Where do I start? Good: The overall complex is quiet and safe, except there's no area for the kids to play in so there are always children in the street, which is hazardous. I don't have pets, but they do allow pets. My only gripe is that people allow their dogs to use the bathroom in front of others' apartments instead of going to the dog park. The best thing about living here is the maintenance, but honestly, if things were kept up to date, you shouldn't be calling for maintenance a lot. With that being said, the couple of times I've put in a request it was handled quickly and efficiently. The overall unit is nice and as spacious as most one bedrooms, and I like that the bathroom is large. I do appreciate that I can pay my rent online. The overall area where this complex is located is very convenient to the Interstate, shops, library (which is where I really should be paying rent to since I'm there more than here) and restaurants. Hoover is a very good and safe area.
Bad: There is no soundproofing here. You hear everything from the top unit down to the ground floor. I've had the worst neighbor experience I've ever had in my entire life, and I've lived in several apartments. I've been away from the apartment I pay rent for (faithfully, might I add) more often than I've been here because of it. So much so, the noise late at night, because the walls are so thin and the floor is not made of concrete, has caused me so much distress the few times I actually stay here during the week. I'm on anxiety meds because of it and have politely asked my neighbor to be more considerate and obey the noise ordinance clause in the lease. I think more could've done by the managers to enforce this or fine the guy responsible, but money is money. Clearly it's bad enough where I'm moving out a month early, allowing them to keep the rent. Having peace and not feeling like everyone can hear me in my private space is far more important to me. Lastly, the water bill is too high. Again, I barely live here so to pay for others' usage is criminal. What if one of the tenants in my building has a washer or more people in the apt. consuming water? That's not a fair way to gauge usage, and the fact that my water/sewage bill is almost double my electric is preposterous. This month my electric is $35 (never here to use much power I guess) and my water bill is $80. Just doesn't add up, and I don't like it included in my rent. Oh, and you're paying them for water, yet the water has been shut off three times in the last two months due to pipe bursts. Nor do I understand why I pay for pest control monthly even when my building isn't sprayed, but I always find spiders and bugs in my apartment every few days. And don't get me started on paying for trash, yet you have to see the unsightly trash running over every weekend because they don't make people adhere to the rules of not dumping furniture or appliances. Rules? Yeah, they don't enforce parking, the noise ordinance, walking pets on a leash and restricting them to designated areas to use the bathroom. I think paying upwards of $800 for a one bedroom in a complex with very few amenities and barely any insulation is absurd. In all fairness, my situation could've been improved by not choosing a ground floor apartment, but no tenant should be allowed to violate the lease. Everyone deserves quiet and peace, particularly late at night and early in the morning. Go to their sister property Mayfair just 20 minutes away, but I will say Ashley S. and Anthony (maintenance) have been very accommodating and nice. I wouldn't recommend living here. There are tons of apartments nearby for the same amount or less that have more sound insulation, more amenities, and probably more sane neighbors.