Oakwood Towers in Orange, NJ

Pros

• The guard was nice.
• The building is clean.
• The lobby was clean and offered a comfortable place to sit.
• Charlene is pleasant and professional with a permanent smile.
• Oakwood Towers is an apartment building for elderly people and people with disabilities, and the building is very clean and nice.
• The area is very quiet and well kept, with a beautiful park nearby.
• It is a nice home for elderly people.
• Security and maintenance are top notch.
• There is no place like home.

Cons

• The apartment was roach-infested when they moved in.
• Cabinets were removed and walls had to be wiped down and holes fixed, with repainting needed before move-in.
• Tenants had to buy their own blinds, costing about $60 for two.
• A cabinet installation damaged plumbing under the sink, leaving the floor mopped all night.
• They were told they could not get new cabinets.
• The manager allegedly tried to cheat them out of pay in a promoted position and fired them with false performance claims.
• The waiting list for senior housing was unusually long, potentially years.
• Neighbors were inconsiderate and would slam heavy doors early in the morning, disturbing sleep.
• There have been periodic roach problems.

Review

Oakwood Towers is best suited for independent seniors and individuals with disabilities who want a quiet, well-kept apartment setting that prioritizes safety and ease of daily living. The building's 1-bedroom units are a practical fit for residents who value a manageable footprint and predictable routines, with a location that offers immediate access to Orange Park, nearby shops, and a transit option. Prospective movers who prize cleanliness, visible security, and a calm environment will find Oakwood Towers a dependable anchor, especially if a straightforward, low-maintenance lifestyle is the goal. This community works best when residents can tolerate some wear-and-tear realities of an older property and are prepared to address renovation or pest-control concerns with the management team.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include families and seniors with zero tolerance for pest issues, unfinished move-in repairs, or notable administrative instability. If a roach-free, turnkey apartment is non-negotiable, or if a rapid, streamlined move-in is essential, Oakwood Towers may fall short. Additionally, if a robust social calendar, frequent on-site programming, or a strong track record of consistent management communication is a priority, other options with more reliable tenant-service responsiveness should be explored. Long waiting lists - repeatedly noted by applicants - mean that anyone needing an immediate placement should look elsewhere or plan for a broader timeline.

The strongest positives center on environment and safety. The building is repeatedly described as clean, quiet, and well maintained, with security and housekeeping practices that convey reliability. Residents frequently highlight the favorable size and layout of the one-bedroom apartments, which accommodate comfortable living without overwhelming upkeep. The location - opposite Orange Park, with a nearby bus stop and a cluster of stores and services - supports a self-sufficient lifestyle and convenient outings. Staff interactions, when positive (as with a personable manager or attentive maintenance), contribute to a sense of stability that many seniors value as they age in place. The proximity to green space and local amenities also adds appealing quality-of-life advantages.

Yet the cons are persistent and cannot be ignored. A recurring theme is pest issues in some units, including roach infestations that have disrupted move-in experiences and continued to surface as a concern. Maintenance responsiveness varies, with reports of delayed fixes and incomplete initial repairs that can leave residents living in suboptimal conditions longer than expected. The property's interior upgrades and cosmetic touches - such as painting in hallways or more consistent security staffing - appear uneven, and some tenants note noise from heavy doors and inconsistent social programming. The waiting list reality compounds these frustrations, especially for applicants seeking timely placement and predictable timelines.

In terms of how the positives balance the negatives, Oakwood Towers earns value through its calm, secure atmosphere and practical accessibility, which can offset limited social programming and sporadic maintenance delays for residents who prize predictability and safety over glossy finishes. The proximity to parks and everyday amenities creates a convenient lifestyle that reduces the need for constant transportation planning. However, the balance tilts away from suitability for those with acute needs for a pest-free environment, rapid response maintenance, or a strongly active community life. Prospective residents should insist on a documented pest-control plan, a decisive move-in inspection, and a clear timeline for any pending repairs before signing.

The bottom-line recommendation is clear. Oakwood Towers serves best as a stable, affordable option for independent seniors who value a quiet, secure setting and can live with the caveats of an aging building - namely, occasional pest issues, variable maintenance responsiveness, and a long wait for occupancy. Families weighing alternatives should compare properties with proven, consistent pest management, shorter or more transparent move-in processes, and steadier on-site programming. For those who can navigate the realities described, Oakwood Towers offers reliable safety, comfortable 1-bedroom living, and a strategic location that supports aging in place with dignity.

Located in Orange, New Jersey, this area offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With several parks within close proximity, such as Orange Park Nj and South Mountain Reservation, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely strolls. There are also multiple transportation options nearby, including train stations like Brick Church Station and Newark Penn Station, making it convenient for seniors to travel around the area. For dining options, there are several restaurants like McLoone's Boathouse and Tops Diner, offering a range of cuisine choices. Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy are easily accessible for medical needs. Additionally, there are reputable healthcare facilities such as Summit Medical Group and Saint Barnabas Medical Center nearby. With a variety of cafes, places of worship like Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church, and entertainment options like AMC Clifton Commons 16 theater close by, this area provides a vibrant and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in Orange.

Parks

• Orange Park Nj (0.2 miles)
• Milo S. Borden Park (2.3 miles)
• South Mountain Reservation (2.3 miles)
• Eagle Rock Reservation (2.6 miles)
• Memorial Park (3 miles)
• Degnan Memorial Park (3.5 miles)
• Edgemont Memorial Park (5 miles)

Transportation

• NJT - Brick Church Station (0.7 miles)
• East Orange Station (1 miles)
• NJT - Maplewood Station (3.1 miles)
• Newark Penn Station (3.9 miles)
• Harrison Path Station (4.2 miles)
• Newark Liberty International Airport Station (4.3 miles)
• Rail Link (4.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)
• McLoone's Boathouse (2.9 miles)
• The Able Baker (3.3 miles)
• Mayfair Farms Banquet Facilities (3.3 miles)
• Tops Diner (3.5 miles)
• Faubourg (3.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)

Cafes

• True Salvage Cafe (2.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.7 miles)
• The Bread Stand (3.1 miles)
• Paper Plane Coffee Co. (4 miles)
• Dunkin (5.6 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• Care Station Medical Group (2.6 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (2.7 miles)
• Women First Health Center (3.7 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (3.9 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (4.8 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (5.6 miles)
• Merck (6.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Saint Barnabas Medical Center (3.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Clifton Commons 16 (6.7 miles)