This once-grand community was known as a jewel in the otherwise milquetoast Bedford suburb. It was clean, it was manicured, it was maintained and in short, it appeared as if the management team cared.

Since Colonial came in, it has not been any of that. The only time you see the office staff out and about is when they are taking a potential customer to look at a property. When you see them, be sure to notice how they seem to know what sights to avoid. They wouldn't want that potential customer seeing the increasing number of amenities that do not work or are in disarray. Nor do they want them seeing physical damage from one of the Spring storms that continues to go without repair.

Or, if you look at the attached photos, they might also see trash on doorsteps or trash piled up where the dumpsters used to be. Or the new signs telling people to not put their trash in the dumpsters areas (because the dumpsters were taken away). See, they didn't ask what we thought about a compactor. They just installed one and removed the conveniently-located dumpsters without even a heads-up. We all found out after it was done that there was just one place to take our trash. Located at the front. Not at all convenient. Hard to get to. Leaving you to put cruddy trash in your car to take it there.

Meanwhile, they managed to get a beautification award from the city (see attached photo). Interesting how that works, as it's typically only given when someone calls in to the city to suggest a business gets the award. The timing was also interesting, as it was right as the last manager left - a nice feather in the cap, wouldn't you say' Also consdiering that manager was about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. So yes, I am suggesting that the manager at that time or one of her cohorts called in to get the award so it would be something to have on a resume.

On top of that, Colonial likes to talk about how the consistency from one property to the other' Really' Then why don't the other 2 properties in Bedord have the dumpsters removed in favor of compactors' And why is one of the other properties having a free move-in banner hanging on the gate and the others do not' I call baloney on the crap we get shoveled to us by management. Another good indicator is how only 1 side of this property has a compactor and the other one doesn't. How consistent is that'

On top of that, they pick and choose what rules they want to enforce and which ones they do not. A walk around the property would indicate to anyone with a brain that the place is falling apart, yet Colonial is more interested in curb appeal with that newly remodeled front office. Don't expect the gates to work. Don't expect the hot tubs to be functional. Don't expect the keypad on the weight room to work. Just expect the office staff to have a nice place to sit on their behinds all day, running the community from behind their desks.

Oh, this is a large property, you say' Beep. Wrong answer, hot shot. It is what it is and if the management doesn't have the tools to provide a nominal level of service, it's a corporate problem - not the customer's problem. But that is what you get here when you call the office with even the simplest request = it's a big property and they have blah, blah, blah.

But that's just how it is here. It the resident's problem, not the office's problem. If that is not the case, the management needs to consider how they say things.

At least any potential new residents will not have the shock of habing cable forced upon them. Existing residents were forced to get cable upon renewal as part of some sweetheart deal that Colonial worked with Time Warner Cable. Talk about a screw job.

If you're some punk kid that has no respect for those around you, you'll fit right in here. If you like inconsiderate neighbors that stomp up and down the stairs and slam their heavy front doors at all times of the night, then this is the place for you.

And while we're talking about noise, potential residents should invest in earplugs or a white noise machine for bedtime. These units are just the ticket if you want to hear every word your neighbors speak. And it's not just the walls that are poorly insulated, wait until you experience a typical windy Texas winter and you'll get to enjoy the whistling of the wind as it comes through the poorly installed windows. But, once again, you guessed it, that's not Colonial's problem. It's yours. And yes, I asked.

Wanting to meet new friends' You'll have plenty of opportunity for that. Just go down to the pool during the summer. You'll meet plenty of people from other nearby apartment communities and houses that come here to lay out by the pool here and to walk right in to the unlocked gym for a workout on the equipment that you'll be paying for as an ammenity. But I'm certain they don't just use the pool and gym! I mean, the supplies from the unlocked gym's restrooms don't just grow feet and walk away on their own, do they'

If you still want to check out this property, then take a good look at how lush and how green the grass is around the office... as it's not that way anywhere else on the property. If you smoke and you're a pyromaniac, then you'll love it here. Not only do you get to join all the other rude and inconsiderate smokers that throw their butts on the ground, but you can also help send the community up in smoke as your cigarette but lands in the dry brown grass that is common in the summers. Never mind, all the people with the grills will probably bet you to it.

