1601 S 38th St, St. Joseph, MO 64507
To contact a resident: (816) 233-5304
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of St Francis Apartments
Pros
They just moved in and love their apartment.- They love living at St. Francis Apartments.
- It is a great place.
- For the money, it is one of the nicest apartment complexes.
- The on-site management is good.
Cons
They would never rent there.- There are rumors that cameras are secretly hidden in the apartments.
- St. Francis discriminates against the disabled and justifies it by saying it is their policy; HUD and ADA laws do not matter to them.
Review
St Francis Apartments in St. Joseph, Missouri, is best suited for budget-minded renters who want a straightforward, well-maintained complex with responsive on-site management and a sense that value is being delivered in every unit. The property earns praise from residents who moved in and found the apartments livable and appealing for the price, and who note that management appears competent and accessible. This community works best for tenants who prioritize reasonable rents, solid in-house oversight, and a lease-driven living experience rather than luxury amenities or highly curated services.
Those who should consider alternatives are residents with strong needs around accessibility, privacy, and formal protections. A persistent thread in the feedback raises questions about disability accommodations and potential privacy concerns, including a claim of discriminatory policy and even hidden cameras. While such concerns are attributed to a single review, they signal a risk that cannot be ignored by families or individuals who rely on clear ADA compliance, transparent policies, and a privacy-forward environment. Prospective renters with mobility needs or heightened sensitivity to surveillance should scrutinize these areas before committing.
The core positives, value for money, a seemingly well-managed property, and positive anecdotes from new residents, do create a compelling case to consider St Francis as a practical housing option. The complex is described as one of the nicer options for the money, with on-site management regarded as competent. Those factors translate into tangible advantages: predictable monthly costs, responsive maintenance, and a cooperative landlord-tenant dynamic that can shorten move-in friction and support smoother day-to-day living. When budget and management quality align, residents can settle in with a sense of practical reliability.
Yet the main drawbacks cannot be dismissed. The most serious concerns revolve around privacy and disability inclusion. One review asserts discrimination against the disabled and frames it as policy rather than a legitimate exception, alleging that HUD and ADA laws do not govern the operation. Another report hints at covert surveillance in units, which, even if contested, points to a potential trust gap between residents and management. A 3.6 average across 11 reviews, with a mix of five-star enthusiasm and sharp one-star complaints, underscores divisive experiences. For families prioritizing universal accessibility and unambiguous rights to private living spaces, these red flags deserve careful weighing.
In practice, families evaluating this community should approach with a concrete checklist. Verify the exact nature of ADA-compliant features in available units, and request written assurances about accessibility accommodations, maintenance responsiveness to accessibility needs, and the handling of any policy disputes. Probe management about privacy protections, camera placement, and disclosure practices, preferably in writing, and consider speaking with current residents who share those concerns to gauge consistency. Assess whether the in-house management can deliver predictable, respectful service even when requests are needs-based rather than cosmetic.
The verdict lands on a clear decision axis: St Francis Apartments offers genuine value and a respectable management framework for renters who prioritize cost efficiency and a straightforward, apartment-based living experience. However, for households with serious requirements around disability accommodations, explicit privacy guarantees, or a desire for a collect of policies that clearly align with HUD and ADA standards, alternatives should be explored. The prudent path is to visit multiple properties, test the management team with specific accessibility questions, and compare what is promised in the lease with what is experienced in daily living. If those assurances align, this property can deliver dependable, affordable living; if not, it is wise to move on to options with stronger, clearer protections baked into the resident experience.
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