Covington Place Retirement

Pros

• Crystal Allen has been highly involved with residents since day one.
• She has made a very positive difference in the community in a short time.
• It would be wonderful to have Crystal Allen as the permanent manager.
• Crystal Allen is a good manager, very pleasant and kind to everybody, and very efficient.
• Crystal Allen is very professional, friendly, and accommodating.
• Crystal Allen is an excellent fit for senior housing as a property manager.
• Crystal at reception is incredibly kind and reassuring.

Cons

• Management is hostile to residents, puts their health at risk, and does not maintain the facility.
• Management won't talk to renters or be responsive to health and safety concerns.
• There's a resident who's faced several fire hazards and noxious odors from a room, and management won't address them.
• Washers and dryers have remained broken for months and aren't fixed.
• These issues were raised over a year ago and there's been no improvement.
• Laundry facilities are dirty and not maintained; there is high turnover and office staff are rude and indifferent.
• There is no on-site maintenance; the dishwasher has been broken for more than six months.
• Emergency lighting in the stairwell was not working for months until the fire department was notified.
• The building has leaks, dirty carpets, and a general sense of neglect (carpets smell like dirty socks, etc.).
• The roof top reconstruction started but little work has been done so far.
• The owner is not replacing washers or dryers; residents have to use laundromats, which many cannot afford.
• Front desk coverage is inconsistent; there is rarely someone at the desk when residents visit.

Review

Covington Place Senior Apartments stands out in the memories of its residents for two very different reasons: the people who currently bring warmth and responsiveness to the community, and the long-standing, sometimes troubling, patterns of management and maintenance that several residents say have persisted for years. Across the letters and messages, there is a clear sense of a place with real potential and real people who care - and at the same time a chorus of concerns about communication, upkeep, and leadership that some feel has not kept pace with the needs of a senior living community.

A unifying thread among many of the messages is the impact of Crystal Allen. Multiple residents describe her as a standout presence who has transformed the atmosphere since she arrived. Gary and Anne Marie Hodge specifically commend Crystal for being deeply involved with residents from day one, decorating for events, and organizing a holiday dinner and dance with a level of care that has impressed the community. They express a heartfelt wish for her to become the permanent manager, praising her ability to engage residents without asking for unnecessary help and noting the positive difference she has made in a relatively short time. Other residents echo this sentiment, calling Crystal "super helpful," "very kind," and a "breath of fresh air" who goes over and beyond, even helping with tasks like loading groceries into a resident's unit. The reception area, once a source of anxiety for some tenants, is recast as a place of reassurance and support thanks to Crystal's patience and professional demeanor.

The praise for Crystal extends beyond individual interactions. One resident, Tessa Moon, describes an experience with Crystal at the front desk that was efficient, professional, and courteous, noting that Crystal's presence makes the entire building feel more welcoming. In her view, Crystal, alongside a confident, capable team, has begun restoring Covington Place to the orderly, well-run environment residents remembered when they first moved in. Several comments highlight Crystal's fit for senior housing and describe her as an excellent property manager in a short timeframe, suggesting that her leadership and people skills are exactly what the community needs.

Alongside the positive comments about Crystal, several residents acknowledge the reality of turnover among on-site staff and the frustration that can accompany it. While some maintenance workers are described as capable, there is a recurring worry that good staff do not stay for long, leaving repeated gaps in service. Antonio is singled out by multiple residents as someone who has performed well and been friendly, with a hope expressed that he remains employed. The sense from these remarks is that stability at the management and maintenance level would significantly improve the lived experience, even as residents recognize the current staff's individual strengths.

There is also a strong counterpoint in the collection of reviews. A number of messages convey serious, urgent concerns about management's responsiveness and the overall condition of the property. One review uses emphatic language to urge others not to come to Covington Place, describing management as hostile to residents and failing to address health, safety, and maintenance issues. Fire hazards, noxious odors, and ongoing problems with washers and dryers, some of which have remained broken for months, appear repeatedly. Several residents note that work orders are neglected, emergency lighting in stairwells was not functioning for an extended period, and there are reports of leaks, carpet odors, and general aging of the building that have not been adequately addressed. There are explicit criticisms about bait-and-switch tactics regarding advertised amenities, misrepresentations about the status of washers and dryers, and a lack of timely repairs or communication from the property owners or management company.

