I have lived at Hillside for almost 2 years and it seems to have gotten progressively worse over that time period.

I have several issues with the property and management (in no particular order):

The ad I found on Hillside before I saw the apartment said there was a fitness center. When I met with management before signing my lease I was told there would be a fitness center built within 6 months... almost 2 years later, I'm still waiting.

Also upon meeting with management I expressed my concern over the close proximity to RI College and how many college students must live in the complex. I was assured that only "a couple of units" had college students living in them. This past school year I would say the complex was almost completely overrun with college students, making parking a problem some weekend nights and the noise level increasingly louder.

Office hours are not conducive to a professional adult's schedule. M-F 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (if not earlier)... and during the Saturday office hours the assistant is working and (it seems) can't solve any problems w/o speaking with the manager first, leaving things to be sorted out on Monday.

Tenants are often made to feel that maintenance problems are the tenant's fault, not management's. I can't tell you how much Drain-O and bug spray (yes, there is a MAJOR bug problem in the lower apartments) I have paid for out of my own pocket after requesting maintenance help. Maintenance also seems take more of a "bandaid fix" approach... ie., temporarily fixing the problem in hopes that the tenant won't bother to call back in two days when the same thing is broken again.

Many tenants smoke and the poor ventilation system makes non-smoking tentant's apartments smell as if a full-time smoker resides there, especially in the summer months when the Central Air is cranking. When brought to the attention of management, they said they couldn't smell anything and that if they "could" smell something it must be b/c someone is smoking in the apartment (which is not the case).

The laundry room was closed for almost a full month for renovations and updates. These updates left the residents of more than 90 units with only four washers and four dryers. It's a battle for someone working a 9-5 job to get laundry done w/o having your clothes pulled out of the machine 2 mins after your cycle ends.

Parking lots are poorly lit leaving cars susceptible to vandalism. I know of at least one car that was keyed from end-to-end and I saw another one up on blocks with all 4 tires gone.... Parking is supposed to be for residents only, but many cars without resident parking stickers take up spots on a daily (and nightly) basis.

There's more I'm sure, but that's all I care to type now. I guess my thought is, for the price, you'd think you would get more for your money. The only benefits are that heat is included and it's an easy commute to Providence.... yup, those are the ONLY benefits that I can see after 20 months of living here.

User Responses
From: mriles5555	Date: 03/28/2008
Well, That was a mouthfull. For someone who was that miserable, you lived at Hillside for 2 years. If you were that miserable, you should have broken your lease. I live in the building close to Fruit Hill Avenue and have never had a problem with noise. I have no clue what you are talking about. And by the way, when your miserable, your miserable. And in regards to the Fitness Center, where have you been. The new Fitness Center had it's grand opening in January of 07. I have been utilizing it each day for the past year and 1/2. It's beautiful and it serves me well. I have been in the office at 8:30 in the morning and have been greated with a welcoming smile. A professional you are not. As far as a problem with pests, I do know that I had an issue with bees and the Pest Control Company arrived within 2 hours of my call to take care of the problem. By the way, if you moved out in 06, you need to get a life because I have been using the Center since January of 07. As far as the laundry room is concerned, it is opened 24 hours a day so get your time frame straighted out buddy. Residents may use it as often as they choose. You just need something to complain about. You need to get a life. My family and I love this community. We are so please with the staff. The grounds are picked up daily and the maintenance staff is always willing to go out of their way to help the residents. Why even during a storm the maintenance and manager are ouside clearing the snow off cars and making it easy for residents to get out safely. For someone who was that unhappy, maybe you should have left long before. We are very happy with Hillside and our intent is to coninue our residency there. Management and Staff are wonderful.
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/28/2008
I totally agree with 5555 that the person who presented the first review is just miserable. As a profession in the business of marketing, I have found people to be very unreasonable and when they are, there response is never a positive one. Unfortunately, their lives are pretty messed up with either the fact that that they have no spouse, cannot get into a permanent relationship or are in one that is unfit for both parties. You can't please all peole. I have lived in apartments most of my life and I am content to live where I am at Hillside due to the responsiveness, and responsibility the Management takes in caring for the property, the grounds, any issues that may arise which are few and far between and as far as students, the percentage is very small and they are wonderful. The problem is not the residents, but a resident who no matter who you do for them, they are never happy. Have a good life and get with the program. Hillside I love you and the Management staff.

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