MAA Ayrsley

Current Resident 406399

Resident • 2013 - 2014

Don't ignore the complaints outlined in the reviews below. There is a bit of truth in all of them. My biggest complaint is that in 2013 the apartment was leased to me as having "free" cable. In January of 2014, we started getting a $50 per month mandatory fee for Time Warner Cable. When I questioned the charge, I was told it was listed in my renewal lease as "MAA Connect." Obviously,the definition of "MAA Connect" is: too bad you didn't see the erroneous charge in the lease and now you are stuck paying for TWC Standard Cable at a rate higher than TWC's currently advertised specials. One word comes to mind - deceptive. I had high hopes that the property would take on a new light with the change in management companies. But this cable debacle is an indication that I was sadly mistaken. I am counting down the remaining months in my lease. After I leave the property, I may update this post with specific examples. My advice to any one considering this property is to print off the reviews and have the leasing consultant address each complaint. Also, take a walk or drive around the property and be careful not to step in the dog poop. Also, make note of the items being stored on the balconies: luggage, freezers, trash, and even a bar.

Current Resident 814667

Resident • 2013

This apartment is nice; but when it comes to working with the staff it's a complete nightmare. No one in the front office can make any decision at all, essentially they're there to give you packages and to tell you that 'they'll check with Tracey.' I found the apartment through Rent.com; however they wouldn't validate my claim (you get $100 for using Rent.com) because they didn't want to pay the advertising cost associated with it. You must pay your rent online, which is actually great, you don't have to go to the front office, until the website fails to work every 1st of the month. So you're sitting there, trying to log into the system for 1 hr. I could build a better website that accepts money on GoDaddy. If you ever try to extend beyond your lease, I can 110% guarantee you that your rate will go up. They provide no incentive for tenets that pay their rent on time and who are looking to extend their lease. Then, when you want to get out of your lease, it's a whole different story. I tried 11 different times to speak to the elusive 'Tracy' because no one in the front office could give a real answer. This place has incentives with the location and cleanish apartments; however,their management infrastructure is completely abysmal- and that is coming from someone without any major issues! Incredibly excited to be out of there.

Current Resident 297269

Resident • 2012 - 2013

To all of you who are even considering this place please don't and here are just a few of the reasons; Last year when I signed the lease I saw that they added a 50$ utility convenience fee, when I asked what the fee was exactly for the responded with it was to transfer the water into our name, this year when my lease was about to expire they put a renewal letter on my door when I went into the office to discuss the rent increase and fees low and behold the utility convenience fee was removed but now they added a $50 cable activation fee they do offer free cable however please explaine how the cable company charges 36$ for the activation fee and they are charging a bogus 50$. Not to mention the free cable keeps loosing channels.They tried to get me to transfer to the new building with "hardwood" floors but I refuse to stay because I did a walk through of the new building and its not harwood floors its some type of linoleum flooring. These people are a bunch of liars!

