Cabana Club

Big report, all flaws mentioned, make your own decision

From: -Anonymous-
Date posted: 3/28/2007
Years at this apartment: 2007-01-01 - 2007-01-01
1 response

Gonna talk about my own complaints, and touch on a few things other's have said. As you read them, it's best to think to yourself, "How IMPORTANT is this to ME??" Some of these things may seem petty to some... but highly offensive to others, that's why I'm listing it all.

I fell in love with the Key Largo floorplan, and nothing was going to change my mind about this place. I read NOTHING BUT negative reviews on a website, but they didn't phase me. We actually reserved our apartment -sight unseen- from out of state. It wasn't bad at first. My husband was mad because the front gates were broken. He wanted a secure gated community. They never EVER told us when we moved in, that the gate was broken. Not a big deal for me personally, but they could have said something. It took 1.5 months from the time of our move in, before the gates were fixed - and no telling how long they were broken before then.

My biggest problem at this point, is they don't enforce the rules. One of my schoolage children has missed 2 days of school already, because he couldn't sleep because of the guy upstairs was blaring his radio so loud allll nightttt lonnngggg. I've complained about him a half dozen times. We've even had parts of our apartment fall apart because he was stomping so hard. What was the response when I complained? "Deal with it yourself. Talk to him." That was from Carmen. The first time I went to pay rent, she sighed and said "as if I don't have enough to do already." As for roaming security at night.... I saw a security guy ONE time. My friend was smoking a cigarette, on the patio, at around 11 at night. He came up to the patio and started talking to her - and wouldn't leave! He was loud too. I'm sitting there thinking, "Quiet time starts at 9pm. It's 11pm and the freakin' SECURITY GUY is bullshittin' outside my patio, as loud as can be???" I even heard on his walkie talkie that someone reported a noise disturbance in the area. He responded with "it's all clear". LOL!

The second pool is "closed for the season". We were told by leasing agents that it will open in May. I have heard from other residents, though, that they don't ever open the second pool anymore. We'll find out in May.

The sprinklers come on in the late afternoon - during the hottest time of the day. Even the news channels tell you not to water the lawn at that time. I hate the fact that it's after school is out, and all the kids will be playing in the grass when BOOM! sprinklers come on!!! It's also irritating that they spray onto the windshield of the cars. Our windshield is spotted on a daily basis. Not a big deal, just irritating - especially since our wiper SPRAY isn't working!

The amount of parking really is terrific! I must say!! We had a 28-foot trailer parked near our apartment for 2 days, not a problem! Residents are allowed 1 covered space, but there is probably 2-3 times as much uncovered parking.

They don't "advertise" their playground much, but it is pretty nice. The problem is, the bigger (troublesome) kids from the neighboring complex like to hop the wall and hang out at the playground. I called the office twice about that - in fear that my own children would get hurt. Again, I was told to deal with it myself. They said they would "try to send the handyman over", and I will say - the handymen are great. Both times they came over and diffused the situation. I was also told by one of them NOT TO HESITATE to call the office when it happens. I was feeling like a pain in the butt for having to call all the time, so that made me feel better.

Maintenance requests ARE filled slowly, but again, both the maintanence guys are great. They're nice, friendly, and not "scary" if you know what I mean. I've had maintenance guys or repair techs in my house (with my children) that absolutely FREAKED ME OUT!!! These handyguys are great! Even had one of them take care of the "playground situation" after he had clocked out and was walking out of the office when I called. He took care of it on his way home.

I read a review or two that said Carmen was great. She strikes me as the type to be HORRIBLY moody. So she probably does have her good moments. Can't say I've experienced them personally, but they might exist.

The appliances do suck, and the apartments do show their age. My "move-in checklist" was completely filled. I think I even had to use the backside of the paper. Over half of the electrical outlets won't hold a plug. It's like they're too loose inside, and the plugs just fall out. Washing machine APPEARS big (fullsize). But it doesn't hold much clothes. Dishwasher was designed poorly and doesn't work too well. I've had a few loads come out dirtier than they were to begin with. The large burner (the ONLY large one) on the stove is messed up. I had the handyman fix it, but he didn't have the right part. The problem with it, is it doesn't lay flat. So for example, when I put a liquid (oil, eggs, etc...) into the pan on that burner - it all runs to one half of the pan. I can fill my pans to about 60% of their capacity... and as long as I stir it carefully, nothing spills. But if I fill it 61%, or get a little frisky with the stirring, it makes a big mess.

The bathtub faucets suck. It's all one knob. The main knob controls how much water comes out. There's a flimsy thing behind the main knob that controls the temperature. It is a PAIN IN THE REAR to turn the flimsy thing. AND, the flimsy thing can get "off track". So you turn it to the left where the "H" is, but you don't get any hot water. My kids hate it. Even my 12 year old can't adjust the temperature by himself!

Again, a lot of these things are minor. But they tend to add up. When I can't sleep cause the guy upstairs is loud, and then I try to make breakfast and splash eggs all over, and then we eat breakfast on dirty plates fresh from the dishwasher...etc...etc.. You can see how it all adds up.

And if you don't have kids, or don't care about being close to the playground... I believe the front of the complex is probably more secure than the back. I would imagine that someone living right by the office, won't be blasting their music all the time.

Power bill seems reasonable. Of course, we're moving here from a 2-story house in another state. Our power bill at our old house averaged $300 per month!! I requested "equal monthly payments" with Nevada power. Our first bill had $156 in usage charges. Not bad at all for a family of 5!!

Overall, you *could* have any or all of these problems in any apartment complex. I judge things by the way problems are HANDLED. And unfortunately, there's a serious lack of "handling" by this personnel (namely Carmen, as she has been the only one I've been in contact with). When we moved in and signed the papers, there were like 5 ladies in the office. Since then, all I've ever seen is Carmen. Not sure what happened to the others. Oh, and when we moved in we noticed a sign by the spa "children under 16 not allowed". My children love spas, and they're all underage. So I asked the girl that we were dealing with that day. She said they're legally required to post that sign. Small kids can overheat and die if they spend too much time in the spa. She said if we were right there with the kids, they could go in for a few minutes - or sit on the side and put their feet in. First day we went to the pool, we were in the spa for like 5 seconds when Carmen came out and "ripped me a new one" becaues they aren't allowed anywhere near the spa. The kids were SOOO bummed. And Carmen really didn't need to be so rude about it. I understand she's obliged to uphold the law (and the sign) and whatnot... but she has no people skills whatsoever. I'm an easygoing person. You tell me something, and I'll respect that - especially since I understand the legal aspect of it. There's no need to bark at me.

AND FINALLY, for someone moving here from out of town..... Don't get your phone service with Embarq!!!! I had MULTIPLE errors on my first bill. Mainly, charges that weren't supposed to be there. I had to go through 3 different billing reps (2 of them were supervisors) before I could get someone to even shut up long enough for me to explain the problem!!!! Get your services through Cox!! I've had a few technical problems with the cable so far... but they've taken care of every problem in a very kind and polite fashion. They even upgraded us to the DVR cable box at no extra charge - to show how much they appreciate us as a customer. Again.. it's how problems are HANDLED, and Cox knows how to handle them!

One last thing.... airport noise is NOT a problem. This is actually a fun part of town if you have kids. Mine just LOOOVVVVEEEE to watch the planes land everytime we go somewhere.

Last updated: 3/29/2007

Recommended: NO Overall Rating

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