I have lived at Royal Mills now for nearly a year, during the course of which my opinion of the complex has changed considerably. What is most troublesome though, is the fact that as a concerned resident, I voiced my issues to management who do nothing more than pooh-pooh any controversial issue.

Allow me to explain in detail why I no longer enjoy living at Royal Mills...

1. PARKING: This is a huge issue. First of all, unless you sell your soul to the management, you inevitably are bound to either a tandem space (one behind another), or a lift system in the garage, which is also set to work in tandem. We opted to park outside, since the idea of having a car lifted above mine did not sit well with me. There is a constant struggle between my boyfriend and I to schedule who comes home when so as to avoid the pain of switching the cars in an already full lot. Also, don't plan on inviting guests over, ever. Guest parking does not exist. Management's solution' To have people park across busy Providence Street in the public bike path parking that is not lit and quite a walk. I have invited people to stay the night rather than cross the street in the dark to get their car from a creepy parking lot where no security measures are in place.

2. SECURITY: Since I mentioned it, I should address it. One thing I loved about Royal Mills was the fact there was a call box system in place, as well as a lock that requires a special dob for entry. These things do not work very well when residents prop the doors open with benches, etc. Prior to the renovation, Royal Mills was home to many of West Warwick's homeless; I really do not want strangers having the ability to come and go as they please. Of course, management had the great idea of installing 2 security cameras, both of which are near the entrance of the building...and seem to have done no good as residents continue to prop open doors.

3. POOL: You will see in previous posts that Royal Mills advertised a pool previously. In fact, when I came to check out the apartments before moving in, I was still told they would be breaking ground in the spring and the pool would be completed for the summer. And then one day magically the pool was no longer on the website, and the plans were trashed. Residents were not informed this was happening, and the only reason I even found out was because I specifically had to ask the office why the pool I was paying for was non-existent.

4. OFFICE STAFF: At first, they were all sweet as pie. But, as soon as I wrote an email to the assistant manager about some concerns (mind you this was kindly worded email), I began to get an attitude from the entire staff. As more issues arose and I continued to communicate with the office, the worse it got. Also, emails that I sent in confidence have been passed around the office, as confirmed by one of the leasing consultants. Makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it' On a side note; if you ever have a real issue, don't bother dealing with anyone other than the manager or assitant manager. The leasing consultants cannot think for themselves and have to run everything by the managers anyway, and then there is a girl who works in the office but is simply an events coordinator, so she is pretty useless. Yup, that's right, my rent goes towards an events coordinator. By the way, I do not plan on going to any of the events, as I have not attended any since I moved in...shouldn't I get the CHOICE to pay for these things'!

5. ELEVATOR: I live in the south side of the buidling. Prior to my move in, the elevator was not operational. I was told repeatedly by management it would be ready for my move in. The week I was supposed to move in I called to confirm that it was working, and they said they would have someone manually operating the elevator for us and there shouldn't be any issues. Come move in day, no elevator. In fact, it wasn't working for another month after that point. Oh yeah, and it went down in October when a couple was trapped in the elevator for 3 HOURS! It was finally repaired and back running YESTERDAY. So, from May-June, no elevator. From October-end of January, no elevator. The best part was during this, management offered hand trucks for people to carry their things upstairs. Um, carts...stairs...does not really work...sorry. UPDATE 1/31/09: Firefighters were dispatched to Royal Mills because the newly operational elevator is down again, with people trapped inside AGAIN. I'll be taking the stairs from here on out...

6. VACANCY: Luckily on my side of the building noise is not an issue, since I literally have 2 neighbors on my floor. That leaves about 10-15 vacant apartments on my floor alone! God forbid any future residents plan on moving in and owning cars...

With all my grievances let me make known that yes, my apartment is beautiful. Unfortunately management has been so focused on all of the extras that Royal Mills advertises that they have overlooked some pretty fundamental things...

I miss Cowesett Hills...at least you knew there that it was what it was...and there wasn't a facade. odusyNYCcZ7yL3Bj5JtG

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