Riverview Highland Senior Apts in St. Paul, MN

Pros

• Lance is quick and good.
• Crista and the staff are outstanding.
• Israel arrived with alacrity and took care of the problem with skill and ease; he's friendly, reliable, and a great asset to the team at Riverview Highlands.
• Israel is always friendly, professional and competent. He gets things done well and in a timely fashion.
• The maintenance team is committed to doing the very best job possible; they are helpful, knowledgeable, timely and very personable.
• Israel, the maintenance worker, came and took care of a variety of issues; he returned to fix a bulb and completed the repair quickly in a professional manner. Great job.
• The manager, Crista, was on the request immediately and dispatched maintenance in record time; Israel completed the repair quickly in a fun, professional, and competent manner.
• The tour of the community showed friendly staff and a clean, well-maintained environment.

Cons

• The snow removal team never clears the entrance or exit to the underground parking.
• Snow removal was delayed during a heavy snowfall, with the sidewalk entrance shoveled at 6:30 pm, forcing residents to clear a path for the elderly.
• The path from the side entrance to Prior Avenue was never shoveled; a resident had to do it after waiting 24 hours.
• There was a drippy faucet issue.
• The building is old and has narrow, dark hallways.
• Storage is full and there is little extra storage for gear and records.
• There is a burdensome requirement to keep seven years of tax records.

Review

This community is best suited for independent seniors who want a maintenance-light, personable living environment with strong on-site responsiveness and a scenic, river-adjacent setting. Riverview Highlands rewards residents who value quick maintenance, a friendly staff, and a well-kept property over a layout that feels ultra-modern. It suits those who intend to stay active, participate in a lively community, and enjoy easy access to outdoor spaces, trails, and a charming neighborhood feel. It is not primarily a substitute for assisted living or memory care, and those with substantial healthcare needs or a desire for highly contemporary floor plans may be better served elsewhere. Prospective residents should weigh the emphasis on service and location against the realities of an older building.

The standout advantages center on staff reliability and atmosphere. Residents repeatedly praise Crista, the manager, and the maintenance team, especially Israel and Lance, for rapid, professional service and a consistently courteous demeanor. The property earns its high rating through a palpable culture of responsiveness: problems are addressed quickly, keeps the living spaces well maintained, and generates a sense of trust that issues won't linger. The grounds, proximity to the Mississippi River trails, and a generally quiet, pleasant ambiance compound these strengths, making daily life feel smooth and low-stress. In short, residents are buffered from many maintenance hassles by a capable, personable team that treats the building like a well-run home.

Yet no property is without its drawbacks, and Riverview Highlands does show its age in practical ways. The most concrete concern centers on snow removal: entrances to underground parking and access paths to the side entrance to Prior Avenue can be left unshoveled for hours after a storm, creating real safety and accessibility challenges for residents who rely on those routes. A 7.5-inch overnight snowfall led to delayed clearing, with residents subsequently taking matters into their own hands to maintain walkability. In addition, the building's older construction yields narrow, darker hallways and limited storage, which can hinder longer-term organizing or space for seasonal gear. These factors matter for households that value large storage solutions or barrier-free, expansive floor plans.

Despite these drawbacks, the pros often offset the cons in meaningful, practical ways. The strongest offset is service quality: when a need arises, the team rallies quickly, repairs are thorough, and communication remains clear. Residents repeatedly note that maintenance is not just prompt but thorough and courteous, and the management staff' proactive approach helps them feel secure and well cared for. The riverfront setting and mature grounds add a sense of serenity and opportunity for outdoor activity that counterbalances the tighter interior layout. For households prioritizing dependable service and a friendly, engaged community, Riverview Highlands delivers consistently strong value.

Another important consideration is availability and turnover pressure. Several reviews indicate that the property is full, with limited storage and space for new arrivals, though there are mentions of new rental opportunities (a 1-bedroom unit noted as "coming soon" and ongoing vacancies at times). This means serious buyers should plan ahead and act decisively when a suitable unit opens. Prospective residents should also verify that the storage options, parking arrangements, and any desired features (such as a balcony or fireplace) align with their personal needs, given the age of the building and the emphasis on upkeep rather than expansion.

In the end, Riverview Highlands presents a compelling choice for independent seniors who prize service excellence, a warm community, and a striking location over cutting-edge design and abundant personal storage. It is less ideal for those who require frequent, high-volume storage, barrier-free layouts, or guaranteed rapid snow clearance in every storm. For families weighing options, the recommended path is to tour with Crista and the maintenance team in mind, confirm current availability, and scrutinize the specific apartment's layout, storage, and accessibility features. For a resident who wants a trusted, active community with responsive staff and serene surroundings, Riverview Highlands stands out; for someone who must have expansive space, modern corridors, or heavy on-site healthcare, alternatives should be explored.

Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, this area offers a variety of amenities and services suitable for senior living. Within a short distance, there are several restaurants offering diverse dining options such as Thai cuisine, pub fare, Italian dishes, and fast food. Nearby hospitals include burn centers and joint replacement centers for any healthcare needs. Places of worship ranging from Catholic churches to Lutheran congregations are also easily accessible. Transportation options like Union Depot and the State Fair Transit Hub provide convenience for getting around the city. Several parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are pharmacies, physicians' offices, and cafes within close proximity for everyday needs. For entertainment, AMC Rosedale 14 theater is nearby for enjoying movies. Overall, this part of St. Paul provides a well-rounded community with convenient access to essential services for seniors looking to settle in this area.

Restaurants

• Karen Thai food (1.2 miles)
• The Bulldog Lowertown (1.7 miles)
• McCarron's Pub and Grill (2 miles)
• Citizen Supper Club (2.1 miles)
• Cossetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria (2.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)
• White Castle (3.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Regions Hospital Burn Center (1.3 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (1.9 miles)
• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (2.5 miles)
• St John's Hospital-Maplewood (4.6 miles)
• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (6.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Jerome Elementary School (1.6 miles)
• Cathedral of St Paul (2.2 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church (3.7 miles)
• Transfiguration Catholic Church (5.1 miles)
• WW Studio (5.4 miles)
• Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (6.3 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (1.9 miles)
• Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub (4.4 miles)

Parks

• Flicek Park (2.4 miles)
• Como Park (3.1 miles)
• Harvest Park (3.7 miles)
• Acorn Park (3.9 miles)
• Owasso Park (4 miles)
• Central Park Playground (4.1 miles)
• Hazelwood Park (4.4 miles)

Physicians

• West Side Community Health Services (3.1 miles)
• HealthPartners Clinic (3.2 miles)
• Retina Center (3.3 miles)
• Healthpartners Clinics (3.8 miles)
• Dermatology Consultants P.A. (4.2 miles)
• Page Graydon T MD (4.6 miles)
• Jacobs Carol RN (4.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• Groundswell (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Roundtable Cof (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Rosedale 14 (4.8 miles)