Southern Manor Apartments

Pros

• The office staff go above and beyond.
• The manager is the best and treats residents like family.
• The community is welcoming, family-oriented, and friendly.
• The property is safe and secure with cameras and key-code access.
• A small gym is available for light workouts and stretching.
• Units feature energy-efficient appliances, including in-unit washers and dryers, dishwashers, and garbage disposals.
• It is described as the best place to live.
• The property manager is sweet, and units are clean and well maintained with updated floors.
• The viewing, application, and move-in process can be incredibly fast and smooth with an amazing landlord.

Cons

• They received no response after contacting the company about renting, despite waiting weeks to months.
• They were told they earned too much money to stay there and ended up homeless.
• The office is poorly managed, with outdated lobby photos and an outrageously complicated process.
• An apartment at 50% low income was described as having no living room or dining room, basically just a small corner in the kitchen.
• The unit was claimed to be cleaned before move-in, but it was not cleaned and the AC did not work for months.
• They were given a different apartment than promised and, without escalation to management, nothing was fixed.
• The office staff are never there and are unprofessional, never showing up for meetings.
• They experienced long delays and poor communication; they did not answer the phone for days, and the deposit was not returned.
• A staff member allegedly threatened to kill someone if they didn't find a phone.

Review

The collection of reviews presents a complex portrait of the apartment community, highlighting a strong mix of warmth, convenience, and comfort on one hand, and frustration with management, communication, and certain policy realities on the other. Across the messages, many writers describe a place that feels welcoming and well cared-for in terms of the living spaces themselves and the on-site experience - but they also reveal tensions that can arise when expectations meet the administrative and logistical side of rental life.

On the positive side, several reviewers are effusive about the atmosphere created by the staff and the overall vibe of the community. They describe the office staff as going above and beyond, with the manager singled out as exceptionally helpful and caring - almost like family. The property is praised for being family-oriented, friendly, and welcoming to residents, with a sense of security reinforced by cameras and key-code access. A number of comments highlight practical perks that make daily life easier: a handful of units are wheelchair accessible, there's a small gym for light workouts, and amenities such as in-unit washer and dryer, a dishwasher, garbage disposal, and energy-efficient features are repeatedly cited as major selling points. Several reviewers call the place the best to live, lauding clean, well-maintained, and updated units with nice flooring and reliable maintenance.

Several reviews emphasize how smoothly a move-in can go when things align. One writer notes a viewing, application, and moving in all happening incredibly fast, with a landlord who made the process feel seamless. This positive experience is reinforced by other comments about move-in efficiency and the historical charm of the property, which adds to its appeal for some residents who value character in a building.

Yet the same thread of warmth is challenged by troubling accounts of management responsiveness and policy implementation. A few reviewers describe situations where potential tenants encountered long waits for replies or no contact at all after expressing interest, leading to frustration and concern about how prospective residents are treated. One person even recounts a harsh experience where, despite an application, the parish of communication devolved into unreturned calls and a sense that the office was inaccessible. The impression given is that the current communication flow can be unreliable, especially for people in the process of applying or negotiating terms to secure housing.

There are also stark cautionary tales that touch on mismanagement and inconsistent experiences. Several reviews criticize the office for being poorly managed, with outdated lobby visuals and an overly complicated entry process. Specific issues raised include disputes over apartment layouts and furnishings, delayed or disputed repairs, and missteps such as moving someone into the wrong apartment or failures to properly clean a unit before move-in. The concerns extend to maintenance and practical amenities - one writer reports a lack of working air conditioning for months, and another mentions a problem with appliances like an instant grill/air fryer shorting out. These anecdotes suggest a gap between the high expectations set by marketing and the actual day-to-day execution in some cases.

Affordability and eligibility also surface as contentious topics. At least one reviewer recounts a severe financial strain caused by being told they earned too much money to qualify, leaving them without housing as cold weather approached. This individual's experience underscores the reality that income-based housing can create precarious situations for applicants, depending on how policies are communicated and applied. In another thread, someone describes a 50% income-based unit with limited living space, and questions arise about whether the apartment configuration truly fits a comfortable living standard, complicating the decision for would-be residents who are balancing cost with livability.

Amid the mixed critiques, there is a final thread of positivity from a current resident who emphasizes that, in their experience, the complex remains a strong and reliable community. They praise the ongoing maintenance and the overall functioning of the property, noting that it serves as a solid base for people seeking an income-based residency. This perspective highlights that, for some residents, the community's strengths - supportive staff, dependable upkeep, and a sense of belonging - outweigh the administrative frustrations others have encountered.

Taken together, the reviews sketch a multifaceted living environment. The property clearly offers a welcoming, well-maintained home with thoughtful amenities, a supportive and friendly staff, and a community-oriented feel that many residents appreciate deeply. At the same time, the experiences reveal serious concerns about office availability, responsiveness, and consistency in applying policies, which can significantly affect the ability of prospective and current tenants to navigate the rental process smoothly. The spectrum of feedback suggests that potential renters should weigh the strong, tangible benefits of living there - comfort, convenience, and a people-centered atmosphere - against the potential for frustration in communication and administrative aspects of tenancy.

This area of El Reno, Oklahoma offers a variety of amenities for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. With several restaurants nearby such as Pecina's Mexican Cafe III and Sid's Diner, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. In terms of healthcare, there are pharmacies like One Point Pharmacy and Beachler Pharmacy in close proximity, as well as hospitals like Parkview Hospital a short distance away. Additionally, there are places of worship such as the Fresh Anointing Pentecostal Church for spiritual needs. Transportation is easily accessible with options like the U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer and El Reno Regional Airport nearby. Overall, this area provides a mix of conveniences and services that would cater well to senior residents looking to settle down in El Reno.

Restaurants

• Pecina's Mexican Cafe III (0.2 miles)
• Sid's Diner (0.2 miles)
• El Tucan (0.4 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (0.5 miles)
• Tuxedo 1 (0.8 miles)
• Braum's (1.5 miles)
• Pizza Hut (1.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• One Point Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Beachler Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (11.5 miles)
• Homeland (12.6 miles)
• Conrad Marr Drug (13.4 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (13.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Fresh Anointing Pentecostal Church (0.6 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.7 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (10.2 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Mustang (15.9 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.9 miles)
• El Reno Regional Airpo (4.7 miles)
• Clarence E Page Municipal Airport (RCE) (8.6 miles)
• Atlantic Aviation (17.8 miles)
• Interstate Helicopters (17.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Parkview Hospital (1.3 miles)
• INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital (11.4 miles)
• The Children's Center (18.3 miles)

Physicians

• Mercy Clinic (1.3 miles)
• El Reno Indian Clinic (1.8 miles)
• Canadian Valley Pediatrics (11.2 miles)
• Canadian Valley Family Care (11.3 miles)
• Integris Adult Medicine Specialists (11.3 miles)
• Dr Hyde's Office (11.3 miles)
• Integris Canadian Valley Orthopedics (11.4 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (11.4 miles)
• Tao CHA (11.5 miles)
• Starbucks (11.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (18 miles)