Sandia Vista Apartments

Pros

• The manager was very helpful.
• The staff were great and provided friendly help.
• Recent management has made significant improvements to the community.
• The housing is affordable subsidized housing.
• The grounds were clean.
• Residents loved the mountain views.
• The community is family-friendly.
• There are many good memories associated with living there.
• Renovations are underway and improvements are being made.

Cons

• The management is described as poor, disrespectful to residents, and largely unhelpful.
• The apartments are infested with bed bugs and cockroaches, with mold in bathrooms and unfulfilled remodeling promises.
• Front desk staff are rude, unhelpful, and do not follow up, often leaving callers without a response.
• Inquiries are frequently ignored: there are no available units and Section 8 is not accepted.
• The waitlist is alleged to be manipulated, with people removed for dubious reasons, seen as fraud.
• The surrounding area is unsafe, with homelessness, drug activity, crime, and needles found in common areas.
• Neighbors' messes, such as dog poop on balconies, contribute to a neglected environment.
• Several reviewers label the place as "ghetto" or "no good" based on their experiences.

Review

The collection of impressions about these apartments paints a picture of a community that elicits very strong and divided feelings from its residents and visitors. On one hand, there are people who describe the place as having redeeming qualities: a mountain view, a sense of family friendliness, and occasional moments when staff or management were helpful. On the other hand, a large portion of the feedback centers on serious frustrations: mismatch between promises and experiences, perceived disrespect from staff, chronic communication problems, and concerns about safety and maintenance. Taken together, the reviews reveal a property that is at once desirable for some residents and deeply challenging for others, with a palpable sense that management and operations are not consistently meeting tenant needs.

Management and customer service emerge as a central fulcrum of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Several reviewers complain of poor management and rude or unhelpful staff, noting that the front desk personnel can be disrespectful or hostile and that calls are not returned or answered, which makes any issue feel unresolved or ignored. In contrast, there are brief moments of praise for "great staff" and for management that is described as being helpful or supportive, especially when improvements are underway or when staff respond positively to individual concerns. The overall pattern suggests inconsistent performance, with positive interactions clustered around particular staff members or specific periods, and frequent frustration during other times.

A recurring and contentious theme is how tenants are treated within the administrative process, including the waiting list and eligibility procedures. Some residents report being removed from a waiting list after they didn't respond quickly, with claims that they must prove they were present to remain eligible. This leads to accusations that the system is opaque and even prone to fraud, or at least to favoritism, with allegations that family or friends of staff may receive preferential treatment. Several reviewers urge others to file complaints or reports to safeguard rights, indicating a belief that the process can be unfair or manipulable and that oversight or formal accountability is needed.

Safety, pests, and neighborhood conditions loom large in many accounts. A substantial number of reviews describe serious pest problems - bed bugs, cockroaches, mold - and concerns about cleanliness and maintenance neglect. There are also references to unsafe conditions, including needles on the grounds, drug activity nearby, and a general sense of risk to residents, especially children. Homelessness and crime in the surrounding area are mentioned as constant concerns by some reviewers. Yet within these worries, there are balancing notes of reassurance from others who describe the area as manageable or safe enough, particularly when the property is being improved or when the management team is attentive.

Maintenance and facility quality present a mixed narrative as well. Complaints range from systemic issues - uninstalled washers, moldy bathrooms, and broken or poorly maintained common areas - to claims that paperwork and records have been lost or mishandled. Several reviewers recount promises of renovations that were not fulfilled in a timely fashion, while others acknowledge ongoing improvements and remodeling efforts that they view positively. The contrast between deteriorating conditions in some units and visible modernization efforts in others reinforces the sense that experience is highly variable, possibly depending on unit, time, or which staff members are on site.

As for overall sentiment and recommendations, readers are torn between caution and optimism. Some describe the place as an unsuitable or dangerous option, a place to avoid or only consider as a last resort, particularly for families with safety concerns or for anyone hoping for reliable responsiveness. Others caveat that the property can be a reasonable starting point for subsidized housing or a family-friendly environment, especially when improvements are underway or when management engages constructively with tenants. A common thread across these views is that the environment has the potential to improve, but tangible changes in communication, fairness, safety measures, and prompt service are needed to realize that potential.

Ultimately, the collection presents a community in flux. There are bright spots - views, family-friendly intentions, and occasional helpful staff - that offer hope. Yet there are also deep-seated concerns about how tenants are treated, how issues are resolved, and how safety and maintenance are managed on a day-to-day basis. The call from many reviewers is clear: greater accountability, transparent processes, and consistent, respectful service from management are essential. For anyone considering living there or advocating on behalf of residents, the path forward involves pushing for clear communication, reliable responses, and formal avenues to report and address fraud, neglect, or unfair treatment, alongside ongoing improvements to living conditions and safety.

This part of Albuquerque, New Mexico offers a variety of amenities that cater to senior living. With several parks nearby, such as the Jeannette MacPherson Rest Area and Midtown Dog Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and relaxation. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple pharmacies and physicians within a short distance, providing convenient access to medical services. Additionally, there are places of worship in close proximity for spiritual comfort. For entertainment, there is Regal Winrock IMAX & RPX theater for movie buffs. The area also features dining options ranging from fast food to Vietnamese cuisine, as well as cafes like Starbucks for socializing with friends. With hospitals like Gibson Medical Center and Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center nearby, seniors can have peace of mind knowing that quality healthcare is easily accessible in this neighborhood.

Parks

• Jeannette MacPherson Rest Area (0.7 miles)
• New Mexico Veterans Memorial (4.2 miles)
• Midtown Dog Park (4.5 miles)
• Workers Memorial Park (5.1 miles)
• Eunice Kaloch Park (5.3 miles)
• Altura Park (5.9 miles)
• Hyder Park (6.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Wahlert William PA (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (0.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.1 miles)
• Basil Leaf Vietnamese Restaurant (2.1 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2.2 miles)
• South China Restaurant (3.1 miles)
• Golden Pride BBQ Chicken & Ribs (3.2 miles)
• Whataburger (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.9 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (1.2 miles)
• The Range Cafe (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Humble Coffee Company (5.7 miles)
• Michael Thomas Coffee (6.3 miles)

Physicians

• Clearwaves Medical Laser Group (1.2 miles)
• Clearwaves (1.2 miles)
• Albuquerque Pediatric Associates (3.2 miles)
• New Mexico Pain and Spine Institute (3.3 miles)
• Presbyterian Medical Group (3.3 miles)
• Southwest Retina (3.4 miles)
• Allergy & Asthma Center (3.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Sangre De Cristo Catholic Church (3.6 miles)
• Highland Baptist Church (4.8 miles)
• Sandia Presbyterian Church (6.5 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Winrock IMAX & RPX (3.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Gibson Medical Center (5 miles)
• Raymond G. Murphy Va Medical Center (5.1 miles)