I've lived at this location for a year, like the staff, and know my neighbors. The review posted by "LeslieGS" ("Decent Place to Live"), is an accurate account of what it's like here. I shopped around a lot before choosing Camden, and here's my honest opinion after a year:
1) It's SAFE. If you're looking for something in Dunwoody in particular, stay north of I-285. Camden is definitely one of the nicer communities located in this area and still near the interstate. South of the interstate is sketchy and I never go there alone. Ride under the bridge to Camden, and it feels pretty safe; there's a school down the street and kids walk to and from school from the community. The "incident" noted in another review happened in the middle of the day in a first-floor apt. while the couple was home and the door was UNLOCKED. But in a year, that's all that's happened here, and I still feel comfortable. If you're nervous, don't live on the first floor, and lock your door all the time. Done.
2) CLEANLINESS: I haven't had mold problems or any issues with cleanliness in the apartment from previous tenants. The unit was in great condition, and the few problems I did have (garbage disposal broken, fire alarm, washing machine disconnected when I moved in), have been fixed within hours of submitting my request. My only beef would be that I wish the carpet had been replaced before I moved in, as it's looking a bit shabbier and smells like cat pee in a couple of spots (I don't have pets, so it was from previous tenants). I haven't said anything to the staff about it yet, but surely they'd at least clean my carpet for me.
3) FRIENDLY: The staff has always been friendly and helpful, including the maintenance staff. I know and am fond of most of my neighbors, including those in the building across from me, and there hasn't been much turnover in my area. Based on other reviews, this sense of community varies by building, expectations, personality, etc.
4) ON THE OTHER HAND, there have definitely been some riff-raff moving in within the last 6 months. My building even went through a phase this summer when a couple of people were noisy and disrespectful, and they would leave trash on the stairs for me to kick over in the morning. When I asked the staff, they said it was probably due to rent specials (hey, I got in on a special and manage to live in a way respectful to my neighbors).
5) NOISE: First of all, if you're a really light sleeper, beware--of the fire trucks. Peachford Road is on an emergency route and I often hear sirens blaring down the street. RESIDENT NOISE was awful later in the summer when the kids got out of school. Granted, I don't live right next to the pool, but they went crazy with fireworks all night long for a couple of months, even though the property tried to enforce rules banning them. When school started, the noise stopped. For the most part, I don't hear my neighbors, with the occasional exception being someone talking on the phone in the stairwell. Lots of young couples and singles living in my building, if that has anything to do with it; and again, this varies by where you live in the complex. Ask the staff about it when you're here about quieter buildings, family-friendly buildings (i.e. lots of kids running around playing), etc.

Well, if you've made it this far, that's the dish from one person's perspective. I want to move in-town and am looking at transferring to another Camden community, mainly because I like the staff (which hasn't changed in the year I've been here--a record for my experiences in apartment living). Camden may not be the best choice for everybody, but it's definitely not the worst you can do. See for yourself, take stock of other options in the area, and go with your gut.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 01/18/2008
you contradict you own self in this review. in #1 you say stay north of 285 because south of is sketchy and you never go there alone. Then in your closing paragraph you say you want to move in-town!
From: uberstar916	Date: 02/11/2009
Yep, just south of the I-285 is sketchy. Where I live in-town isn't sketchy. The review is about Camden Dunwoody, not about where I moved.

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