The best thing about the Knoxville Manor is that the utility bills are cheap in the winter. They provide steam heat, so you won't be knocked out by a huge CILCO bill in the dead of Winter. In the Summer, they provide window unit air conditioners. They don't cool the entire apartment, but they are adequate for cooling the room that it has been installed in (when I lived in the basement, they installed a unit in my bedroom; when I lived upstairs, they installed one in my living room). The Knoxville Manor also pays for water and trash removal, so those are two other bills you don't have to worry about. You do have to pay for electric/gas (for your stove), but I don't ever recall paying a CILCO bill over $50 for either of the one bedroom units I had there.

On the downside, there seems to be a lot of riff-raff living there. When I lived downstairs, there was a crackhead prostitute living across the hall from me. There were a lot of dubious characters visiting at all hours. When I lived upstairs, there was a stripper living above me who would come and go at all hours, always making LOTS of noise. Other neighbors were loud, too, playing music/TV too loud, partying at all hours, etc... Complaints to management did no good.

The maintenance man was extremely lazy. If you wanted something done, you would literally have to hound him or make numerous calls to the office to get anything done. He lived on site, so he really had no excuse for not getting things done in a timely manner. The owner (a prominent Peoria attorney) lives on site, too. He is a stickler about rent being on time. Rent is due by noon on the 1st of the month. If you are late (even by a couple hours), you are charged a $25 fee.

As far as safety, I never heard of anyone getting assaulted or anything, but there were a lot of car break-ins while I was there. It was not uncommon to see smashed out car windows in the parking lot (my girlfriend had her car stereo stolen there one night). Another safety concern is the elecrical system. It may have been updated (I don't know), but when I was there, a few apartments caught on fire, completely damaging everything inside and killing several dogs and cats (no tenants were injured). This was attributed to an out-dated electrical system that was long overdue to be replaced. Honestly, I never felt completely safe there after that.

When I moved, I didn't get my entire deposit back (I was charged for things that I didn't feel were legit). Several people moved out the same weekend, causing an overflow of the dumpter outside, so we were charged a $20 fee for "excessive garbage".

Overall, I wouldn't recommend the Knoxville Manor, but your mileage may vary... Admittedly, if you are on a budget, the utility arrangement is very nice. By far, that's the best thing I can say about the Knoxville Manor.

User Responses
From: happyrenter97-08	Date: 06/23/2008
I just read with amazement the posting from "happyville." I have lived at the Knoxville Manor for over 15 years and do not ever recognize the happyville statements - "on the downside." I have found the staff, both maintenance and administrative, very pleasant and accommodating. Ok, I have heard a loud TV or stereo, but once a contact is made of either the resident or the management, the problem becomes non-existent. As to the nature of the tenants - I have not noticed any problems. In fact, on several occasions, when I head for my car with groceries, often there is an offer to pick up a bag and help me. As to maintenance, a call is to be made to the office so a record is made and, assuredly, any problem becomes quickly remedied. I have had no incident with a late rental fee, as I pay my rent on time. In summary, if you do not pay the rent when due or disturb others, probably the Knoxville Manor is not for you. Otherwise, it really is a great place to live.

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