This is a long and detailed review of Somerset park apartments where I lived for 5 years from 2003 till 2008. I think it's worth the read if you have time :)

I came across this website while looking for apartments in CA. Whenever I saw an apartment complex that looked promising, I ended up reading horrible reviews on here that scared me away. Then I wondered if there was a trend- people with bad luck or complainers/exaggerators are the only ones who feel like writing a review- so I decided to see the reviews for Somerset since I lived there for 5 years. Surprise surprise...turns out the place sucks and I had no idea! Well, here is my experience:

1. I paid $20/month for a carport (try $200/month in San Francisco!) and nobody ever parked in my spot. Also, when I had guests over I never heard anybody complain about not being able to find a spot.

2. I paid $870/month for a 2BR 1bath 1060 sqft apartment (my rent stayed the same for 5 years, but heat was included in the rent only during the first 3 years)---back in 2003 I had looked high and low and there was no other community where you could get such large apartments for such a low price.

3. I was on the second floor, so noise was not an issue. Only once the downstairs neighbor's 2 year-old twin boys were playing a screaming game of some sorts which stopped as soon as I knocked on their door and gave the boys a mean look.

4. I made 5 maintenance calls in 5 years: twice there was no hot water, once the refrigerator broke, once the garbage disposal broke and once one of the light bulbs in the dining room ceiling fan exploded (somewhat-it just went out really loud and scared me). The hot water issue was fixed within 2-3 hours of the phone call. The garbage disposal was fixed the next day. The refrigerator was replaced with a brand new one (yep, not fixed, replaced) within 4 hours!!! Not making it up. The light bulb was replaced the same day. I wasn't home for the light bulb or the garbage disposal. (You just have to make sure not to lock the deadbolt). So I have no complaints about maintenance.

5. Security... I read that somebody claimed she wouldn't walk at night because it's not safe. Are you kidding me'! Troy is one of the safest neighborhoods in the Detroit Metro area. I am a 5'0" tall 100lb female, so if anybody wanted to hurt me they easily could. I have gone out for walks and runs countless times anywhere from 6 PM to midnight and never encountered anything dangerous. There is a patrol car by the way- not sure if it's still the same car, but it was a small red car with a yellow light on top and the guy driving it was always on the phone whenever he passed by me while I was running. So I'm pretty sure it's useless, but I also think it's not even necessary.

7. The location can't be beat. Close to Somerset mall, Birmingham, Royal Oak...but you already know that.

8. Somebody was talking about mice and rats and stuff. Well, I can't call anybody a liar because I guess it is possible that they did see those rodents, but I never saw a single mouse or rat in my apartment or on the grounds during my 5 year stay.

9. As for cooking smells... There were 8 units in my building and 4 of them were occupied by Indian families for different lengths of time. The building smelled of curry (or other spices) frequently, but my apartment didn't. Actually, my apartment smelled of a really heavy spicy food only once during my 5 year stay. I don't know if it was an experimental error on my neighbor's part or she burnt something or what, but I do remember that day. Luckily the stink was only in the living room/dining room/kitchen area and not in the bedrooms. Anyway, since it only happened once, I find it hard to quote as a reason not to rent here.

In summary, I think Somerset Park apartments are great. You definitely get a bang for your buck. I didn't have a single friend who had a better apartment than mine who paid equal to or less than what I paid. I also had two friends(one had a 2BR on the 2nd floor and one a 1BR on the first floor)who lived at Somerset and didn't hear any complaints from them either.

I can't believe I just spent half an hour writing this review, but hopefully it will be helpful.

P.S. Just so I don't get accused of being an employee, I found a picture I had taken from my apartment (2050 Golfview Dr. #207) back in 2005- I thought the snow was pretty. You can see my X-mas lights along the balcony rails.

User Responses
From: Windnoise	Date: 09/02/2009
You lived in CA and I know how crappy, expensive and older the apartments are in that state with incompetent management and thats why Somerset Park felt like Heaven on Earth to you.
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/26/2009
I lived at Somerset for 10 years in a single bdrm, 2nd floor apartment; no problems ever. Then, when married, a 3 bdrm apt for 5 years, overlooking the golf course.(Nice place to play golf, & inexpensive) Always a very clean, cozy, friendly experience there. All service issues were addressed either the same day, or within 5 days. The office(administrative) staff has poor customer service skills, but the maintenance people are great. I would recommend these apts, giving you the most for your rental dollars, and a very pleasant atmosphere to live in.
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/24/2009
just walk thru administrative people, you will realize how rude they are. that is the people you first encounter when first looking for apartment.

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