Verified Resident • 2006 - 2017
Overall have enjoyed living here for 10 years. Good amenities. Parking usually ample, with decent lighting. Living space has great layout & suits our lifestyle but quite small, living room cramped for gatherings of 6-8 max. Bedrooms are good size, with walk-in closets. Architecturally interesting design, including loft with built-in desk & cabinets (unique to unit to my knowledge). Dining area is part of the living room in this unit, with no defined space but adjoins convenient kitchen pass-through. Appliances are older, need occasional maintenance. Countertops are smooth white plastic that stains easily - hard to keep clean. Really appreciate laundry room with door off kitchen, containing supplied washer & dryer, good for additional storage & pet area. Bathrooms are ample, with large spa tubs with showers. Water pressure isn't the best but usually gets the job done. We live in the back center of property, which overlooks a large field & small wetlands lake. It was once wooded between field & property, but management recently removed a number of trees, which landscapers butchered & left a lot of debris. It's usually quiet back here except for sporadic banging trains in rail yard about 1/4 mile north of property. Landscaping is sparse & somewhat neglected in this semi-hidden area, though better in well-travelled areas. Mailbox banks are multi-resident, serving several buildings. There is only ONE garbage collection area for the entire complex (440 units if I recall correctly), requiring a good hike or hauling trash in vehicle, not very accommodating for anyone physically challenged. Attracts bees in warm weather. In the past, this roofed garbage area has frequently been an overflowing eyesore just inside one of two complex entrances (Ella). Current management (JVM) has done a much better job keeping the garbage area tidier & cleaner. Decent timely snow removal. Management has changed 3 times since our 2006 move in. Office, maintenance & landscaping staff has changed with each management company, ranging from fair to excellent. Current JVM management is striving to improve the complex & its services. We recommended the complex to friends who moved In during previous management, but never received the bonus credit advertised at the time. We found out too late that IF A NEW RESIDENT MOVES IN ON RECOMMENDATION OF A CURRENT RESIDENT, THE NEW RESIDENT MUST GIVE THE RECOMMENDING RESIDENT'S NAME & ADDRESS AT TIME OF NEW RESIDENT LEASE SIGNING. (Don't know if JVM offers a recommendation bonus.). Generally safe complex, some crime in area but none personally experienced. Management has been super timely in notifying residents of any crime or hazards, which are very infrequent. Overall a positive experience here.
