I've been a resident for about a year now, and it's been wonderful. If you're looking in the area, you'll find no better value. One thing confuses me, and that's the number of negative reviews on this site. But once I read the details, it becomes apparent that the reviewer is the problem, not the apartment complex. Most of them are probably just upset because they don't earn enough money to move in.
After visiting nearly every complex in the Old Bridge and surrounding area, it was easy to make the decision to move in to Pine Gate. From my first interaction with the Rental office, it was clear I wasn't dealing with amateurs. Friendly, professional, courteous- They gave me the same respect I gave them. Anyway, on to the details:
I chose a top (2nd) floor, one bedroom apartment. I lucked out and got one that is on the end of the building, so I don't share any walls with anyone and I have windows on 3 of the 4 sides. The stairwell for both upper apartments is the only shared wall.
The whole place was very clean when I moved in. My apartment was cleaned out and repainted just prior to moving in. They also installed a new wall-to-wall carpet throughout. A comfortable off-white semi-gloss was used through the entire place. The light color makes the apartment feel open and airy, especially when the sun is shining through the windows. Vinyl blinds were already installed on all windows. Lighting fixtures all look either new or well maintained. Plenty of wall outlets- the kitchen alone has 4.
There's a dishwasher, but I don't need to use it. The stove is a standard gas 4 burner range-top with oven and broiler. It does a perfectly fine job. The refrigerator looks to be about 18 cubic feet, and it also does a fine job. The kitchen also has ample cabinet space.
Windows are standard double-hung vinyl. They seem fairly new and are relatively draft-free.
Heating and cooling units are both excellent, although the central air is a bit noisy when turning on and off, but you quickly tune it out.
Plenty of storage space, especially if you're the only occupant.
Unless your neighbors are particularly loud, you'll seldom hear them, so the floors at least seem to be well insulated.
One issue is that the main doors in my building are slightly difficult to close. You can close them quietly if you make the effort, but my downstairs neighbor was too lazy and inconsiderate so she'd just slam the door every time she came or went. It was like a bomb going off. Fortunately, she's moved away.
The grounds are very well maintained- those guys are out there every day keeping things neat.
Maintenance prioritizes everything, so if you have an issue that can wait, you will wind up waiting quite some time. Major issues get their attention first, such as leaks, non-functioning equipment and similar. A dripping faucet is going to be on the very bottom of the list.
Each apartment is assigned one numbered parking space. There are plenty of Visitor spots in my area, but unfortunately there are a lot of lazy people as well. Far too many residents park on the sidewalk/lawn because they don't want to walk a few hundred feet. The police scarcely come through the development, and only once did I see anyone ticketed for parking improperly. (And that was probably at the request of management)
Being in a semi-rural area with a very large section of forest behind the development, we do see a lot of bugs. Mostly I see spiders, which I don't mind because they eat the other bugs and beetles. Moths are plentiful, but not plague-like. Being on the second floor, I don't see many inside my apartment, but I have seen wasps build nests under the eaves of the building. I'm not sure if maintenance cleared them out or if it was birds or other insects, but they are gone for now.
The laundry room is somewhat small, so timing is critical to doing your wash there. Again, people are lazy and downright slovenly, so the laundry room is often covered with a carpet of lint and dryer sheets. There's a very nice older lady who cleans the entire washroom every morning, and let me tell you she gets that place spotless. But by noon, the slobs have utterly devastated it again. Also, be prepared for the lazy degenerates who do laundry once a month and tie up every washer and dryer in the place for an entire day. Best bet is to go at sunrise like I do.
The speed limit in the complex is 15mph but people frequently do 40 and higher. Again, the police don't seem to pay attention to anything in here, so be aware.
There's a garbage/recycling station on every street, and typically they're emptied regularly. However, in the back where I am, I think the disposal company occasionally forgets we're here because a couple times the garbage has piled up for well over 2 weeks, even though the rest of the complex was emptied.
I can't say anything about the pool as I do not use it, but there is a seasonal fee for it. I do see a lifeguard present all the time, so it seems safety is properly addressed.
All in all, the only real negatives I've experienced here are some of the tenants. Pine Gate does demand that the occupants of each apartment meet a minimum salary requirement, so that does keep some of the flotsam and jetsam out, but a good salary isn't always attached to a good person. Most of the people in my area are very friendly, respectful and clean, but there's a handful that aren't. I'm not making assumptions either: my opinion is based on observations. I see people leave garbage by their door for days at a time, and stray animals get into it and it gets strewn about. They park on the sidewalk, sometimes for days. They have arguments in the street or over a mobile phone outside. They drive through the complex with their radio on maximum volume- all things that indicate a lack of civility. But, after living my entire life in and around Manhattan, these are almost trivial matters. Oh, and to clarify for those who are too lazy or ignorant to read the entire review: I'm a tenant, not part of the staff. Don't delude yourself into thinking your opinion is the only valid opinion. Many people are happy living here and I'm one of them. Too bad you didn't have the same experience.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/02/2008
Well, wait until something goes wrong...if you look carefully, it's not complaining about the apartment generating the negative reviews, the apartments are extremely nice and I agree, the best in the area. It's the staff that are the worst business people in the world making this experience hell for most people. Even when you do treat them with respect, they are horrible and have no idea how to run an apartment complex. They are horrid, rude people who are very nasty and manipulative. Just beware...it's not the apartment, it's the staff.
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/02/2008
Good job Pine Gate Apartment staffer...Those making enough money won't move into this ---- apartment, They will buy a good house like I did. Moving in an Apt is just a temporary thing and this Apt was not even worth staying for a month. That probably explains why there are negative reviews than positive. I wish you a pleasant permanent stay at Pine Gate Apartments.
From: disgustedrenter81	Date: 09/06/2008
Are we talking about the same complex? Pinegate on rt. 18 right? It is the worst development ever. How long have you lived here? Ovbviously not too long.
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/23/2008
How much did you get from the management to post this review, I hope it was worth your lying worthless soul. I have the same Webster's New Dictionary and Thesaurus to help me with big words too! This is NOT A RESIDENT thats giving us too much credit!
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/07/2008
THIS IS THE WORST MANAGEMENT TEAM AND THE SUPER THERE IS A MORON! THEY ARE A BUNCH OF BEER DRINKING CRACK SMOKING LO LIFES WHO DONT DO ANYTHING. REAL NICE TO HANG UP ON PEOPLE AFTER YOUR BATHROOM IS GETTING FLOODED. DO NOT RENT HERE!!! I WOULD RATHER RENT IN THE MIDDLE OF HARLEM. AT LEAST THEY ARE REGULATED BY NYC AND YOU WILL GET ATTENTION IF YOU NEED. PLACE IS OLD AND GROSS AND HIGHLY DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME HERE. I CANNOT WAIT TILL MY LEASE IS UP TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE
From: Anonymous	Date: 01/29/2009
I could not wait to get out of here!!!!! Any time I needed help with a problem, they took too long to get to it or they screwed it up. I had to call an outside handyman to fix my problems. I had a bottom unit and it smelled of mold and not all the vents worked for heat and air. Worst Place Ever!!!!!
From: Anonymous	Date: 02/25/2009
I had a very pleasant experience with the rental office today. Looking to move into the area. The were very helpgul.

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