Park East Apartments & Villa

Pros

• The staff is friendly.
• The apartments are being updated inside and out.
• The complex has a pool for summer.
• The grounds are kept clean.
• The apartments are very nice, including small efficiency units.
• The apartments are cute, clean, and secure, with a great location and bus service.
• The staff is excellent.
• Norma, the property manager, is described as genuine and compassionate.
• Suzanne the leasing agent is described as a rock through the ups and downs.
• Kim, the assistant property manager, is top notch.
• The location is great and close to transportation, shopping, and dining.
• The complex is a warm, friendly, safe place to live.

Cons

• The managers are careless and lazy, failing to provide adequate service.
• Maintenance is lacking.
• The stormwater system backs up and causes regular flooding.
• Ownership and management hire cheap contractors to do paving and other projects half-assed.
• Snow removal is poorly handled, with staff dumping snow into ADA parking spaces.
• They do not answer questions asked by residents.
• They seem to care only about renting out apartments and collecting money.
• The property is not clean in the hallways or stairwells, with trash left around.
• After a neighbor robbed them, the landlords did not take action.

Review

Bradford Commons comes across in these remarks as a property with real positives for some residents and significant drawbacks for others. On balance, it feels like a place where affordability and a convenient location are real selling points, but where maintenance realities, management responsiveness, and safety issues can vary dramatically from one unit to the next. The mix of experiences suggests a community with potential, but one that depends heavily on individual circumstances and the particular staff or contractors involved at any given time.

Several comments flag management and ownership as a core source of frustration. A recurring thread describes careless or lazy management, slow or inadequate communication, and a general sense that keeping up with residents' needs is not a priority. Complaints about cheap contractors delivering half-finished paving or other subpar work add to the sense that costs are being trimmed at the expense of quality. Snow removal is another sore point, with several reviewers noting poor performance and even the troubling practice of dumping snow into ADA parking spaces. In contrast, there are glowing mentions of certain staff members who are described as caring and responsive, suggesting that the experience can hinge on who's in charge and who you happen to interact with day to day.

Within the same discussions, the staff situation becomes more nuanced. Some residents praise certain individuals as genuinely helpful and reliable. For example, Norma, Suzanne, and Kim are named positively as property manager, leasing agent, and assistant manager, described as caring, supportive, and a steadying presence through ups and downs. Others report a much less favorable impression, pointing to a perception that the management's priority is simply renting units and collecting money rather than addressing resident concerns. This contrast highlights how much a resident's experience can depend on the specific management team or staff assigned to their situation.

Maintenance and safety emerge as another bifurcated theme. The property is described as dated, with some units requiring updates to paint and flooring, yet others note that interiors and exteriors have been or are being updated. Still, maintenance responsiveness is mixed: some say repairs take too long or aren't thorough, while others acknowledge improvements and a generally livable, if aging, environment. Security experiences are equally mixed. A frightening incident is cited where neighbors robbed a resident and the landlords allegedly did not intervene, contributing to a sense of vulnerability for some residents. Other reviews counter with anecdotes of generally safe, comfortable living and references to a sense of "home," particularly for long-term renters or families. The reality seems to depend heavily on the specific building, neighbor situation, and local response.

Affordability and the housing type at Bradford Commons are prominent features in several reviews. The complex is openly described as low-income housing in some comments, with pricing cited as relatively affordable for the area - 2-bedroom units around 745 per month in one instance when not using Section 8. Several reviewers mention Section 8 participation, while others emphasize that not all units are Section 8. For many, the lower cost is a key attraction that makes the community accessible, even as it is paired with notes about dated interiors or variable upkeep. This tension between affordability and upkeep is a recurring theme, underscoring that cost savings may come with trade-offs in maintenance or modernization.

The property also earns praise for its amenities and location from several reviewers. Gauzy yet meaningful positives include well-maintained grounds in some cases, a pool for summer enjoyment, and a playground that families appreciate. The location is repeatedly highlighted as a significant perk: proximity to buses, shopping plazas, restaurants, fast-food outlets, a college, and even retirement facilities. Some residents emphasize the convenience of being close to amenities and transit, while others describe the physical footprint as sufficient and slightly dated. Parking is mentioned as available, though there are caveats about walking longer distances if not living directly on a parking lot and navigating a narrow one-way road around the property.

In the end, Bradford Commons appears to be a community that can feel like home to some residents - the kind of place where you can grow comfortable and build routines, especially if you find supportive staff and live in a well-maintained corridor. For others, the combination of aging buildings, management inconsistencies, and maintenance or safety concerns can be significant drawbacks. Prospective renters would do well to inspect the unit and building specifics, ask pointed questions about maintenance response times and snow removal, and talk to both current residents and staff to gauge how well the property is currently functioning. The balance of experiences suggests that while the address can offer affordable, well-situated housing, the actual living experience will vary widely depending on the unit, the building, and the people managing it at the time.

This area of Bangor, Maine offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing for seniors looking to settle in a convenient location. With a range of dining options including Gifford's Famous Ice Cream, Dysart's Restaurant, and familiar chains like McDonald's and KFC within close proximity, residents can enjoy a mix of culinary experiences. There are also several places of worship nearby such as Glad Tidings Church and Grace Church Bangor for spiritual support. Access to medical care is readily available with Northeast Pain Management, various physician offices like Husson Pediatrics and Northeast Neurosurgery, as well as hospitals like Eastern Maine Medical Center and St Joseph Hospital within a short distance. Additionally, pharmacies like Walgreens are easily accessible for medication needs. For leisure activities, seniors can visit Bangor Dog Park or Chapin Park for outdoor enjoyment, catch a movie at Bangor Mall Cinemas 10, or explore the local cafe Tim Hortons. Transportation options include car rental services and proximity to Bangor International Airport for easy travel connections. Overall, this area provides a mix of conveniences and comforts suitable for senior living in Bangor.

Restaurants

• Gifford's Famous Ice Cream (0.4 miles)
• Dysart's Restaurant Broadway (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)
• KFC (1.3 miles)
• Pizza Hut (1.3 miles)
• Dorr Lobster Seafood Market (1.4 miles)
• It's Just Wings (1.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Glad Tidings Church (0.4 miles)
• Grace Church Bangor (0.7 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (1.4 miles)
• Bangor Church Of God (2.1 miles)

Physicians

• Northeast Pain Management (0.5 miles)
• Pandey, Sanjay Saint Joseph Internal Medicine (0.7 miles)
• Husson Pediatrics (1 miles)
• Mark Henderson (1.3 miles)
• Baldacci John (1.5 miles)
• Northeast Neurosurgery (1.7 miles)
• Medimaine Health Associates (1.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Eastern Maine Medical Center (1 miles)
• Northern Light Acadia Hospital (1.8 miles)
• St Joseph CBO (1.9 miles)
• St Joseph Hospital (1.9 miles)
• St Joseph Healthcare Park (1.9 miles)
• Sleep Center of Maine (2.7 miles)
• DDPC (2.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Westgate Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Affiliated Pharmacy Service (2 miles)
• PCHC - Penobscot Community Health Center Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Pchc Pharmacies (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (1.4 miles)

Parks

• Bangor Dog Park (1.4 miles)
• City of Bangor Parks & Recreation (2.5 miles)
• Chapin Park (2.5 miles)

Theaters

• Bangor Mall Cinemas 10 (1.9 miles)

Transportation

• Car Rental Bangor (2.5 miles)
• Bangor International Airport (BGR) (2.6 miles)
• Bangor Airport baggage claim (2.7 miles)
• Dl6219 Bgr-Lga (2.7 miles)