I've lived at Semoran North (now Andover at Winter Park) for over two years now and while it provides a roof over my head there are many issues.

-Pros-
Price & Size: This place is cheap and the apartments are large. The one bedrooms are definitely big enough for couples and/or someone with lots of stuff (like Full Sail kids and all their gear).

Location: Full Sail, Valencia and UCF are all fairly close by for college students. Decent shops in the area but mostly require a car.

Getting In: If you have bad credit, they'll take a co-sign. They'll generally help you try to get an apartment even if you have some blemishes..

Unfortunately, once you get in... things get bad.

-Cons-

Stinky: I'm not sure what it is but even from the first day moving in there was this weird smell in the place. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't really pleasant either. Air fresheners, scented candles, nothing will get the smell to leave... you kind of just get used to it. One of my fears is that the smell is actually mold and that I've been breathing it in for the past couple years.

Security: If you've read any of the other reviews on here the stories are true. There are a bunch of "interesting" characters doing "interesting" things around here. There have been break ins, homicide(s'), car jackings, etc. There was a private security firm that was here at one point but after a month or so they seemed to disappear. There have been a few times where I've feared for my safety while loud, violent fights have ensued in the middle of the night. For the most part if you mind your business you'll be left alone but you never know when some wasted a-- hole might cause trouble.

Staff: I've tried being cordial with the staff but it's to no avail. They'll smile to your face, tell you they'll "get right on it" (when addressing a maintenance issue) but they NEVER do. If it's an issue with money, rent, lease, etc; forget about it. They'll be rude and snarky to your face and cop an attitude with you in a snap. They make you feel like a second-rate citizen for renting with them. The staff seems like they're on some kind of power trip. To be honest, I don't understand it. I just want my issue addressed and to go about my day minus the drama. Why Semoran North insists on trying to ruin my day whenever I have an issue with my apartment is beyond me.

Maintenance: About as wonderful as the staff. I've had the maintenance guys act annoyed for having to come out and address a problem. That is, when they actually decide to show up.

Air Conditioner: This goes hand-and-hand with maintenance. Firstly, The air conditioning units will cost you a fortune and do not work correctly. Maintenance wont (cant') fix them so don't even bother complaining.

Appliances: Old and barely working. The stoves and dishwashers look and work like they are from the 1970's. Garbage disposal rarely works. Maintenance doesn't care.

Roaches/Bugs: There are bugs and they do not go away. Apparently pest control sprays once a month but they must be using water in place of bug spray. Your apartment can be immaculate and it will make no difference. They're mostly small roaches confined to the kitchen.

Laundry: The laundry rooms in the complex are dirty, unkept, old and you have to figure out which dryers work (good luck). This is assuming that the rust on all the machines isn't enough to scare you away from the get go.

They will raise your rent while they offer new tenants two months free and other incentives.

Pet Deposit is way too much money, only half of which is refundable.

Don't be late with rent either or they'll ding you with a chunky fee even if only 1 day.

The "renovation" that is going on is a joke. They've changed the name of the apartments, painted them very poorly, cut down trees, put up a fence and moved the trash bins to the back of the apartment complex where it is too far to walk to with a heavy bag of trash.

The only thing they renovated decently was the leasing office. Which is great, but unfortunately you can't live there. It's funny how they shoved a couple treadmills in the back of said office and try to pass it off as a "fitness center".


-The Lowdown-

If you're broke, down on your luck and need a place to rest your head and don't mind dealing with "The best address in Winter Park" you can survive here. It is a place to live. It ain't fancy and it sure ain't pretty but it'll have to do until you can get that new job and a better credit score... or if you're a punk college kid that doesn't care about much, come on down.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/14/2008
that smell is mold,there are apartments where the ceiling in the master bath are covered in black mold,trust me i have pictures senior citizens are livig in filth and that's ok because thr only apartments that are being "rehabed" are the empty ones and trust me all it is is painting over the problem while the cancerous mold stays underneath floors and behind walls..for your health and your loved ones get out A.S.A.P
From: JAZMYNE21	Date: 04/14/2008
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH.... RACHEL, JESSICA, AND TINA ARE THE ONE THAT HAVE THE ATTITUDE AND ARE VERY RUDE AND THINK THAT THEY BETTER THAN SOME ONE BUT THEY ARE FORGETING THAT BECAUSE WE LIVE THERE THEY ARE GETTING PAID BUT I WILL GIVE THEM ONE MORE YEAR BEFORE THAT ENTIRE PALCE IS CONDEMED AND I WILL HAVE FRONT ROW SEATS WHEN IT IS.. I HATE THIS PLACE WORST YEAR OF MY LIFE!!
From: mniceguy18	Date: 05/11/2008
the new girls are hot but one is nice and the other is a cun* but how and the fat one in the back is mad cuz she is not hot and she is the worst of them all
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/06/2008
I've been living here for two years. And the original post is beyond 100% right. The management would be better off bulldozing the entire lot and starting over from scratch. I will not be renewing my lease either.
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/22/2009
I lived at Andover for 9 months with my boyfriend and it was terrible. Everything in the original post was right 100%, nothing I would disagree with. From the smell to the roaches to the rude staff this place is the worst apartment I have ever lived in. I even had a bat in my kitchen one morning. DO NOT MOVE HERE. I URGE YOU TO FIND A DIFFERENT PLACE!

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