We have been out there looking for a new apartment for a while. We found this place on ForRent.com and did some research. We were happy to find a place that had 3 bedrooms/ 2 baths. The website showed pictures of beautifully updated units (as did every other website they advertised in). The floor plans showed big rooms and that a washer/dryer was standard in all of the 3 beds (but optional in the smaller units). Pets were allowed and the website did not mention any additional costs. Their website also said the three beds were 1199/month and 199 moves you in. We decided it would be worth checking out.

Boy were we surprised when everything on the website was in fact false! The leasing agent asked us when we walked into the really nice and renovated leasing office if we saw the pictures of the nice units online. We said yes and that's why we drove out there to check them out. She then said, well we don't have many of those units and they are not available (and they cost 1549/month) but she would be glad to show us their "standard" unit. Her reason for not having images of the "standard" unit was that her camera broke. We gave her the benefit of the doubt and opted to checkout the "standard". All in all the grounds looked clean and well kept. But the entrance into the building was far from clean. Dirty carpets, dirty walls, and horrible smells greeted us when we opened the door. We walked up to the supposedly only 3 bedroom available with the leasing agent who said it was already reserved for someone else, but they might not take it so we only have that time to decide.

The apartment was not in great shape for costing 1399 a month (when the website said 1199 -- apparently only certain units were picked for the 1199 price). The carpet had been cleaned but that was all that was done. The grout in the kitchen and baths was completely dirty. The entrance to the kitchen was half the size of a normal doorway with poor lighting, no window, and outdated appliances in the kitchen. The "3rd bedroom" was a converted den right off the living room with two closets in the corners taking up a lot of room and 2 old wood doors for the entrance instead of a third wall to separate it from the living room (and they didn't latch well or lock)!! The layout on the website showed the living room as 22' by 16' and that was an overestimate. The bedrooms were fairly standard. The bathroom tile was really disgusting and I didn't even want to walk on it. There was no washer/dryer either (I guess those are "gold" upgrades and are NEVER available). The washer/dryer is in he basement of every building and you have to pay.

Now in this area, a pet deposit is the norm. However, everywhere this place was advertised they neglected to say there was a pet deposit! They also said 199 moves you in, but that was actually a nonrefundable bond.....the real security deposit was a full months rent and 2 months of utilities up front. The gym and pool aren't open 24 hours like most places in the area. So for the price of 1399 a month (plus water, sewage, garbage, laundry).....this place is really not worth it. We did find a place in the area for less that was in good shape, clean, a LOT bigger, and had what they actually advertised!

User Responses
From: misty1238	Date: 09/21/2009
I did read an old review about the conversion and was aware of that when I headed out there. I am very glad this website exists because we could have missed out on the better opportunity we found in Arlington Heights...a townhouse with a garage and 2 floors for less than the dump we were showed at Bourbon Square.
From: debbielynn50	Date: 09/21/2009
I'm sorry but I just can't agree. I've lived here 4 years now and am perfectly happy. There is plenty of parking and my neighbors are quiet. I have had no problem whatsoever with the staff.
From: btwbtwbte	Date: 09/21/2009
FYI, I used to live here in a 2 bdr 2 bth. I lived there for 8 yrs, (2000-2008). I can tell you there have been many changes during that time and since, that you are probably not aware of. One is that the current owners are trying desparately to dump the place and can't pay the taxes. They bought it 3 yrs ago to convert it to condod. When finanacing fell thru they had to refund all buyers and the few units that had been upgraded were those that had been "sold" in the front of the complex. When the village pulled the okay to convert, the owners wanted out, but have not been able to re-sell the complex. They stopped putting money into it and the place has gone further downhill since. I got out just as the financing for the conversion was pulled and purchased a condo near downtown Palatine. Im sorry you had that experience and I hope you tell anyone who is looking to rent to stear clear of this place. No one is taking care of it and no one cares. Anyone who would rent here will be unhappy to say the least. Last note, it really was beautiful, well kept and nice place to live at one point. Its a shame.....
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/21/2009
That makes a lot of sense, I lived there during the buyout & it started to go down hill with the conversion because they treated the renters as second class. I have friends that lived there left & came back & now can't wait to get out of there. Now I understand a little better why my friends are having so much trouble. They live in a converted unit but it is in the back, they converted one whole section. They like it but there neighbors are horrible & the staff does not care.
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/25/2009
i currently live in bourbon square and will not be renewing my lease next month. I have been here for one year and like the apartment and the neighborhood is nice. however, the price is higher than other units in the area and the staff is rude. it just seems like they dont care about me. maintenance never take off their work boots even when asked and come into my apartment on several occasions with no notice. I know i am just renting but i would still like a bit of privacy and a feeling of security.

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