Cambridge Manor in Chciago, IL

Pros

• The maintenance staff is wonderful.
• The security is strong and reassuring.
• The building is very clean.
• The mezzanine level offers a big screen TV, a pool table, and regular activities.
• The social services department assists residents with just about anything.
• The building includes a parking garage, a valuable amenity for residents.
• Everything is convenient for residents.
• The staff and neighbors are excellent, contributing to a safe and welcoming community.

Cons

• The management is biased.
• The building is poorly managed and lacks sensitivity to residents' needs and respect for HUD policies.
• The infrastructure of the property is seriously questionable.

Review

Cambridge Manor is best suited for long-tenured, budget-conscious seniors who prize security, practical on-site support, and easy access to city amenities. The building earns traction for residents who value a safety-forward environment, supported by a guarded entry system and visible security measures. It also delivers hands-on social services, responsive maintenance, and a parking option within a city where parking is at a premium. For households seeking affordability that accommodates government subsidies alongside market rent, Cambridge Manor presents a stable, workable option with frequent social and logistical supports that keep daily life predictable.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are residents who demand consistently proactive management and unwavering adherence to HUD policies, or who expect infrastructure that feels modern and consistently reliable. Some reviews flag management as biased or insufficiently sensitive to residents' needs, and there are warnings about the property's aging infrastructure. Prospective residents who require uniformly seamless operations, transparent processes, and a track record of staff going beyond the basics may prefer other communities with stronger management cultures or more modernized facilities.

The core strengths - security, maintenance responsiveness, and robust on-site services - are meaningful counterweights to the drawbacks. Residents repeatedly praise the protection afforded by controlled access, the quick turnarounds on work orders, and the clean, well-kept environment. The social services team is cited as a significant help, coordinating with residents on a wide range of needs. Add to that a sense of community fostered in common areas and activity spaces, and Cambridge Manor offers practical stability: a place where daily routines can be met without constant hustle.

Yet the main concerns are material enough to affect choice for many families. Management friction and perceptions of bias surface in multiple accounts, and a few residents question how well HUD policies are respected in practice. Infrastructure is described by some as questionable, suggesting that long-term upkeep and modernization may lag behind resident expectations. In such cases, the comfort of security and services may not fully compensate for concerns about consistency in governance or the condition of aging systems and spaces.

Practical due diligence can tilt the balance decisively. Prospective movers should verify the current management approach and what has been done to address past criticisms, including the handling of resident needs and policy adherence. Examine the specifics of the parking arrangement: Cambridge Manor does offer a garage, but it is not owned by the building and is shared with another address, with a monthly charge and a currently closed waiting list. Confirm the status of maintenance capabilities, the frequency of improvements, and the reliability of amenities like the mezzanine lounge, social programming, and housekeeping standards. A candid conversation with current residents about day-to-day experiences provides essential clarity on whether the community's security, services, and social life align with personal expectations.

In sum, Cambridge Manor delivers a pragmatic, affordable living option for seniors who value safety, accessible social services, and straightforward, predictable routines in a location with real-city perks. The package will feel complete for those who can overlook occasional questions about management tone or infrastructural age. For seniors who prize a consistently proactive management culture, modernized facilities, and impeccably aligned resident relations, alternatives should be explored. This community stands as a solid, no-nonsense choice for the right match - one that blends security, service, and affordability into a workable daily life, while signaling that different residents will weigh the negatives and positives to arrive at a clear yes or no.

Physicians

• Illinois Eye Institute (0.5 miles)
• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Transportation

• CTA - Cermak-Chinatown (0.9 miles)
• CTA - Sox-35th Red (0.9 miles)
• Metra - LaSalle Street (2.2 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (2.3 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (2.5 miles)
• Cta (2.5 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Ping Tom Memorial Park (1.1 miles)
• Burnham Park (1.1 miles)
• Coliseum Park (1.3 miles)
• Northerly Island (1.4 miles)
• Chicago Lakefront (1.8 miles)
• Grant Park (2.3 miles)
• Grant Park - Butler Field (2.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar (1.6 miles)
• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (2 miles)
• Portillo's (2.1 miles)
• Marz Community Brewery (2.2 miles)
• Miller's Pub (2.6 miles)
• Columbia Yacht Club (2.9 miles)
• The Dearborn (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Intelligentsia Coffee (2.9 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (2.9 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (3 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)

Hospitals

• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (3.1 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (3.3 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (3.4 miles)
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (3.5 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (3.7 miles)
• Comer Children's Hospital (3.7 miles)
• St Bernard Hospital (4.5 miles)