Zion Gardens Apartments

Pros

• The inside of the building is nice.
• Outside the building, there is a wonderful, big space.
• The neighbors are nice.
• The exterminator is really nice.
• Problems are usually resolved.

Cons

• There are mice everywhere, with mouse droppings under a pillow, and management is said to ignore hundreds of complaints.
• The building is described as having poor sanitary conditions.
• Some residents claim thieves take advantage of subsidy programs in the building.
• The pest problem (mice and cockroaches) is pervasive and makes living there uncomfortable and not fun.
• The overall experience is described as the worst by some residents.

Review

The collective impressions from residents about this building reveal a place that can be pleasant in some respects, but is deeply undermined by ongoing problems that affect daily life. On the inside, some people say the space can be nice or appealing, especially from an aesthetic standpoint. They note that the interior feels decent and there is a sense of potential, but the big caveat is cleanliness and the way management handles issues. One observer sums it up by saying the interior is okay and the space feels right, yet they wish for better, more proactive cleaning and oversight. The contrast is clear: the physical shell can be agreeable, while the systems that keep it livable are repeatedly called into question.

Outside, the setting offers a different kind of appeal. Several residents point to a large, open surrounding area and a sense of space that isn't matched by many urban living arrangements. The outside environment earns praise for its roominess, and there is a nod to the neighbors who inhabit that space - some friendly, others more difficult - but overall, the outdoor portion of the property stands out as a redeeming feature in an otherwise mixed experience. In short, the exterior offers a strong upside that doesn't fully translate to the day-to-day realities inside.

Pest problems loom large in most accounts. Mice appear to be a constant presence, described with alarming frequency and intensity: "Mice! Mice! Mice! Mice everywhere!" One person goes so far as to say there's mice poop under their pillow, conveying a sense of intrusion and neglect. Cockroaches make a similar appearance, especially during the warmer months. Across the board, residents portray the pest situation as persistent and disruptive, coloring every other aspect of life in the building. The repeated emergence of rodents and insects is not just an annoyance but a core quality-of-life issue for many tenants.

The treatment (or perceived mistreatment) by management compounds the frustration. Several reviews express a sense that complaints have fallen on deaf ears, or at least that response is inconsistent and insufficient. Phrases like "management could care less after hundreds of complaints" reflect a belief that residents who depend on the property for shelter are being overlooked. There are also accusations about unfair treatment tied to subsidy programs, with claims that some tenants feel targeted or exploited by those responsible for oversight and financial assistance. In contrast, there are notes of occasional relief when problems are addressed, suggesting that when the management acts, the impact is meaningful - even if only temporarily.

There are glimpses of improvement in some individual interactions that soften the overall verdict. An exterminator is repeatedly described as kind and helpful, providing a degree of reassurance amid persistent pest pressures. For some residents, this demonstrates that there are competent, considerate professionals on site who can make a real difference in the short term. Yet even this positive note cannot fully counterbalance the pervasiveness of the infestations and the sense that broader, structural changes are needed to restore comfort and safety.

Overall, the sentiment is a blend of resilience and resignation. A few residents report not being the worst or not hating living there, especially when problems are managed promptly, but the prevailing tone is that pests - mice year-round and cockroaches in the summer - along with inconsistent management and sanitation concerns, make life here less than ideal. Some residents have already moved on, others stay hoping for better conditions, and a few emphasize their discomfort and desire for meaningful fixes before they consider staying long-term or renewing occupancy. The common thread is clear: the space can offer a legitimate sense of place, but without decisive, sustained action to address cleanliness, pests, and fair treatment, the overall experience remains challenging and fraught with frustration.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Fishtown Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Piazza Dog Park (0.9 miles)
• Franklin Square (1.1 miles)
• Palmer Doggie Depot (1.2 miles)
• Palmer Park Farmers Market (1.2 miles)
• Race Street Pier (1.5 miles)
• Independence National Historical Park (1.6 miles)
• Rittenhouse Square (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Middle Child Clubhouse (1 miles)
• Lloyd Whiskey Bar (1.4 miles)
• Independence Beer Garden (1.5 miles)
• The Franklin Fountain (1.6 miles)
• K'Far (1.7 miles)
• U Bar (1.7 miles)
• Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• La Colombe Coffee Roasters (1.1 miles)
• ReAnimator Coffee (1.5 miles)
• Elixr Coffee (1.6 miles)
• La Colombe Torrefaction (1.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)

Transportation

• Jefferson Station (1.4 miles)
• 30th Street Station (1.8 miles)
• SEPTA: MFL/TRL 30th Street Station (1.9 miles)
• Septa Wayne Junction Station (3.6 miles)

Theaters

• Landmark Theatres - Ritz Five (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Episcopal Hospital (1.9 miles)
• Temple University Hospital (2.3 miles)
• The Pavilion (2.5 miles)
• Veterans Administration Community Living Center (2.8 miles)
• Philadelphia VA Medical Center (2.9 miles)
• St Christopher's Hospital for Children (2.9 miles)
• Cooper University Hospital (3 miles)

Physicians

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2.6 miles)
• CHOP Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care - Raymond G. Perelman Campus (2.7 miles)
• Simms Hank Md Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia (4.6 miles)