Contrary to what many reviewers have stated on this website, The Sanctuary of Lake Villa is indeed a good place to live. Like any apartment community, there are some issues - and having lived in many, I can assure you that the "problems" are not exclusive to this property, nor are they near as bad as what you'd find elsewhere.

Here is a partial list of some pros & cons...

Pros:
*Well designed, modern apartments with ample and attractive space.
*Attractive, and fairly well maintained grounds.
*Clubhouse is nice, and I do use the pool and weight room regularly.
*"Free" Coffee - not really free since we do pay for it, but I drink it often.
*Monthly events getting better, but would be nicer if more people would attend.

Cons (that can be addressed by the owners):
*Parking is an issue, especially on weekends.
*Lack of a recycling program.
*Lack of choice for Cable/Satellite Provider - which they are working on, but I'd still prefer Comcast or AT&T.

Cons (that are no ones fault but the tenants that are responsible):
*Pick up the feces left behind by your animal. I have pets, and I pick up after them. Since there at least 5 "Poop Stations" located on the apartment grounds, complete with crap-bags and receptacles - it's not hard to clean up after your pet. If you can't complete a simple task such as that, perhaps you are unfit to own a pet to begin with.
*Noise. I personally have had no issues with noisy neighbors, but friends in other buildings have - mostly due to apparent domestic disputes. Once again, if you feel it necessary to beat your spouse, significant other, or life partner - perhaps you would best be suited to live alone or to be beaten to a pulp a few times for good measure. Better yet, take some anger management classes and move out.


Before I go any further I will admit that I'm only here due to an unsolicited email that was sent by a fellow resident that harvested my email address from a Sanctuary email that was recently sent out. From other comments I've read on this website, I also fully expect to be accused of working for the complex, due to writing an overall positive review of it. Apparently some people feel that it is unacceptable to have a differing opinion - in this case a positive one toward the place we all live.

I'm even going to go out on a (a very short) limb and suggest that many of the posters here are in fact the same person or small group of persons jumping online to whine and complain in retaliation to whatever "wrong" they feel has been committed against them. There's certain people I see when I come home from work at night that just look like they have a chip on their shoulders. I'd bet money that the person who lured me here is one of those people. Unhappy at work, unhappy at home, nothing better to do than post gripes on the internet since it's the one place they might find a voice.

That said, I will blatantly state that I enjoy living at the Sanctuary. So far I like most of my neighbors, I've never had an issue with the office staff (sans one that fed me a bunch of false info when I moved here and has since ceased working here), and I get what I expect on a monthly basis - I pay my rent on time and have a nice comfortable place to sleep at night, and above all am left alone.

Like any community, job, etc. - if you don't like it, go somewhere else.

Manager's Response
From: Manager	Date: 07/10/2008
You are correct. No matter what community you live in, there may be issues that arise. I take pride in stating that we do our best to prevent as many of those issues from occurring as possible! To address some of your Pro's: The builders did do an exceptional job in selecting the materials and design used in making this community. They have also won awards for the landscaping and we all take pride in working here. My staff and I are always very conscientious of picking up any debris should we encounter any in the workday. I am glad that you love our clubhouse! We certainly do as well and so do the prospective residents that tour with us. The increased occupancy should hopefully assist in increasing our attendance at our functions. You can also feel free to bring friends and family with you! The more the merrier. To address some of your Con's: With regards to the animal waste, I do agree that it can be an issue and we have even gone so far as to distribute Ziploc bags to everyone to remind people that it cannot be left behind. As a non-pet owner, I do not like to encounter animal waste any more than the next guy so I understand your frustration. I have occasionally hired a temp-worker to scour the property in search for the waste and to dispose of it properly. We do have 5 pet stations currently and change them 3-4 times per week. I encourage those with pets to utilize common sense and pick up after your dogs for the respect of your current and future neighbors and our award-winning landscaping. We do have a strict pet fine structure in place in hopes that the rule-breakers will cease the behavior. If you have alternative suggestions to conquer your issues, please feel free to contact me. I would also like to add that our community does not have the space for recycling containers in our corrals. However, the office does recycle and we take our items to the center in Grayslake every week. I would be happy to include your separated items with our when we go! We recently sent out a survey about the interest level in Direct TV. We have dabbled with the idea of implementing this as well but were surprised with the lack of interest on a whole. We will continue to monitor this idea. With regards to being misled by a former employee, I do apologize for that happening to you and hope that you will continue to experience a pleasant living environment.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/07/2008
Hordak, it's not that easy just to pick up and leave. I think this website is a great way for current and former residents to voice their opinions about this apartment complex. I suspect if you went to an expensive restaurant and received poor service you would share your experience with the restaurant manager or if you were unhappy with your job you would be candid during your exit interview and share your reason for leaving the company. I don't see how this situation is any different. We are paying for luxury living...I'm not asking that the staff personally hand deliver packages or provide any special treatment, however I do expect ---- and her staff to remain professional and provide great customer service. I have witnessed ---- and ------- on numerous occasions act very unprofessional and if our concerns are not being listened to by ---- or the management company, this website allows unhappy residents to voice their concerns/frustrations. I can assure you, many of the people that have posted on this website have a happy home life and enjoy what they do for a living. However, it's hard to remain positive and upbeat if the community you call "home" significantly lacks in customer service. For those of us that can't leave (as you suggest), I don't think it's unreasonable to expect anything but professionalism from the manager and leasing staff.
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/02/2008
Hey Hordak - kiss a little a** much? T*ra done any 'favors' for you lately? Or perhaps you're actually T*ra? I think your opinions suck...I absolutely would not call you objective in the slightest, as a testament to the childish crap you've posted in response to others on this board. Perhaps you need a taste of your own medicine mr. objective. But, why waste time in you, if you happen to be the village idiot of this thread. You deserve any crap you get.

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