I've honestly looked at the majority of more upscale apartments/condo rentals in the OKC metro and I believe Garden Gate has the best "apartments" available for the prices. They aren't really apartments--they're townhouses, or patio homes. Meaning they aren't stacked on top of each other like apartments, each have private patios and two-car garages, and at the time they were built they were comparable to nicer homes being built at the same time. This is before things like hardwood floors were standard, when wood paneling was popular, and before granite countertops were in every kitchen. Therefore the places are a little outdated, but the construction is top notch. The newer-built models are not built as well, as they were built as typical apartments (though in the same patio home style). They have less detail and a more cheaply-made feel. However, they are larger and have very cheap, but newer fixtures.

The management when we moved in was excellent! Joni was extremely helpful and sincerely caring. She went out of her way on more than one occasion. One shining example of this was one cold Saturday when she was off, and our heater stopped working. Not only did she personally bring over space heaters, but she also had someone to look at the heater the same day! This was at a time when we were between maintenance people and there were none to call even if they would answer on a Saturday. She was just amazing. After the new owners took over and Joni's departure, things in that regard went downhill quickly. We've been through two managers in a six-month period of time. The first manager was supposed to be experienced according to the owners, but she was completely inept. She ended up shredding important papers in a fit of rage after finally being fired (I know this because our lease was part of it). Our current manager is better, but still not extraordinary. She is hard to get a hold of, but she's a step up from the previous manager. She's also really nice and has gone out of her way to make sure packages left in the office are available when we get home.

We've never had a problem with maintenance other than the turn-over rate. Every time we call for something, they are here within a couple of days. One time we even had one drive back over after his work day to open the office for us so I could get a package. Any criticism of them would just be nitpicking--cheap light bulbs used, for example. I'm surprised by the issues other tenants have raised regarding maintenance. I do know that the previous (and possible current) manager rarely told maintenance of requests made my tenants. We've always contacted the guys directly, and were always satisfied.

I have a two bedroom/two bathroom unit with a fireplace, two central air units (one for downstairs, and one for upstairs), a large (about the size of the garage) private patio surrounded by our apartment and the garage, a two-car garage with ample storage space-- easily fits our two mid-sized SUV's with plenty of room left over, around 1100 square feet, beautiful appointments such as crown molding, 20-foot(') vaulted ceilings in the living room and master bedroom, et cetera, all for only $825 a month. The master bedroom/bathroom is large and opens to the patio (which I call a "catio" since it is perfect for my indoor cats to get some fresh air and a better view of birds, all while remaining safe and supervised) and has a special tiled shower and separate bathtub instead of the typical shower/bath fiberglass unit in cheaper homes. I've looked at typical apartments and for even close it would be at least $1000 a month. That is for a three-story apartment complex with cheaply-made units. I would prefer hardwood floors, and updated bathrooms/kitchens, but for this price, I can't really complain. We've been looking for a new place just for some novelty. I don't work, so I get bored in the same place before long. There are only a couple of apartments I would consider living in now, and they start at $1600 a month. This place has spoiled me.

If you are looking, keep in mind that there are many different units here. Some of them are much, much more outdated and some of them have been a little updated by previous residents. A few of them have white fireplaces, which I am partial to because I hate the look of exposed brick.

I would recommend this place to anyone looking for something safe, quiet, and a bit more special than other apartment complexes. This place won't be great for too much longer, however. The new owners are letting it run down. We've had ants coming in from the windows since the new owners took over. The cheap labor they had re-shingle the roofs caused leaks when we had an ice storm, and during heavy rain. They are replacing ceramic tiles on the floors with laminate when people move out of older units that have carpet in the bathrooms. We were able to replace the dinosaur of a stove/microwave with a new flat top stove and decent microwave. They had recently replaced the dishwasher as well. This place was almost immaculate when we moved in. Other than typical wear, it looked brand new. The carpets had been cleaned also.

The outdated kitchens in some units are a serious drawback to living here. I don't even want to be in it. Laminate flooring, too many ugly brown cabinets, plastic (or something) counter tops, et cetera. On the other side of the kitchen, facing the dining room, is wood paneling. I won't even take a picture with that in the background. Another note: they repainted the entire apartment in preparation of our move-in, and asked us if we had color preferences. I didn't because I didn't have time to decide.

All in all, I'm glad we were fortunate enough to find this place when we moved to the city in January of '07. I will miss it when we finally find a better place, or are able to afford the ones I am willing to move to. If you are able to get a nice unit, you will be happy too. I have looked at a few as they became available, so I can tell you it's a mixed bag here. I give this place four stars because five is representative of perfection, and short of building it myself, I don't think I'll ever find that.

UPDATE 12/08 - We recently transferred to a different unit. This unit is much nicer and bigger than ours was, and is still unbelievably affordable. Almost 1500 square feet for $975 a month. It has even more room than our last unit because it is all one floor, where as some of the square footage included the upstairs loft/bathroom in the old unit. This unit is a little newer. It has a white cabinets in the kitchen - the much, much larger kitchen - but the stove is old and irreplaceable unless broken. No wood paneling!! It has pretty wainscoting in the dining room. It also has a lot more/bigger windows in the front that really let the light in and gives my cats a view. Love it!

The new manager, Linda, is very nice and professional. I changed the rating for management from 3 to 4 stars. She really gets things done! She is having trouble with maintenance right now, and is dealing with contractors in the meantime. She had to hire outside plumbing people to take care of some things before we could move in. I felt bad, like we were being a nuisance, but she was very accommodating. The entire unit was freshly painted, professionally cleaned, and the carpets were professionally shampooed before we moved in. I don't think that is common practice for many apartment complexes. I've read many a review on this website that stated the apartment was dirty upon moving in. Gross! This place is really CLEAN.

I haven't met many neighbors since we moved here in January '07. It's not that people aren't friendly - when I've seen them in the mail room, they are always friendly - but rather it's the fact that these units are so private. They are also very quiet! I hear my neighbors more than I did in our previous unit, but not unless they are slamming cabinets near the walls - it's not annoying and barely noticeable.

The people I do see out my new windows are typically retirees with cute dogs. If you want to party the night away, please do so elsewhere so you don't bother the nice community here.

One note, I did have to purchase a $900 air purifier because the air quality in the new unit was lacking. I'm not sure what it was, but it was triggering my allergies to act up, as well as my cat who has severe allergies.

I plan on being here for at least another year. Love it! I have atypically high standards and I truly believe this place is superior to all except 3 other rental communities in Oklahoma City: Nichols Hills Manor, The Grandmark, and The Classen - none of which my boyfriend can currently afford! haha.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/24/2009
Thanks for your honest review. I have been eyeing this community since I began looking about a month ago for a place to call home. I too am abou to relocate to the Oklahoma City area and I wanted to just get an idea of where to begin looking once we make it there. This property is definitely on the top of the list!

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