Old Farm Shores Apartments

Current Resident 664141

Resident • 2008

Very Good and Desireable community

We were able to make a good assessment of this apartment complex over the internet. It is a quiet peaceful apartment complex, centered around a very large lake. They are running specials in the price of renting now and the first month ia free and in this economy that is very much appreciated. Upon moving into our newly rented apartment anything that needed to be corrected in the apt. was taken care of effeciently and within the same day as the request was given. They have a complete check off list to evaluate the apartment upon moving in. I would suggest this apartment community to anyone looking for a nice, cost effecient and well maintained appartment.

Current Resident 942304

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Great Experience

I have lived at Old Farm Shores since 2006 and I have really enjoyed living in the community. Prior to living here I was a homeowner so I have to admitt I had worries when I was moving b/c of possibly having noisy neighbors, you know just those sorts of things. But honestly I couldnt be happier with my choice. I have never had any problems with noise and my neighbors are great. The office staff is very friendly and helpful. The maintenance guys are also great. I have to admitt that is probably mu favorite part about living in an apartment, I dont have to do my own repairs! Anyway, I used this website as a guideline when I was looking for an apartment so I thought my experience would help some of you looking now.

Current Resident 16144

Resident • 2005 - 2008

Their way or the highway

I recently moved after three years at OFS. The apartments are decent but overpriced relative to the market. Unfortunately the management has forgotten who the customer is. The manager, Leigh Basler's attitude is "My way or the highway" with no room for dissent. The corporate owners are in Nebraska and not responsive to customer calls whatsoever. Be aware that they use a laundry smart card system for washers and dryers which is a major PITA. Based on my experience, I would have recommended OFS but now I would absolutely NOT recommend moving there. Poor customer service, bad attitudes, and overpriced apartments. I'm now living in a comparable place in Kentwood for $100/month less with some utilities paid (vs none at OFS) and far more responsive management.

Current Resident 248799

Resident • 2008

Not worth the money

I can't believe the price we're paying for this place. We have a patio door that leaks all over the carpet whenever it rains. The place was never completely professionally cleaned or vaccuumed. There is tobacco and tar that runs down the walls in the bathroom whenever it's humid in there after a shower. The cupboards are topped with a disgusting amount of cat hair (which my husband is allergic to) that was never cleaned up and now is melded to the tar underneath. The laminate flooring is cut up and coming away from the baseboard in the kitchen. We had to build our own shelves in the pantry. You don't even get a spot in the carport included in the rent. Parking is not always adequate. The locks on the doors are only deadbolts, not with additional keylocks. Within the first 2 months of living here, someone even tried to steal cash out of one of our vehicles. There are frequent brownouts and the surges completely zapped two of my husband's computers. The lighting is totally inadequate and oddly placed. We thought we would be safe here and it would be much cleaner than this for the price we pay. We are so disappointed and would not recommend these apartments.

shatteredhaven

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Good Place But $$

I've lived in Old Farm Shores for a year in their townhouse model on one of their two lakes. I've never had any problems with my neighbors and have always felt like the neighborhood was relatively safe. You can occiasionally hear your neighbors, especially near the front door if they're in the hallway, but by in large its not that bad. Parking is never really an issue. They're proactive about removing vehicles that are just sitting around and havent moved (i.e. have been sitting on a flat tire). The grounds are maintained well. Grass is always cut, flowers and shrubs maintained. There is goose poop around the ponds, but that is to be expected when you have such a high number of them lazing about in one particular area. Maintenance is alright. I called about a leaking washer and AC that was not working on a Friday afternoon. Unfortunately the maintenance staff is not 24 hours so they did not address the issue until Monday. On Monday they fixed one problem and came back on Tuesday to fix the other. The only issue I've truly had was with the staff. While they are friendly and polite, they seem a little disorganized. I had to have my lease revised a few times when I renewed because of pricing errors. When I was looking to move from a townhouse to a two bedroom apartment I had to reschedule my appointment because the woman was "too busy and not from this property." (The Old Farm Shores property is owned by Dial Equities.) Overall this is a great place to live - the best apartment complex I've been in to date - if you are willing to pay a little extra.

