Independence Place

Pros

• The place is described as a great place to stay.
• The renovations included new mattresses, mini fridges, dressers, nightstands, bedding, and updated floors.
• Justin is noted as a nice, polite, and helpful staff member who answers questions.
• The staff and fellow guests are friendly, the gym is appreciated, and prices are reasonable.
• Independence Place has been renovated; the rooms are nice, residents feel safe, and there's a family vibe.
• Candace delivered superb customer service.
• The front desk is amazing and the management is outstanding.
• It is praised as one of the best extended stays with reasonable prices, and is recommended to others.
• The atmosphere is peaceful, and the amenities plus the sense of home are highly valued.
• The rooms are described as clean.

Cons

• The place is too expensive.
• The dumpster on the side is overfilled and smells awful.
• The rooms do not have heating.
• The staff are disrespectful and do not respect guests.
• The lobby is dark and unsafe.
• The parking lot is difficult to exit due to traffic.
• The food is terrible.
• The air conditioning works only about 25% of the time, and the Internet is terrible.
• The security deposit was kept without proper records and refunds took months.
• The property smells like smoke and has cockroaches.
• The owner refuses to address abusive behavior by a front desk employee.
• The front desk was unhelpful and management communication was poor.
• This is the worst hotel experience.

Review

Independence Place comes across in these notes as a place with real potential that is simultaneously fighting a long list of persistent problems. On the one hand, several guests describe striking improvements thanks to recent renovations and upgrades. They point to generously spaced rooms, with almost everything in the new category: new mattresses, mini fridges, dressers, night stands, fresh bedding, and a floor job that people say looks amazing. A few guests even call the overall aesthetic a "great job renovating" and appreciate the sense of space and comfort that the updates bring. In these accounts, the property feels like a place that could be a solid long-term home, especially for those who value clean, updated interiors and a warm, welcoming feel when interacting with staff. The praise isn't universal, but it's strong in the parts of the property that have been refreshed.

Even so, there is a clear undertone that the renovations haven't fully translated into reliable, overall quality. A recurring thread in the feedback is the sense that maintenance and management are still stuck delivering "band aids" rather than addressing the root causes of ongoing issues. Several reviews lament that nothing has really changed in terms of core problems: heating or air conditioning that fails, water outages, and inconsistent housekeeping standards. One former resident emphasizes that management and maintenance rarely fix the essentials, instead applying quick fixes that don't hold. This sentiment recurs across reviews that mention water problems, loud or unreliable air conditioning, and a general sense that basic needs are not consistently met.

The human experience at Independence Place is described in two starkly different tones. Some guests praise the staff as genuinely helpful and kind, with particular mentions of Justin in the front office as polite and responsive, and Candace for her outstanding customer service and helpfulness. A sense of a "family vibe" and a staff that makes an effort to be accommodating shows up in several comments, with people feeling safe, welcomed, and cared for when the right team members are on duty. A few reviews even frame the place as a kind of home away from home, highlighting the peace and comfort they've found there and the assurance that the team will work to fix issues when possible. In contrast, others describe front-desk assistance as unhelpful or disrespectful, and they recount experiences where management was slow to respond or allegedly dismissive of resident concerns. These conflicting personal interactions contribute to the overall impression of a place where staff quality can vary by shift or situation.

The property's exterior and common areas also draw divided reactions. Some reviewers note a clean, quiet environment with a gym and other amenities that feel reasonably priced, reinforcing a sense of value for the money spent. Others, however, report safety and curb appeal concerns: a dark, unwelcoming lobby, difficult parking exits due to local traffic conditions, and a perception that the area around the building can feel sketchy. There are explicit mentions of a dumpster that becomes overfilled and stinky, hallways that smell of smoke or show signs of neglect, and street-level impressions of residents hanging around outside. These observations matter because they shape expectations about safety, cleanliness, and the overall guest experience, even when interior rooms have received upgrades.

Value versus expense is another recurring debate. A mix of reviews describe the pricing as too high given the array of unresolved issues, while others argue that the updated rooms, gym access, and attentive staff justify the cost. There's also a practical set of complaints about service reliability, such as ongoing internet, power, and water outages, which can have a dramatic impact on perceived value. One reviewer details a frustrating financial experience: arranging and paying online, only to encounter a payment-system outage that led to additional charges and confusion about the room, a situation described in harsh terms as "thieves." Another paints the picture of a long security-deposit dispute, with slow replies and delays in getting funds returned after several years of tenancy, underscoring a friction point with management when it comes to finances and accountability.

Several reviews explicitly call out issues that would concern anyone looking for dependable comfort: heating or air conditioning that doesn't work, rooms not delivered or prepared as expected, and a general sense that even when guests are physically present in renovated spaces, core comforts like reliable climate control and clean, odor-free environments are not guaranteed. Complaints range from a pervasive smell in certain areas or a lack of cleaning staff to the uncomfortable experience of living among others who seem to be resident of the property rather than guests, with references to people living in the building, dirty stairwells, and chairs left outside as if it were a common area rather than a hotel-like lobby. Some guests report a lack of consistent housekeeping, and a few recount encounters with noise or unsafe-looking crowds, which can be jarring after a long day or late arrival.

Despite the chorus of concerns, there are moments of genuine satisfaction and encouragement. A number of guests recount discovering true positives: rooms upstairs that are clean and bright, pleasant patio areas, and conversations with residents that left them with a sense of community. There are notes of gratitude toward particular staff members who made meaningful differences in their stay, and some reviews emphasize that Independence Place can be a good choice when a fair price aligns with availability of updated rooms and helpful onsite personnel. The strongest endorsements come from people who felt safe, welcomed, and treated with respect, even if they still had to navigate the hotel's ongoing imperfections.

In sum, the place presents as a renovated, reasonably comfortable option that can feel like a real home for residents and a decent stay for travelers who happen to land on the right combination of room, staff, and timing. Yet it remains clear that the building still wrestles with fundamental issues - consistent maintenance, reliable utilities, safety perceptions, and predictable service - that many guests feel have not been fully resolved over time. For some, the improvements are compelling enough to overlook the glitches; for others, the same problems that existed before the renovations still outweigh the benefits. The strongest, most useful takeaways are the dichotomy between updated rooms and a warm, capable staff on certain days, and the persistent, sometimes acute frustrations with water, heat, internet, parking, and overall upkeep on others. The reviews suggest a place with real charm and potential, but also a property that still needs sustained, broad-based attention from management to become consistently reliable.

This part of Charlotte, North Carolina offers a convenient location with a variety of amenities suitable for senior living. With multiple pharmacies and physicians within close proximity, medical care is easily accessible. There are also a variety of dining options ranging from casual cafes to sit-down restaurants, providing plenty of choices for meals out. Places of worship are also nearby for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. The area is well-connected with public transportation options available, making it easy to get around without the need for a car. Additionally, there are several parks and green spaces in the vicinity for leisurely strolls or outdoor activities. Overall, this neighborhood provides a comfortable and convenient living environment for seniors looking to settle down in Charlotte.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Family Care Specialty Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• Paviol Dermatology (1.5 miles)
• Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center (1.5 miles)
• Perry Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (1.6 miles)
• Cotswold Medical Clinic (1.9 miles)
• Dermatologic Laser Center (2 miles)
• OrthoCarolina South Park (4.5 miles)
• Novant Health Imaging Southpark (4.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Common Market (1.9 miles)
• The Workman's Friend (2 miles)
• Hawthorne's NY Pizza & Bar (2.3 miles)
• Noda Bodega (2.8 miles)
• White Duck Taco Shop (2.8 miles)
• Haberdish (3.3 miles)
• Divine Barrel Brewing (3.4 miles)

Cafes

• Villanis Bakery (2 miles)
• Smelly Cat Cof (3.3 miles)
• Hex Coffee (4.2 miles)
• Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (7 miles)
• The Collective Cafe (7.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• St John's Baptist Church (2.4 miles)
• St Gabriels Catholic Church (2.6 miles)
• First Baptist Of Charlotte: Family Life Center (3.4 miles)
• Covenant Presbyterian Church (3.4 miles)
• Sharon Baptist Church (6.3 miles)
• Carmel Baptist Church (6.4 miles)
• Idlewild Baptist Church (6.9 miles)

Transportation

• Sugar Creek Station (3.4 miles)
• LYNX University City Boulevard Station (6 miles)
• LYNX UNC Charlotte - Main Station (7.6 miles)
• Roush Air (8.7 miles)

Parks

• First Ward Park (3.5 miles)
• Little Sugar Creek Greenway (3.7 miles)
• Fourth Ward Park (3.8 miles)
• Romare Bearden Park (4 miles)
• Sedgefield Neighborhood Park (4.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Carolina Pavilion 22 (8.3 miles)