When I first moved to Sterling Woods in October of 1998, it was in my opinion one of the nicest complexes in the area. Buildings and grounds were well-maintained, very quiet, and the quality of the tenants was impeccable. However, over the years, the complex went steadily downhill, to the point where I wouldn't be surprised if they were closed down by the board of health.
The management staff changed several times, with each group putting less care and effort into the community than the last. They made cutbacks in their maintenace staff -- at one point they only had one poor maintenace person who was run ragged.
I will say that the grounds were still well-maintained and clean, and parking was never a problem, but the condition of the buildings was appalling. They were literally coming apart at the seams. My apartment had leaks behind almost all of the walls, and when I moved out, I noticed that part of my carpet actually had mold growing in it. My balcony was hanging on by a thread. I never used it during the last 2 years that I lived there because I was afraid it would fall off the building. I made management well aware of these problems, but all they did was paint over all of the water stains on my walls that all the leaks had caused.
Friends of mine who lived there moved out in less than a year because there were rats in their apartment. There was also a rat wandering around at the pool one Saturday. Management was unconcerned.
The condidtion of the pool was absolutely horrid. The water did not look clean, and even smelled of mildew at one point. The restrooms are poorly maintained and always dirty. On more than one occision there were used condoms in the shower.
But aside from all that (as if that wasn't enough!) what really made me want to move was the quality of the tenants. I left because I no longer felt safe living there. I felt like I was living in a ghetto. I am not exaggerating at all when I say that there were gangs fighting in the streets almost every day. More than one tenant was arrested for drug charges. The management obviously no longer checks applicants' backgrounds or credit.
Over the years, my rent increased steadily, while new tenants were coming in at lower and lower prices. And still there were eviction notices up on doors every week because those people weren't paying their rent.
When I left, a neighbor in a 3-bedroom apartment was paying over $100 less than I was paying for my 2-bedroom. In my opinion, the people who are living there now that have been there for any amount of time are paying such a high rent for such an appalling place because they are paying for the people who pay next to nothing only to be evicted two months later.
Bottom line: If you are considering moving to Sterling Woods, please look elsewhere. I just moved to a beautifl, brand new apartment only two miles away that offers tons of amenities, and I am paying $150 less a month than I was a Sterling Woods. This community is going steadily downhill. Get out before it hits bottom.
I hope the management reads this and realizes what a slum they are running.

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