Current Resident 553961

Resident • 2005 - 2008

TERRIBLE OFFICE & MAINTENANCE STAFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with other reviewer that has been here for 1 year -- except I think he/she is being nice! I've lived here 3 years; I loved it for the first 2 but have watched it go down rapidly since Dial Equity took over!!! The manager has terrible rapport w/many tenant--no matter the length of stay; and her staff is quite incompetent...there are "young" ladies who have been given way too much authority and responsibilities; who have terrible attitudes! Not only is the office staff terrible in managing accounting but one individual has been said to hold apts for her young friends/family--this statement made by another staffer in my presence! Maintenance is terrible and slow to respond & it is believed by some tenants that they may be a part of the crime increase as there have been items that have "disappeared" from apts only there is no appearance of a break in. Later (like days & weeks later) you find out some one from maintenance (or the office) has entered your apt! Previous management would NEVER enter without letting you know ahead of time; AND also leaving a form filled out and indicating why they were there, what work was done, who entered, and whether or not work is complete or if they would be returning. IT IS HORRIBLE! When my lease is up, I will be out of here -- UNLESS A MIRACLE HAPPENS AND THAT INCOMPETENT STAFF IS WIPED OUT AND PROFESSIONALS TAKE OVER. It's really sad ... but Old Farm Shores use to be a terrific, beautiful, quiet, friendly, and safe place to live! As it is now I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE.

Current Resident 554674

Resident • 1997 - 2008

Office Staff

Office staff give wrong information about amount due. Office staff have POOR people skills. Office staff do not communicate among themselves. Office staff have lost paper work, have misplaced rent from tenants.....

Current Resident 567632

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Just over a year...

I've lived in Old Farm Shores just over a year now...it's going downhill fast. Maintenance never responds anymore, the neighbors that come and go so quickly are horrible, the noise is ridiculous - they can't possibly be checking these people out! The girls in the office never remember your name or why you call or stop by. Crime is terrible - car windows and tires getting smashed and slashed, and often. And the police don't respond - you have to call a "special" number to get them to come out. Parking is terrible, you can never get a spot near your door. The grounds are terrible, weeds and bugs everywhere, they never spray and the water fountains don't won't half the time. I hate it here. On a scale of 1 - 10 it's definitely less than a 3.

prophet101

Resident • 2004 - 2007

You can do better

I have lived at old farm shores for almost three years at this point and have watched both the complex and the neighborhood go downhill. For the price (or at least for what I pay) you can do much better by looking at apartments further south of town. The takeover by dial equities has made dealing with the landlords that much more difficult (they are out of state, nebraska I believe, and therefore impossible to contact). I personally have had several problems with things as simple as having the rent applied to the correct apartment, security deposit sent to the wrong address, etc. In closing, Kentwood is on the decline and this apartment complex, though once ok, is no longer worth spending good money on.

Current Resident 23149

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Not good

My girlfriends car window was broken into and almost everything in her car was taken, this was in a "lighted" parking lot. Ferrets are not allowed, and I feel the rent is very high. I am currently looking for another place because I am out of here as soon as I can.

Prospective Resident 542831

Prospect • Visited 2007

Trashy Place

When I went to visit this apartment community and walked into the office, the rental assistant admitted to me she forgot I was coming that day, and had to scramble to get the keys to the apartment we were visiting. I heard the maintenance person tell her to give it a good look over, because it hadn't been touched in a while. When my the rental assistant, my mom, and I were walking to the apartment, I noticed a low-life male putting flyers on windshields, then he started cat-calling us, asking us "How are you doin?" When we stepped on the porch to go into the complex, there was a 6 inch hole in the wood boards. The door going into the apartment complex was not secured, and the light was out in the hallway above the doors to the apartments. When I asked if that light worked, I was told, "Only when it is dark outside." The funny thing is, it was very dark in the hallway. The carpet in the apartment had several stains on it, the bathroom floor had mold on it, and the apartment itself was very small. When my mom and I were leaving the complex, there were two thugs walking on the rail trail, which is next to the parking lot. That put the icing on our visit, and I can't imagine as a single woman living in that complex, because I would not feel safe.

jess121177

Resident • 2004 - 2007

Going Downhill Fast

When I moved in, the price was a little high, but it was a good neighborhood, they allowed cats, and I put up with it. Under new management, rents are rising fast. I pay nearly $700 / mo for a small 1 bedroom! We've had problems with drug dealers and now the pizza place people told me they don't want to deliver here because of beatings! My car's been broken into, and the doorknob to my front door has been in need of repair for over a year, despite multiple requests for maintenance. The light outside my apartment hasn't worked in a year either, coming home in the dark is not only slightly frightening, but dangerous, as I can't see. My lease is up this winter, and I don't want to move in winter, but I need to get out. I no longer feel safe, the cost is huge, and maintenance is poor. I am very sorry to see the place go downhill so quickly.

