I lived at ridgecrest apartments from 2003 - 2008.
Management
We moved in 3 managers ago and a completely different leasing staff. The manager we had when we first moved in was great. She sadly died, and with her our joy of living at the community. Our second reason for staying at the community was the leasing consultant/assistant manager who has since moved on. I am not sure as to why other to venture a guess as she was asked to leave as she seemed to have the residents' best interest at heart. The second manager was HORRIBLE!!! We have 5 flood issues in our unit in a matter of 1 year. He did all but tell us to F off about the issues. Please note that most of the water issues were NOT broken pipes but water left on in other units, 3 times were due to the cleaning and maintenance crews on newly vacated apartments. We didn't move then simply because I was pregnant and to move was not a viable option. That manager was, no surprise, PROMOTED. The new management is all business no really concern for the residents. All current staff is young. At times the demeanor of management seams almost condescending.
Rent
As previous renters have noted the rent increases are HUGE now. Before increases were between $25 - $50 at most and now increases are $75 - $200. Current and long time residents may pay considerably more I have discovered than new incoming residents. Our lease renewal was for 1615. The exact same unit only vacant 2 weeks was renting for 1510. I was told when I found this out that if you move in on a rent special they will increase your rent only the current % that all units are increasing, not in addition to the special amount. So if you moved in with a $100.00/month rent special and if all around rent increases are $95.00 that unit will only increase $95.00 NOT $195.00 like most communities. For that all new renters lucky you, for all you current residents with out a rent special, I am sorry for you.
Parking
Parking is an issue. When we first moved in parking was still permitted on Lake Forest Drive. That ended 6 months after we moved in and the parking issues started there. There is actually not enough spaces inside the complex for ever unit to have 2 cars. We had 2 cars. We both often arrived in the complex after 7PM. One of us would get the covered spot and the other had to fend for themselves. There was probably 2-4 times a month where one of us had to park clear on the other side of the complex (about 10 minutes walking) Towards the end of our stay they was at least 5 times in 2 months that one of us had to park outside the complex on pittsford. Management needs to monitor stored cars more. Cars often remain in the community in an open parking space for several months without moving. Management is VERY slow to act on parking issues.
Apartments
The units themselves are pretty nice. There is next to no storage even with the outside storage closet. There is a small laundry room off the patio if you don't have a washer/dryer that is good for storage. You cannot store things on your patio example boxes, bicycles etc. per rules. They are sporadic about enforcing this. Kitchens are completely impractical down to the width of the drawers. The AC and heat work well. The walls and ceiling are indeed thin. Almost like a movie, you know when your neighbors are having sex. The apartments slant because of poor construction. The apartments are now 19 years old and are starting to be in need of some improvements or freshing up. If they were really smart they would remodel the units 1 building at a time to simply enlarge the kitchens. That would increase people's likely hood of renting.
Wildlife
There is a LOT of wildlife that likes to wander through the complex, not limited to mice, rats, opossums, raccoons, coyotes, bob cats, and once a mountain lion (4 years ago) YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS. The rats and mice occasionally get into the walls or your BBQ. The raccoons get into the trash and the even your patio. The coyotes run through the parking lot eating your pets.

Overall the apartments are decent with flaws. I did enjoy my stay but often wanted to move. It is in a great location as far as stores and toll road access a bit far from the freeway. The CITY of lake forest is great and I miss it tremendously.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates