Roosevelt Apartments

Pros

• The residents were polite.
• The building was quiet and warm, with easy access to Main Street and NFTA transit.
• The place feels very safe and secure.
• The apartments are very large.
• The apartments are fairly nice.

Cons

• The building is not user-friendly for people who use wheelchairs, walkers, or electric carts.
• The apartments are fairly nice but could be renovated.
• The reviewer isn't hopeful about improvements, saying they won't hold their breath for changes.

Review

For folks who rely on wheelchairs, walkers, or electric carts, the building isn't exactly what you'd call user-friendly. That's a point that stands out in my mind, even as I'm grateful not to need those accommodations right now or perhaps forever. It's a reminder that accessibility isn't just about a few doors or ramps - it's about everyday ease of moving through a space, and in that regard this place doesn't always measure up. Still, I'm glad I don't have to navigate those hurdles personally at the moment, even though I know they can be a real challenge for others.

I live here. The people who share the building with me are polite, and the atmosphere is generally quiet and warm. It feels like a practical, grounded place to call home. The location is convenient, right off Main Street and close to everything I need, with easy access to the NFTA transit system. It isn't just a home; it's a nexus of activity and convenience that keeps me connected to the broader community and the goings-on of the city around me.

I feel very safe and secure there. That sense of safety matters as much as anything else when you're choosing a place to put down roots. Being in a low-income housing setup doesn't erase the comfort of knowing I can move about my day with a certain assurance that I'm not at risk. Safety isn't glamorous, but it's essential, and it contributes to that overall feeling of stability and belonging I associate with living there.

The apartments themselves are part of what makes this place work. They're clearly low-income units, but they're also very large and fairly comfortable. There's room to spread out, to store things, to live without feeling cramped. They could use renovations in places, and I'd welcome updates that bring a fresher look and improved amenities. There's already talk that UB has bought the building and intends to convert it into a dormitory, which signals a significant shift in who will be living there and how the space will be used in the future.

There's a personal thread that runs through all of this: my Nana, my grandmother, lived in this building for more than thirty years. She passed away recently at the age of 99. Her long residence there is a reminder of how many memories are tied to this place - the everyday routines, the little rituals, the people who came and went, the items that tell stories about a life well-lived. Right now, my father is moving and helping to sort through and pass along some of her belongings. It's a quiet, poignant transition that echoes the larger changes happening in the building and in our lives.

All of these threads - accessibility concerns, the quiet sense of community, the safety and central location, the spacious but dated apartments, the looming redevelopment, and the personal history tied to my Nana - combine into a portrait of a place that feels real and lived-in. It's a space that works for me in many ways, while also carrying the weight of change on the horizon. I'm grateful for the friends I have there, for the local spots that feel like home (like my pizza place I'll always think of as "my" pizza place), and for the convenience of being near Main Street and the transit lines. At the same time, I can't help but wonder what comes next as UB moves toward converting the building into a dorm, and how those changes will reshape the sense of community and the daily rhythms that have made this place so meaningful to me and to many others who call it home.

This part of Buffalo, New York offers a diverse range of amenities and services that would cater to a senior living lifestyle. With multiple hospitals within close proximity such as the John R Oishei Children's Hospital, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and Erie County Medical Center, seniors can have access to quality healthcare facilities. There are also various cafes and restaurants nearby like Tim Hortons, Wegmans Food Markets, Anchor Bar, and Betty's Restaurant for dining options. Pharmacies such as Walgreens and Rite Aid are easily accessible for medication needs. Additionally, there are parks like Delaware Park Marcy Casino and Wilkeson Pointe where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities. Places of worship like Saint John Gualbert Catholic Church provide spiritual support for those who seek it. Overall, this area offers a blend of convenience, healthcare services, recreational opportunities, and community support which could make it a suitable location for seniors looking to settle in Buffalo.

Hospitals

• John R Oishei Children's Hospital (0.2 miles)
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute (0.2 miles)
• Erie County Medical Center (2.7 miles)
• Mercy Hospital Operating Room (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Tim Hortons (0.2 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (2.8 miles)
• Tim Hortons (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Tim Hortons (5.9 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (6.2 miles)
• Tim Hortons (6.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Anchor Bar (0.3 miles)
• Betty's Restaurant (0.5 miles)
• Club Marcella (0.6 miles)
• Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill (0.7 miles)
• Big Ditch Brewing Company (0.8 miles)
• Southern Tier Brewery Buffalo (1.5 miles)
• Liberty Hound (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Top's Markets (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)

Physicians

• Ross Eye Institute (0.5 miles)
• The Evergreen Exchange (0.7 miles)
• Urban Family Practice (1 miles)
• Jericho Road Community Health Center (1.8 miles)
• 50 Gate Circle (1.9 miles)
• Primary Care Of WNY Primary Care Of Western New York Kenmore (4.2 miles)
• Kenmore Family Medicine (5.4 miles)

Parks

• Delaware Park Marcy Casino (1.1 miles)
• Wilkeson Pointe (2 miles)
• Beaver Island State Park (7 miles)
• Centennial Park (7.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint John Gualbert Catholic Church & Diocesan Shrine (3.9 miles)
• Queen of Angels (6.2 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Walden Galleria 4Dx & RPX (5.5 miles)