Current Resident 872481

Resident • 2004 - 2007

Don't let the management fool you.

I have lived here for almost 4 years now, Old Farm Shores was taken under new management last year by Dial Equities, and has started to go down hill!!! These are the same people that own Castle Bluff Apartments. Don't be fooled these people are only out for your money, management staff is becoming absolutely horrible. The view is awsome but, it is a constant headache to deal with the type of people that they are bringing in here. You will be promised what ever you want to get in, but will never see it happened because they will deny and change there stories constantly. Gas and Electric are insanely outrageous here, my heating bill last winter average around $100.00, for a one bedroom!!!!! Electric during the summer is about the same!!!!!

Current Resident 305981

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Not bad but not great

When we first moved it we loved it! The cubards,apl., & doors were brand new. Come to find out THe heating room's ceiling was falling down and water coming in. They came to fix it pretty fast. No complains! Then we noticed they put the closet doors on terrible, They are cut too short. 2nd, We stsrted getting MICE! They would not go away, and we are VERY clean people! They had to get a mice exterminator. The kitchen wasn't finished to look nicely. The floor in the kitchen has cuts and nmarks in it from when they redid the kitchen. I think a smoker lived here before us because, it has this gross smell to the apt. all the time! So we are constantly having to air it out. Maybe if they would have changed the carpet it wouldn't smell so bad! The parking lot is TERRIBLE! I work 2nd shift so when I come home at night I can't even park in my parking lot because there is no room. Sometimes other people will also park in my husbands spot in OUR carport! I should be able to park in my own parking lot and carport!! We had a series of cars broken into. Our 2 neighboors are REALLY loud. I called a couple time to complaine. During the winter our heating bill is OUTRAGEOUS!! You can feel cold air COMING IN from the slider A LOT! So during the winter we had to put a towel down on the floor in front of it. Other than that evetything seems good. The train is awsome and the lakes. The park is really nice buy the train for my daughter! I lvoe how its in a neighborhood!

Current Resident 667989

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Love the Staff!

The maintenance guys are great! They're always on top of things. I called in about my garbage disposal he was there that day. I even called to have my closet bars lowered and he did it for me when he had time! I'm really glade I did my research before moving here. We actually used this web site for our final decision making when moving to the G.R. area last year.

Current Resident 947389

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Okay at first, but not anymore.

We have a bottom floor apartment and it shares a wall with the laundry room.....very bad idea! We hear everything that goes on in the laundry room and none of the tenants in our building respect the rule of no laundry after 9pm. Also the day we moved in the maintenance had to come out and fix the garbage disposal, the fan in the bathroom, the lock on the screen door, and put the screen back in the bedroom window. Half way through our lease they had to put a new furnace in because ours broke, and a new air conditioner. When the air or heat is running its very loud. Before we moved in you were only allowed cats. Now you are allowed dogs. Which wouldn't be a problem if I didn't have to call and complain everyday about the neighbors dog pooping in the grass in front of our porch. Originally the rent was supposed to be $580 for our 1 bedroom apartment but we got a deal. There is no way I would pay $580 for this little apartment. In the winter you loose all your heat out the slider and you can feel the cold air blowing through. I had to put up plastic so my heating bill wasn't outrageous. Also our apartment door is kind of hidden in the hallway so if its dark outside and the light is not on you can't see to open your door. And there is only the light right above to doorway outside to light up the parking lot. But the one thing that really bothers me is the first rain storm after we moved in the carpet in the bedroom was soaked! They said they fixed it and they shampooed the carpet and sprayed for mold. The next day it rained and the carpet was wet again. So for the second time they said they fixed it and we cleaned the carpet. Now we just had a really bad storm today and I check under my children's crib to see if the carpet is wet and it is. Who knows if there is mold in the wall or growing in the carpet pad and there is obviously something wrong with the foundation of the building if this keeps happening. I wouldn't be surprised if this happened to the people who lived here before us. Our lease is up in 2 months and we can't wait to get out of here!

Current Resident 194239

Resident • 2006 - 2007

I love it....so far!!

I moved in last August and have not had any problems. It is by far the best place for me. I desire quiet surrounds with lots of amenities. I have only had neighbor who was loud a few times, but they were told leave after a few warnings. Since then its been like my own little place. I don't hear poeple in the hallway or even walking around the other surrounding apartments. There is a small pool but no fitness club. I have heard several complaints about the new management. It seems that everyone who signs a lease now will be paying about $100 more then previously. I am in a one bed/one bath and paying $505. I have called the office several times to speak with someone about my lease. I have never gotten anywhere by calling in. They are seem very rude and very rushed. I recently went in to speak with someone and didn't get any satisfaction. All I wanted is to put my name on a waiting list to get into a larger apartment. No solution was offered.I was told to keep calling every month and ask about open apartments.

