Macartovin Apartments

Pros

• The new management at Pathstone is seen as monitoring and holding tenants accountable in a constructive way.
• The building is described as clean for the most part, with zero bed bugs reported.
• The renovations align with downtown urbanization and offer a central location, with cost-effective options through Section 8.
• A resident was able to secure a clean, safe 1-bedroom apartment within about a month, with quick access to food, shelter, and clothing.
• The resident considers Pathstone Apartments an essential blessing and remains there with no desire to relocate.

Cons

• They label the building as the worst place to live.
• They claim low-income residents are looked down upon by the staff, as if they aren't smart.
• They say the property manager looks down on tenants rather than treating them with respect.
• They describe the new management as creating a highly monitored, "NEW JACK CITY" atmosphere.
• They note the presence of a few "dirty birds" and "crud," implying ongoing negative behavior despite overall cleanliness.
• They allege the management discriminates against lower-income applicants (SSI/SSDI) and won't approve those incomes.
• They advise others not to apply, citing discriminatory practices.
• They complain about a lack of transparency, pointing out that only one photo of the building is shown.

Review

Living at Magarnovin Apartments in Utica presents a paradox that stays with you long after you settle in. On the one hand, the building has become a vital stepping stone for people who need subsidized housing, a central location that makes daily life easier, and a path to stability that can feel almost miraculous when you're navigating income limits, paperwork, and the realities of reentering life after tough times. On the other hand, there's a lingering sense that low-income tenants are looked at with judgment by some in management - an attitude that makes the experience feel less like a partnership and more like you're constantly being sized up. The reviewer describes Pathstone as the property manager and suggests that the organization itself can project a superiority that you sense as being directed at residents, not toward them as people.

The writer's advice to anyone considering applying is practical and blunt: talk to current tenants before you commit. They emphasize that the truth about a building can be different from what you see in the glossy photos or read in the short description of amenities. The review notes a shift in management, described with a bit of bravado as a "NEW JACK CITY" atmosphere. This new regime isn't in your face about control, but it's deeply monitored, with a visible emphasis on accountability. The reviewer accepts that no housing situation is perfect and concedes that you'll always have a few difficult people - described here as the inevitable "dirty bird" and "crud." Yet overall, the property remains clean, and the reviewer emphasizes that there are no bed bugs after three years of residence, a point that matters to anyone who has experienced infestations in other buildings.

Renovation and location are presented as major positives that can offset some of the more challenging aspects of living in subsidized housing. The improvements align with a broader downtown urbanization effort, and the central location is praised for making life more convenient. The reviewer highlights the financial pathway as well: subsidized rents through Section 8, and a sense that the previous management - personified here by someone named Holly - helped to cultivate an opportunity to secure personal housing. The narrative of timing is striking: within 26 days, the reviewer had secured a one-bedroom apartment, and within 30 days, they felt the security of having food, shelter, and clothing arranged. The timeline also intersects with a personally significant milestone - the reviewer had just been released from NYS DOCCS on 12/9/2022 - making Magarnovin Apartments feel like not just a shelter but an essential blessing that supported a fresh start. The writer's continued residence, three years in, is framed as a solid endorsement of the apartment's capacity to deliver on its core promises, with a clear sense that relocation is not on the table for them.

Yet the story also contains a cautionary tale about eligibility and gatekeeping. The writer describes trying to bring a family into the building, only to encounter a very specific income threshold - roughly framed around a "low-income" target, with a note that an annual figure around 29,000 might be a deciding factor. They recount signing a contract only to see a sudden shift in eligibility dynamics, with the suggestion that the department indicated a floor was going to be moved or adjusted, and then their household income - comprising SSI/SSDI - pushed them over some limit. The result was a denial despite what they felt should have been a fair assessment of need and potential inclusion. The conclusion they draw is sobering: the building's admissions process appears to prefer certain income profiles, and there's a sense that those who have already been through the system - or who might return after a setback - face additional barriers. The reviewer's advice to prospective tenants is blunt: be cautious, and recognize that the place may not welcome everyone who qualifies on paper, especially those who are considered lower income or who have complex income situations.

Taken together, the review paints a nuanced portrait of Magarnovin Apartments. It's a place that can deliver housing security, dignity, and a path out of precarious living when everything aligns - timely approvals, supportive management, and a favorable income assessment. The same place, however, can also feel like it's policing who gets to belong there, with a management culture that some residents perceive as looking down on those it's meant to serve. The writer's story is one of gratitude for the stability and community the building has provided, tempered by a strong warning about eligibility constraints and the possibility that the system won't always treat all applicants equally, especially those with lower or more complicated income situations. If you're weighing Magarnovin Apartments, this narrative suggests you should measure both the tangible benefits - location, support, quick access to services, and a path to independence - against the reality that admission standards and management attitudes can vary, and that talking to current tenants may be your best early step in understanding the full picture.

This part of Utica, New York, offers a variety of amenities and services that make it an attractive option for senior living. With several restaurants and cafes within walking distance, residents can easily access delicious dining options. Additionally, there are several places of worship in the area for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. The proximity to various medical facilities, including hospitals and pharmacies, ensures that healthcare needs can be easily met. Transportation options such as Amtrak provide convenient access for those who may need to travel. The presence of parks like F.T. Proctor Park offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with convenient access to essential services for seniors looking to settle in Utica.

Restaurants

• Ocean Blue Restaurant & Oyster Bar (0.1 miles)
• Griffin's Pub (0.1 miles)
• Swifty's Restaurant & Pub (0.2 miles)
• Nostro Restobar and Lounge (0.3 miles)
• O'Scugnizzo Pizzeria (0.6 miles)
• Varick Bar & Grill (0.6 miles)
• Celtic Harp (0.7 miles)

Cafes

• Utica Coffee Roasting (0.3 miles)
• Joseph Putrello Coffee Barista Bar (0.3 miles)
• Bagg's Square Cafe (0.5 miles)
• Bagel Grove (1.5 miles)
• Top of the Morning Cafe (1.6 miles)
• Daylight Donuts (3.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Kingdom Ministries Place of Worship/House of Prayer (0.3 miles)
• Soul 2 Soul Temple (1.5 miles)
• Our Lady Of Lourdes Ch (2.3 miles)
• Church of Christ (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• Oneida County Health Department, Elizabeth Street Clinic (0.3 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (0.7 miles)
• North Utica Medical Office (1.4 miles)
• Faxton-st. Luke's Healthcare Foundation (1.5 miles)
• Adirondack Community Physicians: Neuro Sciences Group (1.5 miles)
• Kenneth Ortega (1.7 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (1.9 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (0.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (0.7 miles)
• Utica Psychiatric Center (1.2 miles)
• Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center (1.3 miles)
• Faxton X-ray Department (1.5 miles)
• FAXTON-St LUKE'S HEALTHCARE - FAXTON CAMPUS (1.5 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• St Elizabeth Medical Center (2.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Usrearchchemsupplies.Com (1.6 miles)
• Utica Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.8 miles)
• Parkway Drugs (1.9 miles)
• Express Scripts (2 miles)

Parks

• F.T. Proctor Park (1.8 miles)