St Joseph Apartments

Pros

• The reviewer absolutely loves the apartment.
• Renee is very sweet and James, the maintenance guy, is very helpful.
• HANDS found a place for a relative.
• The apartment is perfect.
• The apartment is very clean and of good size.
• The tenants are super friendly and welcoming, and they look out for one another.
• HANDS is a worthy and very deserving organization doing meaningful work in Erie.
• The reviewer plans to donate in the future and hopes others will too.
• The space has become the reviewer's home, and they plan to make it as comfortable as possible.
• The neighbors are very friendly and thoughtful.
• The location is very nice and close to shopping.
• The units are well cared for.

Cons

• The rent is much higher than that of comparable units in the city of Erie.
• Tenants are required to shovel their parking spots for their cars, including handicap spots.
• There is no formal snow removal policy in place.
• Many residents are seniors in their 80s and must shovel their own spots.
• It was hard for the resident to move from a house to only two rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen.

Review

Across the pool of comments, HANDS comes across as more than just a housing provider in Erie; it reads like a community cornerstone. Several reviewers highlight the warmth and approachability that comes from the people who run and maintain the property. Renee, understood by residents as a very sweet presence, along with James, the maintenance person who is consistently described as helpful, are repeatedly named as standouts. The overall vibe is one of care and accessibility: a place where staff aren't just performing tasks, but quietly fostering a sense of belonging and support for the residents.

One reviewer shares a particularly touching gratitude: HANDS helped find a home for a relative. The apartment itself is described with clarity and care - clean, of good size, and in a setting where tenants feel welcoming and look out for one another. The tone conveys genuine appreciation for the organization's role in making a difficult transition possible, underscoring that the community extends beyond four walls to include a network of neighbors who foster comfort and security.

The sentiment goes beyond the physical space to acknowledge the organization's impact in the broader Erie community. The reviewer calls HANDS "such a worthy organization" and emphasizes that they are doing "the real work" in the area. This sense of mission resonates with the speaker's promise to donate in the future and to encourage others to contribute as well. The message is not only about housing but about the social good generated when a respected local organization creates stable homes for families and individuals in need.

Another voice reflects the personal challenge of moving from a house to a much smaller footprint - two rooms, a bath, and a kitchen - but frames the move as the beginning of a new chapter. Despite the adjustments, the reviewer notes that the space is now home, and there is a commitment to make it as comfortable as possible. The neighborly environment is highlighted as a strong asset: friends and colleagues in the building are described as very, very friendly and thoughtful, reinforcing the sense that this community is built on everyday acts of consideration and mutual support.

Practical details also appear in the feedback. One reviewer points out that the location is very convenient, being close to shopping, and that the units themselves are well cared for. However, the financial aspect is not overlooked: rent is noted to be higher than that of comparable units in the city of Erie. This adds a layer of nuance to the overall positive impression, acknowledging that while the living environment is strong, cost is a consideration for prospective residents.

Snow removal emerges as a distinct and tangible concern in the feedback. Tenants are required to shovel their own parking spots, including the handicap spaces, and many residents are seniors in their 80s who are left to handle the task themselves. The absence of a formal snow removal policy is called out, suggesting room for policy improvement to better support elderly residents or those with limited mobility during winter months. This point stands as a practical caveat within an otherwise glowing portrait of community and care.

Taken together, the reviews paint a picture of HANDS as a loving, community-oriented place to live in Erie, richly valued for the people who run it and the supportive atmosphere they foster. The praise for Renee and James underscores a strong front-line team that residents rely on daily. The gratitude for a safe and welcoming home for a relative, the willingness to donate, and the emphasis on neighbors looking out for one another all contribute to a resonant sense of belonging. Yet real-world considerations - cost compared to similar options and the snow removal expectations for seniors - provide a balanced view that invites ongoing attention from the organization to ensure accessibility and affordability keep pace with the warmth and community spirit residents celebrate. In short, HANDS is portrayed as making a significant positive impact in Erie, with room to strengthen logistical policies to further support its residents.

Restaurants

• Little Caesars Pizza (0.2 miles)
• Avanti's (0.4 miles)
• Jimmy John's (0.5 miles)
• The Cork 1794 (0.5 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.6 miles)
• Moe's Southwest Grill (0.7 miles)
• Wendy's (0.7 miles)

Physicians

• Niagara Eye Associates (0.2 miles)
• Women's Care Center Of Erie County (0.6 miles)
• Pediatric Cardiology of Erie (0.8 miles)
• Saint Vincent Hospital Yorktown Endoscopy Center (0.9 miles)
• Bayside Family Medicine - Primary Care (0.9 miles)
• Primary Care West (1.2 miles)
• Dominic M Sciamanda DO (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Lakeshore Isotopes (1.5 miles)
• Top's Markets (1.5 miles)
• Southern Tier Home Infusion (1.5 miles)
• Pharmacy Innovations (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Victory Park (0.6 miles)
• Presque Isle State Park (1.3 miles)
• Liberty Park (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Fat Lenny s (1.9 miles)
• Ember + Forge (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Upmc Hamot (2 miles)
• UPMC Hamot Radiology (2.4 miles)
• St Vincent Women's Diagnostic (2.4 miles)
• Saint Vincent Radiology Department (2.5 miles)
• Saint Vincent Labor and Delivery (2.5 miles)
• UPMC Hamot 7 South (2.5 miles)
• UPMC Hamot 8 South (2.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cathedral of St Paul Episcopal (2.3 miles)