SeanJB

Resident • 2003 - 2007

Thieves

I lived there for 3 years and when I moved out they kept $75 of my deposit for a stain in the carpet. I scrubbed that apartment from top to bottom and cleaned all the carpets with a carpet cleaner before I moved. Make sure when you move out you request a walk through with them.

Current Resident 810360

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Average living. Okay with special. But, not worth regular rent rate.

Current Resident 337199

Resident • 2005 - 2007

Great location!

I have lived at Old Farm Shores with my girl friend and a roommate for just over a year and a half. We moved in when we where all still trying to finish up our schooling. <br><br>Pros:<br>The complex has a couple ponds with fish planted and fishing is allowed as long as you follow the catch and release rules. The area is pretty quite with mostly vary nice helpful tenants. There is an outdoor pool open in the summer. A tail follows along one side of the grounds with several hook up points, the trail is perfect for running walking biking or roller blading. The trail and the ponds are my personal favorites of the complex because two of my favorite outdoor pastimes are fishing and running. There is also a Park within walking distance. <br><br>Cons:<br>The buildings are starting to show there age and there is a new management company that doesn't seem to have done much to keep things updated. My apartment is extremely drafty in the winter which is not only uncomfortable but also makes for a high gas bill! The appliances are ok but the furnace needs to be updated, it runs constantly and the final inspection sticker says it was approved 12/03/1986. We are see mold appearing in the bathroom which raises concerns. <br>As for the grounds they are decently kept up, there is room for improvement. The pool seems like a nice amenity at first but it seemed like last summer it was always closed due to people defecating in the water... When the pool was open there was constintly people from the neighborhood that were non tenants being extremely rude and not obeying the rule. When they were asked to leave they would never cooperate and the cops had to come on several occasions. I also had the same problems with the tennis courts. <br><br>We will be moving out at the end of our lease due to the increase of rent and the decease in quality.

drwfan78

Resident • 2004 - 2006

An excellent community, with a well deserved reputation!

The one thing that brings together successful apartment community is its staff. Ever since move in, I have experienced nothing but top quality service from Holly and all of her staff at Old Farm. Holly is very hard working at making sure all of her tenants are as happy as they can be. Along with her extremely positive attitude and dedication, beautifully landscaped grounds, and superb maintenance staff, Old Farm Shores is a wonderful place to live! It will sincerely be missed.<br>

MicTerry

Resident • 1999 - 2006

Excellent place to live

The apartment complex is quiet and lovely. The management team, Holly especially, is very responsive to complaints. I rarely receive such good service and cordiality anywhere. Maintenance items are fixed promptly. The complex is beautifully landscaped and maintained. Holly manages the complex in such a graceful manner that it seems as though it is effortlessly, although pristinely maintained. Holly is as nice as she is competent and the complex feels like a haven because of it.

Current Resident 505329

Resident • 2006

Nice furnished apartments

I recently stayed at a furnished apartment at Old Farm while in Grand Rapids on business. It was clean, quiet, well maintained and the view was beautiful. The staff was very flexible and accomidating, they even stayed late to give me my keys!

happytimes001

Resident • 2004 - 2006

What a great place to live!<br><br>The staff is all very friendly and easy to make friends with. The apartments are very quiet; the years we've lived here we never had neighbor problems. <br><br>All the apartments look over little mini-lakes. They are peaceful and it's a lot of fun to watch the wildlife. The rent is very reasonable compared to the other apartments around here. <br><br>Apartment is tucked back in a neighborhood, so it's very quiet and away from a lot of traffic. <br><br>Nice decks, some are even right over the water. <br><br>Clean, spacious apartments, that have new appliances. Complex is very fast at fixing maintenance problems. <br><br>Why live anywhere else?! We loved it there!!<br>

Current Resident 434926

Resident • 2004 - 2006

What a wonderful place to live

We have lived at many apartment complexes but this is the best that we have lived in. Holly, Jake, Brent, and Dave were on top of our requests. The aparments are very clean and very quite. We liked the pool party that was thrown at the end of summer along with the Christmas party. I would recommend this place to any one. The only reason we are moving is because we have just purchased a home.