Howard Woods

Pros

• The apartments are very clean.
• The apartments are safe.
• The apartments are affordable.
• There is off-street parking.
• The place is nice for the money.
• It is a good place to live.

Cons

• The rent is overpriced and the property is a dump.
• The reviewer feels the management is selective and picks and chooses which tenants to accept.
• The apartments are described as the ghetto.
• Access to units seems restricted, implying favoritism in tenant approvals.

Review

A longtime resident paints a complex portrait of the property, one that has evolved over more than a decade. After thirteen years in the same place, they describe their experience as a tug-of-war between halves: half of the time it's been good, half of it not so good. The overall feel is that the quality of life here is highly contextual, swinging with the people who live in the surrounding apartments and the daily dynamics of the community.

A central thread in the narrative is the behavior of neighbors. The reviewer notes that the atmosphere and daily experience "depends a lot on the neighbors in the apartment complex." When the community harmonizes - quiet living, respectful neighbors, and a stable social environment - the place can feel comfortable and livable. But when neighborly conduct dips, the same walls can magnify frustrations, turning the experience toward the negative. In short, the human element appears to be the biggest determinant of satisfaction or disappointment.

Cost and condition sit at opposite ends of the spectrum in the reviewer's view. On one hand, the rent is described as overpriced, and there is a blunt claim that the property is "a dump" at times. That harsh assessment suggests aging infrastructure, maintenance challenges, or parts of the complex that don't meet the expectations one would have for the money being paid. On the other hand, the same person also notes some positive financial aspects, calling the apartments affordable and seeing value in the arrangement when the units are in decent condition and the surroundings feel safe. The juxtaposition highlights a tension between perceived value and the realities of property upkeep.

The leasing process adds another layer of complexity to the overall impression. The reviewer has been trying to move in for a very long time and feels like the company behind the complex is selective in who they accept. This sense that applicants are screened or treated with a degree of favoritism shapes the tone of the experience, implying that access isn't uniform and that some potential tenants may feel as if they must navigate a gatekeeping process to secure a unit. It's a perception that colors even the positive aspects of the property, since the path to residency is seen as part of the overall experience rather than just the day-to-day living.

Despite the concerns, there are clear, positive takeaways. The reviewer emphasizes that the apartments can be very clean, safe, and affordable, with the benefit of off-street parking. They describe the space as "a nice place for the money" and a "good place to live" when conditions align: the cleanliness is up to standard, security feels adequate, and the parking situation is convenient. These attributes showcase the potential upside of the complex, making it appealing for budget-minded renters who prioritize safety and practicality over luxury.

Yet the more critical voice cannot be ignored. The final impression leans toward the idea that these apartments belong to a tough crowd, one that some people might label as the ghetto. That stark characterization signals deeper concerns beyond occasional maintenance hiccups or neighborly tensions. It reflects a perception of the overall environment - perhaps tied to noise, safety worries, or the types of residents who populate the area - which clashes with the more favorable assessments of cleanliness and convenience.

Taken together, the narrative reveals a multifaceted identity. The complex can be an affordable, reasonably clean, and conveniently located option, especially for those who manage to secure a unit and happen to live in a quieter, well-behaved portion of the community. But the experience is highly contingent on the people around you, the management's access policies, and how much effort you're willing to invest in navigating perceived gatekeeping. For prospective tenants, the takeaway is to weigh the lure of low cost and decent safety with the potential for inconsistency and the social dynamics that can color daily life.

Parks

• Port Doggie Park (0.4 miles)
• Veterans Memorial Field (0.5 miles)
• Veterans Park (0.5 miles)
• Portage Family Skate Park (0.6 miles)
• Splash Park (0.7 miles)
• Riverside Park (0.7 miles)
• Blue Star Park (1.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Wilz's Drug & Home Health Care (0.5 miles)
• Home Town Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Village Drug (7.6 miles)
• Home Town Pharmacy (7.6 miles)
• Pharming Health Care (10 miles)

Restaurants

• Town Chef (0.6 miles)
• The Ball Room (0.6 miles)
• Unforgettables (0.6 miles)
• Popcorn Corner (0.7 miles)
• A&W Restaurant (0.7 miles)
• Friendly Tavern (0.7 miles)
• Trail's Lounge Supper Club (0.8 miles)

Transportation

• Dewildt Taxidermy (0.6 miles)
• Portage Cab Co Portage (0.7 miles)
• Amtrak (0.8 miles)
• Murphys Taxidermy (9.3 miles)

Cafes

• Portage Cafe (0.6 miles)

Theaters

• Portage Theatres-7 (0.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Wels (0.9 miles)
• Trinity United Church of Christ (0.9 miles)
• Portage United Methodist Church (1 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (1.4 miles)
• Truth Baptist Church (1.6 miles)
• Bethlehem Lutheran Church (2 miles)
• Grace Bible Church (2.1 miles)

Physicians

• Aspen Family Counseling (1.4 miles)
• St Mary's Dean Ventures (1.5 miles)
• Dean Clinic (1.6 miles)
• Diraimondo, Linda Dr - Pauquette Center (1.6 miles)
• Goldthorpe Family Eyecare (1.6 miles)
• Divine Savior Family Medicine (1.6 miles)
• Krause Ogoma M MD - Divine Savior Healthcare Pulmonary Diabetes (1.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Divine Savior Healthcare (1.6 miles)
• Divine Savior Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Dana Durdall Pa (7.3 miles)