Northmere the Sro Hotel

Pros

• They found the place to be a great, inexpensive hotel.
• They described it as a great single-room building.
• They live there and say it's the best location for them at this time.
• They find it fun to live there.
• They described 304 as a nice, century-old building with a great local area.
• They praised Sheila as awesome.

Cons

• The property is poorly kept and located in a bad neighborhood with dope dealers nearby.
• The building is bedbug-infested, with roaches and rats throughout.
• The entrance is not truly wheelchair accessible, despite claims of accessibility.
• The staff are rude, unprofessional, and do not listen to residents.
• The premises are dirty and in disrepair, with pest problems and little maintenance.
• There are frequent altercations and residents begging for money, with staff not intervening.
• The desk clerks and management are unhelpful; the landlord is seen as uncaring and rules are not enforced.
• The facility has no kitchen and uses shared baths, which lowers livability.
• The place is described as one of the most disgusting and miserable places to stay.
• The reviewer wouldn't even trust the place with a pet, indicating extreme safety and quality concerns.

Review

Taken together, the reviews form a chaotic, at times alarming portrait of a budget-friendly property that attracts a mix of praise for affordability and a steady drumbeat of serious complaints. A few reviewers flag the place as "great cheap hotel" or simply "great," and one or two residents even say "I live here. Best location for myself at this time," or call it "fun to live here." Yet these positive notes sit in a sea of warnings: misrepresented accessibility, severe cleanliness problems, safety concerns, and a management culture that many describe as unresponsive or confusing at best.

One persistent thread is a misalignment between what the property advertises and what people actually experience. Several people mention claims of wheelchair accessibility, only to encounter stairs at the entrance or other barriers that make true access difficult or impossible. The same set of voices also notes limited or awkward amenities - no kitchen is common, with mentions of "No kitchen. Sri with shared bath" and some units lacking private bathrooms - while others describe "great cheap hotel" moments that feel far from those limitations. The inconsistency in basic accessibility and amenities leaves potential guests and residents uncertain about what they're getting for the price.

Cleanliness and pest issues appear as another dominant theme. Review after review describes bed bugs in multiple units, pervasive roaches and rats, and bugs found in walls or in the heating systems. Phrases like "BEDBUGS? in the entire building walls, sacket and heaters all through the building" and "bed bug infested roach-infested" punctuate the sentiment. A few accounts contrast this with tolerable or even acceptable conditions for some people, but the majority paint a picture of a building that is poorly kept and plagued by pests, with a sense that the issues are systemic rather than isolated incidents.

Safety and neighborhood conditions bring an additional layer of concern. Several reviewers describe the area as "a bad neighborhood" with dope dealers and frequent activity around the place. Complaints extend beyond the neighborhood to the building itself - descriptions of street people coming in despite supposed access restrictions, ongoing loitering or begging from other tenants, and a general sense that security and enforcement are inconsistent at best. There are even accounts of physical altercations that staff fail to discourage or address, reinforcing a fear that residents and guests are left vulnerable. In one review the property is described as a "bridge type place for victims of DV and other such calamities," suggesting it serves a sensitive population but isn't necessarily equipped to keep everyone safe or comfortable. The overall tone, however, tends to be that safety and order are not reliably maintained.

Staff, management, and policy enforcement emerge as fragile bones of the operation. A recurring complaint is rude customer service or lack of listening - phrases like "Very rude ? and she did not what to here what one has to say," and "front desk ? some are rude" appear multiple times. Yet there are counterpoints: one staff member, Sheila, is praised as "awesome," and another review notes that "some clerks ? work the window," implying there are decent employees amid a flawed system. The landlord, referred to disparagingly in one message as "Ken," is depicted as inattentive or unconcerned, and the general "rule book" handed to new leases is described as a joke that isn't consistently enforced. The impression is of a management culture where complaints are common but effective redress is not, leaving residents feeling stuck or discouraged from speaking up.

Amid the negative, there are still some personal anecdotes that complicate the overall narrative. A few people emphasize affordability and the practical reality that there aren't many other options for low-income individuals, which can translate into a sense of acceptance or tolerance. Some reviewers say they "live here" and find the location suitable for their needs, while others describe the same spaces as unsettling or unsuitable. A particular note of contradiction shows up in short statements like "Its fun to live here" alongside harsher assessments of cleanliness, security, and management. The juxtaposition of these perspectives underscores a broader truth: within the same property, experiences can range from surprisingly acceptable to downright unacceptable, depending on unit, neighborhood quirks, and who is on shift.

In the end, the set of reviews conveys a stark and nuanced message. The property is undeniably inexpensive, which attracts a certain subset of renters or guests who prioritize price above all else. But that affordability comes with a heavy set of caveats: misrepresented accessibility, widespread pest problems, a hesitant or inconsistent security posture, and staff and management dynamics that many find unhelpful or dismissive. For anyone considering this place, the prudent path seems to be a careful, up-close assessment - insist on a tour of a current unit, verify accessibility features in person, ask about pest control records, and gauge how responsive management actually is to concerns. Without that diligence, the overall impression is clear: cheap can come with a high cost in terms of cleanliness, safety, and peace of mind.

This area of Chicago, Illinois, offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing for seniors looking to relocate. With multiple pharmacies, cafes, and restaurants within close proximity, you will have easy access to essential services and dining options. The presence of public transportation options such as CTA stops nearby can make it convenient to get around the city. Additionally, there are several hospitals located within a few miles radius in case of medical emergencies. For recreation and leisure, there are several parks in the vicinity where you can enjoy outdoor activities or simply relax in a peaceful setting. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of essential services and recreational opportunities that could offer a comfortable living environment for seniors.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Mariano's Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Little Beans Cafe (4.1 miles)

Transportation

• Cta (0.5 miles)
• Cta (1.8 miles)
• CTA - Belmont (2.3 miles)
• CTA Jarvis (3 miles)
• CTA - Fullerton (3.3 miles)
• Cta (3.3 miles)

Restaurants

• SoFo Tap (0.6 miles)
• Little Bad Wolf (1 miles)
• Cell Block (1.7 miles)
• Murphy's Bleachers (1.7 miles)
• Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant (1.9 miles)
• Hydrate (1.9 miles)
• Roscoe's (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (2.3 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (2.5 miles)
• Saint Francis Hospital (3.9 miles)

Parks

• Horner Park (2.3 miles)
• Warren Park (2.6 miles)
• Hamlin Park (2.8 miles)
• Wrightwood Park (3.1 miles)
• Dubkin Park (3.2 miles)
• Independence Park (3.8 miles)
• Churchill Field Park (4.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (3.6 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (3.9 miles)