I'm still here but looking for a new apartment due to my immense dissatisfaction with the management and the landlord. I've been here nearly two years and I very much regret living here. My car has been hit four times by neighbors, but there are never any witnesses. The staff refuses to put in even a ten dollar security camera, hire a guard, or take any measures to prevent future vandalism and accidents. There are 90 2 and 3 bedroom units, but only 90 parking spaces! Yet, mysteriously, the owner refuses to assign spaces, charge for additional spots, repaint some of the lines where it would make more spots, or take any other action to relieve the problem. Most apartments in Olympia come with W/D/Dw, but Fern Ridge charges RENT on the W/D! They have a "deal" with an appliance rental company. Fern Ridge also has a deal with Millenium cable, preventing any competition. You can't GET a different cable company, and they offer NO cable modems! Also, the phone service is spotty and my DSL line can not connect at more than 500K! When I first moved in I used dialup, which constantly disconnected due to line noise.

Listen to the earlier post! That person lived here five years! It hasn't changed, its only gotten worse. There is a whole new management crew, but they are just as bad as the old managers if not worse. They hate men, they're rude, and they just shrug whenever you have a problem you want fixed. My ceiling fan was broken when I moved in almost two years ago and its still not fixed.

There are constant parties, drug raids by cops, and people drive through at excessively high speeds. Children here are in serious danger, and I've seen two hit by cars. They will not evict violent tenants.

The owner will not allow direcTV or any other satellite dish. They will not allow additional phone lines. My dishwasher was improperly installed and they refuse to put it in right, so there's often water on the kitchen floor. The kitchen is falling apart, and the apartment was never painted when I moved in - although they'd promised it would be. They also promised new carpet, but its several generations old, ripped, stained, and obviously seen several tenants before me.

Five people I've spoken with have NOT recieved their deposits back even though they've cleaned the apartments thoroughly. There are huge black ants everywhere, and hundreds of spiders. The insects just walk right in through the great big gap under the front door. The winter heating bills are enormous.

The apartment is only about 10 years old but still uses only wall-board heaters! The power in the apartments is bad. breakers kick off if you are vaccuuming and have any other appliance turned on. My computer used to pop the breakers all the time so I had to buy a UPS just to use it. Guess what happens if you turn on the TV and the microwave at the same time, even though they are on completely different circuits' POP!

Also, the rent has been raised twice even though I'm on a lease and have been here less than two years. All the exercise equipment is broken and instead of fixing them they get removed. Hardly anything is left. The other vending machines have been removed, except soda. The office was NEVER open during the hours posted. The "back in 30 minutes" sign would often stay up all day. Now, they are locking up the lounge too when they leave so the entire building is closed down most of the time.

Zero services, bad apartments, and a very high price for "rent controlled" apartments. I've already found two places that are less costly and are not "rent controlled."

The management here will tell you its okay to have pets, then evict you if you have them. They constantly play games with people and seem to enjoy evicting people for tenuous reasons. If my roommate moves out, they tell me I have to leave or be evicted because "they don't allow college students."

Bad Mojo. Avoid this place at all costs.

User Responses
From: shashakittie	Date: 06/24/2005
Things have evidently changed, my friend! I requested they switch to Comcast, and they did. I don't know where you found an AFFORDABLE place that supplies a washer and dryer, but it wasn't in Olympia, or at least there aren't any now! Their rental fee is very reasonable in comparison to other places. Every one of my maintenance problems have been fixed IMMEDIATELY! In fact, sometimes I tell them to take their time and do it when they have spare time, and there they are at my door 10 minutes later! I've never had a bug problem, and I assume yours was because you didn't keep your home clean enough. The power is not bad... I have my TV, computer, Printer/scanner/copier, DVD, PS2, Gamecube, Stereo, Lamp, Baby Moniter, and Speakers all on one outlet, and it does fine. On another wall I have four heat lamps, three heating pads, and a waterfall pump (all terrarium supplies) plugged in constantly pulling power. No problems. Not even when I microwave or vaccuum. I do thinks the heaters suck, but there is a forced air heater in the living room. I have had no problems regarding my pets other than a neighbor who wouldn't stop feeding my cat cottage cheese. Did you have a vicious pet? The LAW is who won't let you live here if all adults in the household are full-time students. That had nothing to do with the apartment! Please don't blame them for that! My husband is a full-time student and I am part-time. According to the LAW, it's okay if at least one adult is part-time or not a student at all. Remember that this is LOW-INCOME housing. They can't afford to give you all of the high-class luxuries of a high-class apartment. You get what you pay for, and there are ALOT of nasty apartments charging ALOT more than Fern Ridge. This is the cheapest in town for its outstanding quality. I have not found cheaper at all in this county. Also, out management also manages another property. Sometimes they are out, but they are almost always back by the time on the door. They're not out being lazy... they're working at Stuart Place! I have never seen a drug raid here, but I do agree that people drive too fast and park like jerks. This is not the fault of the management. This is the fault of all the jerks out there who don't care. You will find them everywhere! The parking also sucks, but what can they do? There is no more room! In fact, I wish they'd eliminate a space behind S building and make the spots bigger so my doors don't get so dinged up! Legally, your rent can go up between leases, otherwise the apartment would go bankrupt from inflation. If your rent went up before your current lease expired and a new one began, you should contact authorities and take the management to court because it is illegal. I doubt this was the case. I think you just don't understand how the economy and housing laws work. I have been here for two years and I can't imagine how we could be talking about the same place! All I can figure is that you are a problem tenant with no regard for anyone but yourself. This complex is practically charity, and I can't beleive the things you've said about it! I hope your next apartment is full of asbestos, cockroaches, rats, and mold! That will teach you to appreciate a good thing when you've got it!
From: Millimon	Date: 12/21/2008
shashakittie works at this apartment. she is a shill.
From: Sporte1111	Date: 11/18/2009
Ok the person who defended this hole in the wall must have been paid off.. There are many apartments that charge much less and provide much more than Fern Ridge. If you are looking for a nice community to live go around the corner on 9th street and take a peek at Friendly Village Apartments or check out the ones on the way down to the courthouse on the right side of the street. They have 2 bedroom units that are 950 sq ft VS Fern Ridge at 850, they are 2 bed 2 bath not 2 bed 1 bath like F.R., They have a W/D that comes with the unit and only charge $740 for the rent, not like F.R. charging $765 plus $40 for the W/D, and the maintenance is right on it every time. The manager is receptive an on the ball not like F.R.
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/24/2009
i would have to agree that lady who wrote the long good review on fern ridge works here and is also on CRACK!!!!!!! i currently live here and am regreting EVERY WAKING MINTUE that im here! its horrible and a waste of moeny! there ARE better and cheaper places than fern ridge, she doesnt know what the hell shes talking about! i hate this place and hope that it burns to the ground along with all of the low-lifes and drug dealers and tweekers that live here! if you're thinking about living here.....RUN WHILE YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE!!!!! DONT DO IT, ITS A WASTE OF YOUR TIME AND MONEY AND WILL BE A HAZORD TO YOUR HEALTH!!!!!

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