Colonie Apartments in Buffalo, NY

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Pros

• Janelle has been outstanding.
• The management team, especially Janel and Laura, is responsive, helpful, and kind.
• Residents would definitely choose Colonie Apartments again.
• The maintenance team responds quickly and is highly skilled.
• The apartment unit is spacious with ample storage.
• The location is convenient, near the campus and popular amenities.
• The on-site gym is clean and well-equipped.
• The office and maintenance staff are friendly, welcoming, and attentive.
• Colonie feels like a safe, quiet, and welcoming community.
• Janel provides exceptional service and care.
• Laura is helpful and supportive, ensuring issues are resolved smoothly.
• Colonie is a great place to live with excellent management and tenant care.
• The apartments are well maintained, clean, and affordable.
• The staff is top-notch and professional.
• The community is responsive and makes residents happy.

Cons

• Management is described as terrible and unprofessional, seemingly caring only about rent and not resolving residents' complaints.
• A reviewer cites a horrible deposit experience, with over $600 deducted for fixes they valued at about $100 and a year-long refund delay, advising others not to rent.
• Maintenance is inconsistent, with workers sometimes arriving unannounced and in some cases damaging personal property.
• The pool was not open for the full season because of difficulties in securing lifeguards.
• The building’s intercom system never worked and was never fixed.
• Upstairs neighbors were very loud, indicating poor sound insulation throughout the units.
• Winter snow removal was neglected, making roads dangerous for residents.

Review

Colonie Apartments in Buffalo is strongest for residents who want a dependable, community-minded living experience near the University at Buffalo, with a clear emphasis on responsive management, solid maintenance, and a welcoming atmosphere. It suits students, faculty, and families who value proximity to campus, convenient access to groceries and dining, and a park-like sense of community rather than a flashy, luxury-focused scene. The reviews repeatedly celebrate a management team that feels personal and attentive, Janel and Laura in particular, able to guide a move, answer questions, and handle requests with speed. Units are described as spacious and well-kept, with practical amenities that matter day to day: quiet, safe corridors, on-site laundry, exercise facilities, pool and tennis options, plus storage rooms and patios that make a home feel lived-in rather than rented. In short, this is the pick for those who want stability, a friendly staff, and a living space that feels like a neighborhood.

Those who should consider alternatives include families or roommates hoping for three-bedroom layouts, unusually aggressive budget constraints, or a need for flawless, complaint-free operations from day one. A subset of reviews flags concerns about maintenance coordination, inconsistent scheduling, and a few disputes over deposits or charges at move-out. For renters who require absolute predictability in every interaction, or who have had experiences where management seemed unresponsive or cluttered with paperwork, it’s prudent to compare with other options such as Amherst Manor or similar properties that emphasize ultra-clear policies and fewer moving parts. The same caution applies to seekers who prize pristine, issue-free handling of every request, some residents experience delays or miscommunications that, while not universal, do surface enough to warrant a second look before signing.

The strongest pros, responsive leadership, quick-and-thorough maintenance, and a genuinely welcoming community, often offset the main drawbacks. Residents repeatedly note same-day or next-day maintenance, courteous staff, and a level of care that makes problems feel manageable rather than mounting. The location near campus and major retail, plus amenities like a gym, pool, and outdoor spaces, translate into everyday convenience that reduces friction in busy lives. When issues do arise, the prevailing pattern is professional problem-solving and courtesy from the on-site team, with several long-tenured residents describing staff as a defining reason they stay. In environments where turnover can bruise service quality, Colonie’s consistency stands out and tends to eclipse occasional scheduling hiccups or miscommunications.

Yet, the cons are not fictional. A few residents report maintenance visits without advance notice or missteps that inconvenienced personal property, highlighting a gap in perfectly predictable service. Deposits and move-out charges surfaced as the most sour notes in the ledger, a reminder that no property is immune to disputes over repairs or deductions, even when the bulk of experiences are positive. Noise from upper-level units, a handful of dated outdoor amenities (like the basketball courts), and a non-ideal laundry setup in some buildings appear as legitimate trade-offs for the overall value. Snow removal and winter access also come up as a concern in harsher seasons. These issues are not universal, but they are real enough to counsel due diligence, inspect the exact building, read the lease line-by-line, and confirm what maintenance windows to expect, particularly for entry into your unit.

If advice is sought on whether to decide now or to shop around, the verdict is practical and specific: Colonie is an excellent fit for UB-affiliated households who prize quick service, a warm office culture, and a lived-in sense of community. It delivers the everyday reliability, the easy access to campus and amenities, and the reassurance of a management team that takes resident concerns seriously. Prospective renters should enter with clear expectations about budget and space, particularly if three bedrooms or luxury-level privacy are non-negotiable. For families, confirm layout options and school catchment familiarity; for students, map out the most convenient routes to classes and campus services. If the desire is for a faultless deposit record, absolutely review the policy in detail and secure a documented move-in checklist.

The bottom line is straightforward. Colonie Apartments excels at what matters most to long-term tenants: steady maintenance, accessible leadership, and a community-forward living environment in a superb Buffalo location. It is a strong recommendation for UB students, staff, and families who want a home that feels cared for and supported, not just rented. It is less ideal for those who require three-bedroom certainty or near-eliminate all risk of scheduling hiccups, or for those who demand a level of cost transparency and policy rigidity that some reviewers have found missing. When the priorities align, convenient location, robust on-site management, and a genuine sense of belonging, the decision is clear: Colonie deserves serious consideration, with a careful review of the lease and a proactive readiness to verify every policy and promise before move-in. If those criteria match, the path to a solid, satisfying long-term residence becomes evident.

This part of Buffalo, New York, offers a variety of convenient amenities for senior living. There are several places of worship nearby, such as the Newman Center at UB and The Chapel, providing spiritual support and community engagement. In terms of healthcare, there are multiple physicians' offices and pharmacies within close proximity, ensuring easy access to medical services. Additionally, the area boasts a selection of restaurants catering to different tastes, as well as cafes like Tim Hortons and Starbucks for social gatherings or quiet moments. Parks such as Ellicott Creek Park offer outdoor recreational opportunities for relaxation and exercise. The presence of theaters like AMC Maple Ridge 8 provides entertainment options, while hospitals like Degraff Memorial Hospital and Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital ensure quality healthcare facilities in the vicinity. Overall, this neighborhood is well-equipped to meet the needs and interests of seniors looking for a comfortable and vibrant community to call home.

Places of Worship

• Newman Center at UB (0.2 miles)
• The Chapel (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.8 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (2.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Suburban Psychiatric Associates (0.5 miles)
• Gastroenterology Associates (1.7 miles)
• Fichte Endl & Elmer Eyecare (1.7 miles)
• Dr. Mark Rodman (1.8 miles)
• Northtowns Cardiology (1.8 miles)
• Amherst Medical Associates (1.8 miles)
• Dent Neurologic Institute (2.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Elmo's (1.3 miles)
• Carrabba's Italian Grill (1.6 miles)
• My Tomato Pie (2 miles)
• IHOP (2 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Dandelions Restaurant (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)
• Tops Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Top's Markets (2 miles)
• Top's Markets (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Wegmans (2.2 miles)
• Wegmans (2.2 miles)

Parks

• Ellicott Creek Park (1.7 miles)
• North Tonawanda Gateway Park (4.2 miles)
• Glen Park (4.4 miles)
• South Long Park (4.4 miles)
• Island Park (4.4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Maple Ridge 8 (1.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Degraff Memorial Hospital (3.5 miles)
• Millard Fillmore Suburban NICU (3.6 miles)
• Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital (3.6 miles)