Mt Airy Homes

Pros

• The reviewer calls it the best place and loves living there, highlighting its quiet atmosphere and parks everywhere.
• The community is described as great, quiet, and safe.
• Public housing units are noted as well built on mountain-like terrain, making it nice for cycling enthusiasts.
• The reviewer says the community is awesome.
• The area is portrayed as ideal for cycling or outdoor activity.

Cons

• The area was infested with mice for two years, preventing residents from placing furniture.
• They were told not to use mouse traps and exterminators were brought in to place traps, but the problem persisted.
• The place was very dirty and smelled terrible.
• Some residents mistook squirrels and bunnies for rats, especially at night.
• Labeling the community as a retirement home was criticized and deemed inappropriate.

Review

This place is described by many as a dream to live in, a quiet haven where the sounds of daily life settle into a predictable, gentle rhythm. One reviewer captures it best by saying they love living there and hope they never have to leave. The appeal hinges on the serenity: a calm environment where parks are plentiful and the landscape invites strolls, jogs, and quiet afternoons. Another commenter echoes this sentiment, highlighting a great sense of community, safety, and the quiet atmosphere that makes it easy to imagine staying for years. The terrain is noted as mountain-like, which adds to the aesthetic and provides options for outdoor activity, especially for cycling enthusiasts who want a place that supports a healthy lifestyle.

Yet, beneath these positives lies a stark contrast that cannot be ignored. A two-year-long nightmare with a Mice infestation dominates one person's experience, turning what should be a home into an ongoing battle. The reviewer describes feeling unable to put furniture down for fear of inviting the mice to make their home there as well. The situation is described in almost cinematic terms - "Stuart Little family territory" becomes a metaphor for the intrusion, underscoring the sense that the pests didn't just visit but effectively took over. The frustration grows as guidance from management seems counterintuitive: instead of being allowed to deploy traps, residents were told not to put traps down, only to have exterminators come in and subsequently place traps anyway. The experience culminates in a decision to leave, a stark reminder that the best things about a place can be overshadowed by a severe pest problem.

Cleanliness and odor contribute to another layer of discontent. One brief but blunt review simply states that the place is very dirty and smells terrible. The bluntness of this observation contrasts with the more idyllic descriptions of parks and quiet streets, reminding readers that a community can be beautiful in some respects and run-down or poorly maintained in others. The odor and cleanliness concerns create a jarring dissonance when paired with the previously cited advantages of a safe, well-built housing complex on a hillside.

On the lighter side, several reviewers paint a picture of a friendly, tight-knit community that rewards outdoor activity and interaction with nature. The public housing units are described as well built, contributing to the overall sense of safety and livability. The mountain-like terrain is praised not just for aesthetics but for practical benefits, such as encouraging movement and providing a scenic backdrop for daily life. Wildlife appearances - squirrels and bunnies - are gently noted, though there is a moment of humor where some people mistake these small creatures for rats at night. That mix of amusement and affection for wildlife hints at a place where residents take pride in their surroundings and share a willingness to see the humor in everyday quirks.

There are also hints of mixed opinions about the social atmosphere. One strong, emphatic line insists that someone labeled the community as a retirement home, and the speaker calls for that label to be reconsidered or even fired. This sentiment suggests that, for some residents or outsiders, the community is more than a place to retire; it's a vibrant living environment with diverse age groups and activities. Another reviewer weighs in with a casual confidence, suggesting that the person making a comment that sounds like an exaggeration is maybe joking, and they reaffirm that the community is, in their view, awesome. Taken together, these comments reflect a dynamic where perceptions of the same place can vary widely, influenced by personal experiences, expectations, and perhaps the moment in which people reflect on their surroundings.

Overall, the place emerges as a study in contrasts: quiet, park-rich serenity and a strong sense of community on one hand, and severe pest problems, questionable management decisions, and concerns about cleanliness on the other. For potential residents, the narrative suggests a place with significant upside - safety, outdoor opportunities, good housing design, and a welcoming community - paired with substantial caveats around pest management, maintenance, and perceived mislabeling or mischaracterization of the resident population. The stories together form a portrait of a location that is deeply loved by many for its peaceful environment and social fabric, while still presenting real challenges that can dramatically affect daily life for those who call it home.

Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs. With several hospitals nearby, including the Regions Hospital Burn Center and United Hospital Joint Replacement Center, residents can rest assured knowing that quality healthcare is easily accessible. A range of dining options are available, from upscale restaurants like Citizen Supper Club to more casual spots like Burger Time and McDonald's. Transportation options, such as Union Depot and the Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub, make getting around convenient. Places of worship like the Cathedral of St. Paul and St George Greek Orthodox Church provide spiritual support, while pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS offer easy access to medication. Additionally, parks like Como Park and Flicek Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area offers a diverse range of services and amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment.

Hospitals

• Regions Hospital Burn Center (0.3 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (0.8 miles)
• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (1.5 miles)
• St John's Hospital-Maplewood (5.6 miles)
• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (6.3 miles)

Restaurants

• The Bulldog Lowertown (0.7 miles)
• Citizen Supper Club (1.1 miles)
• Cossetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria (1.3 miles)
• Karen Thai food (2.2 miles)
• McCarron's Pub and Grill (2.9 miles)
• Burger Time (3.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (0.9 miles)
• Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub (4.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cathedral of St Paul (1.2 miles)
• St Jerome Elementary School (2.6 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church (2.9 miles)
• WW Studio (4.5 miles)
• Transfiguration Catholic Church (5.4 miles)

Physicians

• West Side Community Health Services (2.2 miles)
• Dermatology Consultants P.A. (3.7 miles)
• Dakota Medical Solutions (4 miles)
• HealthPartners Clinic (4.1 miles)
• Retina Center (4.3 miles)
• Entira Family Clinics-West St Paul (4.4 miles)
• Healthpartners Clinics (4.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Groundswell (3.1 miles)
• Roundtable Cof (5.1 miles)

Parks

• Como Park (3.1 miles)
• Flicek Park (3.3 miles)
• Harvest Park (4.7 miles)
• Central Park Playground (4.7 miles)
• Acorn Park (4.8 miles)
• Owasso Park (4.9 miles)
• Hazelwood Park (5.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Rosedale 14 (5.2 miles)
• AMC Inver Grove 16 (6.6 miles)