In critiquing something, it is often helpful to begin with the positives. So I'll lay it out for you: these are big apartments in a beautiful forest-like setting. Sound too good to be true' It is. With the land these are built on, I couldn't believe that VM was going bankrupt...until I moved in.

Parking: An utter disaster. Never enough spots to get anywhere near your apartment if you come home after six. The management blames it on "unauthorized guests" but this is just a front for the fact that there is not enough room for all the residents to park in the vicinity of their apartments. The lots and roads have not be paved in ages and most of them are pure dirt and gravel at this point. If you have any kind of a decent paint job, you can expect it to be torn up. It is quite a bumpy ride. The lots have almost no light on them at night so be sure to lock up. You'll be in for a walk.

Noise/Other Residents: These apartments attract some seriously shady people. Storage units are frequently broken into, drunk parties and fights break out late at night, and the police are frequent visitors. If you are looking for a big city ghetto feel, this is the place for you.

Grounds: In very sore condition. Although the setting is lovely, the grounds are constantly littered with trash and maintenance junk. Everything is falling apart. Sidewalks, steps, railings, the buildings themselves. You name it, it's in bad condition. However, if you are a fan of weeds and dirt instead of lawns, you will be quite pleased. Additionally, there are very VERY few garbage dumpsters. This means it will likely be a bit of a hike with your trash whenever you take it out. Be sure to check on your car while you're out there. If you have pets, don't bother with this place as they will charge you up the yin yang for them for no apparent reason. Dogs are not allowed to do any of their business on the grounds of VM. Thus you will have to take your dog for a very long walk every time he has to go out. Ok in the summer but very very bad in the snow. VM sits next to some serious wetlands (aka mosquito breeding grounds) which they hold out to be an adequate place to take your pets. You can expect to get wet and dirty every time.

Apartments: Although spacious, the apartments are in really rough shape. This entire place needs many massive renovations that they don't seem to be able to afford (save the building that burned down;-). Almost all the apartments need new doors and windows and this means mold, drafts, and plenty of bugs. There are about fifteen coats of poorly applied paint. Cabinets are warped, water damage is painted over, and carpets are cheap and dirty. It is painfully obvious that quick/cheap fixes are the norm here--even if inadequate. I would have to call maintenance bi-weekly until I finally just gave up and started a box of "things that fell off in the apartment."

Staff: The above critiques would almost be canceled out by the excellent prices...until you factor in the management. The management is beyond unprofessional and borderline incompetent. Letters are constantly being sent out admonishing residents--akin to those you expect to receive in middle school. The topics are diverse and most often serve to pass the blame to the residents for the lack of new residents. The tone is unforgivably condescending and you can expect little to no understanding in most circumstances. It feels like they are doing you a favor for allowing you to live here.

Overall, I'd go with no. I am a true cheapskate at heart and even I think it's not worth it. Go somewhere else and keep your dignity. It's worth the price.

User Responses
From: abrownlamp	Date: 08/26/2009
Calling all masochists? Wow was that dumb. The only real issue at VM is the parking situation. Everything else is pretty good in my opinion. I mean, they could definitely use some interior updating, but that's about it. Sorry you aren't allowed to let your dog **** wherever it wants. Maybe pick up after it so you don't have to walk so far in the snow to be a slob? Just a suggestion. You're really crying about a whole lot of nothing here. The tone of the notes that management is sending everyone are hurting your feelings? Good lord! The grounds upkeep seem fine to me. Certainly nicer than most other apartment complexes around Lansing. I've never had a problem w maintenance or staff. I'd rate them better than average. So would most people I talk to.
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/26/2009
First of all, nice title. Grow up. Secondly, where did you hear the place was going bankrupt? Thirdly, I know all of the staff here pretty well and I find it hard to believe they just don't respond to your maintenance issues in your apartment. By the way, if you only knew the b.s. they put up with on a daily basis from people like you who live here, you wouldn't be bashing the staff. I've lived in several complexes in my life and this is one of the most PROFESSIONAL staffs I have ever dealt with. The reason the management here doesn't let dogs go to the bathroom on the main grounds is to keep it clean because people have been too lazy to pick up their dog's poop. Give them a little credit would you? Dogs don't belong in an apartment anyway if you ask me, and I'm glad they no longer permit dogs here. As far as calling this place ghetto, that is ridiculous. I am a night owl and frequently walk around the complex at night to keep an eye on things, and the place is pretty much always quiet, and I rarely, if ever, see the police out here. Don't jump to conclusions. And by the way, shady people are everywhere you go these days, but that doesn't mean most of the people who live here are that way. You make a lot of generalizations which have no basis. Yes, I admit the parking situation is not ideal, I'll give you that, but I know they're working on this because I talk to them frequently. But litter everywhere? Seriously? They pick up trash on the grounds every day here. And yes, the place does need some repairs, but be fair...these things take time and this is a new management company. It would be different if this were still managed by Realstar, but again, these things take time and I know the ----- in the office have done a lot of great things for our property, and they will continue to make as many improvements as the management company they work for will allow. Bottom line-be fair and don't exaggerate when typing up a review to post on this site. You sound like a scorned tenant who had a run-in with our management and you didn't like the outcome. Perhaps you broke their rules? Time to move out and move on with your life I'd say. P.S. At least they're not DTN!

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