Norman Towers Management Co in East Orange, NJ

Pros

• Great staff and a well-kept building.
• The staff are described as the most professional personnel the reviewer has met in their field.
• It is a good senior citizens building.
• A reviewer notes that a family member loves living there and appreciates the front security.
• It is a nice place to live and a very nice building.
• The place is very lovely.

Cons

• They do NOT care for the elderly.
• All they care about is renovating to make more money.
• It is not a good place to live.
• People are questionable.
• Management and maintenance are very bad.
• It brings the place down.
• They are not as clean, and standards are slipping.
• It is a terrible place.
• Residents are advised to move at their own risk.

Review

Norman Towers in East Orange is best suited for relatively independent seniors aged 65 and up who prize a secure, well-kept building and a neighborly, social atmosphere. The community delivers a stable, age-focused environment with visible on-site security and well-maintained common areas, creating a sense of safety and belonging that many tenants value. It works especially well for residents who want a solid, low-crisis living situation and are comfortable in a building where the social fabric - neighbors, front desk presence, and predictable routines - matters as much as the apartment itself.

Those weighing alternatives should note that this is not a full-service assisted living facility. If priority lies with consistent, hands-on care, daily maintenance responsiveness, or clear governance with minimal disruption from ownership changes, other options may be more suitable. Families seeking transparent, resident-centered management and a predictable path of renovations or upgrades without a profit-driven tilt should consider communities with a more formalized operating model and a documented service plan. In short, it's worth exploring alternatives if medical or intensive daily support is required or if governance reliability tops the checklist.

On the upside, the building earns points for security and a generally pleasant physical environment. Several reviews highlight the on-site security as a meaningful plus, with residents and families noting a calm, safe feel in common areas and at entry points. Tenants describe decent-sized rooms and a nicely kept exterior, which can translate to easier day-to-day living for independent seniors who want room to move and entertain. The place also earns praise for the people who show up in person - staff described as professional in multiple interactions and a number of residents who speak warmly of the front desk and building team. In many days, the sense of community and the positive interactions with some staff create a genuine, home-like atmosphere.

Yet the flip side is unmistakable and substantial. Management and maintenance quality appear inconsistent, and several accounts frame leadership as more focused on renovations and revenue than on resident welfare. The previous disappointment with owner changes is hard to overlook: a shift toward capital projects and cost-cutting measures can erode the trust and immediacy residents expect from a long-term living environment. Cleanliness and standards, while not universal, are described as slipping by some tenants, and concerns about responsiveness to maintenance requests are common enough to warrant serious consideration. A few reviews even label the place as terrible for loved ones, underscoring that the negative experiences are not isolated anecdotes but repeated reflections from concerned families.

These opposing forces - secure, social living and a well-kept building on one hand, and inconsistent maintenance, managerial priorities, and changing ownership on the other - shape the decision for families contemplating Norman Towers. For families prioritizing safety, neighborhood familiarity, and a supportive if uneven daily rhythm, the pros can meaningfully offset the cons. The presence of professional staff in some interactions and the overall sense of a well-structured environment provide a credible foundation for independent seniors who value routine and security. But for households that cannot tolerate episodic maintenance delays, questionable consistency in service, or ongoing concerns about how renovations affect daily life, the drawbacks often dominate the calculus.

The practical path to a confident choice is deliberate and targeted. Visit with a clear checklist in hand: observe how quickly maintenance requests are acknowledged and resolved, gauge the consistency of housekeeping and common-area cleanliness, and discuss upcoming renovation plans and their impact on residents. Speak frankly with multiple staff members about governance, ownership plans, and how resident feedback is handled. Connect with current residents and families to map out what a typical week looks like, including social activities, security routines, and any quiet-hallway tensions. If the bottom line depends on steady, transparent management and reliable upkeep, this may point toward alternatives with stronger resident-focused governance. However, if security, a solid social milieu, and independence within a well-kept building align with priorities - and the family can live with periodic maintenance hiccups and renovation activity - Norman Towers can still offer genuine value as a practical, community-centered housing choice.

Transportation

• East Orange Station (1.3 miles)
• NJT - Brick Church Station (1.3 miles)
• Harrison Path Station (3.5 miles)
• Newark Penn Station (3.5 miles)
• NJT - Watchung Station (3.6 miles)
• Newark Liberty International Airport Station (5.1 miles)
• Rail Link (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• CVS Speciality (3.3 miles)

Parks

• South Mountain Reservation (1.9 miles)
• Orange Park Nj (2.3 miles)
• Eagle Rock Reservation (2.3 miles)
• Edgemont Memorial Park (3.7 miles)
• Degnan Memorial Park (3.8 miles)
• Milo S. Borden Park (4.2 miles)
• Anderson Park (4.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Tops Diner (2.7 miles)
• Faubourg (2.8 miles)
• Egan & Sons (2.8 miles)
• Mayfair Farms Banquet Facilities (3.3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.3 miles)

Physicians

• Summit Medical Group (2.7 miles)
• Care Station Medical Group (3 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (3.3 miles)
• Women First Health Center (3.8 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (6.3 miles)

Cafes

• Paper Plane Coffee Co. (2.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• True Salvage Cafe (4.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• The Bread Stand (5.1 miles)
• Dunkin (6.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Clifton Commons 16 (4.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church (5.5 miles)
• Ahavas Israel (6 miles)
• Bais Torah U'tefilah (6.3 miles)
• Clifton Blue Mosque (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Saint Barnabas Medical Center (5.6 miles)