Burlington Tower in St. Petersburg, FL

Pros

• Mary Lou Barr is described as the best manager, who was personable and acted like a friend.
• Under her management, living there was a joy.
• The current manager is described as understanding, helpful, and nice, with all staff also being nice.
• The resident loves their spacious apartment.
• The retirement apartment is nice.
• There are great people and great staff.
• The apartments are cute and nicely sized.
• Great service.
• The reviewer notes that their grandma loves living there.

Cons

• The place is a dump.
• There are no cameras in the hallways to monitor the elderly in case they fall.
• The elevators are constantly breaking down.
• Management enters apartments whenever they want, even when residents are not home.
• They enter apartments when someone is in hospice to take inventory, and after a death they take belongings for themselves or to sell.
• There are bed bugs and roaches.
• Residents have been without hot water for days, and management/maintenance have made no real effort to resolve it.
• The building is old and cheaply put together; the elevator is slow.
• The staff are unprofessional and use scare tactics to threaten eviction of elderly residents; rules seem to apply only to whom they dislike.
• The outside grounds workers drink on the job and fraternize with renters.

Review

Burlington Tower in St. Petersburg is best suited for budget-conscious seniors who want a social, low-friction retirement setting in an older, city-adjacent building. The layout and units feel comfortable for everyday living, and the property operates as a walkable, compact community where neighbors form a practical support network. The building is clearly designed for older adults or residents with limited mobility, and some units participate in affordable rental programs that help keep monthly costs in reach. A first-floor café and easy access to nearby services contribute to a shared, neighborly rhythm. This is not a luxury address, but the arrangement can deliver a dependable, no-nonsense living environment for those who prioritize community over polish.

Alternatives should be considered for anyone who places a premium on maintenance reliability, safety of private space, and modern amenities. The most persistent red flags are inconsistent maintenance, unreliable hot water, and slowly functioning elevators, all of which directly disrupt daily life. Reports of unauthorized entry by staff into apartments, especially around sensitive times such as hospice stays, raise legitimate privacy concerns. Pest issues and dated construction further erode comfort. Prospective residents should weigh whether a potential move-in experience can tolerate intrusive management practices, reputational swings in leadership, and a building that shows its age in visible wear. In short, those seeking predictable service, clear privacy boundaries, and contemporary conveniences may want to screen alternatives more aggressively.

On the upside, Burlington Tower can deliver genuine social value when leadership and staff align with resident needs. Several reviewers describe warm, friendly neighbors and a supportive vibe, with “great people” and a team that is, at times, attentive and helpful. The earlier manager, Mary Lou Barr, left a lasting impression of personal warmth and dependable responsiveness; her retirement coincided with mixed experiences under a new manager. For people who prioritize a sense of home, regular social contact, and affordable rent, these strengths can offset many inconveniences, provided the atmosphere remains stable and the routines function smoothly. When the human side works, residents feel seen, connected, and less isolated in a city setting.

Structural realities, however, shape every daily experience. The facility is an older building with a slow elevator, limited modernization, and reviews that range from “cute, nicely sized” to “drab and depressing”, a spectrum that signals inconsistent upkeep. Some units feel adequately spacious and pleasant, while others reflect budget constraints and cheaper finishes. The presence of a first-floor gathering space is a tangible plus, yet it cannot fully compensate for the physical wear, intermittent hot water, or the perception that the building is not fully aligned with modern senior-living expectations. Residents who need pristine, turnkey comfort should assess whether the available apartment options meet those standards, rather than assuming a consistently high level of quality across all units.

Safety, privacy, and visible professionalism emerge as critical decision factors. Multiple accounts describe staff who can be unprofessional or uneven in enforcing rules, with lingering concerns about fairness and accountability. The same threads include reports of bed bugs and roaches, ongoing hot-water outages, and a history of maintenance delays, all of which contribute to daily frustration. Disturbing anecdotes about unauthorized apartment entries, even during hospice periods, create anxiety about personal boundaries and dignity. Groundskeeping and on-site conduct issues further undermine trust. The cumulative effect is a building where good intentions exist but are unevenly realized; for families with residents who cannot tolerate such variability, stronger options may be warranted until improvements are clearly demonstrated.

Bottom line: Burlington Tower can work for the right resident, one who values neighborly connection, affordability, and a pragmatic, no-frills living pattern, and who is prepared to actively monitor service quality and advocate for better processes. For families prioritizing consistent maintenance, modern amenities, strict privacy protections, and reliable safety, alternatives will generally be more suitable. Before deciding, prospective renters should conduct thorough visits, speak with multiple residents, request documentation on maintenance response times, privacy policies, and pest-management history, and probe current management performance under the newer leadership. If those conversations yield confidence, Burlington Tower offers a grounded, budget-friendly option in a city that rewards sociability. If not, it is prudent to look elsewhere with more dependable oversight and up-to-date facilities.

This area of St. Petersburg, Florida, offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors looking to enjoy a comfortable and active lifestyle. With multiple physicians specializing in allergy/immunology, behavioral health, heart care, and neurology located within close proximity, residents have access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, there are several well-known hospitals and pharmacies nearby for easy medical assistance. The neighborhood also boasts a variety of dining options ranging from Asian street fare to traditional Mexican cuisine, as well as cafes serving coffee and light bites. For leisure activities, there are theaters for entertainment and parks for outdoor recreation such as picnics or leisurely walks. Furthermore, places of worship like Allendale United Methodist Church offer spiritual fulfillment for those seeking a community connection. Overall, this area provides a blend of essential services and recreational opportunities suitable for seniors considering relocation to the St. Petersburg region.

Physicians

• Allergy/Immunology (0.2 miles)
• Suncoast Medical Clinic (0.3 miles)
• BayCare Behavioral Health - St. Anthony's Primary Care (0.3 miles)
• Bay Area Heart Center (0.5 miles)
• Price Hoffman Stone & Associates: Goodrum Aaron MD (0.7 miles)
• Central Neurology Sleep Disorders Center (1 miles)
• Northeast Family Practice (1.3 miles)

Restaurants

• Green Bench Brewing Company (0.2 miles)
• Hawkers Asian Street Fare (0.3 miles)
• Byte Federal Bitcoin ATM (Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill) (0.3 miles)
• Red Mesa Cantina (0.7 miles)
• Ford's Garage (0.8 miles)
• Tijuana Flats (0.8 miles)
• Grand Hacienda (0.9 miles)

Hospitals

• St Anthony's Hospital (0.4 miles)
• All Children's Hospital (0.8 miles)
• Bayfront Health St. Petersburg (0.8 miles)
• All Children's Obgyn Specialists (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Octapharma Plasma (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Kahwa Coffee (0.8 miles)
• Bula Kafe (1.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.3 miles)
• Bandit Coffee Co. (1.3 miles)
• Mazzaro's Italian Market (2 miles)
• Kristina's Cafe (2.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Sundial 12 (0.8 miles)
• Regal Park Place & RPX (4.9 miles)

Parks

• Roser Park (0.9 miles)
• St Pete Pier Playground (1.2 miles)
• Crescent Lake Park (1.3 miles)
• Vinoy Park St Petersburg (1.4 miles)
• North Shore Park (1.5 miles)
• Fossil Park (4 miles)
• Northwest Park (4.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Allendale United Methodist Church (2.3 miles)
• Christ The Cornerstone (5.4 miles)