Pros:

1.The floor plans are very well priced, actually a bit below priced, but I later learned that Vistas is actually an income sensitive property. My rent has not changed since the day I have moved in (I moved in during a special 3 years ago).

2. The floor plans are wonderful and spacious with crown molding, high end appliances with ample storage in every room. Even the storage on the outside porch is large, but there is no lighting in it.

3. Professional Staff and great maint. crew that actually do work with a fast turnaround rate. I've had 2 minimal problems and one neighbor complaint (he used his patio as a dumpster where his trash would boil during the summers which made you dry heave everytime you walked outside) that were addressed within the day.

4. TONS of parking that's very well lit and safe. I love that!! Especially since I'm a woman w/ very large truck and SUV.

5. The nature trails are nice and tranquil.... the decomposition rate in the woods is pretty fast, so when you take your animals there to go potty, its usually degraded within 24-48 hours so you wont have to see it. The actual apartment grounds is a whole different story.

6. People are nice and very kind. I haven't had the experience of wild parties and such, but there are few parties that do go on (many BBQ stuff in the summer) which seem pretty mild.

7. The second pool on the property is a nice alternative when the main pool is full with children (which is the usual in the summer time)

8. You can move to another unit within the property or outside the property (as long as its Archstone) with only a 30 day notice. All your app fees/deposits etc. transfer over which is convenient.

9. The grounds are well kept/and looks pretty nice - all for the exception of the dog poo which is a given at any complex that allows pets.

Cons:

1. Trash dumpster- There is only *one* dumpster on the property, and it fills up quick all the way over into the street. it looks terrible and is quite embarrassing when you drive by it, ESPECIALLY on Sundays/Mondays.

2. Entrance gates- its only a gated **access** community - not a fully gated community. don't be fooled. anyone can come in! and even more so because the gates never work! and watch out for your pets - they can wander anywhere due to the lack of gates/fencing.

3. Bugs- you live on a nature reserve so you'll learn to become nice with all the daddy long legs and scorpions that make your apartment home. Even if you live on the third floor (that's me!). But I enjoy the nature reserve, so Ill take the bad with the good. Plus,the complex offers pest control every Monday for free ...

4. Paper thin walls and noisy AC units- You can actually hear when someone sneezes, flushes a toilet or opens a drawer in the next apartment over. I hate that. and its creepy b/c you often wonder what they can hear from you. And the A/C units are a little loud, although I sleep better at night with a little wind noise so I actually enjoy this.

5. No one follows the 40-50 pound dog rule. You'll see large Labs, Golden Retrievers and Pit Bulls on the property - but a plus is that they are always on leashes.

6. The living/TV rooms areas are small in every floor plan - and the bathtub seems a lot smaller than what you see in other apartments. The tubs are easily clogged...so always keep Drano on hand. We use it twice a month which often reminds me of a college dorm.

7. Even though they have the dog poop stops (little stops with doggie pickup do-do bags), not everyone uses them and there is a ton of poop on the property. sometimes on the sidewalks.

8. You can't have BBQ pits on the property, not even in storage or in your garage (per fire ordinance in Austin). You can only use the grills on the property that are the same ones in Zilker Park (not so sanitary). I've seen nicer grills in other complexes.

9. The fitness center is hardly a fitness center. a total of 7 machines and a set of free weights. No room for aerobics (nor do they offer classes). I've seen more machines in a holiday inn. But the plus side is its usually empty, quiet and the TV's (cable) and stereo work great.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates