Ferncliff South Apartments in Roanoke, VA

Pros

• They like their two-bedroom apartment very much.
• They are happy with the 2-bedroom apartment at Ferncliff South.

Cons

• The reviewer claims the office discriminates against non-black applicants and treats them poorly.
• The tenant reports three years without central air and exorbitant electric bills.
• The dishwasher has not drained for about four months, and the office is never open.
• The place is described as the worst to live in.
• It doesn’t deserve a star.
• The front desk staff is described as having a bad attitude.
• The property manager is described as always keeping her office door shut.
• Application fees are taken with no follow-up or response.
• The reviewer has waited over a year for a decision with no approval or denial.
• Customer service is described as very bad.
• Management is criticized for work orders taking months, with requests ignored and excuses made to push residents out.
• The South side is the worst in Ferncliff, and staying there is strongly discouraged (especially building F).

Review

Ferncliff South Apartments in Roanoke is best suited for renters who want a spacious two-bedroom unit and can tolerate a degree of administrative turbulence. The actual apartments can be comfortable, and one resident notes liking the 2-bedroom layout enough to leave a rare three-star impression. But the upside is fragile because the property’s reputation rests more on management and maintenance reliability than on the surfaces of the living spaces. Prospective residents should be prepared for uneven service, inconsistent access to the office, and a management culture that lacks steady communication. In short, this community can work for someone who prioritizes square footage over service quality, yet it will test patience otherwise.

Who should consider alternatives? Anyone who relies on predictable operations, proactive maintenance, or courteous, accessible on-site staff should look elsewhere. The reviews repeatedly flag long delays on work orders, lost lease records, and slow or non-existent application follow-up. A front desk presence described as unfriendly or unresponsive, and a property manager who keeps doors closed, signals a non-supportive environment. For families or seniors needing reliable services, this is not the right setting. Explore communities with transparent application processes, clearly stated maintenance timelines, and on-site leadership that is responsive to resident concerns.

Key positives are narrowly defined, and they don’t carry enough weight to outweigh the core flaws. The apartments themselves can be attractive: a well-sized 2-bedroom floor plan, good natural light in some units, and the chance to establish a stable home. Yet the practical benefits falter when climate control fails and utility bills spike due to long-standing HVAC gaps. A resident describes three years without central air, relying on portable units and spot cooling, while others note that the high electric bill is simply part of living there. The one unit that earns genuine praise, the 2-bedroom, doesn’t rescue residents from ongoing headaches with maintenance and office accessibility.

Maintenance and administrative processes are the loudest red flags. Work orders reportedly drag on for months, and one reviewer cites a five-month delay with no resolution. The pattern described includes excuses, shifting blame to corporate approvals, or queues that push issues to a “waiting list.” Documentation and lease management appear inconsistent: a copy of a lease vanished, forcing a resident to redo paperwork. The combination of slow service, lost records, and an unresponsive office creates a cycle where everyday problems grow into chronic irritants. Safety concerns creep in as well, upstairs neighbors with disruptive behavior and, in one unit, a bullet hole in a window, creating a sense that security and neighbor management are not well-handled.

On balance, the few upshots do not counterbalance the fundamental experience here. The South side is described as a particularly problematic area, noise from upstairs living, family disputes, and unstable neighbor conduct, making quiet, predictable living unlikely. The contrast with the North side’s apparently better experience underscores how much variance exists within the same community. For a senior or family seeking predictable routines and stable day-to-day operations, Ferncliff South may deliver adequate space, but the risk of ongoing management churn and maintenance delays undermines reliability. The decision hinges on whether the buyer can tolerate disruption for the sake of a roomy apartment.

Bottom line: Ferncliff South is not a strong choice for those who need dependable service and steady administrative support. It can work for people who value a large living space and are prepared to supervise the setup themselves, wipe away the rough edges, and endure sporadic office access. Before committing, visit multiple times, talk to residents on both sides of the property, press for up-to-date maintenance timelines, and demand a clear plan for air conditioning issues and security concerns. If reliability and responsive on-site leadership are non-negotiable, pursue options with proven performance in maintenance, communication, and safety. Other Roanoke communities with stronger track records in maintenance, administration, and resident stability will typically deliver the peace of mind that families expect for long-term independent living.