I lived at Upsal Gardens for two years when I first moved to Philadelphia in 1994. Cheryl, the then and still property manager, was impossible. We constantly had problems with roaches, we requested an exterminator but one never came. I understand that bugs are something that you always need to be wary of when living in the city but this was ridiculous. The basement area was disgusting and never very well lit. I looked into Upsal Gardens again last year because the apartments are in fact beautiful, as is the property. I hoped that it would be under new management, or at least have a new property manager and was shocked to find that Cheryl still worked there. She was always unfriendly, discourteous, and seemed fairly miserable most of the time. Imagine a slumlord from an episode of Law and Order... that's what you'll be dealing with. Also worth noting... our upstairs neighbors had a three year old daughter. Cheryl told this girl's mother that the child was not allowed to play in the grassy area in front of the building because the grounds were off limits to residents. Finally, my car was broken into 3 times, my mother was mugged twice, and there was an attempted rape across the street in front of Pelham Plaza. In all fairness (I still live in the same area), with increasing property values in the area, it has gotten much safer in the past few years. I would still look for somewhere with guaranteed off-street parking (just ask your insurance company).

User Responses
From: sheeba1	Date: 01/30/2006
Wow! I was really interested in moving here...especially after all the great things I heard years ago in the Inquirer. I saved that review in case I ever needed to move. Was the roach problem ever rectified? Are tenents able to contact the manager's boss?
From: renterupsal	Date: 07/26/2006
I have in Upsal Gardens for a year. I'm staying for another. It's a great apartment. I feel absolutely safe. I've left my keys in my front door almost every night (forgetfulness) and my nice neighbors have always been kind enough to knock and inform me of my mistake. My car was stolen from the street last year but I think that could happen anywhere in the city. I've never seen a roach in my apartment and I see children playing outside all the time.
From: Joshua911	Date: 11/09/2006
I lived here for three years. It's become awful. Stay away,the angst from management is not worth it.
From: Anonymous	Date: 01/01/2008
not only are there roaches, but we have caught over 20 mice and requested extermination multiple times with no results. we have taken to exterminating our apartment on our own. since moving here my husband and i have had chronic respiratory infections. i cant wait until our lease is up so we can move out of this hell hole.

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