Okay, so we are here for just a few months for my husbands military schooling. I have rented at many places and so I know this is not anything common for apartment experiences.

At first, I thought this was a great value for the money... over time I see why it's so cheap. Yes you get a pool, playground, AC, Washer, Dryer, nice staff and the places look decent... but then you see you have 3 different locks for the front door and also a security alarm. Great... but why is this needed' I found out why when there was a murder not too long ago. A man who was shot 3 times literally right outside in the parking lot. It wasn't even dark yet. I also witnessed 2 men assaulting and strangling a woman just the other night (she had to go to the hospital) And those people still live here. I must say that I see the police here VERY often. Almost daily, no exaggeration at all. And that's only what I see the few times that I look outside everyday. There are many other streets to this community. It just so happens when I peek, there they are! And it's never just one police car.

The walls are ridiculously thin! Little or no insulation between units, so you can hear every single word someone says next door. I even sing along to my neighbors radio during the day when I hear a song I like! There are quite a few of partiers, loud cars, and just plain inconsiderate tenants.

I had a bad experience with one of the younger office staff ladies. She just had a power trip attitude and was rude, dismissed all my legit concerns, treated me like scum and is just a terrible representation for this community. I had to contact the UDR corporate office since things didn't get handled properly. Apparently she was in the wrong after all and I got my way in the end. Without even having to ask, I have heard a lot from other tenants about this particular lady. Now she is "fake" nice to me, I can't stand it. This place is definitely better off without her.

The maintenance guy is absolutely great though! I will say that is a really good experience... Nice and prompt! He is usually here within the hour. However, I have had to call for him a lot. These places are pretty old and so things do need a fixing sometimes. No biggie. Gets done quickly. They are in decent shape for the age.

You only have 1 choice for internet... its expensive and SUPER slow! You cant even watch a You Tube video! Its down often as well. You also still have to pay for W/S/G ($50-$70 per month) on top of rent. Electrical is not cheap here either. We are careful and it's always over $100! Pretty bad considering it's a 1 bedroom.

Bugs are also pretty bad here. You will get TONS of spiders, ants, ear wigs and other weird things. We have lived in 2 different unit and each one had TONS of spiders we have to kill before even moving in. The 2 people we referred here, they also have bug issues. Even though they spray and we even went and got spray ourselves since what they did didn t do anything for us. I have also heard of others with roach problems. So live upstairs if you can. That will help. Mosquitoes are a huge issue here. You go outside for like 1 min and get 5 bites! So irritating!

If your alarm system breaks, not gets broken, but just stops working on it's own, YOU have to pay for it. The electrical here... lol... it sparks when you plug things in. If you are on the bottom floor, the ceilings creek so so so loudly when your upstairs neighbor is walking.(it actually kept us awake) The doors leak water when it rains. They cant keep control on the pet owners here. I have seen dogs kept outside on the balconies and when they pee, it goes down to the patio below them, so don t hang out or keep things out on your downstairs patio if there is a dog up there. I have also seen them let their dogs run free with no supervision as they go pee on other tenants patio furniture. I told the particular young lady I had an issue with in the first place, and guess what' She didn't do anything. Those dogs are still doing what they do and the owners are still letting them our without supervision.

You have to hire professionals who shampoo your carpet when you move out as well as replace bulbs, drip trays, clean everything to the smallest detail and so on... so when you move in, you get the quality of cleanliness that the previous tenants left you. They also allow you people smoke inside and then don't do the necessary procedures to get rid of the smell for the next tenants. (Which you would have to replace the padding, carpet and paint every inch of the wall as well as use a special cleaner on all things. Hey Woodscape! Charge a larger deposit and take care of those damages as people move out, better yet, don't allow it! And then if they do, use the deposit money to repair it as smoking does REAL damage! Charging more for a deposit will probably scare away low life anyway) Most the units I have been in smell like smoke and pet piss! Even then ones with new carpet. You will also see many burns in the floors and counters from cigarettes.

No reserved parking here either... we have to park far away all the time! Which I find disappointing that they do not like to accommodate people who live here and make us more comfortable. It's very inconvenient and a hassle. Especially when there really isn't a lot of parking anyway. So if a neighbor is having a party, when you come home that evening, all their guests get the close parking and you, the tenant, have to walk. So lovely when you have groceries to carry in by yourself with a baby.

There are also lots of loitering people who stand outside a lot (creeps) and I have seen them do and deal drugs, gangs who meet here and some who live here. Our bedroom is right up front, so if people are talking, revving their engine, or shutting their car door, it wakes us up. We have learned to sleep with a fan on high and the TV on to help drown out the noise. I swear there is always a couple who argue like psychos outside as well. (TAKE IT INSIDE!!!)

There lots of unsupervised children, actually there is this little girl who is about 10 years old who often comes to our door trying to open it. Also VERY young ones playing by the road. Others playing around cars, touching cars, hitting cars... you name it. Everyone who lives here (that I have spoken to) hates it here, can't wait to leave, are scared to be here and they all got a horror story. It's pretty scary here, all though it wont appear that way at first.

I personally recommend going more towards the Fort Eustis base and renting there. It's a little nicer and safer. Better yet, go to Yorktown or Williamsburg! I know all things can happen anywhere... but I can't believe how much people get away with here and how much I have seen in just a couple of months! More than I have my whole life! I can't wait to leave! I suppose it isn't too bad if you don't mind some of these things. Some could be used to it. I just don't recommend bringing a family here. Especially if you aren't from around here.

At first I thought that we were just the "lucky" ones with all this happening to us in such a short period of time, but once I found this site and read all the other reviews... there are most with a similar experience as mine.

On a better note, I do know that the ladies are trying to improve this place (which isb't enough, UDR needs to step in and clean house) and I would have to disagree with others stating management not getting back to you. They are pretty great to the tenants. (at least me) The pool is very nice and so is the playground. But, there are some who have been here for years! So maybe they got lucky or are just the ones who make this place not so pleasant. My experience, just wasn't so great.

I think this place would be absolutely amazing if they hired security for the evening, really cracked down on getting control of these out of control tenants, included w/s/g with rent, made 1 reserved park spot per unit, charged a cleaning fee and just had a professional do it during move out. Go through and fix seals so that not so many bugs can get in. I also think that if something is provided, like the security system, that if it breaks, it should not be the tenants responsibility unless it was the tenants fault. Also to have a few more stricter rules such as no smoking in the units, no loitering after certain hours, and something with the pets... It would be a whole different experience with those SIMPLE changes. Well, if they actually enforced it. As well as attract the type of renters they really want. Not low life like they got.

Rosa, Heather... you 2 are wonderful managers and this place is super lucky to have you. You both deserve better. Good luck and God Bless!!! :)

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/20/2009
so glad you posted this we're moving up there and WERE seriously considering this place...we have a baby and definatly don't want to be in a community like this one! Thank You
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/27/2009
Me and my family was about to put in our application and prob move out here but not after reading all these horror stories most of the things you mentioned are things we're trying to get away from.... Thank you
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/27/2009
OMG....I looked at an aprtment out there, and was pleased- after reading all these HOTT MESS OF A STORY lol DON'T THINK SOOOO.....will go else where THANX xoxox

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