suspicious134

Resident • 2009 - 2012

I lived at colonial for 3 years and I too enjoyed it and recommended it until the complex changed. Maintenance usually responds in a timely fashion, but when my refrigerator broke Tracy Pryor, property mgr, gave me the run around while my food kept defrosting and refreezing causing me to throw away a lot of food. It wasn't until I started talking about reimbursement and brought the food over to the rental office that they took action. There are a mix of different races and ages at the complex. A big problem for me was the college students. Two schools use it for dorm living, and with that comes noise and anything else college kids do when away from home. There was a white, homeless thug who lived in the gym or the pool. I complained several times about him, saw him escorted out by the cops but still they never took action. I was told by Tracy Pryor and Jaqueline who no longer works there that he was harmless, even though I've witnessed him cursing and threatening them. Lastly if you are late twice they will evict you. After living there for 3yrs I was late in June Of 2012. Had a court date scheduled for 6/29, paid on 6/28. Sommer Taylor told me I didn't have to go to court since I paid before the court date but they still went and filed on me. When I didn't pay July's rent by the 5th, they got a judgement for writ of possession. When I tried to pay for July and August they refused it. And now they're trying to charge me for June, which I paid already, July, August, and a bunch of bogus fees that they can't explain. Tracy Pryor told me to come back because she couldn't explain the charges at the time. Why? They gave me an itemized bill with the charges and a few dates. Lots of charges without dates and some charges were inflated, and that's why she couldn't explain on the spot. It's hard to lie about some stuff you made up when you're not expecting to be called on it. Ten minutes prior Sommer told me she didn't have any answers because the account had been turned over to collections and that I should direct any questions to them. Mind you I just moved August 21st and you still have my paperwork in front of you. And in July they had my apt listed available for $930 before the court date even happened. They never planned on accepting my rent. I was only paying $812. They're very underhanded. They gave me 10 days to pay 3000 before it went to the creditors. Gee thanks Colonial Grand. I've also seen countless people come and go in the 3 years that I lived there, and always wondered why people only stayed for a couple of months. NOW, I KNOW- SHADY BUSINESS. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH CROOKS THEN DON'T MOVE TO COLONIAL GRAND AT AYRSLEY. If you do decide to move there, keep a record of everything. And lastly, when you tour everything looks nice but, the pool is always broken, the grills don't work, dog poop all over, broken equipment in gym, the business center is a joke- computers are slow at best, broken at worst, and people who don't live there manage to use the same amenities that you pay for for free. Consider yourself warned.

golf35790

Resident •

Not a young professionals apartment

pros: - build fairly recently ~ 5 years ago - not as much traffic if you live here and work in South Charlotte and dont have to travel north on i-77 - rent 'used to be' cheap - lots of parking - nearby bars/restaurants in walking distance: mac's speed shop and wild wings cafe, just dont get hit by cars crossing south tryon street... cons: -not reading these reviews before signing a lease - rent went up 150 dollars after 6 months - not a prime location; i.e. not near montford (8 miles away) or uptown (12 miles away) - yes college students going to community colleges in the area do live here, it is true so its not exactly the young working professionals complex, also alot of people in their 50-70s live here as well; hardly anyone ages 21-35. definitely not the trendy area - complex is about 10% white, so i would just say this is very diverse population here. Definitely not resigning here. There are better places that are closer towards uptown that have much more to offer apartment wise and entertainment wise. This place isnt worth paying $825/month for a 1bed/1bath apartment 12 miles from uptown (rent went up $150 from winter 2011). You'd get more out of your money to pay $850-950 and live 1-3 miles from uptown

lfincham1

Prospect • Visited 2012

Future Resident

I have had a great expereince dealing with the staff at Colonial Grand Ayrsley. The rental staff has been very responsive and have kept me up to date along the way with specials and incetives. They are all very friendly and professional. I have enjoyed dealing with everyone so far! I hope my time spent at Colonial Grand will be just as great!

Current Resident 848743

Resident • 2011 - 2012

Love this place

This is a wonderful place to live. Shopping and restrauants are very close by. Tire Kingdom is just a across the way. I can drop off my car and walk back home. Office Depot, GameStop, Starbucks and dozens of other stores and restrauants are withing walking distance. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The workout facility is open 24 hours and is very clean and well kept. I did have a noise problem with one of my neighbors, I had to call at 11:00 at night. They had their on-site staff resident talk to the person and I havent't had an issue since. The propery is very clean and well kept up. The regularly spray for bugs as a preventative measure and they just got done pressure washing the buildings to keep them clean and nice.

