Monument Square Apartments

Pros

• It is a great place to sit and hang out after grabbing some ice cream, with plenty of parking nearby.
• It is a historic place to visit.
• Downtown Troy is a cool, pleasant area with a nice atmosphere.
• It offers great beer and a great selection of coffee, and is highly recommended.
• They loved the serenity on Saturday.
• It's a nice building with a clean area and a nice view of the city, plus nearby shopping and dining options.

Cons

• The maintenance experience at Monument Square is not good due to insufficient staff.
• The thermostat has not been installed in the unit for over three years.
• Winter conditions are intolerable, with the apartment around 50?F while outside is about 20?F.
• Cockroaches in the garbage area run rampant.
• Bed bugs persist because tenants don't clean their apartments, and management relies on outside contractors to address them.
• Maintenance is overwhelmed and unable to keep up with painting, cleaning, and turnover due to staffing shortages.
• Management is terrible, lacking 24-hour security and creating rules not in the lease.
• The application process for disabled residents is lengthy and intrusive.

Review

Residents of Monument Square have painted a picture of a building that struggles to keep up with basic needs, even as some surrounding aspects of the neighborhood offer charm and vitality. One tenant recounted a long run of maintenance delays that culminated in a new refrigerator finally arriving only recently, while a thermostat that should have been replaced years ago remains absent. The frustration isn't limited to appliances; the same person described enduring a winter where the inside of the unit hovered around 50 degrees, with outside temperatures near freezing. They recalled layers of clothing, blankets, and resistance to getting up to use the bathroom simply because it was so cold, underscoring a living condition that felt unsafe and uncomfortable for extended stretches.

Alongside these heating and appliance issues, pest problems loom large in several accounts. Cockroaches are described as pervasive in the garbage area, so numerous that they seemed almost to threaten personal safety when approaching the space. Bed bugs are also a recurring worry, with residents noting that extermination efforts are hampered by tenants who continue to keep belongings in their apartments. Maintenance teams are depicted as overwhelmed, often needing outside contractors to handle bed bugs and other infestations, which points to a deeper challenge: the building's limited internal capacity to respond quickly to serious cleanliness and pest-control needs. The overall picture is of a facility doing what it can, but consistently falling behind on the basics of safe, habitable living.

The staffing constraints at Monument Square are a common thread in the reviews. Several residents argue that the building would benefit from a larger maintenance team - at least two workers - to handle ongoing needs like painting, cleaning, and routine repairs after moves-out. The sentiment is that, while maintenance staff do what they can, the sheer volume of tasks - addressing pests, updating units, keeping hallways and common areas clean - outpaces the current manpower. The result is a cycle of delayed fixes, lingering problems, and a sense that the building is perpetually playing catch-up rather than keeping up in real time with residents' needs.

Beyond the physical conditions, there are strong emotions tied to the management and administrative processes. One person describes a complicated and discouraging experience with the housing list process: being disabled and needing support due to serious health conditions, including brain surgery and cancer, did not prevent a frustrating sequence in which they were told they were cleared for an apartment and then told otherwise within a week. Others point to a lobby and application experience that feels heavy and intrusive, with questions aimed at disability status and age criteria. The smells in the lobby are criticized, with one account likening the environment to a nursing home. These stories suggest that, for some prospective tenants, the path to securing a home can be as stressful as living in it.

Security and enforcement concerns add another layer of strain to the narrative about Monument Square. A number of remarks accuse management of lax security and unfair or unclear rules, including claims that there are fake policies not written into leases. There are accusations that drug activity is tolerated in the building, and disputes over whether tenants providing proper notice before moving out are treated fairly with respect to their deposits. Several reviewers urge involvement from oversight bodies like HUD, arguing that the building's leadership should be held accountable and that the program's protections should not be undermined. These criticisms reflect a broader anxiety about resident safety, fairness, and the integrity of lease terms.

Amid the more challenging reports, there are glimpses of the area's positive character. A number of reviews celebrate downtown Troy and Monument Square as a hub of history and culture. People mention walking and visiting a downtown that feels historic and scenic, with appreciations for the proximity to restaurants, shopping, and coffee - plus a sense of place that makes it a pleasant destination for leisure, even if living there carries a separate set of hardships. Several comments highlight the district's charm, including nods to iconic views, local events, and the sense of community that comes with a historic urban core. For some, the neighborhood's energy and the opportunities it offers provide a counterbalance to the difficulties described in housing and maintenance.

In sum, the collective voice about Monument Square and the surrounding area presents a complex picture: serious concerns about heating in winter, persistent pest problems, and constrained maintenance capacity, all compounded by questions about management practices and security. Yet, there are also affirmations of the neighborhood's character, history, and everyday livability in the broader Troy area. The stories underscore a clear need for stronger staffing, more proactive pest control, transparent and compassionate administration, and robust security measures - elements that could help transform these living spaces from sources of stress into sustainable, safe homes. For residents and would-be residents alike, the hope is that improvements will come in tandem with the ongoing vitality of the neighborhood's historic charm.

Located in Troy, New York, this area offers a mix of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and accessibility. With churches like St Anthony of Padua Church nearby for spiritual fulfillment, parks such as Riverfront Park for outdoor recreation, and a variety of restaurants ranging from fast food chains to local breweries for dining options, there is something for everyone. Pharmacies like Walgreens and Rite Aid are easily accessible for medication needs, while healthcare facilities like Northeast Health and Troy Medical Group ensure quality medical care. Transportation options including CDTA bus stops and Albany International Airport make travel convenient. Additionally, theaters like Regal Colonie Center provide entertainment options for seniors looking to stay active in the community. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded environment with plenty of resources to support senior living.

Places of Worship

• St Anthony of Padua Church (0.2 miles)
• Grace Fellowship (2 miles)
• Hindu Temple Society (4.7 miles)

Parks

• Riverfront Park (0.2 miles)
• The Crossings of Colonie (5.2 miles)
• Miracle Playground (5.2 miles)
• Colonie Town Park (5.2 miles)
• Jennings Landing (6.3 miles)
• Washington Park (6.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Rare Form Brewing Company (0.2 miles)
• Brown's Brewing Company (0.4 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.9 miles)
• Burger King (2.2 miles)
• BYE-i Brewing (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.8 miles)
• On Tap (3.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.2 miles)
• Market 32 (2.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.4 miles)
• Marra's Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)

Physicians

• Northeast Health (0.5 miles)
• Ophthalmic Consultants of The Captial Region (0.6 miles)
• Troy Medical Group (1.1 miles)
• South Troy Health Center Fax (2.3 miles)
• Cohoes Family Health Center (3.1 miles)
• Newtonville Pediatrics & Internal Medicine (3.4 miles)
• Peregrim Kimberly A (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.3 miles)
• Stacks Espresso Bar (6.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Samaritan Hospital (1 miles)
• Seton Auxiliary (1.2 miles)
• The Eddy (4.6 miles)
• The Pain Management Center At Albany Memorial Hospital (4.9 miles)
• Albany Memorial Hospital (4.9 miles)
• Whitney M Young Jr Health Center (5.6 miles)

Transportation

• Terminal B (6 miles)
• Southwest Airlines (6 miles)
• Albany International Airport (ALB) (6 miles)
• CDTA Bus Stop (6 miles)
• National Car Rental (6.1 miles)
• Amtrak (6.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Colonie Center & RPX (6.5 miles)