Catherine Commons, ithaca-ny

I usually don’t write reviews, but I felt it was important to share my disappointing experience with Catherine Commons so that students considering housing near Cornell can make a more informed decision. I lived at Catherine Commons for a year. Initially, the living experience was acceptable, but halfway through my lease, management changed, and the quality of service deteriorated significantly. The new management demonstrated a clear focus on revenue generation rather than resident satisfaction, accountability, or providing the level of service residents should reasonably expect. Despite experiencing several issues following the management change, I initially chose not to raise complaints. However, when I eventually contacted the office regarding two separate matters, their handling of both situations was extremely disappointing. Rather than providing clear answers, taking responsibility, or offering meaningful solutions, management repeatedly delayed addressing my concerns without providing any proper resolution. Catherine Commons was once a more reliable housing option, but its management practices have seriously undermined that reputation. Several other reviews also reflect similar concerns about the current management. I’m sharing this experience to encourage prospective residents, particularly Cornell students, to carefully evaluate their housing options before making a financial commitment. Residents deserve transparency, professionalism, and accountability, none of which were demonstrated in my experience with the current management. I strongly recommend considering alternative housing options before committing to Catherine Commons.

Absolutely awful experience at Catherine Commons. The building is shoddily constructed and unprofessionally run. Most of the staff is downright rude (with the exception of Michael and Hunter – you guys were great). The ladies managing the office always had the most bizarre and off-putting attitude, and invariably closed the office early just as you needed assistance. Our heating was broken for weeks in the dead of winter. Despite this the heating bill was $900. We got something like $166 in compensation. The main entrance door was broken nearly the entire year. The laundry machine broke down three separate times. The windows leaked cold air constantly. I could go on. Not a single thing about this building worked the way it should have. The only good things about living here were buying (overpriced but good) acai bowls and talking to Michael while picking up packages. Would not recommend to anyone. I honestly feel like these people defrauded my friends and I out of thousands of dollars.

Please please please, listen to me and do yourself a favour and DO NOT live in these apartments, unless you want to pay $800 in utilities, in that case feel free. Where do I even begin, I have so many complaints. Our heating unit BROKE DOWN for more than a month in January (peak winter), yet our bill was still $800??? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE??? It took them actual WEEKS to fix the heating, by then winter was nearly over. And I know they will respond to this by saying that NYSEG handles the utilities billing. I know NYSEG handles utilities, but why do residents in this building have to pay hundreds of dollars while my friends in neighbouring buildings, who also pay through NYSEG, pay like $50-200 maximum!!! There is something sinister up with this building, maybe owing to the poor and cheap construction. Other than that, the laundry SUCKS, and the living room and kitchen are too small as compared to the bedrooms. The apartment also just has such a dorm feel, no homey feeling whatsoever. The apartment is always cold, and despite paying hundreds in utilities we NEVER got to enjoy a cosy apartment. We literally had to wear thermals inside, I’m not even exaggerating. The ladies in the office have such an attitude for no reason, except the package guy Michael and assistant manager Hunter, those two are the only nice ones so no complaints there. Moral of the story: please just go live somewhere else!!! P.S please don’t even bother replying to my review because I simply do not care for the lousy excuses provided underneath the other reviews. I don’t live here anymore and if I could go back in time I WOULD NEVER, so please just let this be a warning if you’re even considering living here!!! They need to fix their issues immediately and urgently before they trap other poor people.

The heating bill is INSANE!!!! Do not live here unless you want to be spending easily over $800 dollars in utilities. (I've never had to pay more than $60 dollars in the past in winter.) And get this, the heat was broken for a month and we were FREEZING and our bill was $700+.... these people do not care for your well being. Also be prepared to wait 7 hours for the dryer to finish your laundry and for all your clothing to smell bad.

Alyssa was a really great guide. She answered all my questions and was super nice!