Current Resident 612

Resident • 2008 - 2012

Good apartment community

I have lived at Colonial Grand since very shortly after it opened. I still live here. I still like it here. I have a very comfortable apartment that is well maintained, the maintenance guys pick up the grounds every morning, my repair needs have been taken care of quickly, the office staff is friendly and courteous, and they have always been ready to spend time with me when I go in the office. I have read the other reviews that have talked about all of the students. I was concerned about them too and have heard some noise. I went into the office to ask and speak to them about my concerns. I was told that the any of the students that have been on property are moving out and that they will all be gone by late summer. An office staff that listens and is ready to communicate, an apartment that is maintained and the real convenience of the neighborhood seems like a pretty ideal situation to me. My current lease expires in October and I have no plans for moving or leaving.

Prospective Resident 202205

Prospect • Visited 2012

Potential Future Resident

Omg...I just reserved my apartment today. However, I didn't check out this website before paying my $275 dollar deposit and application fee. I wondering if I should cancel at this point. Can anyone offer any suggestions? I don't want to throw that money down the drain. However, I also don't want to risk moving into a place that's going to be a headache...

Current Resident 84401

Resident • 2009 - 2011

great apartment complex

I have lived in several units in the Colonial Grande at Ayrsley and have always been very happy with my rental situation. I moved down to Charlotte, NC from Rochester, NY and found the staff at the complex incredibly friendly and welcoming, including the maintenance staff. I have never had a safety concern or had a repair that went without being taken care of. My apartment is always well taken care of and my packages are always readily available in the office. I love living at the Colonial Grande at Ayrsley and will continue to do so until I purchase my first home. Paying rent is even easily accomplished on their website.

Current Resident 224395

Resident • 2011

meh.

Need i complain too? Horrible.

Current Resident 329917

Resident • 2011

If you enjoy ------ people live here.

Things people should know about living here.... My apartment was awesome. High countertops (I'm tall), huge rooms, looked brand new at move in, and had no problems at all throughout my stay there. However the following should be considered. 1. Student housing. The place is like an Art Institute dorm. Most of the students don't have cars and getto school via random white vans that pick them up and drop them off anywhere between 6:30am and 7pm. The Vans speed through the area, are loud, honk their horns to alert students to get on. I'm not talking a brief honk, I've heard honking for over 2 minutes straight before. The bus stops are also a gathering for noisy students who yell and curse at each other and yell to others standing on their balconies. They leave trash all over the place, curbs, stairwells, INFRONT OF YOUR DOOR.... They stomp up and down the stairs all day and frequently play the doorbell game. But there are no doorbells, instead they bang on your door then run away. Also the ones that do have cars can't park or drive. One asked me to move my car becase she didn't know how to parallel park. This was a weekly thing. Her reasoning was also that that spot was closer to her front door. Insane. 2. This a pet friendly community but management complains about you having your pet on the property. There were flyers put out stating pets were not allowed on sidewalks...or near landscaped areas or grass. Yet there are pet waste cans and bags (always full of student trash and the bags are always missing) in landscaped areas. Where should we walk dogs, in the road? Also I was told my dog barked and sounded aggressive when the groundskeepers knocked on my door. Really? What he supposed to do, invite strangers in? 3. The pool is full of artificial hair. I understand folks have differant types of hair, and styles. But I'm talking on multiple times, clumps of weave. It's disgusting. The pool is also full of unattended children that will verbally abuse you when you don't share your food with them. These kids also never ever wear bathing suits, most of the time they just swim in their underwear. Nasty. These are the same kids that occupy the clubhouse bathrooms and leave all kinds of horrible messes that aren't flushable. 4. Your rent will jump up and down with every bill, due to ridiculous water fee's that don't make sense. When you move out they will try to send you 3 water bills saying you were always a month behind, but when you recieve 3 seperate bills, they can't explain why just that you must pay them. Basically don't live here. Unless you're a loud obnoxious student, that needs quick access to the Food Lion for money orders or a quick fish sandwich from Burger King. It's also a cool place to live if you like sitting in your freaking car listening to music to ensure that everyone knows how awesome your car is. Oh and the fire department is behind the complex, that's fun to hear literally all night. There's also a train at 1am that blows a whistle for 3 minutes. Also there's a potato chip factory one street over that smells disgusting, especially in the summer when its hot. Also the free wi-fi is a joke, it only works in the office. I liked my apartment. Not the complex, or the people that lived there.

