I moved to The Laurels in August 2007 to be within walking distance to shopping and entertainment and to be close to work and a decent school for my child. When I made contact at the Laurels initially staff was very friendly and helpful. There was ample parking and it seemed that everything was well maintained. I had a couple minor problems in my unit the week I moved in (washing machine wouldn't start and one of the drawers in the kitchen wasn't lined up properly) management was quick to get maintenance in and the maintenance staff has always been quick and professional. Despite all the construction from 2007-2008 I was happy to sign my lease for a second time.

Since I signed the lease for my 2nd year here things have really gone downhill. I haven't had many problems or much need to contact management for any reason besides giving them my rent check but the times I have it's taken at least 2 calls from me to get any response back. One of the times I specifically said I didn't need a call back yet I was called immediately. In February the neighbor above me let his sink in the kitchen overflow to the point I had water from his unit in my kitchen cupboards and my floors and computer area was soaked. Maintenance was very quick to resolve the situation but my call to management went unanswered. A week later the same neighbor's smoke detector went off and I mistook it for an alarm clock. I did call management that morning and left a message for saying I wasn't sure if the noise was an alarm clock or a smoke detector but maybe someone should check on the guy upstairs. I didn't smell anything or see any smoke so I didn't call the fire department. No response until the next day when someone discovered there was an oven fire! I did get a call back then - so I could be reprimanded - somehow my neighbor's cluelessness is my responsibility'

The final straw for me occurred last week. My new neighbor in the unit above me had her toilet valve explode overnight. At 5 am I ended up calling the maintenance emergency line to have them come look. They fixed the problem as quickly as they could but I have been trying to get ahold of management since they (it's been 5 days now) to see about a rent discount for the month (I have to replace many items due to water damage and my unit still smells mildew-y) and I haven't received a call back.

On top of the experiences I have had in my unit I have to add that nothing was done to help driveability in the parking lot during the snow storms in December and January. They finally would get a snow plow out days after the storms were over and a snow bank took up 2 spaces in the parking lot through march.

It makes me a little sad how much the quality of living at this place has declined. It could be a really nice community if there was anything resembling communication from managemet. Up until about 4 months ago I was recommending this place to friends who were about to move. Now I'm embarassed that I had.

My ratings on the specifics
Parking - good as long as you're in by 7 pm or so, if not you may have to walk across the complex to your unit.
Noise - I can hear my neighbor's on the side units frequently and can hear my upstairs neighbor snoring at night.
Grounds - Nothing special, grass is brown most of the summer. There is a creek off the greenbelt in the back of the property.
Safety - Could have better lighting in the parking lot. Would feel safer if management lived in apartments in the front and the back of the complex (since there are 2 onsite managers)
Construction - not very well insulated, cheap fixtures and counters.
Maintenance - probably the best part of the complex, 2 regular maintenance people, they are always pleasant and efficient.
Staff - doesn't return phone calls. Not helpful in general.

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