Among other commercial real estate property types, I analyze and value multi-family real estate for a living. So far, I have lived at the lakes for 7 months out of my 12 month lease. I promise that this review will be an unbiased statement of the facts as I know them.

On its good days, the Lakes is an attractive community with good landscaping. On its bad days, the Lakes is strewn with trash. More times than not, the Lakes are somewhere in between those two extremes.

On its good day, the Lakes has a security gate. On its bad days, the security gate does not work. Either way, folks, what is the purpose of that security gate' Security gate, or no security gate, the Lakes is NOT an overall secure apartment community.

For this next criteria, I will not elaborate. I will only state the facts. You fill in the blanks. My fiancee' came from out of town to stay with me for 2 weeks. She is an exercise fanatic who prefers to exercise in the evenings. However, she would not set foot in the Lakes exercise facilities after dark because she did not feel safe there. I agree with her. I would not go there either.

In 7 months time, at least a dozen times, the carport that I pay additional rent for has been occupied by any of a number of cars. There is NOTHING stopping anyone from using the carport that you pay rent for.

My fiancee' and I have set a date for our wedding. We intentionally set that date to occur immediately after my lease expires at the Lakes. Why' Because my fiancee does not feel safe there. Neither do I.

Folks, your best bet is to look immediately west of the Lakes - in Farmington Hills. Citation Club is an excellent alternative - newer property, more secure, less crime - overall more appealing. The units there are slightly smaller, however. But, the rent there is also approximately $150 to $200 less per month. Regardless, there are several good alternatives in Farmington Hills.

FYI: Did you know that you pay a premium on your auto insurance for living in Southfield' If you cross the border into Farmington Hills, that premium is dropped.

FYI: Did you know that you have several other cable (television and internet) options outside of Southfield' Comcast is the highest cost provider in Michigan. Only Comcast serves Southfield. Other communities include Brighthouse and Wide Open West. Excellent cable service providers for significantly less cost than Comcast.

Comparatively speaking, Southfield is not an ideal location to live in Detroit MSA. Comparatively speaking, FOR THE RENT THEY CHARGE, the Lakes is a crappy apartment complex.

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