jonscott3062

Resident • 2009 - 2011

What a Headache

My partner lived here last year, so i moved dwn from dilworth to consolidate and save money, within the past 5 months it feels like i live in HELL IN A HANDBASKET! They have my partner and i paying full price and now there allowing student housing to have there kids move into the building within the past 5 months here is somethings i have seen, (At 3:30am the neighbor above us is blaring their rap music and screaming off of there balcony, Someones clothing hanging off the front of my car when i woke up to walk my dog, there has been been a glass bottle thrown over one of the student housing appts on 2 different occations. and the glass is shattered all over the sidewalk we have been complaining for over a week and they have done nothing about it, Someone parked there car over night behind our garage over night so when i woke up in the morning that caused me to be written up at work because i had to wait for over 1hr for a tow truck to get here, within the past 7 days i have seen cops in the complex 4 different times, were now seeing drug deals going on in the parking lot by young kids, there is trash thrown out everywhere in the parking lots or all around the common areas) The front desk had hidden charges for the garage that we leased, so now we have a 700 dollars of fee's that has came out of no where. So cutting this story short dont bother moving here, because were trying anyway possible to cancle our lease early because everyone that has moved into this complex, is Uneducated and Rude.

Current Resident 150795

Resident • 2010 - 2011

Worst Mistake- Do not move here.

I have lived here for a year and pay $800 (plus $30 for water and other random fees) for a one bedroom apartment. I look out my windows and see other peoples windows all arounhd. there is no privacy.Not to mention the guys who go up and down the walkways yelling out their own rap lyrics....there are always beer bottles, chicken wings and trash all over the complex. The walls are so thin I can hear everything in my neighbors apt. plus their 75 lbs dog who runs around on the floor above me and sounds like a raid of elephants. the staff is rude, just wait til you sign your lease... see if they talk to you then. I called one time bc the people above me where having a bon fire on their balcony and never heard back. ps. Murders, car break in's and drugs.....need I say more??

Current Resident 999947

Resident • 2009 - 2011

OMG DO NOT MOVE HERE AT ALL

FIRST OFF THEY DONT TELL YOU THAT IT IS STUDENT HOUSING WHICH COMES WILL KINDS OF PROMBLEMS: BROKEN BOTTLES IN THE PARKING LOT, STUDENTS PLAYING FOOTBALL FROM THE 3RD AND 2ND FLOOR BALCONIES, THEN THEY PLAY IN THE PARKING LOTS NOT SMALL KIDS COLLEGE KIDS, WEED SMOKING, OPEN GRILLING ON BALCONIES FIRE BLAZING EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN BURN THE WHOLE BUILDING DOWN!!!!! PEOPLE LET TEIR DOGS POOP EVERYWHERE AND TO TOP IT OFF THE RENT IS WAY TOO HIGH LIKE ALMOST 975 FOR A TWO BEDROOM FLAT?????? THIS PLACE IS TURNING INTO A COLLEGE HOOD// HOODRATS HANG HERE ITS NOT WORTH THE MONEY THEY CHARGE MANGMENT DOES NOT CARE AS LONG AS THE COLLEGE KEEPS PAYING THOSE STUDENTS CAN DO AND ACT ANY KIND OF WAY

Current Resident 49512

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Love living here

I have been a resident of Colonial Grand at Ayrsley for over a year (I renewed my lease at the beginning of October). I totally love living here. The staff has always been great. I have lived in several apartment communities in my life and I have not found many that have an office staff as friendly as this one. They genuinely seem to be interested in solving problems and taking care of them promptly. Contrary to another writer, the apartments are extremely well maintained and cared for. The grounds have always looked great. My apartment looked like I was the first person to ever live in it when I moved in. I frequently see the maintenance staff picking up litter and making sure that the walkways are clean and taken care of. This location works extremely well for me to get to my job. The neighborhood is very convenient for almost anything. Given choices I would move in here in a heartbeat.

r1dramma

Resident • 2011

From big mistake to I'm screwed!!

