Southern Pines of Orange County Condominium

Prospective Resident 724028

Prospect • Visited 2026

Exaggerated rules and bad staff

I have been visiting the place for a year. I have a friends who invite me to hang out. The place is nice and clean with many things to do, but the rules. The staff leave a lot to be desired. They talk to you in a very rude way. There are new rules every day and they are very confusing. They penalize you for anything. I am lucky to be accompanied by good people who never seek to bother or hurt anyone and always complain to them. I emphasize that you have to correct some rules. Thank you and I hope you take note.

Aic52274

Resident • 2020

Office staff is awful, cannot stress enough how RUDE the manager (Ruth) is!!!! they look very pretty but security is a joke, they swear it is fort knox! I understand there is a pandemic but we are on phase 3, can we reopen and get some liberty with the amenities!

Current Resident 237454

Resident • 2015 - 2016

To anyone who is considering southern pines. Every community has pros and cons, Southern Pines is no exception but please make sure that you have your priorities straight when you consider moving into this community. I'll start with the pros: the place doesn't look bad and considering what else is offered in the area, Southern Pines comes in as mediocre in terms of quality and what you get for the cost of living there. That's in terms of where you live and not in terms of the management staff, the enforcement of the rules, as well as how much of a community there actually is more specifically with the people you live with or live next to you. Now for the cons: I lived in Southern Pines for about a year. By the end of that year, my fiancé and I were ready to go. After discussing this with management, you would think that after the fifth or sixth time complaining about it something would at least get done instead of trying to resolve the issue yourself. I mean isn't that what you pay dues for in an HOA? Which by the way, the dues were what prompted my family to consider moving in the first place. Ruth and Maria will tell you that the fees you pay for include what appears to be dozens of cameras around the property. One day my fiancé's car look like it had an unfamiliar scratch on it. Working in the car industry I know better than to just assume my neighbors scratched her car. So I went to the office and asked if I could see footage of her car considering we parked directly in front of the camera because there are so many. Unfortunately, the cameras have not been working for months. Which begs the question: why didn't I know about it? I read all the newsletters and With the cost of HOA fees you think that they would be able to replace or repair a camera or God knows how many cameras are not working. these kind of incidents issues and excuses make you wonder what the people in the management office are doing. Whenever you approach Maria about something you get an excuse and I can't even blame her considering I can't even tell you how many times I ever saw Ruth around. Which is interesting considering she labels Maria in emails as "her assistant". She seems to make more of a point about establishing that more than she does about issues you bring up as a renter, rentee, or anyone that cares about the community. The reviews you see about the maintenance of the property are 110% accurate. People let their dogs crap everywhere, Ruth and Maria did not even realize that one of my neighbors had a pitbull in their apartment for what I guess is about a year. I think I've seen the maintenance guys drive over the grass more times than they've worked on keeping it green or maintained. So if you're somebody considering moving in to Southern Pines, be prepared to be on your own. If you don't mind letting stuff slide off your back then you'll be fine. Hopefully you don't get noisy neighbors like I did and hopefully you have a garage so that you don't have to worry about your car getting scratched or broken into. Basically if you act and live as if you're not living in a community and you have to keep an eye on everything around you then you'll be fine and the amount of space that you get for what you pay for isn't bad. Whole I look at a new apartment complex with better dues or at least some better good faith from the management? Absolutely. In this market you can definitely find something for this price range without sacrificing or compromising too much because it'll be a lot better than dealing with issues you will most likely deal with at this community. if there is any proof to all the bad reviews, Maria in route as well as the people that own Southern Pines don't even seem to check the reviews or respond to any of them. You can't even see reviews for this complex on Google sometimes I feel like because the place isn't that great. Just my perspective though.

Current Resident 861954

Resident • 2007 - 2015

my family and i have lived here since 2007....... we love love love it do not have a problem with the rules. we too have a big family and understand the limits........who cares if you can't use the spa at night; who cares if they ask to take a picture. Get a life people. that's why this community is the best in the area because of the way they run it. i say move if you're not happy!!!

Current Resident 761706

Resident • 2014 - 2015

I am genuinely not a fan of this condominium. The rules are absurd, security is setup as if the place is Fort Knox (even though they are not that nice of condos). You basically are deterred from having guests (limit is 3), even though you may have a family of 7 that you would like to visit. I feel like security is infringing on privacy, with there being cameras everywhere and you now have to have your photo taken for the tele-entry system; under the guise of safety and security. Cannot use the pool or hot tub at night, even though it says dawn til dusk (because who wants to use a hot tub in the middle of the day in Florida). Some rules are just crazy. I've lived in Florida all my life and I would not recommend this community.

