I lived in Traver Knoll for six years. For the first four years the complex was owned by Snyder Management; in 2004, it was purchased by First Holding Management. I originally lived in a one-bedroom apartment, but moved into a two-bedroom across the complex with my wife after a couple of years.

Until 2004, Mike and Marie were quite possibly the best team of managers in the country. Mike was always out working on the grounds, knew everybody by name, and was always near immediate on maintenance requests. One time when our dishwasher stopped working, they came by that day and told us that it needed to be replaced and it would be a week or two before a new one could be installed. Yet only two days later we came home from work and a new dishwasher was ready to go. This rapid response to maintenance issues was not unusual under Mike and Marie's management.

I think many of the negative reviews of the new management come from the fact that longterm residents were spoiled by the incredible management provided by Mike and Marie. The new management is probably better than most but is still a step down. Also, the renovations of the buildings were a big pain in 2005 and the only obvious effect was an increase in the cost of the laundry machines, which now cost $1.25 per load instead of the $1.00 they cost before. The fixtures and cabinets in the apartments are on the old side but in good condition generally.

The location is one of the best in Ann Arbor: close to U-M, but not so close as to be noisy, student-dominated, or too overpriced. Despite being closer to North Campus, it's easier to get to the Medical Center and Central Campus by taking the #2 bus (which you can do for free if you're a U-M student or staff member). Walking or biking to North Campus is easy in the summer but it's a little far in the winter - it's best to purchase an orange or yellow parking pass. It's easy to drive to the supermarket or to get on the highway but there aren't many businesses within walking distance. The creek flowing through the complex attracts birds and squirrels and rabbits, but not so many as to be problematic. It also attracts bugs, and we had problems with them in the apartment close to the creek.

If you're looking to move to Ann Arbor, Traver Knoll is still one of the best values in a city where all rents are way too high. With the new management, it's no longer clearly the best complex in town, but it's still a very good, quiet, picturesque place near downtown and the university.

User Responses
From: ameliabrown31	Date: 12/26/2006
I would have to say that the maintenance under the new management is decent, they have also recently made some really positve staff changes too.
From: mike_marie	Date: 03/26/2007
THank you for your wonderful compliment for Mike & myself. We miss everyone there. Thank you again.

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