Don't move here for gods sake! I live in a building where the people constanly run up and down the stairs and are constanly slamming doors and screaming in the breezeways, some other people own a pit bull who is using the courtyard as his personal dog ---- park, owners don't even try to pick up after the dog!! The average water bill is a bove 50$ a month and the power bill is around 100$ a month you have to keep the thermostat at 78 degrees all the time just to keep warm!! Management doesn't care at all they are even forcing you to pay on line for the rent, which charges an additinal fee, they even removed the drop box and if you don't pay your rent by the 3rd they won't except a personal check, it has to be paid by M.O. or cashiers check yeah but they tell you have till the 5th to pay yeah right.This is all stuff you don't find out till it's to late, people ask questions b4 you move in or sign a lease don't make the same stupid mistake I made!!! If you do'nt believe me go ask the people at 3403 Arsenal Court!!

Current Resident 833961

Resident • 2007 - 2010

Love It Here

I have lived here since they open the complex. I have NEVER had a problem or felt unsafe here. The personel has been great to me,then again I abide by the rules and mind my own bussiness!!! They only reason I'm moving out is b/c I'm getting a divorce and they don't have any apts. for me...otherwise I would still be here. Who knows, I may be back. If you don't want to share walls...buy a house. Apartments are like that and as for parking...every apt. has 1,2, and some even 3 cars everyone can't park at the door. Your guest need to be more considerate of the tennets and park in the back. Those who live on the other side need to park on their side of the complex. Just ride around and you will see empty spaces...yet people park in back and walk around. Makes no sense to me. People in my bld. respect each other, we know who parks where and we don't take their spaces even though there are no assinged spaces. Be neighborly and stop being so self centered. This is a great place to live!!! Cost???? You only pay your rent, and you electric bill(maybe a phone) what more do you want?????

Current Resident 875123

Resident • 2008 - 2010

Noise? Parking? Rent? NOT WORTH IT!

I am a current resident that is getting ready to move out. I have lived here almost 2 yrs and the parking and thin walls are my biggest complaints. The parking in this place is OUTRAGEOUS! I get off work late at night and due to the minimal parking, I have to walk almost 2 blocks sometimes to get into my apartment. And the NOISE?!!! I have some students living across from me and I stay above a garage that is not mine. The garage door is opening and closing all the time, the walls are very thin, so I hear everything, even my neighbors door beeping when they are coming and going to their apartment. So hears the thing, i'm leaving because, I also think that the rent is a too high. The apartments are nice, but they are really going crazy on the prices and it's not worth it, especially since I wanted to renew but my renewal price was too high because they decreased my employer discount and the prices they are wanting for my same apartment now is almost $50.00 more/month. Note to others; if your looking into a 1br and are paying more than $700.00 you are getting RIPPED OFF! I paid $40.00 less when I moved in 7 months ago for a 800 sf. Don't be stupid, shop around before you sign.

Current Resident 22249

Resident • 2007 - 2010

Don't Move Here!!!

