The very short version: Horrible!

While the grounds and location are attractive, the apartments themselves are outdated, noisy, poorly designed and, in the winter, sometimes dangerous. A previous reviewer noted the slippery conditions in the entry drive area. This is true and those conditions extend throughout the entire property.

Speaking of the entry drive, the gates are open a couple days a week. People simply driving through the gates and breaking them usually causes this. In other words, although, by definition, River Oaks is a "gated community", in reality, anyone can enter the property at any time without any hindrance whatsoever.

Parking can be an experience also. You'd think your covered carport would be in front of your door, right' Wrong. In my case, it was down a hill and approx. 50 yards from my front door. Did I mention something about the slippery conditions in the winter' Or, how about the summer when you're supposed to emulate a salmon running up a river during even the slightest of rains. Now, do this with groceries in your hands. You may want to load your car with your own salt because they won't get around to it until the snow stops (same applies to the sidewalks). A liability suit just waiting to happen.

The appliances are probably as old as I am, are rusty, noisy (a common theme in this complex) and are about as inefficient as an appliance could be. Complaining about them falls on deaf ears. If you're willing to take the chance on moving into this complex, make sure to demand new appliances (not that the management will give a rat's behind about your wishes).

Now, having referenced the management, this is the absolute root of the property's problem. Terrible. Just in case you have any needs or complaints, no need to speak to anyone other than the manager because everyone else will simply refer you to her anyway. Basically, there is one manager and the rest are nothing more than potted plants. Incompetent, at best...and the manager will always take their word over yours, no matter what.

For example, I moved out at the end of March (2008). Sometime in mid-December, I went into the apartment office to notify them I'd be moving out and asked what I would need to do to make it official. Put it in writing, 60-day notice. Fine. No problem. In January, I, again, made it known I was leaving and indicated it would be at the end of March (didn't have that timeframe until then). Please note: I was already living in another state at the time and otherwise traveled all over the world on business. One would figure they'd be able to take care of this "written" notice while I was in the office, actually speaking to them about it, right' Wrong. "You'll need to speak with the manager", is the standard response...oh, and she isn't available on weekends. In February, again, I asked, what exactly do I need to do (i.e. outgoing inspection, cleaning, etc.). This time, I was handed a standard form used for official declaration of intent to vacate. Why was this not given to me in December or January' Because the people who work there are nothing more than cheeks in a chair.

Don't bother explaining any of this to "the manager". She couldn't care less. Instead, she'll charge you an extra month's rent as a penalty.

They also charge you 2 months rent to break a lease ahead of schedule. I have no issue with that and that's probably standard elsewhere...an expected consequence. Of course, they won't tell you if new tenants move into the vacated apartment within that two-month period. In other words, they receive rent on the same apartment twice. In my case, a new tenant moved in at the end of April...not a peep from River Oaks. Instead, they sent a collection agency after me to recover that less-than-60-day-notice penalty (something I refused to pay). The way I see it, River Oaks owes ME one month's rent...plus my security deposit.

If you still insist on taking the plunge into the depths of River Oaks, do not, and I can not stress this strongly enough, DO NOT rent an apartment that is not on the top floor. You will hear every footstep, every washer/dryer/dishwasher and every flush of the toilet above you. It is very loud. Headlights and loud stereos of cars parking in front of your bedroom in the middle of the night ll also wake you. A real joy.

Anyway, in case you're still reading this drawn-out review, be most wary of these apartments. If you have an alternative location in mind, go with a place that is more up-to-date in appliances and construction. Also, keep in mind, a sales brochure with pretty pictures is nothing more than that.

Alright, enough of this soap box. I've been wanting to get this off my chest for a while now.

Just as FYI, I will copy/paste this same review to WM Properties (the company that owns River Oaks).

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 06/11/2008
Hi, I was wondering if this will be also sent to the property manager and asked to respond. YOu also have the choice to contact the main company wm properties as well. Otherwise this cannot be resolved. They should definetely be notified. Good luck!
From: riveroaksapartmentcommunitymanager	Date: 06/17/2008
Dear Mr. D. I am the property manager and would be happy to respond to your rating posted on June 9 and to your follow-up response on June 11. I would first like to say that you must have had a positive experience at River Oaks since you chose to live here twice. I was the property manager the first and second time you lived here and never had any problems. That being said, you were well aware of our policy to move out and break your lease after signing at least 4 leases with River Oaks Apartments. The lease and early termination policy have not changed. You never questioned the policy until it came time to use it. I would be happy to discuss this in person. I will forward a copy of this response to your e-mail.
From: MovedOut567	Date: 06/26/2008
Dear Ms. Manager, Thank you for your response. I've been out of the country the past couple weeks and did not have the opportunity to respond until now. Just for clarification, I did not not write the entry on June 11. My first tenancy at River Oaks (1998/9) was ok. The apartment I had was a top-floor corner unit, hence the inclusion of that point in my initial post. I do remember leaving with a somewhat bittersweet taste in my mouth when moving out back then because of the exhorbitant month-to-month rental penalty you charge (I was at the end of my lease and needed to do a month-to-month deal for, I believe, 3 or 4 months). Beyond that, no significant issues. The primary reason for again renting at River Oaks in 2006 was because I had about 3 days to find a place to live (was relocating from France back to the US). Basically, I had to have an address to which the overseas container with all my belongings had to be shipped. The location was ideal (office is 5 minutes away) and I was already familiar with the place. Please note, had I more time to investigate other options then, I would not have chosen to live in River Oaks again. It was a case of necessity rather than desire. So, if you're going to hang your hat on "4" leases (really, 2 with an extension to each), you're missing the point. With regard to the policy, I understood the lease-break penalty (I noted that in my initial posting) and I have no problem with that. What I do resent is the gross incompetence of your staff costing me an additional month's rent. What I also resent is YOUR absolute determination to stand behind your staff rather than your tenants, knowing full-well they are often in the wrong. In this case, they were most certainly in the wrong...and you know it!! There is no point discussing this in person AGAIN! When I left your office around the beginning of March we discussed this face-to-face, you stated you would refund any balance caused by a new tenant occupying my former residence because you are not allowed to collect rent from two people for the same unit (pardon the paraphrasing). A new tenant moved in either on April 30 or on May 1. Today is June 27...where is that refund?
From: Anonymous	Date: 02/09/2009
I am currently staying at this apartments. I totally agree with the ex-tenant comments. The buildings are old and there is no proper insulation. This winter the condition inside the apartment was pretty bad. My heater was running non stop. snow removal is horrible. they remove the snow only after the snow stops, so we have wait for day or two and also the do a crappy job.

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