When I was first looking for an apartment in the Manayunk area I checked AptRatings and a bunch of other places. There were only a couple of postings for Manayunk Gardens, and although some were negative I figured I'd give it a shot...a move I STRONGLY REGRET. When I first moved into Manayunk Gardens it wasn't too bad, the buildings were old and not very attractive, but the rent was comparatively pretty good. In my first few months the office staff were pleasant, and I actually posted a positive comment on AptRatings in 2004.
In the over 2 years that I lived at Manayunk Gardens the living situation went from tolerable to horrible. The following is a brief list of the problems I faced:
-Leaky Roof 2x (damaged carpet and other items)
-Broken refrigerator (as in, 50 degrees in the freezer) for 2 weeks
-Broken dishwasher for several MONTHS
-Chronically broken clothes washers (full of moldy dark water) and dryers
-Bugs, and lots of them. We fondly nicknamed them "carpet-monsters"...they were big.
-My car being towed from my parking spot
-Homeless gentleman found sleeping in hallway outside my door, since the "security doors" were somewhat less than secure
-Pleasant mix of odors in the hallway...I recognized mold, urine, and beer.
-Damaged vehicles in the parking lot
-Short-fused management staff

I honestly and unfortunately had a terrible experience at Manayunk Gardens, and it seems that a bunch of other tenants who have posted on AptRatings have also had problems...listen to them! Many of my neighbors also had problems while they lived there, and when its time to move out its VERY difficult to get your security deposit back. As for the few positive postings on AptRatings, I have my suspicions that many were posted by the apartment manager...she has a somewhat distinct writing style.

BOTTOM LINE:
Manayunk Gardens seemed ok a first, but just got progressively worse. I would suggest that you stay away and keep looking. If you choose to move in, I can only wish you luck on what WILL prove to be a very bumpy ride.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/10/2007
That's hysterical, you are dead on with all of your comments. I also believe that the manager posted the positive rating. I just spoke to her (in person) the day before it was posted and she said (almost verbatim) the things in that posting.
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/10/2007
I would be happy to explain why I stayed, three words: poor grad student. The Manayunk area was very convenient to get to school, rent was cheap, and I physically didn't have the time to plan a move during school. I really wish things had worked out better at Manayunk Gardens Apts, but unfortunately it was not a good overall experience. Please learn from others' mistakes...Stay Away From MGA.
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/10/2007
If it was so bad can you explain why you stayed there so long?

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