I moved here before it was finished and it was great. Everyone was very nice and came within 15 min. of getting a call. Then they changed management!! All hell broke loose. They don't know who lives here and who don't. There is NO PARKING and NO RULES for parking. You as a tennent should have a parking space not your neighbors firends. There is parking in the rear of all blds. for your friends. Parking is not assingned, but we that have lived here since day one RESPECT our neighbors parking spaces. There are cars covered with no license plates. They are not allowed to work on cars in the parking lot, however people do. Dogs not on a leash, nobody pick up their dog do. Our car window got broken and keyed. We watched our neighbors firend key our car b/c we parked in OUR space and when they came home from a night out(loud as hell) waking up everyone in the building. By the time we called management & police they were gone. They saw us watching them and decided to leave. Rules change like I change underwear!!! Every couples of hours!! They lie like hell, they never come out of the office to see what is going on like the old management did. THEY knew who belonged here and who didn't. People use the grills and never clean them. The gym equipment is NEVER cleaned!!! Mersa City!!!! Kids in the gym unsupervised and in the pool. You have to babysit other people's kids. RULES are not followed what so ever here. OH, unless you get caught breaking them...then they will ask YOU to move out. Used to be a nice place to live, but no more. Lots of rif raft in here now. Get our if you can!!!! Rent keeps going up and pay keeps going down. Their bonus is more important then you!!

Current Resident 720925

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Great Location & great perks for the price!

I moved to Ayrsley in June and have been very happy with the community and my choice to live here. I decided to move here after because I had been living near Southpark Mall and liked the proximity to shopping and entertainment, but not the traffic or price for what I was getting. I was paying nearly twice for a 2 bedroom equal to my current one with less amenities and similar features. The commute is so much easier, and I am still close to lots of shopping and entertainment. I also, have had nothing but good experiences with the office staff who is always friendly, and often greets me by name. I would definitely recommend this community to someone looking for convenience and a lot of bang for their buck.

Current Resident 990098

Resident • 2010

I like it. Come see for yourself.

Don't be swayed by other people's opinions of this place, either good or bad, before you check it out for yourself. For all the negativity I'm reading, you'd think these people were living in the hood in East Charlotte. I mean, damn, have coke and a smile cuz you're all right. Anyway, before I moved in, I came out to visit at least 3 times. Then I decided on a place in Uptown because I fell for the hype and I ended up living next to self-important 20 year-old bankers from NY who woke me up at all hours of the night with their drunken cussing and howling. And I'm a grad student who works full-time so I wasn't having that. Then I remembered 'Location' isn't everything and that at least at Ayrsley I'd be paying cheaper rent. Plus the grounds and community were always neat and clean, the residents are regular folks like me, and the apartment I looked at suited my needs. I read on here someone's complaints about kids riding around in scooters. They had to be kidding because that was actually a deal maker for me. One day when I visited I saw a 4 or 5 year old boy with his little sister learning to ride their tricycles on the sidewalk and I thought it was the cutest thing. You don't see that living in Uptown. Anyway, just don't let someone else's venting make up your mind. I think these apartments are fine. They are still brand new. Being here is a good stepping stone for me before I buy a house or move somewhere more permanent. If you're unsure about moving here, come see it for yourself and then decide. I hope this helps.

Current Resident 478286

Resident • 2009

Pretty Nice Place

This is a really nice community with nice floor plans at a good price. The "crime problems" that were cited by another reviewer were some stupid people that left their GPS and iPod's in their cars - and surprise, surprise, they got stolen. The staff is nice, the grounds are super clean, and they responded to a request to fix my washer the same day - and had it fixed in seconds.

Current Resident 364851

Resident • 2008 - 2009

DO NOT MOVE HERE!

This place is awful, terrible management, not safe, terrible quality. I am so pissed... cannot wait to move out.

Current Resident 849009

Resident • 2009

Management is letting THUGS MOVE INTO A NICE COMPLEX!

I moved here last year in the fall and had friends that lived here. It WAS a amazing place to live then minus the noise issue due to cheaply built walls. We moved here to get away from the crime in north charlotte and were pleased at first. As the months go by we notice more and more younger african american thugs moving into the apartments. I dont know if management just lets them move in or if they are family members and friends of the residents. I see them wandering the complex being loud and obnoxious, playing they're rap music as loud as possible in theyre hood cadillacs and gangster junk cars. We have had many car break ins over the past 3 or 4 months as well. If we wanted all this we would moved to the ------. DO NOT MOVE HERE!!!!!!!!