Although the apt. complex is in a great location, the current manager, --- ---------, lies to get you in, and then is characteristically rude and offensive once you are in. What they don't tell you: 1) the air conditioning is so old and inefficient that upper-level apartments never cool properly. Plan on 78-85 degrees in your apartment on those hot summer days. Moreover, air conditioners that fit in window spaces are strictly prohibited. 2) The floors with wooden squares were installed incorrectly, and bubble up and then the pieces come out. They've replaced some floors, but not nearly all the defective floors. The storage areas are really poorly lighted and sometimes get water damage. The complex now charges $100 a month extra for each additional storage space. Pet fees have increased to $50 a month per pet.
The many reviews about the management being snippy and downright rude, the notices scolding, and the difficulties in getting basic repairs accomplished are all, unfortunately, entirely accurate. In contrast, the Avalon apt. I was in previously couldn't have been better-managed. They are real professionals over at Avalon, and unfailingly polite, and work to make your stay enjoyable.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/08/2008
Hi, I lived in the first building there, where the management office is in, in 2005 - 2006 so I'm sure I've bumped in to you before. Somehow I got an email alert when you posted your comment here. Couldn't agree more with your comments. I lived there 3 years ago and while the A/C never cooled well while set to a reasonable temperature, I always had it cranked up and never noticed any difference at all in my monthly bill. I still wonder if they paid it for residents somehow, or not? The first week I moved in, I put a larger sized trash bag down the chute, and they went through the mail in the trash to see whos it was (mine), sorry... :) They left a note on my door saying they found my pay stubs in the trash, and the letter had no purpose but to place blame. The bag went down the chute, they just thought it was "too big", and could potentially cause a problem at some point if I kept doing it. They duct-taped the chute shut for the rest of my stay (1 full year) in the apartment, causing much pain I'm sure for the elderly neighbors on my floor who had probably been living there for years, using the trash chute for who knows how long. --- may give the wrong impression, however I sincerely think she is ok even though can see what you're saying. She kind of rubbed me the wrong way at first too, but I just kind of avoided her. In the year I was there, I spoke with her...3 times maybe, for a total of no more than 15 seconds? While the apartments are nice, and may be in a decent location (personally I think Lexington is nothing too special), I do not think it was worth the $1,450/mo I paid while living there. I was out once they raised the prices up to $1,600 a year later. I'd recommend moving out. There are better properties around, and I can only HOPE you're not one of the people paying $2,300 for a 2 bedroom there. Dolbin properties have others very close by (Washington Crossing in Woburn), which are MUCH nicer, much better managed, fully staffed with 5 managers, office is open on weekends, open till 6:30PM every day, has an awesome outdoor pool, very nice free gym open 24 hours, nice movie theater (free), party room rental, bbq grills, CENTRAL AIR, and HUGE 2 bedroom apartments for only $1,550 a month. If you're going to rent again soon, I'd recommend moving there. Stay cool!
From: Lexingtonaptrenter	Date: 07/09/2008
Your review is right on the money. But really, duct-taping the garbage chute? Going through tenant's garbage and then telling them they did so? That is just so unprofessional. Being the manager of an apt. complex takes some people skills and some basic recognition that the rental management company is providing a service to its tenants/customers. The current manager may not be a bad person, but she simply doesn't have the people skills for the job, or the faintest idea of how to treat her tenants. The stories keep piling up: scolding letters to tenants to keep the doors locked at all times. Mgmt solution: glue the doorlocks so they stay locked at all times. Then comes scolding letters about propping the doors open (tenants propped the doors open while watching their kids play outside, or when they returned with piles of groceries. Mgmt solution: remove all door stops from building. Then there is the story of mgmt coming unannounced into an apt. and taking pictures, in order to accuse tenant of ... having a messy kitchen? having too much stuff near an ac unit? It is mind-boggling. Thanks for tip on Washington Crossing. I think if you don't have kids in the school system in Lexington, Woburn and Waltham offer far better deals. There is a built-in apt. premium in Lexington for the school system.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/10/2008
I completely agree with both commments to the original post. I am living in building 9 where the A/C was out for a whole week. The excuse this time was that it was NSTAR's fault. Every year it is the same story in the summer. Another thing that is really annoying is their cleaning lady come to vacuum the carpets in the hallways at 7am Saturday morning and is so snarky when you ask here to wait for some time. I mean, com on, it is 7am on a weekend??? And ---, yeah where do we start with her. Her attitude always reminds me of a teenager with a perpetual smirk on her face and a 'whatever' kinda look. I had heard about the unannounced entries and hence now have my own bolt on the door. Also last time they came to fix my bathroom and I guess they never shut off the main water main, my bathroom was all wet, as were my rugs and towels!! They even rummaged through my cabinets to find toilet paper and dumped 3 rolls on the floor to soak up the water. Move out if you can, not worth the money you pay.

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