Like most, when I first saw Town Plaza (TP), I was taken in by the *larger than average apartment size and *central location. Rooms are spacious, living rooms have three-paneled sliding glass doors, which provide light and a view of the patio. The fence around patio needs work, but isn't outright dilapidated. The kitchen isn't the hallway style kitchen seen in many apartments, but a square with a window over the sink and a breakfast bar cut out to the living room to create an open feeling. The deluxe 3 bedroom has two living areas, W/D hookups, a fireplace and 2.5 baths over 1775 square feet of space. For my family's needs, rent was a little less at TP than at comparably sized apartments (hard to find).

Now, I know I will be willing to pay more! Something about "you get what you pay for..." I have been at TP for a year and a half and am counting down the days until my lease is up (convenience and lack of foresight had me sign us into a longer lease) and we are free--I hope to pay rent to a property that delivers a functioning, safe, friendly environment!

The first six months weren't so bad--that is, after *I* had to do all the cleaning and scrubbing I'd expect would need to be done to make an apartment ready for a new resident. According to the move-out agreement, when tenants leave, they are responsible for things like scrubbing the tubs, toilets, kitchen sinks, etc., or else the cleaning fee goes toward the original deposit. Since none of this was done, apparently by former occupants or under the order of management, I spent a day doing it myself. At least I made sure things were cleaned to MY standard. Then the boiler unit would go out occasionally leaving residents without heat for a day or so at a time, occasionally, which highlighted the property's lack of effective insulation when the room temperature plummetted. Water would need to be turned off for a couple of hours to a day for repairs, but not overly frequently. During this time, since things weren't happening every week or so, I chalked it up as a string of inconveniences, but ones that could be lived with.

It wasn't until the first summer (2005) that the "fun" began. Horrible smell from dishwasher which I never used (except to rinse clean from previous tenants)--when this was addressed, the solution was to put high powered cleaner in it to remove the smell...the clog came back later and is assumed to be because the disposal and dishwasher share the same line. Dirt piling on the windowsill and under the front door due to poor weatherstripping--I was told this is normal in west Texas, which I can debunk as I've lived in a rental home that is older than the apartment and had no problem on its MANY windows, and I haven't had the problem in other apartments I've visited here. A cascade of water anytime the upstairs bathtub was used for a bath (that is warping and rotting the exterior overhang but has not been adequately repaired a year later! The original wait time for the "repair" was roughly five months after I'd submitted the maintainence request in person in writing TWICE. Highly recommend trying the certified letter method to deliver maintenance requests; at least then if things are of the necessary nature as stated on the lease, after two notifications and "reasonable" time, the apartment will likely be in default of the lease agreement). Thermostats do not accurately regulate temperature (to engage the chiller, it is necessary to set it to 50 degrees). I have personally seen two mice (brought to my attention by my cat), and frequent troops of sugar ants in my kitchen (although I don't leave things out to attract them, really). This despite the pest control coming to spray. Attempts to inform management in writing of necessary repairs were met with less than polite responses, usually focused on the fact that the apartment is older and certain things are "normal." (Like frequent break downs of chillers, hot water heaters, boilers...) And that, obviously, I was unsatisfied (and implied difficult) because I had expected the convenience of a new or newer property. So it was my fault. Because of this response, I have found it more of an inconvenience and upsetting to make requests of my management personnel (who, one would think, are there to help and retain their residents!) than to just not use the dishwasher that continues to back up with the disposal and wait for the overhang to fall from the repeated tub leaking. I'm disappointed that those in a customer service position would mishandle their residents. I'm disappointed that the property--and residents--would be abused by lack of repairs (as opposed to quick fixes).

The chiller breaks down frequently in the summertime, so don't expect this to work for you if you like having reliable cold processed air in west Texas. I have experienced one cause for the frequent service shut offs--the pipes underneath the floors are prone to breaking (remember this is an old property!) which can cause a slab leak, flood living areas, require pumping out mud and water after extensive jackhammering, and result in unusable living areas and furniture everywhere (making daily activities difficult). Carpet will then be tacked back on new pad and steam cleaned. The dirt and wetness in the air from drying out the area is fabulous for those susceptible to allergens. This is not an isolated case as, three days later, another unit had a similar slab-leak problem. Those repairing the problem seemed familiar with this occurring at the property on a more-regular-than-can-be-reasonably-expected basis--this is not an anomaly.

Anyhow, the simple run down is that this property is run-down.

Yes, location, size, and the value one THINKS he is getting ranges from good to above average. Once one realizes the money he pays does not guarantee a clean, well-maintained, or hospitable environment...that changes things.

*Chiller/Boiler break down when most needed, it seems.
*Management difficult to deal pleasantly and professionally with, most of the time (I understand bad days, but also professional customer service).
*Maintenance not attended to within reasonable amount of time, for the most part.
*Parking lot is small, not too well lit (streetside has more light because of main road); you will have one marked spot per unit.
*Road noise is to be expected and is loud when one lives off a main road, neighbor noise is dependent on neighbors (not too bad).
*Pool not well-maintained, there are leaves and dirt accumulated at bottom on the occasions I've wanted to swim.
*Floors are uneven (likely because of quick repairs to slab leaks and concrete not being
evened to the original floor).
*Courtyard is sufficiently attractive; there are older trees to provide shade. Dead trees on at least one patio enclosure present limb hazards and have not been removed/noticed by groundskeeping.
*Construction quality is minimal--fixtures are cheap, breakdowns are frequent, exterior wood is warped in areas, installed appliances need frequent repair.
*Maintenance personnel are generally polite, but whether things are fixed properly is questionable since symptoms have been treated not the core problem and repeat visits would be necessary (if management would send them to address the problem).
*Leasing agents/office staff seem to be replaced every month or so, apartment manager is difficult to work with when there is dissatisfaction with the property. Was very nice up until the lease was signed, though!


To conclude this long commentary, DO NOT RENT HERE! You will not get a quality apartment for your money. You will not get concerned, helpful, professional staff. And it doesn't seem like anyone has in the past four or five years, either, judging by the responses on this forum. It's unfortunate for both residents and the property.

Personally, I'm sad because I wanted to love my big apartment. I think I'll go back to fifty-year-old rental homes that have been well-maintained by a property management company that is pleasant, willing to help when there's a problem, and maintain their INVESTMENT to be an asset for both themselves and the residents, current and future.

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