This is the most crime-ridden ghetto I have ever had the displeasure of living in. Neighbors have been robbed, other neighbors are obvious drug dealers. (I mean, who else has muliple visitors to their apartment at 3 AM that stay for approximately 30 seconds apiece') Teens roam the complex at all hours vandalizing cars, dumpsters or whatever else they can destroy. Noise levels with overbearing bass beats and blaring Latino music or obscene Rap lyrics are constant. I don't hesitate to call the Kissimmee Police when my peace is disturbed. Sadly, the KPD is understaffed and they can't prioritize noise complaints.

When I first came here with my wife, this entire end of town was on an upswing due to the construction of the Osceola Parkway/Hunter's Creek LOOP Shopping development. New Shopping, dining and entertainment venues were being built. Initially, my wife and I were less than sold on Dorado, but we considered the large renewal projects that surrounded the complex, and thought that Dorado would inevitably be swept up in those improvements. Not quite.

Yes, we were impressed with the large size of the floorplans and the moderate prices here at Dorado, but if I knew then what I know now, I would have happily paid double to live in a shoebox in a safer part of town. On our first night in our new apartment, our car window was broken, and our car stereo stolen. When the police arrived to take the report, the officer replied: "Welcome to Kissimmee.. or should I say Welcome to Dorado."

My wife wanted to move immediately. But as a financial consideration, we stayed in the hopes that it couldn't be that bad. It only got worse. All but a few of the neighbors here are transient, People will move into a unit one month and be gone the next. Sadly, a great many of those individuals are not the ones who move out of fear for their safety, but rather individuals who come and leave as much disturbance and destruction as they can. Some families live in this complex 7 to 10 people per apartment, which is totally ILLEGAL. Our first neighbors who lived below us were one of those families. The noise and the.. smell... was often nauseating.

As neighboring apartment and condo complexes went out of their way to "pretty up" and remodel their properties, Dorado made a halfhearted stab at keeping up with the Jonses by slapping on a hasty, and haphazardly done paintjob. (in Milk Chocolate Brown with white trim - very classy.)

Well, I suppose you can put a pile of manure in a box and wrap it up with pretty bows - but when you open the box, it's STILL going to be manure. That's Dorado in a nutshell.
The maintenance staff ride around on golf carts all day, but never seem to really be DOING anything. I know requests for safety lights and A/C repairs have gone ignored for days on end.

The ownership has recently, and foolishly, replaced the longtime complex manager, Pat. She was effective and a pleasure to talk to. She would listen to tenants, and she would at least make an effort to get your issues addressed. She went out of her way to work with the tenants and was always pleasant. The new woman they've replaced her with is the coldest, rudest and most impersonal member of management I have ever met in my 20 plus years in management. After only one brief meeting with her, I came to the conclusion that it was time to vacate Dorado and look for more agreeable, more secure and quieter living conditions - at any price.

The office staff, which is generally kind and polite, have recently been crippled by the addition of this aforementioned new complex manager, and when that happens, you know it's time to go.. If they work under the supervision of someone they do not respect, how can they possibly have any concern for tenants'

So, my wife and I have decided we will be moving from this complex next month. I HIGHLY suggest you read this review before you consider moving here. Yes, the price may be competitive, but the ultimate cost you'll pay can be your posessions, your safety and your sanity. Let this place continue it's downturn. I refuse to live here while it declines any further.

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