Summit Towers

Pros

• It is a decent building.
• It is a very good apartment building.
• It is the best place ever.
• The vibe is amazing.
• The staff are amazing, kind, and friendly.
• It is a nice place for seniors or people with disabilities.
• Summit Towers offers rentals available within a reasonable amount of time.
• It is a great place to live.

Cons

• It has an unhealthy atmosphere not reflected in listings.
• It's described as just public housing.
• It looks scary and is drug-infested.
• It is unsanitary and unsafe.
• It feels sketchy with drug dealers present.
• There is too much chaos outside the building.
• Security concerns make residents scared to open their doors due to drugs in the area.

Review

Summit Towers sits in the city of Schenectady as one of the few public housing apartment options that sometimes has rentals available without an extremely long wait. Several reviewers point out that, compared to other decent areas such as Holyrood House or 201 Fifth Street in Scotia, Summit Towers can offer a more accessible path to moving in, especially for seniors and low-income residents who are looking for a place with affordable housing. It's described as a building with genuine activity and life, and for some people, it represents a practical home option rather than an aspiration. The murmured sense from many is that the building's availability is a key factor in choosing it, even as others caution that affordable housing comes with a different set of daily realities.

The praise for Summit Towers is loud and clear in several accounts. Some reviewers call it a very good apartment building and even the best place ever in their experience. They point to a strong, positive vibe that makes the place feel welcoming, and they highlight the staff as amazing - kind, friendly, and genuinely helpful. For people who need accommodations for elderly relatives or those with disabilities, the building is consistently described as a solid choice, with some noting that it's especially suitable for seniors or people who require accessible features. In these voices, Summit Towers is a dependable, livable option where the human element - the courtesy and attentiveness of staff - adds real value to daily life.

Yet the overall picture is far from uniform. A substantial thread running through the reviews is concern about safety and the broader atmosphere around the building. Several reviewers describe an unhealthy atmosphere that does not align with what listings portray. Words like "unsanitary," "unsafe," and "drugs in that place" appear repeatedly, accompanied by a sense of danger that makes some residents nervous about opening their doors. Pervasive concerns include the presence of drug activity, drug dealers, and a chaotic exterior environment that spills into the building's entryways. In a few accounts, people talk about a lack of security and the fear that comes from living in proximity to criminal activity, making the idea of living there daunting for anyone who values peace of mind and a predictable routine.

The mixed sentiment extends to personal experiences within the wider community. One reviewer recalls hearing from an elderly man who lived there and advised others to stay to themselves because drug trafficking was "horrible," to the point that the man moved away. Another memory highlights a moment of social life - using the building for a granddaughter's birthday party - hinting at a sense of community and activity that can exist alongside the darker realities. The juxtaposition is stark: Summit Towers can feel like a place with real human warmth and community events, even as it carries a reputation for drugs, noise, and uncertainty at the doorstep.

Several comments zoom in on day-to-day life and the social fabric of the building. Some observers describe too much chaos outside and frequent profanity or arguing among residents, painting a picture of a neighborhood dynamic that can feel tense and volatile. Others insist that, despite these conditions, the staff remain a bright spot - reliable, friendly, and supportive. There are also remarks about the "low income housing" label, which is associated with both practical benefits and social stigma. In this sense, Summit Towers represents a complex blend of affordability, community life, and safety challenges that shape how people experience and perceive the building on a daily basis.

Ultimately, the reviews reveal a spectrum of experiences that reflect the realities of public housing in a dense urban environment. On the one hand, Summit Towers offers accessibility, a sense of structure, and dedicated staff that many residents value highly. On the other hand, the threat of drug activity, concerns about sanitation, and the palpable tension in and around the building temper enthusiasm and push potential movers to weigh their options carefully. The sentiment that emerges is not simply "good" or "bad," but rather a nuanced portrait of a space that can be a comfortable home for some - especially seniors and those seeking affordable housing - while simultaneously presenting significant challenges that can deter others from choosing to live there.

For someone contemplating a move, the question often comes down to personal priorities: proximity to affordable housing, the reliability of the rental process, and tolerance for safety concerns and daily urban friction. The writings acknowledge a wish for improvements - such as larger apartment options like three-bedroom units - and a hope that the area could feel more orderly and secure. Yet they also recognize the practical advantages Summit Towers offers: reasonable rental opportunities, a supportive staff, and a built-in community presence that can be a lifeline for residents who need lower-cost housing. In this complicated picture, Summit Towers remains a place that can be a lifeline for some, a source of stress for others, and a real option to consider in the broader landscape of Schenectady's public housing.

Cafes

• Villa Italia (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (8 miles)
• Uncommon Grounds (8.7 miles)
• Mocha Lisa's Caffe (8.8 miles)
• Starbucks (8.8 miles)

Physicians

• Ortho NY (0.3 miles)
• Fox & Schingo Plastic Surgery (1.2 miles)
• Capitalcare Medical Group (1.4 miles)
• Schenectady Urological Associates PC (2.1 miles)
• ImageCare Niskayuna (2.9 miles)
• Sukumaran, Sunitha: Sunitha Sukumaran (4.1 miles)
• Capital Care Family Practice Guilderland (5.8 miles)

Transportation

• Schenectady Amtrak Station (0.4 miles)
• National Car Rental (7.8 miles)
• Albany International Airport (ALB) (7.9 miles)
• Terminal B (7.9 miles)
• Southwest Airlines (7.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Burger King (0.5 miles)
• Wendy's (0.5 miles)
• KFC (0.6 miles)
• Druthers Brewing Company (1.2 miles)
• The Shaker And Vine (1.2 miles)
• Ferrari's Ristorante (1.2 miles)
• Jumpin' Jack's Drive-In (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Lange Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Ellis Hospital (1.3 miles)
• Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Bellevue Woman's Care Center (3.2 miles)

Parks

• Collins Park (1.8 miles)
• Indian Meadows Park (5.3 miles)
• Clifton Gardens Park (8.3 miles)
• Cook Playground (8.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Edward's Church (7.6 miles)
• Astral Journeys Center (8.9 miles)