If you're thinking about moving into this place, please consider these pro's and con's before you do. I am an intelligent, young professional that has just come to the end of my three year tenure with Chesapeake Landing, a division of The Connor Group real estate company.

PROS-

1. Easy access to EVERYTHING. I'm talking two interstates, shopping, entertainment, food, grocery stores, drug stores, etc.

2. Whenever I have had to deal with their maintenance or office staff, they have always been very pleasant and professional. Maintenance is on top of the major issues and and smaller issues are taken care of within a few days.

3. Crime is SUPER LOW - and I am talking like non-existent. Never a problem with break-ins, haven't seen police there much (other than minor domestic disputes now and again), and I've left my car parked outside in the general lot every night for the past three years and have never had one problem.

4. Clean apartments. Although nothing too special, I can say that this place's sub-units are at least clean and functional when you move in. I've never seen a roach in the entire time being here, and any structural problems that occur are dealt with immediately.

5. Not too pricey (for the first couple years at least). For what it offers, this place isn't that hard to afford financially. A two-bedroom, for me, started off at $600 and has since gone to $700 (and would now be $750 if I were to stay here). Believe me, that is not a bad price for apartments in Centerville. It's a good apartment complex in terms of price - especially if you're just starting out in life like I was.

Now the CONS-

1. Don't expect parking to be readily available. If you get home anytime after 9PM you can pretty much be guaranteed that you won't get parking next to your building. At best you'll get back-of-the-lot parking. Bottom line - there's just not enough spaces.

2. This complex has deceiving photographs associated with it. It may look nice with the lakes and the freshly painted buildings but, and let me assure you, this place does not live up to that image. Don't get me wrong, the place is not a dump, but if I had to give its upkeep a grade, I'd say a solid "C-". The landscaping is actually pretty crappy, with entire sections of the yards missing grass or just overrun with crabgrass. You also have to watch all the dog and geese droppings. Oh yes, the geese... they basically run that place in the spring and summer. Furthermore, the freshly painted buildings are nothing to be proud of. Once you see the color up close, it looks like a giant cat vomited all over the complex and called it a day. Lastly, the outdoor lighting - only half of it ever works. Even though crime is low here, it can be kind of scary walking the long walk into your building after having to park a mile away.

3. The complex's management, The Connor Group, has a very shady deal where they also own the furnishing companies that provide all of your utilities (power, water, sewer & trash). So that means basically the same people who are taking your rent money are taking your utility money too. They have often been accused of overcharging and have been taken to court on said related charges (see for yourself under Kettering Municipal Court's public records). There is also evidence of The Connor Group ripping people off by not giving any of the security deposit back at the end of the resident's stay. In one case that I personally know of, a resident sued and won against The Connor Group because he took before and after pictures all around his apartment and the judge ruled that the complex not giving any of his deposit back was illegal. I've read other stories similar to this one elsewhere on the net as well. It's my opinion that The Connor Group is, underneath, a shady group of scammers. But in this age, what business isn't' And that's what it comes down to - business. Just don't be fooled into actually thinking this place, or any other apartment complex for that matter, actually gives a darn about you - in the end it's all about money and commissions for them.

4. All the advertising signs in front of the complex (i.e. "No rent 'til April!") are just plain annoying and downright trashy. Not to mention the lady in the clown or Santa suit, who stands by the road, beckoning cars into the complex. Just downright embarrassing after a while.

5. Getting into and out of the complex during morning and evening rush hour' Ha - forget about it. You'll sit there for sometimes as much as 10 minutes trying to get in or get out. It's an absolute traffic jam every day right at the complex's entrance. Very annoying, and the drivers around this area are not exactly the world's finest either.

In the end, I have to say, although there are many good things about this complex, the negative aspects do outweigh the benefits of living here. Admittedly, I have recommended this complex in the past, because it USED to be very affordable (they do up the rent $50 every year) for what it was. Now I would tell people to look elsewhere first and to think very carefully before moving in here.

Please, I beg of you, take all of this information into account when checking out this place, or any other Connor Group property for that matter. I am an educated person and have extensive experience with this complex. Any questions, please contact me. I try to be very honest and that is the basis behind what I have written here.

Good hunting!

User Responses
From: mbw2586	Date: 03/12/2009
Very nice review! The Connor Group is definitely a large group of scammers, across Ohio and other states. I lived in Chesapeake Landing for roughly a year and a half, and when I did a walk throughwith the trashy moronic "managment" before leaving, she assured me I would be receiving my deposit back, that she saw no reason for them to hold anything. I pointed out the issues that were wrong with the apartment CAUSED BY THEIR MAINTENANCE STAFF, and she made notes of everything. When I left, did I receive any deposit back? No. They, coincidentally enough, found so many things wrong that added up to my deposit amount to the last penny. They kept my money for the problems and damage they caused to the apartment!! I had the carpet steam cleaned the day before moving out, went to great lengths to have the apartment ---- and span, as I always have anytime I leave a property. I should have taken their crooked butts to court, because they were certainly in the wrong. To anyone thinking of moving to this property, or any other property owned by the Connor Group, just do a little search online. Type in "Connor Group" and you'll read 500 reviews of how horrible they are and the illegal things they do, to every 1 "It's okay..." review.
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/12/2009
I received my whole deposit when I moved out of Chesapeake Landing this year. The only reason I moved is because they do not have 3 bedrooms there. Would definately recommend.
From: neonllama19	Date: 07/08/2009
I live at Chesapeake and have been happy with the building for the most part, weve had a few maintenance issues that took FOREVER to fix. My biggest complaint is they do raise the rent $50 every year (which they say is because of high demand and not enough units available, but if you go to craigslist.org there are about 10 listings a day for apartments that are move-in ready). Also the general upkeeping of the grounds and outside building suck. We had a giant wooden platform sitting over a drainpipe out side that was there for 2 years! We kept asking them to move it and they said it had to stay. How trashy! Also, the guys that mow the lawn leave cigg. butts everywhere and have broken several of my planters. The management is very pushy when it comes to making a decision on re-signing. (they told us we had to decide last april...our lease wasnt up until oct!) Also, the whole issue with Heartland is a giant scam. I have NEVER paid "community electric" with sewage/water and trash. Our bill is over $60 each month, and the late fee is over $20 which is crazy. I know you should pay your bills on time, but sometimes things come up. We just bought a front loading washer that saves a ton on water and our bill has increased since we bought it. Figure that one out. We are moving out in Oct and I know they will keep our deposit for sure.

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