We have lived here for a little over a year and have had an good experience overall. I wanted to write this review to list both the negative and the positive because reviews like this helped us when we were looking for an apartment. The main reason we moved in was because of the pet policy they have. They allow larger dogs when most other complexes have a 20lb limit. This is great expect that they charge you the most for your pets when you move in. We were charged $500 non-refundable for one pet and $50 for each additional. They also added on $20 each month to our rent for each pet. A little much considering what they already charge.
Outside:
Parking - The complex is sort of round so if you can get an apartment on the outside near one of the three corners then you can get enough parking near your door. If you live inside the circle or in a cul de sac you are pretty much out of luck and have to fight for parking.
Noise - It isn't a problem most of the time. If our TV or radio is on we cannot hear any noise from our neighbors and when it is off it is never loud or frequent. Sometimes at night, if our window is open, we can hear people talking outside or their car radios playing. Again it is only an occasional problem and only if the window is open.
Maintence - We have to pay for water/sewer and trash removal. I only mention this because it came as a shock to me when we signed our lease. Most other complexes include that in the rent. Since the new management took over our trach bins are no longer hidden by fencing. They are quite an eyesore and the half torn down fencing where they used to be is also. Maintence is pretty good about cutting the grass in a timely manner, but snow removal is a little slow.
Inside:
Smells - When we moved in there was a smell in the closet under the stairs. I think it was used as a pantry because it was more of a food smell than a dead flesh smell mentioned in other reviews. It took a while but it finanlly went away.
Bugs - When we moved in, there were a lot of dead insects inside the closets downstairs and around the linoleum by the front door, but they were mostly water bugs and rolly polly bugs that are really common in the area. Duing the summer we get them inside sometimes, but it is usually just a few.
Condition of Apartment - The complex was built in the 70's, so the paint is very thick. It is peeling in some places, mostly where the doors close because they stick. Our carpets looked in good condition and had been cleaned prior to us moving in. I called management to see how old they were and was told they did not know. Apparently they only change the carpets if there is major, obvious damage so you might have capets that are 2 years old or 15. The sliding glass door is my only real gripe. It is the original so it takes two people to open and close it because it is so heavy and it sticks(if it does not go off track in the process) and the lock does not work. There is a safety bar that we use instead. Also, the screen door is badly dented and does not fit securely so we get flying insects inside when the glass door is open. We don't even use the sliding glass door anymore because it is such a hastle. Our appliances are in great condition. We had a new fridge and new vanities in both bathrooms(I know they are not appliances but it just fits in here). The only problem was the washer developed a leak soon after we moved in, but maintenace fixed it right away. Also, our downstairs toilet gets clogged a lot. I used to live a quarter of a mile away and it never happened there, but in the last few months it has been a problem here. I guess it is the luck of the draw when it comes to the inside of the apartment.
Just a Warning - These apartments are all electric and you are responsible for the bill. Our bill in the winter averages $225 and in the summer $120.
Maintence/Office - We have had a great experience with maintence. We have never had anything major we need fixed, but any time we call they come out quickly and usually fix it the first time. If they need to come out more than once you may have to call to get them out again but we have never had any problems. The office staff is OK. The person mentioned in other reviews as cold is very cold, but if you are not trying to be friends with her she is just very professional. I am not sure if she even still works here since the new management company took over.
Overall, Thunder Hollow is a good place to live. It is very high priced for what you get (considering you have to pay for all the costs of living here), but they offer large, townhouse-style apartments with a private space outside, the freedom to decorate and landscape if you want and they allow large dogs of any breed. Since the new management company took over they have outsourced the lifeguarding duties so the pool is open longer hours and have just started a pick-up/drop-off dry cleaning service so they are trying. The parking is horrible for 90% of the complex and it depends on each apartment in regards to problems with the inside, the complex WAS built in the 70's. I hope this review will be a help to anyone that is on the fence.

User Responses
From: jaberry	Date: 04/12/2006
This person is nuts--there are no "pros" to living here! Its a ripoff

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