You'd think the grass would be greener, as you would think from the seasonal jump in the water rates that they are watering more. Or is it just that they are watering so much more around the office, so that the foundation doesn't buckle in the poorly developed ground as it does on the building that you'll be living in here. And I know what you're thinking. Yes, those fresh cracks in the walls and nails pulling themselves out of the wood are your problem, not managment's.

If you're one of those that really wants the pride-in-ownership that comes with maintaining a residence, but you just prefer the inconveniece of poor service (you know, the kind of service that even the Wal-Mart employees think is bad), then you'll have plenty to satisfy you if you want to move in to Shoal Creek. Just don't forget to take a clothespin with you on your walks, as many animal owners think they are above being responsible for what their pets leave behind.

And if anyone thinks I might just like to 8itch, I can say that I'm actually happy that Woody the maintenance goon is gone. The current maintenance staff is always busy and quick to respond - that is, once the office gets the request to them.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/17/2008
I hope everyone continues to post these comments, and hopefully Colonial Properties starts to read them. If not, I am personally going to get a group together, and contact an executive with Colonial Properties to sit down and discuss with us the situation. We all love the property and living here, just fed up with how things are being handled (or not handled) by Colonial Properties! This should be a great community. I also encourage everyone to NOT take your trash to the unsafe compactor, leave it in the previous sections or on the curb for pickup until the compactor is fixed properly without the cables running in front of it, and working properly when closing the door. Please start documenting dates and issues, and hang on to them. If things do not start changing, I will leave notes on my neighbors' doors and work on getting people together!
From: dalisha02	Date: 07/17/2008
I have to correct you and say that the apartment across the highway does have 1 central compactor, however they pick up trash 3 days a week. I just moved across the street though, and it's even worse than Shoal Creek. I never experienced many of the problems that everyone has complained about when I was in Shoal Creek, but if you want to experience poor management, lack of concern for property, rude/trashy neighbors and nonexistent maintenence, then move to Willow Creek. The free move deal is only up to a certain amount ($200) with a particular company that has had numerous complaints wtih the BBB (I'm in the middle of a dispute myself), and when I leased, it was only for a 3rd floor move. If you're considering another Colonial property, maybe try Colonial Grand in Valley Ranch, but don't waste your time looking on the other side of 183.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/22/2008
It's all so sad, really, I mean it didn't have to be this way! Just remember the famous saying; You can fool some people some time, but YOU CAN'T FOOL ALL THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME! If you're still in doubt just ask the current administration...
From: texasgirl44	Date: 07/23/2008
I must not live in the same area as you! One question...how many years have you lived here? There are many properties around here in which you may try because this is the best one I've lived at and im sure that's why everyone else is here too! I've had problems but they've always been taken care of and I've always been treated like a respected resident. Stop whinning and move if it's that bad!
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/28/2008
I AGREE W/ TEXASGIRL44 MY PROBLEMS ARE TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY. I DONT LIKE THE FRONT OFFICE, BUT I DONT GIVE A FLIP ABOUT THEM. I DONT LIKE THE TRASH SITUATION EITHER BUT I'LL DO AS A PLEASE! LET THEM GO THROUGH A BAG OF ROTTEN FOOD AND DIAPERS!
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/13/2008
Any issue I've brought to the office has been taken care of - eventually. It depends on it I'm dealing with someone that has a clue or someone that could care less. Hey texasgirl44, Stop whinning and move does not make the world a better place. Maybe it works for you, which may explain why you've been in a few properties in the area. People that say "just move" make it sound as if it is so easy to just break the lease and move whenever someone wants to. Some people stay becuase they see how Colonial does business and knows that there will be a new manager in a few months. Some stay because they cannot get a house. Some stay becuase they just ignore the declining attention to quality and are willing to live with less. I also don't care for the front office nor the trash situation. I will do as I please, like everyone else does. Maybe when people with a better attitude than texasgirl44 fill the vacancies, more people will expect more for their $.
From: Anonymous	Date: 12/10/2008
Check out this web page and you will see what is happening to the properties which Colonial Properties has taken over. They are riding on the fact of purchasing good properties, and then let them go to hell because of corporate beauracracy!! http://www.wsoctv.com/news/16772892/detail.html?psp=news&rss=char

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