Portland International Airport (PDX) (4.6 miles)
• Concourse E (4.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Vancouver VA Medical Center (1.2 miles)
• Firstenburg Tower (4.4 miles)
• PeaceHealth Southwest Family Birth Center (4.4 miles)
• Legacy Emanuel Burn Center (5.6 miles)
• Randall Children's Hospital (5.6 miles)
• Legacy Emanuel Childrens Hospital (5.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Beaches Restaurant & Bar (1.2 miles)
• Island Cafe (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (3.6 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.8 miles)
• Darcy's Restaurant & Bar (3.8 miles)
• El Burrito Azteca (3.9 miles)
• McDonald's (4.2 miles)