Southdale Tower in Anderson, IN

Pros

• The apartments have been redone and are very nice, offering affordable prices.
• The senior living apartments are nice.
• The Ventura Townehouse is described as a lovely hotel, with a nice apartment, a large balcony, and views of trees and a lawn with a putting green.
• The food is restaurant-quality and the facility is kept very clean.
• Legacy House of Ogden is fantastic and truly cares about its residents.
• The staff are caring, always helpful and friendly, consistently going the extra mile to help residents.
• Springdale Village offers quick maintenance, social opportunities, and transportation services.

Cons

• The building is described as horrendous with bedbugs and long-neglected upkeep.
• Management is accused of bullying elderly residents, condescending behavior, and making up their own rules.
• Bedbug outbreaks are frequent, and essential systems like elevators and intercoms are often down or broken.
• The interior is poorly maintained and not all areas receive the same care, with references to neglect beyond the first floor.
• The place is not recommended to live in; it's described as unsafe, shady, and sometimes like living in a prison.

Review

Southdale Tower in Anderson, Indiana is best suited for seniors who want affordable, straightforward apartment living with a steady stream of on-site social programs. The community can work well for residents who don't require hands-on assisted services and who value a low monthly cost, updated apartments, and opportunities to engage in hosted activities. In short, it's a practical choice for budget-conscious residents who are comfortable navigating a high-rise setting and who don't mind juggling maintenance quirks as part of daily life.

Families weighing options should explicitly consider alternatives if reliability, safety, and pest control are non-negotiables. The reviews consistently flag significant maintenance and management concerns: persistent pest issues (bedbugs and roaches), leaks, and damaged common areas; elevators frequently out of service or aging without timely fixes; and reports of unprofessional behavior from staff. When a facility repeatedly struggles with cleanliness, upkeep, and resident treatment, it becomes a high-friction environment for elders who depend on a predictable, respectful atmosphere.

The strongest assets of Southdale Tower are its affordable, renovated apartments and the ability to keep housing costs predictable through inclusive utilities, plus ongoing on-site programming. Several residents praise the updated interiors and straightforward, activity?driven offerings that can help residents stay engaged. A few note clean, friendly surroundings and a sense of community on certain days, with first?floor outdoor access and shared events that create a lift for social life. For families prioritizing value and social opportunities, these are meaningful positives that can offset some budget constraints.

However, the cons consistently undermine those advantages. Pest infestations are not isolated incidents but recurring concerns that can affect comfort and health. Maintenance problems - ceiling leaks, damaged ceilings, nonfunctional intercoms, partially functioning elevators, and slow or inconsistent repairs - compound frustration and disrupt daily routines. Management quality also draws mixed conclusions: some residents report improved safety and responsiveness after leadership changes, while others describe condescension, rigidity, and a sense that resident needs are not consistently prioritized. The perception of living in a place that understates upkeep or overpromises rules creates an atmosphere that many prospective renters would rather avoid.

To make an informed decision, prospective residents should undertake a proactive, discovery-focused tour. Verify the current pest control status and maintenance response times, and ask for concrete timelines on elevator repairs and common-area upkeep. Check how often staff interact with residents, and seek out current tenants' experiences about safety, respect, and what actually gets fixed and when. Confirm what is included in the rent (utilities, activities, transportation, meals) and what requires extra payment, so the budget is accurate. Finally, determine whether this is truly an assisted-living environment or primarily an apartment setting with optional programming, so expectations align with services offered.

Bottom line: Southdale Tower can be a viable option for families prioritizing affordability, basic apartment living, and ongoing social activities, provided there is tolerance for maintenance gaps and pest issues. For those who cannot compromise on reliable upkeep, pest control, and consistently respectful, professional management, alternatives should be seriously considered. The decision hinges on whether the appeal of lower costs and community programming outweighs the lived experience of pests, aging infrastructure, and variable service quality. If a smoother, more consistently well-maintained environment is desired, it is prudent to look elsewhere in the Anderson area and compare firsthand.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Payless Super Market Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Genoa Healthcare Center For Mental Health (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Marsh Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Subway (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.6 miles)
• White Castle (1.7 miles)
• Burger King (1.7 miles)
• Hardee's (1.7 miles)
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (1.7 miles)
• Arby's (1.7 miles)

Physicians

• Warthman Jerry D OD (1.3 miles)
• Anderson Family Medicine (2.2 miles)
• Roby Building (2.2 miles)
• Anderson Family Practice (2.2 miles)
• Central Indiana Orthopedic Center (2.2 miles)
• Cio (2.2 miles)
• Jared W Jones MD (2.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Madison Park Church of God (1.3 miles)
• Grace Baptist Church (6.1 miles)
• Florida Station Church Of God (6.8 miles)

Parks

• Pulaski Park (1.6 miles)
• Fairview Park (1.8 miles)
• Mounds State Park (4.1 miles)
• Shadyside Activity Center (4.2 miles)
• Shadyside Park (4.4 miles)
• Shadyside Trails (4.6 miles)

Transportation

• Anderson Train (1.7 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (5.5 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Jackrabbit Coffee (2.9 miles)
• Bobber's Cafe (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Anderson Center Saint John's Health System (2.2 miles)
• Med Check Urgent Care Center (2.3 miles)
• St Johns Hospital (2.3 miles)
• St Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital (2.3 miles)
• Saint John's Cancer Center (2.3 miles)
• St John's Regional Balance Center (2.3 miles)
• Tahir, Nighat Dr-Community Rheumatology/Anderson (4.7 miles)