Ellis Hollow Road Apartments in Ithaca, NY

Pros

• Very friendly community.
• Everything you need is within walking distance.
• Great location.
• It's awesome!

Cons

• The building is in bad shape and in disrepair.
• The property is understaffed and many units are infested with cockroaches.
• Cockroaches are allowed to remain in apartments, making it everyone else's problem.
• The management only responds to emails, not phone calls.
• The current manager runs the property poorly, pretends to care but could evict tenants she dislikes.
• The manager gossips about tenants, invading privacy; she is aloof and disconnected.
• The staff is hardly ever at work.
• Bed bugs are present in the building and spreading.
• Tenants have moved out due to bed bugs; the situation is getting worse.
• The office is hard to reach by phone or email; the person responsible should be fired.

Review

This community is best suited for budget-conscious older adults who want an Ithaca address with walkable access to shops and services. Ellis Hollow Road Apartments can serve residents who prize affordability and location above all else, provided they are willing to tolerate persistent maintenance gaps and management challenges. The property's low rent in a desirable neighborhood is the primary draw, but that advantage only stands if the living environment remains tolerable and calls for pest control, repairs, and reliable communication are not routinely required.

Those who need predictable, professional management should seriously consider alternatives. Families evaluating this option should expect uneven responsiveness, potential privacy concerns, and a management style that may feel aloof or punitive. If a stable daily routine, transparent policies, and proactive upkeep are non-negotiable, another community will likely deliver a more reassuring experience.

On the upside, the site benefits from a truly walkable location where everyday needs are within reach. A limited sense of community warmth is reported by some tenants, with a note that the surrounding neighborhood offers convenience. The low monthly cost makes it possible to live closer to amenities without paying premium rents. Those factors create a potential foothold for the place, but only for tenants who can accept ongoing compromises in service and safety.

However, the list of drawbacks is hard to ignore: the building is described as being in poor repair with multiple issues; pest problems - cockroaches in numerous units and bed bugs in the building - have been reported by residents who moved out. Staffing is described as inadequate, with managers who appear disengaged or inconsistent in presence. Communication routinely falls through the cracks, with messages routed to voicemail or email only, and some tenants reporting near-impossibility to get a reply. Privacy concerns and rumors among staff and residents further complicate daily living.

These factors collectively undercut any affordability advantage. Pest infestations and maintenance delays create ongoing safety and comfort risks that no budget can justify. The lack of consistent on-site oversight, combined with reports of aloof management and unreliable communications, means issues can linger and escalate. For families prioritizing predictable care, transparent policies, and prompt repair response, this option will feel like a step back and should prompt an exploration of alternatives with stronger governance and pest control history.

Bottom line: for most families, alternatives offering steadier management, proactive maintenance, and proven pest control represent a smarter move. If still considering Ellis Hollow Road Apartments, approach with strict guardrails: request current pest-control schedules and maintenance records, demand a named on-site contact and regular office hours, and pilot a lease with a clear escalation path. Compare total monthly cost against communities with similar location and amenities but higher care standards. In short, affordability is not enough to justify exposure to chronic maintenance failures and communication gaps; prioritize environments that pair low cost with reliable operation.

This area of Ithaca, New York, offers a diverse range of amenities that cater to seniors looking for both convenience and leisure. With various restaurants such as AGAVA Restaurant and Coal Yard Cafe nearby, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, there are several healthcare facilities in close proximity including Health Center-Cornell University and Cornell Health, ensuring easy access to medical services. For those seeking spiritual fulfillment, there are several places of worship such as St Paul's Methodist Church and Temple Beth-El within a short distance. The area also boasts recreational opportunities with parks like F R Newman Arboretum Park and Conway Park nearby. With pharmacies like Green Street Pharmacy and cafes like Starbucks and Waffle Frolic easily accessible, this part of Ithaca offers a well-rounded living environment for seniors looking to reside in a vibrant community with convenient amenities.

Restaurants

• AGAVA Restaurant (0.3 miles)
• Coal Yard Cafe (0.8 miles)
• Cornell Dairy Bar (1 miles)
• Trillium (1.3 miles)
• Koko Korean Restaurant (1.3 miles)
• Collegetown Bagels (1.3 miles)
• Gola Osteria (1.4 miles)

Physicians

• Health Center-Cornell University (1.4 miles)
• Cornell Health (1.4 miles)
• Whole Picture Health & Vision (1.9 miles)
• Cayuga Facial Surgery (1.9 miles)
• Breggin Peter MD (2 miles)
• IthacaMed (2.1 miles)
• Family Medicine Associates (2.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Paul's Methodist Church (1.9 miles)
• Temple Beth-El (1.9 miles)
• First Congregational Church (2 miles)
• Tabernacle Baptist Church (2.3 miles)
• St Catherine Of Siena (2.4 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemapolis (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Green Street Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Apothekara (2 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Wegmans (2.6 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (3.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Waffle Frolic (1.9 miles)
• Gimme Coffee (2.1 miles)
• Gimme Coffee (2.4 miles)
• Gimme! Coffee (2.5 miles)
• Allechant (2.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Hammond Health Center (1.9 miles)

Parks

• F R Newman Arboretum Park (2 miles)
• Dewitt Park (2 miles)
• Sunset Park (2.3 miles)
• Conway Park (2.4 miles)
• Stewart Park (2.9 miles)
• Cass Park (3 miles)
• Sapsucker Woods (3.1 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.6 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (2.9 miles)