EDIT: Below you can read my original review, how I felt after a year and a half of living here. Now, as we begin our third year of tenancy, in 2009, I have a much different opinion. We're breaking the lease later this year to move out of state, and we can't wait to move.

Granada Highlands used to be so wonderful. We were proud to live here, and we brought people to see it. My husband's co-workers moved here on our recommendation, in fact. But now, we're ashamed to live here. We don't want people to see our "Luxury Complex".

Instead of fixing broken equipment in the gym, they wasted time and money renovating the walkways in front of every building. There was nothing wrong with the walkways, this was a superficial improvement. Now, just three months later, the walkways are unsafe because the bricks are buckling, creating little hills and dips. Now they're halfway through some kind of construction job which has rendered the pond unuseable since September!(Now January) Meanwhile they fired the cleaning crew that used to maintain the gym, and the gym equipment is FILTHY! Parts which used to be silver-colored metal are now black with grime. equipment which was broken when MPA took over is still broken. The sauna and steam room are out of order. They have not (and probably will not) resumed the fitness classes. The ellipticals/cross-trainers sound and feel like they are about to fall apart. The public restrooms are dirty, and frequently lack toilet paper and soap. They hired a social director, but now they only have an event once a season. And it isn't free.

The dog run is missing part of its fence. So, dog owners began using the tennis courts as a dog run at night when they are empty. The tennis courts were empty at night in the summer because the night lights no longer operate. Now, presumably to keep dog owners out, the tennis courts are locked. Now there is no fenced in area for dogs to be off leash, and dogs are off-leash anywhere. There used to be a stupidly expensive pet rent, but now there is a deposit, AND a monthly pet rent. This effectively DOUBLES the cost of keeping a pet here. Also, they no longer permit new tenants with dogs over 25 pounds.

They must have renovated the apartment above mine and given them hardwood floors. I used to be unable to hear them. Now I can hear them walking, watching television, dropping things, and basically being normal people all day and half the night. The whole point of carpeting was the wonderful sound of nothing from above.

They don't have storage units, but they've added to the lease that you can't keep bikes on the balcony. They sent letters about it too. We ignored these.

We came back from an extended absence, and found water stains on the wall, and mold in the closet. I reported this and heard nothing back. Two weeks later, when I'd given up on them coming, they came while I was out and washed the wall. What of my mold' Ignored. Same with my intercom system. It took a month to get in when we discovered we somehow had been removed. I had to go to the office twice a week for a month to get results. I was polite every time, and they were dismissive.

We cannot wait to leave this place behind. Don't move here unless you don't mind paying for amenities you will never get.

END OF EDIT


I like living here. I would, and have recommended this complex to others. In fact, when others took our recommendation, we were given a significant discount on one month's rent. Overall, I'm happy to live here.

I do feel that the cost of pet ownership here is a bit high. In NY, I am a land owner (and a pet owner), so I know first hand what kind of damages pets can cause. Even with that knowledge $75 a month is very unusual, and I'd classify it as gouging.

I do wish the pool were large enough to actually swim in. It is very short, and very shallow. However, it is very well maintained. In my late teens and early 20's, I was head lifeguard at a few pools, so this is a professional opinion.

There is a machine in the gym which has been out of order for months. However, the office staff assures me that a complete overhaul of the gym is coming soon. They are still getting settled, and according to one woman in the office, they are still looking for a Social Director. When one is hired, there will be a return of the aerobics classes, yoga, and other social activities. I do wish they'd fix the one piece of broken equipment in the gym, and I do wish there was a steam room. The sauna is lovely, however.

The grounds are very pretty, and really well maintained. We usually get assistance from maintenance very quickly when we have a problem. Only once were we not satisfied by a repair. Our screen door does not fit, and has yet to be replaced with one which does. Once, when I got a flat while driving to my building, none of my neighbors stopped to help me change the tire in the snow. Not even the ones just getting home! A maintenance worker who didn't even speak any of my languages helped me, and offered me blessings after! Marvelous! I was truly a damsel in distress that morning.

My apartment has a view of the sun setting behind the hills. I would not trade this for a view of the city, but those views are available. You really don't get that from the smaller buildinngs, and the smaller buildings do not permit dogs at all. The air conditioner in my living room is inefficient, but we'll replace it next summer with one of our own. Actually, neither air conditioneris energy efficient; perhaps we'll replace both. Additionally, we'd like to replace the kitchen appliances. The appliances are great if you are used to apartment living, but we're both landowners in other areas, and used to the very best our money can buy in the kitchen. These are the kind of appliances with which we furnish our tennants, but not which we'd use ourselves.

