Lake Carlton Arms

Current Resident 915485

Resident • 1999 - 2002

An average apartment complex, but prices are creeping up...

Lake Carlton Arms is huge! I believe they have over 1000 apartments, which can make things very tricky. <br> <br>The new management is definitley an improvement over the last one. Apts have been upgraded with new vinyl flooring (a nice marbelized gray tile) and fences as well as carports are being replaced. <br> <br>Landscaping has always looked nice, and been taken care of weekly. <br> <br>Security is a mixed bag. While it´s better than what it was, the guards are visibly overworked and not given the tools necessary to fully utilize the monies that must be spent. I´d suggest issuing barcodes for cars, rather than stickers (with a barcode scanner like some of the communities around the area have). Also, guards should verify the guest is allowed to enter before waving them on... <br> <br>The apartments themselves are okay. Quality is average, but size is above average. <br> <br>Parking is a nightmare. There´s plenty of parking spaces, but all the spaces are along through roads. Everytime you back out of a space, there´s someone going 40mph right down the road! Also, streetlighting should be implemented ASAP. Way too little light to light up the speed bumps, which are all over. <br> <br>Prices are creeping up, which may cause some residents to move to nearby "newer" communities for the same price (i.e. Lakeview at Calusa Trace) <br> <br>Overall, this has been a pretty good experience, but I have to wonder at point people would be better off moving to a smaller, newer complex?

Current Resident 954607

Resident • 2000 - 2002

unhelpful & uncaring staff overall, especially security

Although the view is great & the cost is lower than any where else, I have several issues with Lake Carlton Arms. First, the security is a little too over zealous. Last year I went on vacation. I faxed over permission for my sister to take care of my cats while I was away, but the office staff neglected to forward my permission form to the front gate before the holidays. The security gave me a big problem and refused to let anyone in, or have the any of the staff take care of my pets (after all, it was their fault). It was 4 days AFTER the day they needed to be fed until the issue was finally resolved. <br> <br>Also, I used to have a problem with lizards getting in, and they told me nothing could be done about it. Seemingly, I no longer have that problem, however. <br>

Current Resident 969704

Resident • 2002

Would not recommend

I did not feel safe at Lake Carlton Arms. They have had several burglaries, the neighbors next door are very loud, and the staff is insensitive unless it meets their needs. They are willing to help some but not others. We put in writing our 30 day notice and had to change it for another day, but realized that we didn´t have too, went back to the office to explain the situation. Well we were met with rudeness and told that we would still have to pay the extra money even though we had already prepaid the rent and the extra 5 days for breaking the lease. They threaten to put it on our credit report. The criteria for working in that office must be incompetence. The grounds are beautiful, but you don´t live outside so think twice before renting here.

Current Resident 76623

Resident • 2001 - 2002

All in all, better than the rest.

The most bang for your buck hands down. Im not just talking floor space - this place has some of the best kept grounds in all of the Tampa Bay area. The upkeep on the roads is something to be admired. Being probably one of the largest complexes in Tampa, I am amazed at the level of upkeep. <br> <br>We originally moved into a 1 bedroom apt with little to no hassle and have enjoyed our stay. My wife is now pregnant and we needed to move into a larger apartment. One of the paid staff told us there was "no way" to transfer if our current lease was not up. Fortunately, we asked the property manager, and she was able to get us set up to move into a larger apartment within the month. <br> <br>All in all, our experience here has been good. And by "good" I mean "leaps and bounds ahead of 90% of the apartment communities in town".

Current Resident 323383

Resident • 2001

good

Its very nice here. We have a wonderful view with a big lake and room for the dog to run around. The only annoying thing would be the ------ kids that speed through the neigherbood. And after awhile the security guards at the gate become annoying when you have guests, the won´t let them in unless they know your last name and exact apt# and all that great stuff. And they take their jobs a little to seriously! But all in all its nice. <br> The maintenance is pretty good. our AC has problems, but they keep "fixing" it. <br> It is very quite and peaceful (minus the cars trying to run me over!) 80) <br> Our neighebors are very nice and have lived here since the place opened. <br>

Current Resident 469021

Resident • 2000 - 2001

Economical Rent, Horrible Management

Just outside of Tampa, North, this rental value is economically good. Most of the apts are on the 3 lakes (additional relative cost) & are scenic. Peaceful, quite, good insulation between apts especially for an old building design. 4 nice swimming pools & laundry rooms (together) spread evenly on the property. Covered parking (additional cost) & adequate open parking. Close to essential amenaties (eg. grocery) but a car is needed. <br> <br>Like the other review, the management/leasing office is horrible. I think that even the stereotypical DMV fairs better. Heartless curs. 1-year contracts only. No monthly even after a year. <br> <br>

Current Resident 469207

Resident • 1993 - 2000

Used to be a nice place!

Several years ago it used to be a nice place. <br>In recent years large rent increases, unsupervised kids and unanswered maintanence requests make this complex marginal at best. Combine this with the new management that drove off nearly all the existing office staff within weeks of arrival. And changed a visit to the office from an enjoyable experience of smiles, laughs and friendly talk (and getting work done) to a dreaded visit to a dungenesque office with a responsive but unemotional and unhelpful staff (and incompetent too!!!) <br>If the managements treatment of the tenents (i.e. customers, they seem to have forgotten this) is any indication its no wonder they all left (many of them which I know verified it). The rent increases, although lower than others in the area, the services have been degrading at the same time, rapidly! Especially after the minimal increases enjoyed for several years. We´re outta´ here!!!

Current Resident 552163

Resident • 1999 - 2000

You will not find larger, cheaper lakeside apartments in Tampa, but the complex is not problem free

The apartments are older, but still very nice. The townhouses offer more than enough room for 2 people or a small family. Stupidity must be a requirement to work at the front office. I have had numerous problems with them in the past year. There is a guard at the front gate, but they offer very little security. Overall though Lake Carlton Arms is a rather nice place to live.