Current Resident 128174

Resident • 2010 - 2013

I have lived in this complex for over 3 years now and feel compelled to write a review regarding the property here at Southern Pines. When I moved in, there were over 200 units out of the 280 that were vacant, however,as the complex has neared capacity, life living here has also tumbled. There is much more noise, many more youth wondering around and pets not kept on a leash doing there business where ever they want to. You speak with Ruthie, new manager, and the only thing you get is excuses. You attempt to use the pool, but it is always broken or you get the "we closed it already for the night. For example, the rules state the pool closes at dusk, however, the management always closes the pool before sunset. A quick look at a dictionary will tell you the meaning of dusk, but to the management tea here, the rules only apply to everyone else and they can do what ever they want. If you want to live under a dictatorship environment that is a do as I say, not as I do place, go forth and move in, but for my peace, I am getting out of dodge.

Current Resident 937894

Resident • 2013

My husband and I have lived here for about 7 months and we absolutely love it! It's always quiet, we have never had a bug issue, our landlord is always quick to respond when we have an issue, and the amenities are great! The pool is usually very clean and they keep the grounds well maintained. The condos are gated and they also just installed 3 or 4 security cameras around the complex so it adds an extra sense of security. I have NEVER felt unsafe here. It's a great place to live!

Prospective Resident 568923

Prospect • Visited 2011

Tiny, noisy cheap apartments

Roaches check in but they don't check out. Bug problem, pool was roped off with caution tape, but no sign as to what is going on. Landlords (slumlords) taking advantage of people in an overpriced rental market. Watch out for a guy named Koch who is renting these overpriced cracker boxes.

Current Resident 681072

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Fantastic Place!

Really enjoying living at Southern Pines. Great management, wonderful amenties, fair prices, excellent maintenance. Very peaceful place to live and all floorplans are very spacious. I Love it!!! Staff is very friendly and understanding and the rules are applied. But never had any problems with them. Always happy to help.

dhardy5

Resident • 2009

Extremely Unprofessional Mgmt

I'm so ecstatic to see that I am not the only one with a dislike for the Mgmt. in this community. The Community overall is pleasant; however, the Office Management's demeanor is horrendous, extremely rude, and appalling. I recommend NOT taking up any problems with the office, especially if you are a renter. They will look down on you and belittle you any opportunity they get. If you are an owner in this Association, I sympathize with you knowing what the HOA dues are and a portion goes to the office staff's salary. You are overpaying...but I'm sure I don't have to tell YOU that...

Simoan_Fraser

Resident • 2008 - 2009

Staff is Great all around

I love the staff. They're efficient and very professional. Judy is very professional,Ruth is awesome as well, I'm not sure why the negative comments, but I do know their goal is to maintain the community and ensure it's a safe place to live, naturally if you're a resident and not abiding by the rules, you may have a problem with them! Have a Great Day!!

Current Resident 137133

Resident • 2006 - 2009

Great place to live, but management is awful!

I am moving out after living here for 3 years. The amenities are great, the units are fairly new and fabulous, and there's always plenty of parking. Unfortunately, while the maintenance staff is very nice, the office staff is rude and incredibly unhelpful. I dreaded any time I needed to speak with someone. If you have packages delivered, make sure to send them to work or a friend's home - you'll never get them. But the location is great and you can't beat the price. Granite, crown molding, built-in shelving, etc ... the units are beautiful.

Current Resident 15433

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Management sucks

The complex is very nice. A lot of amenities. Fun to live in. Just try to stay away from the management. There not helpful and rude. I like living here. Just not when I have to go into the office for any reason.

cdesigns

Resident • 2007

Excellent apartments, you will love it.

You have a large pool, jacuzzi, indoor basketball court with a/c, fitness room, BBQ area, Internet room, in-site carwash area. To live here you have to go thru the Association first, if you have a criminal record of anykind, they won't allow you to live here that's a good thing. The parking are very well iluminated, and you feel safe walking around the apartment complex, the apartments are big for the price compared to anothers I have seen before, on the weekends they have a security a guard at the gate, the gate is closed 24/7. The area is very quiet, you don't hear cars or horns, or noises of anykind. Until I get my house I won't hesitate to rent another year here. You will love it. If you're a pet owner thay have designated areas to take out your dog with plastic bags and trash cans. This are private apartments owned by different owners so prices can vary you can get a good deal.