We've been here a year, and are having trouble making friends with neighbors. The people here are not very warm to us (generally). I'm from the Bronx, and I'm used to more of a community feeling. We think we'd fit in better if we had children, or owned a dog. The people here are quite courteous, just not particularly friendly. You will have to be extraordinarily outgoing to meet people here. Everyone we've managed to befifriend was moving out soon, and was from out of state originally (like us). There hasn't been a social director since a couple of months after we moved in. So by the time we were really settled, and looking to mingle those eventsw were over. Anyway, if you have children or dogs, I think you'll make new friends here quickly.

In the cafe/convenience store one of the two gentlemen is so friendly and provides outstanding service. The other gentleman, and the woman are less warm, in my experience (particularly the gentleman). In fact, the one gentleman needs to be reminded that this is my home, not just his job. I want to feel welcomed, and I want my reasonable requests to be acomodated. Some of the staff here go above and beyond, and some... not so much.

Overall, I'm pleased with our apartment, I'm pleasedwith the ammenities, and I suggest this place to anyone wanting a little value for their dollar with a quick commute to Boston.

User Responses
From: tibba7	Date: 11/03/2007
Your opinion will change if you ever get water in your apartment. MPA did nothing for me. The water came down from apt. 509,to 409 to 309 to 209 my apartment and 109. I walked into a mess. they never called me to warn me, never gave me instructions, never paid for my damages, abandoned me in a time of crises. I wrote a letter to the president of MPA, Vise President the whole management team and never recieved a response. You would think I never paid my rent. I am a excellent resident and was treated like trash. I also wrote to the boston globe, because they wrote an article in the boston globe that contridicted everyhting I experienced. I can't wait until my lease is up.
From: Rajnoma	Date: 07/08/2008
Yes, I agree that the apartments themselves are a very good value for the money and I'm happy with the apt. itself as well as the beautiful grounds and the views (if only the residents wouldn't litter so much!) I do not own a car, therefore, I don't have any issues about snow removal in the parking areas or parking. There is a beautiful fountain and waterfall in the tree-shrouded pond replete with jonquils, roses, daffodils and other gorgeous flora and fauna. I believe that the problem with the Media Room is that in Feb. 2009 everything must go Digital and I don't believe that room was designed that way. It may require an expensive overhaul and right now, there are other priorities. Most of us have Comcast Cable TV (or satellite dishes) so we can make use of that in the privacy of our own apartments or with our own friends. As for the crafts and yoga classes, that was back in the days of cheap gasoline and oil! Today, all prices have skyrocketed and nothing is free, anymore. I'm just thankful that I still have a beautiful roof over my head; I'm a retiree, currently disabled, so that I cannot work now even part-time. In many parts of the U.S., people like me are in very bad circumstances. I'm profoundly grateul thatI can live in safe, spacious, roomy surroundings at a reasonable cost. Anything else is just "frosting" on the cake!
From: Anonymous	Date: 01/17/2009
I have lived here at the Granada Highlands for 5 years and I still to this day love it! If your going to complain you should probably get some of your facts straight. First of all, the gym equipment does work...I go there everyday.In fact, compared to other apartment communities, the Granada Highlands has by far the best and largest fitness center of all. I have attended aerobics classes on both Monday and Wednesday mornings, so they do exist. I've met SEVERAL of the cleaners, so they too do exist. I attended the FREE summer parties, Halloween party and Holiday party and had a wonderful time. I don't personally have a dog but did inquire about the fees if I decided to get one, and there was no mention of a pet deposit. I know it's 55 a month...not 75. If you would have read the flyer they sent out, it clearly stated that there is additional storage available! I, myself have a storage unit so again, it does exist. I pay 35 a month for it...I don't think you can find much cheaper than that! Like I said, no one says you can't complain but only do so if you know what you are talking about. Thanks.
From: Anonymous	Date: 01/17/2009
Can anyone tell me how the noise level is in the apartment ABOVE you? The Granada Highlands describes brick and concrete construction between each apartment. Right now I'm in an apartment where the noise is unbearable. Very thin walls. If anyone can tell me their experience from the apartment Above them, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
From: citypepper	Date: 11/20/2009
I hear plenty from my upstairs neighbor. I suspect they removed the carpet. We never once heard the previous tenant. As for "anything else is just frosting on the cake" that depends on how much you value honesty and your money. If the bakery says they're selling you a cake with frosting on it, and then you just get a cake with some powdered sugar sprinkled on, you've been cheated. End of.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates