Review History for modiggi

Villas de Sante Fe


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modiggi

Resident 2013

8/16/2013

So I was first attracted to this apartment complex because it is a good location to UTSA Downtown and the Main Campus and the rent seemed low compared to other properties I have looked at. But after having lived here for more than a year I realized I get quality equal to what I pay for. Most of the trouble I've had has come in 2013, about the same time the new Management took over the complex. I'm not saying they are the cause but it seems to go hand in hand. Parking: The parking seems to be getting better with stickers for residents and enforcement of the visitor spots. However there is no where near enough parking around the buildings. If you don't want to hike half way across the complex, you had better be home before 8pm when the spots are taken. Noise: The noise is not too bad. I've lived in worse apartments and I've lived in better. It is an apartment, after all, and there is a certain amount of noise people can expect. Fortunately my AC unit is so loud it drowns out anything else that would possibly keep me awake except for the occasional idiot at 2am driving through the parking lot looking for a parking space with their music turned up to levels reaching the torture you would find in the 6th circle of hell. Grounds: By and far the worst aspect of the apartment complex. It has nice trees on property but as stated in earlier posts by other users, there are fundamental problems. Embankments in the apartment are up with the big wooden railroad blocks which is a dated look but also harbors Roaches. You can see them when you pull in at night and your headlights flash over the walls. If you can see them, that means there are enough that they can and do infest the apartments. Living on the ground floor, it seems like a constant battle with the bugs. The garbage dumpsters are so inadequate that residents walk their garbage to the dumpster and literally leave it on the ground because there is no more space. This leads to more bugs and the garbage ends up blowing across the complex as if a garbage fairy decided to sprinkle filth everywhere. I'm often embarrassed to have company over because it looks horrible. The laundry rooms are no better. The new management hiked up the price of using the washers and dryers but the maintenance and cleaning of the laundry rooms has been cut back. Their solution: Post a sign that says "Please clean up after yourself". Well that hasn't worked and I'm guessing it is because residents have just as much respect for the property as the management: ZERO. Safety: There used to be an officer who lived on campus. Haven't seen him in a while so I'm guessing he left (lucky man). We received a notice the other week saying there had been a robbery and a assault on property and that we should be extra careful. Don't be stupid and you won't be hurt. Its not the Ritz but it isn't South Compton...yet. Construction/Maintenance: The buildings are old. As such the windows don't provide a lot of insulation, the pluming is old, the AC Units break down. Its old but the rent is cheap. Again, you get what you pay for. The maintenance is quick and helpful. All of my requests (except the hole in my bathroom) have been taken care of on time and fixed properly. I once locked myself out of my apartment (long story) and the maintenance guy was understanding and respectful but would not let me in until I could get the main office to verify my identity through photo ID. This extra step was a pain in my butt, however I appreciate that he didn't let just anyone into my apartment. In December 2012 I went on a vacation out of town. When I returned I discovered the bathroom in the apartment above mine had sprung a leak and the ceiling had collapsed. Not a big deal, could happen to anyone. What rubbed me the wrong way was the three months it took the apartment to fix it. I took pictures, I brought them pieces of the ceiling and tile that had piled up in my tub. Their solution was to tack up a black garbage bag over the hole where I showered. I have a feeling this was more of a management dragging rather then the maintenance guys not doing their jobs. Staff: The staff are very nice, but then again they are trying to sell you an apartment. I work M-F 8a-6p and don't often see the day staff in the office. I have to go Saturday and speak with the lowly office person who seems to be from a temp service and not really connected with what is going on in the complex. I always get the feeling if I pay my rent on a Saturday, that I need to call on Monday and make sure it was received. Again, really nice, just not really the picture of competence. They seem to want their jobs simply for the paycheck until they can move on to bigger and better things. Their record keeping is suspect in my experience. I paid a pet deposit to have a cat but I still got a notice on my door that I had a lease violation and was being charged fines because I had a pet. I went in there, again on a Saturday, and the poor darling behind the desk had no idea what I was talking about. I had to take time off of my lunch break on Monday to straighten it out with the manager. Explanation: "Oh, our records aren't all up to date in the computer so it was something that went out when maintenance saw you had a cat." Again, Maintenance was doing their jobs but the office staff was lagging behind. Overall I think the message is: You get what you pay for. The rent (although it has gone up) is lower than most places, it doesn't buy you a whole lot. Caveat emptor: Buyer Beware.

    Review 13 out of 55

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    Villas de Sante Fe

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