Metropolitan Village Apts

Pros

• The office people are very nice and courteous.
• The social worker is awesome.
• It is a nice place to visit.
• The new changes at the senior living complex are appreciated.
• The area is nice, quiet, clean, and professional.
• The staff and residents are friendly.

Cons

• The building frequently breaks down, and the elevator often fails even though it is supposed to be new.
• The reviewer describes the building as horrible.
• There is widespread drug and alcohol use among residents, with management replaced over it; the reviewer would never want a loved one to live there.
• The staff are rude and unprofessional; the security guard is aggressive and pretends to be a cop, putting residents in danger.
• Residents outside are seen getting high and drinking right out front.
• A resident's apartment was burglarized, indicating security failures and lack of protection for residents.

Review

The senior living complex described by residents is clearly in a period of transition. On the one hand, many notes celebrate the recent upgrades and new changes, with several people calling the renovations a good thing and a sign of progress. They point to nicer common areas, new touches, and an overall sense that the place is moving in a better direction. Yet, this optimism sits side by side with practical frustrations: pipes breaking, maintenance issues cropping up, and an elevator that breaks down occasionally even though the building is regarded as new. In this mix, the front-office team often earns praise for being courteous and helpful, and a social worker is singled out as "awesome," suggesting that dedicated staff can make a meaningful difference even when other systems falter.

Beyond the physical upgrades and staff friendliness, there is a consistent thread about smells and the general sensory environment of the building. Some reviewers note odd or unpleasant odors that appear at random, a detail that colors the experience of living or visiting the complex. For others, these sensory notes are offset by positive encounters - someone who visited a friend there describes it as a nice place - indicating that perceptions may vary widely from one area or one day to the next. Taken together, the comments imply a living space with moments of comfort and hospitality punctuated by less pleasant, recurring quirks.

Safety and security emerge as a particularly contentious theme. A few reviews recount outright concerns about staff behavior and security personnel, describing rude or aggressive attitudes and even a security guard who claims to be a cop. One deeply negative account questions the professionalism of the entire staff and warns potential residents to stay away, citing the possibility of danger to residents and calling for the building to be shut down. Another reviewer notes that, despite having security cameras and a guard, a burglary occurred while a relative was in the hospital, leaving electronics and personal items stolen and raising questions about whether security measures are truly effective. These anecdotes contribute to a climate where some residents and families feel exposed and inadequately protected.

Criminal activity and substance use within the community are also discussed at length. Several reviewers describe a high prevalence of drug and alcohol use among residents, including outright drug dealing and people using in areas around the building. One commenter estimates that 95% of the people there are on dope or alcohol, with a small fraction selling it and a few who do not partake yet still feel trapped by the environment. The sense that management has responded - perhaps by replacing leadership or implementing new policies - appears in some voices, but skepticism remains, with some people expressing the belief that more decisive action is needed to restore safety and decency for those who are vulnerable.

Amid these concerns, other residents share more wholesome, affirming notes. Some describe the community as nice and friendly, with staff and residents alike being welcoming. There are mentions of good days and positive personal connections, including a parent noting that their own father used to live there and was well-treated by the staff. A few reviewers even frame the complex as a place that could be good with improvements, emphasizing that updates to kitchens and other amenities could elevate the overall quality of life. The contrast - between moments of genuine kindness and the specter of crime and neglect - underscores the uneven experience of living in a large, aging building that is trying to modernize.

Overall, the collection of opinions paints a complex tableau. The building has clear strengths: upgraded facilities that signal progress, a helpful front desk and a social worker who earns strong praise, and a general sense among some residents that it can be a decent place to live with the right conditions. Yet those strengths are undercut by serious, recurring concerns about maintenance reliability, pervasive odor issues, questionable safety practices, and an environment where substance use and crime intrude on daily life. Management's role is central in this mix: responses that feel proactive and responsible appear in some accounts, while other reviews depict slow or insufficient action in the face of clear problems.

For potential residents and families, the message is nuanced and cautious. Do not rely on a single impression; tour the facility, meet the staff, and ask pointed questions about maintenance turnaround, elevator reliability, security protocols, and the handling of drug or alcohol activity within the building. Listen for the social workers and caregiving staff who can provide stability and support, but also pay attention to the signals about safety and the overall sense of well-being among residents. The complex has undeniable potential and some genuinely positive touchpoints, but it also carries observable gaps that can significantly affect daily life. In short, it's a place that can feel like home on good days and feel precarious on others, depending largely on management, maintenance responsiveness, and the lived experiences of the people who call it home.

This part of St. Louis, Missouri, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors living in the area. With several restaurants ranging from casual dining options like Salt + Smoke and McDonald's to more upscale choices such as Rosalita's Cantina, there are plenty of dining options to suit different tastes. Additionally, the proximity of hospitals like VA Medical Center Spinal Cord Injury Program and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center ensures easy access to medical care when needed. The presence of cafes like Starbucks provides convenient spots for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. Transportation options such as Amtrak and MetroLink - Emerson Park Station make it easy to get around the city, while nearby parks like Lafayette Park and Citygarden offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Places of worship like St Ambrose Church and St Johns Lutheran Church provide spiritual support for seniors looking to attend religious services in the area. Overall, this neighborhood in St. Louis offers a well-rounded environment with various amenities that can cater to the needs and interests of older individuals considering senior living in the area.

Restaurants

• Salt + Smoke (0.4 miles)
• Schlafly Tap Room (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Rosalita's Cantina (1.5 miles)
• The Over Under Bar Grill (1.7 miles)
• Hooters (1.9 miles)
• The Gramophone (1.9 miles)

Hospitals

• VA Medical Center Spinal Cord Injury Program (0.4 miles)
• SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• The Rehabilitation Institute of St Louis (1.9 miles)
• St Louis Children's Hospital (2.2 miles)
• Metropolitan St Louis Psychiatric Center (3 miles)
• St Alexius Hospital (3.9 miles)
• Gateway Regional Medical Center (5.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Blueprint Coff (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Schnucks (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Globe Drug (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• BJC Behavioral Health Service - Dinu Petru Gangure MD (1.4 miles)
• Barnes-Jewish Hospital (2.2 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (1.5 miles)
• Zooline Railroad The Wild (3.5 miles)
• MetroLink - Emerson Park Station (4.7 miles)
• Jet Aviation (5.6 miles)

Parks

• Lafayette Park (1.6 miles)
• Fairground Park (1.8 miles)
• Citygarden (1.8 miles)
• Gateway Arch National Park (2.3 miles)
• Bar K (2.4 miles)
• Wohl Recreation Center / Sherman Park (2.7 miles)
• Tower Grove Park (2.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Ambrose Church (3.1 miles)
• St Johns Lutheran Church (4 miles)
• Macedonia Baptist Church (4.2 miles)
• St Raphael the Archangel Church (6.1 miles)
• St Ann Catholic School (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Esquire 7 (5.1 miles)