Summit Towers in Schenectady, NY

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 people.
• Nice place for seniors or people with disabilities.
• Summit Towers is one of the very few public housing buildings in Schenectady that has rentals available within a reasonable time.

Cons

• It has an unhealthy atmosphere not reflected in listings.
• It looks scary and is drug-infested.
• It is unsanitary and unsafe.
• There is no reason to be there unless you live there or know someone.
• It feels sketchy.
• Drug dealers are present.
• It is smelly.
• It is nasty.
• It should be avoided like the plague.

Review

Summit Towers is best suited for low-income seniors or adults with disabilities who need affordable, readily available housing in Schenectady and can tolerate a public-housing environment where practicality trumps polish. The community delivers a straightforward, budget-conscious option in a city where market-rate rents push many seniors out of reach. Residents repeatedly point to the stability of having a place to call home without a long, unattainable wait. The building commonly appears as one of the few rentals that actually become available in a reasonable timeframe, which matters when other areas impose multi-year waits. In short, Summit Towers works for those who value rent control, city proximity, and on-site staff support over upscale amenities or a private-pay model.

Those who want a quiet, safe, well-maintained environment with formal assisted living services should consider alternatives. The reviews reveal a stark split: some experiences describe a decent, workable setting with friendly staff, while others emphasize an unhealthy atmosphere shaped by safety and cleanliness concerns. The negative voices highlight drug activity and chaotic surroundings outside the building, with phrases that suggest fear and discomfort opening doors. For families seeking a secure, well-policed, and meticulously managed environment, Summit Towers often falls short of those expectations and can feel more like public housing than a traditional senior living option.

The strongest pro, affordability paired with accessible, on-site support, does not fully mute the cons, but it can offset them for residents prioritizing cost over atmosphere. The staff are repeatedly praised as kind and helpful, a critical factor for seniors who require dependable human contact and local problem-solving. The ability to secure a rental without a long wait also reduces stress for families facing urgent housing needs. Yet the weight of safety concerns, sanitation issues, and outside chaos can erode the perceived value for residents who crave consistency and a tranquil living space. When budget constraints are the governing factor, Summit Towers can still function as a stable home; when safety and pristine conditions are non-negotiable, the drawbacks become hard to ignore.

The building’s public-housing identity is a double-edged sword. On one hand, residents acknowledge the pragmatic reality: basic amenities, honesty about limits, and a community that exists to provide affordable shelter. On the other hand, descriptors like “unhealthy atmosphere,” “drug infested,” and “sketchy” echo a perception of risk that can color daily life and deter visitors. The sense of “too much chaos outside” and the occasional reports of unsanitary conditions reinforce the impression that Summit Towers operates in a tougher neighborhood environment. This is not a luxury residence; it is a practical, low-cost option that can feel challenging to navigate, especially for newcomers or those unfamiliar with public housing dynamics.

For families weighing decisions, the calculus weighs affordability and access against safety and quality of surroundings. If the goal is to keep housing costs predictable while remaining close to city services, Summit Towers delivers enough to justify consideration. The key is to enter with eyes open: verify the current security measures, speak directly with residents about day-to-day life, and assess cleanliness and maintenance responsiveness. Prospective tenants should question whether any 3-bedroom units exist, since the lament about the lack of larger living spaces is common in this setting. Also confirm what levels of in-unit independence versus on-site assistance are actually provided, and whether the rent-to-income terms meet the household’s financial reality. These clarifications help separate genuine fit from a disappointing mismatch.

In the end, Summit Towers earns its keep for budget-conscious seniors and disabled adults who prioritize immediate housing stability over upscale atmosphere. For those who cannot tolerate safety concerns, questionable sanitation, or the perception of ongoing neighborhood chaos, alternatives, whether other city public housing options with longer waits or private, senior-focused communities, are worth pursuing. A candid campus tour, conversations with staff and residents, and a clear map of rent, services, and safety protocols will illuminate the path. If the aim is affordable, stable city living with decent staff support and the acceptance of a utilitarian, no-frills setting, Summit Towers stands as a defensible, practical choice. If not, continue the search without delay.

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)