Some reviews broaden the critique to the operations and infrastructure of Covington Place beyond maintenance issues. There are mentions of a chaotic or unresponsive office environment, inconsistent cleaning and painting, and a sense that the property has experienced a decline over the past couple of years. Observations about the laundry facilities, the condition of hallways and carpets, and the general upkeep - paired with warnings to prospective residents to do thorough, written checks before committing - paint a picture of a building with real problems that need coordinated attention from ownership and management.

Yet the community also includes voices of satisfaction and gratitude. One resident sums up a positive sentiment by saying, "This place is great. I am very happy to live here and really thankful for the management and their efforts to help us get in." A separate note points to a more favorable experience under current leadership, indicating that the right mix of care, efficiency, and respectful interaction can make Covington Place a welcoming home for seniors. Another set of comments specifically highlights the management team (separate from Crystal) as friendly and caring, with Jantelle and Nick singled out for their compassionate approach with residents.

Taken together, the collection presents Covington Place as a community with clear bright spots and distinct challenges. The enthusiasm around Crystal Allen's presence suggests that a stable, resident-centered leadership approach could unlock significant positive change for the building and its residents. At the same time, the more severe complaints underscore the need for reliable maintenance, transparent communication, and consistent on-site leadership. The overall message to anyone considering Covington Place is nuanced: there is a strong, caring resident community and a noticeable spark of improvement around Crystal's involvement, but substantial work remains to ensure safety, cleanliness, and dependable service across every facet of the property.

Located in Covington, Washington, this particular area offers a variety of amenities and conveniences that cater to senior living. With several dining options within close proximity, including Taco Time NW, Chick-Fil-A, and McDonald's, residents can easily access a range of meal choices. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies nearby such as Rite Aid and Walgreens for any medical needs. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are several parks like Lake Meridian Park and Wilson Playfields for leisurely walks or picnics. Access to healthcare services is also readily available with physicians' offices like Legacy Medical Aesthetics and Valley Medical Center - Fairwood Clinic in the vicinity. In terms of entertainment, seniors can enjoy movies at AMC Kent Station 14 or Regal Auburn theaters. Transportation options are convenient with U-Haul Moving & Storage close by and the Renton Municipal Airport just a short drive away. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle down in a vibrant community with easy access to essential services and recreational activities.

Restaurants

• Taco Time NW (0.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Imbibe Bottle House & Taproom (3.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3.9 miles)
• Applebee's (4.2 miles)
• Crocketts Public House (4.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Bartell Drugs (3.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.3 miles)
• Walgreens (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Lake Meridian Park (1.3 miles)
• Cedar Downs (2.5 miles)
• Wilson Playfields (2.7 miles)
• Springwood Park (2.7 miles)
• Green View Park (3.2 miles)
• Lea Hill Park (4.2 miles)
• Summit Park (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Legacy Medical Aesthetics (2.6 miles)
• Kosnoski Eye Care (4.7 miles)
• Molen Oral & Facial Surgery (5.7 miles)
• Valley Medical Center - Fairwood Clinic (5.9 miles)
• Kent Eye Clinic (6 miles)
• UW Medicine - Valley Women’s Health (6.5 miles)
• Muckleshoot Health & Wellness (6.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• South Auburn Bigfoot Java (6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Auburn Way Big Foot Java (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (9.1 miles)
• Starbucks (9.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Spirit Parish (5.8 miles)
• Church Of The Nazarene Auburn (7.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Kent Station 14 (5.8 miles)
• Regal Auburn (7.3 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (6.6 miles)
• Angle Lake Station (9.6 miles)
• International Arrivals Facility (10.1 miles)
• Club at SEA (10.1 miles)
• Concourse A (10.2 miles)
• Renton Municipal Airport (RNT) (10.2 miles)
• South Satellite (10.3 miles)