William A Valentine Apartments

Pros

• Valentine's is a nice place to work.
• The building has lots of closet space and is well set up.
• Hallways are clean and the building is secure.
• The location is centrally located.
• There is frequent bus service near the building.

Cons

• The building is old and outdated, with tiny 40+ year old apartments.
• The laundry room barely cleans clothes.
• The rent implies a higher standard of living than the building delivers, due to a persistent smell of weed and cigarettes permeating the units.
• Nonsmokers are exposed to smoke at all hours, and people stand outside windows shouting to be let in instead of ringing the doorbell, disturbing residents.
• The housing authority appears unable or unwilling to address these issues.
• Tiny black ants are present on the window sills.
• The property needs significant repairs and new management and maintenance.
• Rugs are stained, lights are out in the stairs, windows are dirty, staff are rude, and there is a smell of pot in the building.

Review

The place is described as an old, outdated building with 40-plus-year-old apartments and a laundry room that barely does the job. Renters feel the money they're asked to pay does not match the standard of living they actually experience. A pervasive odor of weed and cigarettes seeps through the units, even for nonsmokers, at all hours of the day and night. At times, neighbors stand outside windows and shout to be let in rather than ringing the doorbells, which disturbs everyone in the building indiscriminately. The sense conveyed is that the housing authority either cannot or will not intervene, leaving residents feeling abandoned. In a single, biting image, one reviewer says it all feels like living in "a giant, outdated ashtray," and the overall mood is decidedly grim. To cap the list of irritants, tiny black ants show up on the window sills, adding a pest problem to the already frustrating list of shortcomings. The final note from that perspective is blunt: Money grubbers.

There are glimpses of a more neutral, perhaps even hopeful, side to the property. One reviewer references a section titled "Valentine's Nice place to work," suggesting that the building can offer some workable conveniences and a certain practicality in daily life. This voice notes that helping a friend move in revealed a place that seems nice in some respects: lots of closet space and a layout that appears well set up. The hallways are described as clean, and the building is secure, which adds a layer of safety and order that contrasts with the noisier, more troubling elements elsewhere. The location is described as central, making it convenient for access, and there is the practical reality of bus service coming multiple times a day, though parking is scarce. Taken together, these positives indicate that, under the right conditions, the property can function reasonably well and even feel welcoming in certain moments.

Yet the more common thread among the reviews is the need for repair and renewal. Several comments insist that the place "needs a lot of repair," hinting at ongoing maintenance issues that are not being adequately addressed. The sentiment echoes across multiple aspects of the property, painting a picture of a building that, while possessing some usable features, is structurally worn and neglected in ways that affect daily living. The recurring sense is that the infrastructure - the systems, the fixtures, and the common spaces - has not kept pace with the times or with residents' needs. This makes the overall experience feel inconsistent, swinging between workable conveniences and frustrating, unresolved problems.

A separate, more detailed critique zeroes in on management and upkeep. The reviews say the property "needs a new management and maintenance" team, suggesting a systemic failure that goes beyond occasional repairs. They recount specific failings: the staff or management could not clean a rabbit cage, which is set alongside notes that "Rufs are stained," and lights are out in the stairs. Windows are dirty, and the overall atmosphere is tainted by a persistent smell of pot in the building. The staff is described as rude, further undermining the sense of community and safety that residents want from a well-run building. Taken together, these pointed observations emphasize a longer pattern of neglect and disorganization that significantly diminishes quality of life.

When these threads are woven together, a complex picture emerges. The building presents itself with a few tangible strengths: a reasonably clean and secure interior in some parts, good closet space, a central location, and dependable bus access. These positives offer real value and could support a comfortable living situation under better conditions. However, the negatives loom large: an aging physical plant, a laundry facility that doesn't effectively serve its purpose, a pervasive and uncompromising odor environment, noise from outside that disrupts quiet and privacy, an ant problem, and a management culture that appears unable or unwilling to address maintenance, pest control, or resident concerns. The contrast is stark enough to overshadow the benefits for many residents, leaving a lasting impression of a property that could be functional and even pleasant with a thorough overhaul.

In summary, the reviews describe a building caught between potential and persistent problems. On one hand, there is practicality and centrality that can make life easier for some residents, along with certain clean, secure areas and ample storage. On the other hand, chronic maintenance issues, environmental odors, pests, limited parking, and a perceptible dissatisfaction with management combine to create a troubling living environment. The overall takeaway is a call for meaningful change: a new level of management and consistent upkeep, better pest and odor control, quieter and safer surroundings, and a refreshed overall standard that aligns the rent with the lived experience. Until those changes occur, the building remains a place marked by contradictions - some usable features softened by a persistent, overarching sense of neglect.

This part of Rome, New York offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. The proximity to parks such as Lee Town Park and Franklin Field provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Additionally, there are several dining options including Teddy's Restaurant, Subway, and La Roma Pizzeria, ensuring access to diverse culinary experiences. Nearby hospitals like Rome Memorial Hospital and pharmacies such as Walgreens and Rite Aid offer convenient healthcare services. The presence of physicians' offices like Mohawk Valley Women's Health Associates and Mohawk Glen Urgent Care ensures easy access to medical care. Places of worship in the vicinity provide spiritual support, fostering a sense of community. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded environment for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to reside in Rome, New York.

Parks

• Lee Town Park (0.1 miles)
• Franklin Field (0.5 miles)
• Vogel Park (0.7 miles)
• Guyer Field (0.8 miles)
• Marcy Town Park (9.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Teddy's Restaurant (0.3 miles)
• Subway (0.3 miles)
• Arby's (0.4 miles)
• La Roma Pizzeria (0.4 miles)
• The Vigneto Restaurant (0.7 miles)
• KFC (0.7 miles)
• Burger King (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• Copperccino's (0.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (11.3 miles)
• Starbucks (11.3 miles)
• Raspberries Cafe (11.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Rome Memorial Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Rome Memorial Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Central New York Psychiatric Center (8.4 miles)
• Faxton-St Luke's Healthcare (10.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (10.5 miles)
• Langdon's Apothecary (10.6 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (10.8 miles)

Physicians

• Sleep Disorders Center At Rome (0.8 miles)
• Mohawk Valley Women's Health Associates (1 miles)
• Robert Mitchell Rubinovich (1 miles)
• Mohawk Glen Radiology (1.2 miles)
• Mohawk Glen Urgent Care (1.3 miles)
• Cotronea Anthony M MD (1.3 miles)
• Mohawk Glen Center For Community Health (1.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (4.4 miles)
• Delta Lake Bible Conference Center (5.2 miles)
• Faith Alliance Church (5.5 miles)
• Beacon Light Baptist Church (9.4 miles)
• Steuben United Methodist Church (11 miles)

Transportation

• Hillside Taxidermy (9.5 miles)

Theaters

• Marquee Cinemas - Orchard 14 (11.2 miles)