Centennial Village

Pros

• Residents report that Centennial Village has beautiful grounds to view.
• The swimming pool is inviting with crystal blue, clear water.
• The 1-bedroom apartments accommodate 1?2 individuals comfortably.
• The complex keeps up on work orders and makes necessary repairs usually within 48 hours.
• The staff are very nice, and Heather the Manager is attentive to follow up with concerns.
• Maintenance staff are awesome, efficient, and helpful.
• The complex is well kept, clean, and the maintenance team keeps everything running smoothly.
• The grounds are beautiful and well cared for, with amenities like a Ramada, a pool, and a pleasant walkway.
• Residents feel safe and note that resident safety is prioritized by management.
• Centennial Village recently installed brand-new washers and dryers; laundry facilities are on each floor and auto pay is available.
• The location is convenient, close to shopping, dining, and public transit access.

Cons

• They observed dirty hallways, overflowing trash, mold or water damage, pest sightings, peeling paint, broken locks, and stained carpeting, describing the conditions as unhealthy and unsafe.
• They describe the experience as retraumatizing and disturbing.
• They allege racial and disability discrimination in the treatment they received.
• They were not informed about a specific time-of-day deadline, and were removed from the waiting list after complying.
• They warn prospective renters to document everything and insist on written confirmation of deadlines and policies, implying distrust.
• They intend to file a formal complaint with HUD.

Review

Centennial Village in Mesa, Arizona, emerges in these accounts as a community with inviting grounds and a robust set of amenities that many residents praise consistently. Reviewers repeatedly highlight the well-kept campus, beautiful landscaping, a Ramada for gatherings, a sunny swimming pool with clear, inviting water, and convenient walkways that connect the various apartment buildings. The location itself gets frequent positive mentions as being close to fast-food options, grocery stores, doctors' offices, and reliable public transit, including a local bus line and a free shuttle to Riverview Mall and downtown areas. For many residents, Centennial Village feels like a home designed to support independent living, with features that accommodate a range of needs and preferences.

A common thread throughout the favorable remarks is the emphasis on responsive, personable on-site management and maintenance staff. Several longtime tenants point to Heather, the on-site manager, as a central figure in their positive experiences, noting that she is attentive and consistently follows up on concerns. The maintenance crew - individuals like Matt, Marvin, Hal, and others - receives frequent praise for their professionalism, courtesy, and speed. One reviewer specifically commends a quick, well-handled air-conditioner repair, while another thanks Hal for prompt and cordial service. The maintenance team is described as diligent, capable, and reliable, with a sense that problems are taken seriously and addressed promptly, often within a matter of hours.

Residents frequently describe Centennial Village as a well-run community where work orders are managed efficiently and repairs are completed in a timely fashion. Several comments mention that issues are resolved within 24 to 48 hours, and some updates from staff are delivered early in the day, sometimes before 10:00 a.m. Beyond repairs, the staff is also praised for keeping the facilities in good working order, with regular upkeep of elevators, locks, lighting, and general apartment maintenance. The resident experience is also enhanced by practical conveniences - monthly air filter changes, on-site laundry facilities on every floor, and recently installed washers and dryers - making daily life more convenient and comfortable for residents.

The living spaces themselves are described in favorable terms, with particular attention to accessibility and affordable housing options. One-bedroom units accommodating 1?2 residents, with mobility-friendly features like walk-in showers and enclosed patios on first floors, are highlighted as well-suited for a range of needs. Automatic door openers and other accessibility enhancements contribute to a sense of safety and ease for residents who rely on assistive features. An overarching sentiment is that Centennial Village provides a homely, safe, and accessible place to live, with amenities and services designed to support independent living and a sense of community.

In stark contrast to the overwhelmingly positive experiences, there is a single, strongly voiced account that centers on a discriminatory experience and significant safety concerns. This reviewer describes being removed from the waiting list after following posted instructions to submit documents by placing them in a designated box on the due date, with no explicit communication about a time-of-day deadline. The reviewer asserts that the action was racially and disability-motivated, amounting to racial discrimination, and states an intent to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In addition to this accusation, the account details unacceptable conditions observed on visits to the property - dirty hallways, overflowing trash, mold or water damage, pest sightings, peeling paint, broken locks, stained carpeting - and frames them as conditions that create an unhealthy and unsafe living environment. The reviewer characterizes the experience as retraumatizing and disturbing and urges prospective renters to document every interaction, insist on written confirmations of deadlines and policies, and be aware of ongoing HUD and other remedies.

Taken together, the reviews paint a nuanced portrait of Centennial Village. For many residents, the community stands out as a well-maintained, neighborly place to live, with strong, responsive staff and a range of amenities that support comfortable, affordable living. The praise for Heather and the maintenance team, the steady improvements to facilities, and the accessibility features all contribute to a picture of a community that prioritizes resident well-being and efficient service. The on-site amenities - pool, common areas, library, exercise room, and a well-connected layout - appear to reinforce a lifestyle that many tenants value highly.

Still, the contrasting account serves as a reminder that experiences at any property can vary and that issues of policy communication and occupant rights matter deeply. The negative report emphasizes the importance of clear deadlines, transparent processes, and fair treatment, especially for residents who may face barriers related to race or disability. It also underscores concerns about cleanliness and safety that can affect the daily living environment. For prospective residents, these divergent experiences highlight the value of documentation, written confirmations, and clear, accessible information about deadlines, policies, and grievance procedures, as well as the ability to seek remedies through HUD or other channels when concerns arise.

Overall, Centennial Village appears to be a community with many strengths - welcoming grounds, strong staff, reliable maintenance, convenient amenities, and accessibility features - that contribute to a high quality of life for a broad range of residents. The reviews suggest that ongoing attention to communication, equitable processes, and rigorous attention to safety and cleanliness is essential to ensuring that all residents have a consistently positive experience. As with any sizeable complex, firsthand experiences can vary, and potential renters or residents are encouraged to gather information, ask questions, and document interactions to inform their choices and advocate for their needs.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Mesa Arizona Temple (1.8 miles)
• Salt River Assembly of God (3 miles)
• Kingdom Hall (5.6 miles)
• Islamic Community Center of Tempe (5.9 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (6.3 miles)
• First United Methodist Church of Gilbert (6.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Restaurant Huauchinangos Mexican Food (2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.1 miles)
• Green Corner Restaurant (3.1 miles)
• Hibachi Grill Super Buffet (3.2 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (3.4 miles)
• Bar Louie - Tempe Marketplace (3.9 miles)

Physicians

• Riviera Opticare (2.8 miles)
• Southwest Endoscopy & Srgcntr (4.9 miles)
• Glick Ronald M Do (5.2 miles)
• Gilbert Primary Care (5.5 miles)
• Scottsdale Cardiovascular Center (6 miles)
• Azam Medical Clinic (6.2 miles)
• 20/20 Image Eye Centers (6.5 miles)

Theaters

• Harkins Tempe Marketplace 16 (3.8 miles)
• AMC Mesa Grand 14 (4 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Tempe (6.4 miles)

Parks

• Daumler Park (3.9 miles)
• Selleh Park (4.5 miles)
• Greenfield Park (6 miles)
• Tempe Beach Park (6.2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (4.1 miles)
• Infusion Coffee & Tea (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)
• Bikini Beans Espresso (5.3 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)

Transportation

• METRO University Dr /Rural (5.4 miles)
• Falcon Field Airport (MSC) (6.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Greenbaum Surgery Center (6.4 miles)