I've been a renter for many years, many places, so I feel qualified to comment clearly on a bad community. Yes, there is the noise, bad parking, etc, but in the end, the worst is they cost me money. They ripped me off in what I would almost certainly call fraud. Let's explore the usual suspects first:

Location: The only good part to this particular place, you have the Altamonte area, but Archstone will rent to almost anyone so you will *not* have your peace and quiet by any reasonable standard, and at least one apartment close to you will be full of undesirables who may or may not be a resident there.

Parking: Only the front units are assigned, the rest is first come first serve, and you will have noisy people hanging out in the parking lot often at any given hour, fixing their car, revving engines or booming the stereo, shouting on a cell phone, or just hanging out, making you look out the window often to make sure your car is still ok.

Noise: Walls are THIN. *especially* upstairs if you have one, you might as well be living with your neighbor, you can hear them that much. When I moved in, constant wall noise from next door, slamming doors, loud music/ video games, etc. Called the cops at least several times, something I've never really had to do before. When I moved out' Just in time, the loudest family I've ever heard comes slamming and shouting (several families') Let's just say there were 3 or 4 cars, and people coming in and out at all hours with 2 or 3 constantly crying infants, so I can't believe that only one family is actually living there. Think ghetto.

Grounds: Looks like an old Days Inn, the kind that you get stuck with when you've traveled too long into the night on a trip and every place else is booked up. No real landscaping, the 'pond' is a mosquito pit, I've never braved the pool, no thanks. The dumpster is exposed most of the time, a wonderful view of people s trash bags as you pull in from work every day. No parking area to pick up your mail, so it s either the handicapped spot or someone's parking space.

Safety: Um,...'

Construction: As you'd expect from buildings 30 years old or so... Again the cheap motel ref, the faucets and fixtures are terrible, especially the shower, expect drips or keep handy a screw driver! Also, and very importantly, the air conditioning does NOT get to the bedrooms well! You'll have to shut some vents to get good circulation!! My electric cost was high, so no quality units to save you money, windows are cheap and screens may or may not be there. You have to PAY for trach collection, when the dumpster is right there.. $20 a month for saving you a 20ft walk. I could go on, but need I say more'

Maintenance: They fixed the garbage disposal ok.

Staff: This is where I get mad and where you should be very careful!! I'll spare the deep details, but let's just say the (convincingly) forgetful Asst Manager (Debbie) basically screwed me over on 2 weeks rent. I mentioned I rented for many years, I am VERY careful and VERY clear on details, and when I was basically lied too after an arrangement had been made to leave early well over months in advance, the staff developed amnesia when I called a week later to ask where my adjusted final rent amount letter was. (I actually got a letter for rent cost if I stay, it was at that point I had a feeling I was about to get screwed, you know' And so I was) I was not pleased, and so what did I do' Called the so-called Archstoned customer service! Why even have this' They are of NO assistance and will not follow up, will not return calls, will not do anything for you if you have any real issues. They want your money, period. I was hung up on by their so called representatives when requesting a manager. I was courteous and calm, so why did I meet with such resistance'' They want your money. Expect retaliation & calculated retorts to save face posted here by the staff. He said she said right' But at the end of the day, it s your money; protect yourself from used car salesmen/women.

So Why then did I move to this hellhole if so bad and I am so careful' Good question. The answer is: It was literally next door. I was living in a REAL community and Orlando had a boom in apartments being turned into condos and I was being careful so I wouldn't get caught up in it, my mistake to go the quick and easy route, where I left was WAYYYY much nicer and pro, was just trying to play it safe until it all blew over.

BOTTOM LINE: There are many places to rent, and believe me, an out of the way drive from a great apartment complex is pref to a great location living in a sh_thole like Archstone. Look for the newest communities, get the best you can afford, the xtra $$$ will go far, believe me!

The experience I had with their 'corporate cust serv dept' gives me a very real impression that this whole operation is an uncaring fraud factory, so if you are unfortunate enough to have no choice but to come here, get everything IN WRITING AS YOU STAND THERE! Do NOTHING OVER THE PHONE! You will regret it later. You will, as you move, have mix-matched dates coming and going. MAKE SURE your community is flexible and GET IT IN WRITING!!! You will never know when you might have to move. Also, as you read these ratings, ever notice how some great ratings here are a little too perfect' Like a commercial' That s the staff trying to cover up the bad marks. Study well, Good luck.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/06/2007
This person ended up getting a refund for the extra two weeks of rent, so he was out no money. He signed a lease, which is a legal, binding contract. Archstone did not have to refund his money, but in an effort to promote good customer service did so.
From: yobabypop	Date: 04/20/2008
That place was DISGUSTING. WE left immediately after seeing the apts and people hanging around there! We live in the one off Montgomery which is pretty good and QUIET! ALTIMIRA is TOTALLY 100% percent completely redone INSIDE & OUTSIDE (EVERYTHING!!!!!!!)Their pool area is the best I HAVE EVER SEEN!

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