Pine Knoll Manor/Pine Knoll Apts. in Smithfield, NC

Pros

• The management at Pine Knoll Apartments is outstanding, understanding, and super helpful, and they are good with children.
• Residents recommend renting from Pine Knoll Apartments.
• Mrs. Mona has been very professional and kind throughout the process.
• The office manager is the best; she is friendly, knowledgeable, and caring, and the maintenance staff are hardworking and responsive.
• Pine Knoll Apartments is a great place to call home.
• The staff here are very nice and professional.
• The grounds are clean and the lawn is nicely kept.
• The property has been a nice place for many years.
• Residents love living at Pine Knoll Apartments.

Cons

• They don’t want the hoodlums moved in.
• The manager does not complete paperwork on time, leading to eviction notices and fear among residents.
• Management is said to tell residents one thing and do another, creating drama.
• Residents report privacy invasions from neighbors, with people staring into their door and window.

Review

Pine Knoll Manor and Pine Knoll Apts in Smithfield, NC are best for independent seniors and families who prize a warm, hands-on management team, tidy grounds, and a proven sense of community. The arrangement works well for residents who want straightforward, maintenance-minimal living, with responsive on-site staff and neighbors who are generally friendly. It suits those who value a stable, affordable apartment setting where office personnel are accessible, repairs are addressed promptly, and day-to-day life feels grounded in neighborly courtesy. For tenants who worry about programming or social opportunities, the property’s active staff and long-tenured resident base provide a practical, livable environment rather than a high-end, life-enrichment focused campus.

Potential residents who need constant medical oversight, assisted-living-level supervision, or stringent privacy assurances should look elsewhere. The reviews show a community that thrives on personable service but not a facility strategy built around professional caregiving or formal security measures. Families seeking a highly predictable leasing process and strict adherence to policies without drama will want to compare other properties. In short, this is not a setting designed to replace a higher-acuity senior living arrangement; it remains an apartment community with a communal vibe rather than an assisted-living solution.

On the positive side, the standout asset is the people. Office managers are described as outstanding, friendly, and knowledgeable, with maintenance staff delivering timely repairs. The overall cleanliness of the property and the well-kept lawn contribute to a comfortable, home-like feel. Residents repeatedly echo appreciation for the staff’s accessibility and their willingness to help, which translates into a dependable day-to-day experience. These strengths channel directly into quality of life for residents who value reachable, service-oriented living and a sense that neighbors know and look out for one another. The frequent praise for staff and upkeep helps offset some of the uncertainties that come with multi-family living.

However, several downsides appear in the reviews. A pattern of paperwork delays and promises not always kept by management has produced frustration and, in some cases, eviction anxiety. A portion of the community is described as nosy or intrusive, with complaints about neighbors and a lack of privacy at doors and porches. Mixed messages from management and occasional conflicts among residents contribute to a sense of drama that can erode peace of mind. These factors are not universal, but they do exist enough to matter for households seeking a quiet, low-stress environment.

Still, the viable counterbalance is strong. When management is reliable and maintenance is quick, the positives can far outweigh the negatives for residents who value personal service and a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. The longevity of some tenants, people who have lived there for years, signals genuine satisfaction and a capacity for the community to hold together despite administrative hiccups. For families prioritizing approachability, responsiveness, and a straightforward living arrangement, Pine Knoll offers real value. The trade-offs are real but manageable for those who can tolerate a touch of neighborhood bustle in exchange for reliable human-scale service.

Guidance for families considering a move: tour the property with questions ready about leasing timelines, how paperwork is handled, and what recourse exists if a deadline slips. Speak with current residents about privacy, neighbor interactions, and the consistency of office staff. Clarify safety expectations and investigate the exact policies around guests, guests’ access, and any incidents that have occurred. If the answers align with a preference for a warm, service-centric, community-driven home, Pine Knoll is a solid choice. If a calmer, more regulated environment with formal caregiving and tighter control is essential, alternatives should be explored.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.2 miles)
• Heidi's Two Wheel Cafe (0.7 miles)
• The Chicken Barn (1.5 miles)
• Golden Corral (2.3 miles)
• Zaxby's (2.3 miles)
• Texas Steakhouse & Saloon (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (17.4 miles)
• 41 North (18.1 miles)
• Starbucks (22.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Short Journey Retreat Center (3.5 miles)
• St Eugene's Catholic Church (17.5 miles)
• Amplify Church (19.2 miles)
• Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (21.9 miles)
• Beacon Baptist Church (23.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries (7.4 miles)
• Walgreens (10.8 miles)
• Davis Drug Company - Benson (11.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (11.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (12.1 miles)
• Allcare Pharmacy Services (12.7 miles)
• Walgreens (13.1 miles)

Physicians

• Pulmonology Bronchology PC (8.2 miles)
• High Point Audiologica (10.5 miles)
• Horizon Family Medicine (10.6 miles)
• EmergeOrtho-Clayton (11 miles)
• Clayton Pediatrics Center (11.3 miles)
• Meehan Medical (11.3 miles)
• Mann Ear Nose & Throat (12 miles)

Hospitals

• JMH Clayton (11 miles)
• Wakemed Garner Healthplex (18 miles)
• WakeMed Health & Hospitals (22.2 miles)
• WakeMed Heart Center (22.2 miles)

Parks

• Wendell Community Center (18.1 miles)
• Biltmore Hills Park (21.7 miles)
• Chavis Park (22.8 miles)
• Carolina Pines Dog Park (23.3 miles)
• Marsh Creek Park (23.9 miles)
• Dorothea Dix Park (24.1 miles)
• Buffaloe Road Athletic Park (24.2 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh (22.4 miles)