Camden Gaines Ranch

Current Resident 916703

Resident • 2001 - 2002

Stop screwing people over...

...and maybe you will get fewer negative reviews and more authentic positive reviews!<br><br>I have noticed a trend here---whenever someone posts a negative review, not-so-surprisingly, someone posts a "positive", glowing review to undo the damage done by the negative review. Gee, possibly a Gaines Ranch Management Drone? <br><br>I'm starting to wonder if I should look into a class action lawsuit with Gaines Ranch, since they seem to do the same thing to a lot of residents: lie about the carpet and other things, then screw you on moveout with unjustified charges for already-damaged property. Shame on you, Gaines Ranch!

Current Resident 916579

Resident • 2004

The best!

My roommate and I love it here!

waynem

Resident • 2004

These people are just nasty

When you are in a customer service position shouldn't you at least act like the customer matters? I keep having the same problem with my furnace, my car has been broken into twice in the 4 months I've been here and when I went down to the office to ask for assistance they ignore me until I finally walk into the managers office and then they act like I am trespassing. These people don't give a s@$& about there current tenants only about the suckers they are trying to scam to get to move in this dump and they won't even fix the darn gate that is supposed to keep you "safe". Look elsewhere is my warning.

jonesie1

Resident • 2004

Great Apt

I have lived here for 3 months and so far it has been enjoyable/okay. I like my neighbors because they’re quiet. I also like the location because it's easy to get on Mopac for work in the morning. I did have a bug problem and had the bug guy come spray. It seems better now. I’ve only dealt with the office once for that and it was pretty smooth they took care of the problem. I really don’t like apartments so I’m getting a house in a few months but I can say right now that I would recommend this place.

Current Resident 680080

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Gaines Ranch seemed O.K till we moved out!! Be careful, they will always tell you the carpet needs replacing and then charges you an exorbanant amount of money to replace. The staff is horrible!!! Incompetence at it finest!! I would NEVER reccommend this to anyone to live!! And it is a shame, because the location is great. There are many apartment complexes near by and I would definately look into those.<br><br>

casey657

Resident • 2004

So Far So Good!

I just moved in a couple of months ago, and I really enjoy my apartment. It has a warm cozy feeling about it. Every floor plan was unique and spacious. My neighbors are pretty friendly, staff courteous, very quiet place to live. Small problem with bugs now and then,but it was to be expected given the surroundings. I really enjoy coming home to this nice and peaceful environment.

Current Resident 636773

Resident • 2004

Run away as fast as you can...

this was the worst year of my renting life. This is including the year in student housing and the 2 years living in a not so good area in the DFW area. This place was terrible. Maintenance was the best thing about it and that got worse by the time we left several months ago. Staff was both indifferent and ineffective. The couldn't make a single decision and the management was not only indifferent but also threatening. We lived from day one with the neighbor from hell and all they did was hang the lease in front of us saying we can't do a thing. And they did nothing to help the situation. This place is just plain bad. There are many options out there so don't bother going here. Oh, they also threatened legal action against us if we made any noise about the problems we had. FU Gaines Ranch!

Current Resident 618111

Resident • 2004

No Security, Bad Management, Overpriced, Stinks

The management keeps loging on to improve their ratings. Ask the occupancy level or a tenant. The management will tell you AFTER you move in, the gates are not for security and they don't care who comes or goes with your valuables. The place has Dog ---- everywhere, the maintenance is the worst I have ever seen. When my first year is up, I am out of this over priced dump. Look anywhere but here!

Marie79

Resident • 2004

The Pits!

I have been here now for three months and am very disappointed. I should have listened t the complaints on this board but the leasing agent told me it was just a "couple" of disgruntled ex-tenants. Wrong. I have not had my A/C work since I moved in (when it does go on it freezes the living room but make no difference in the master bedroom). The dishwasher needed repaired. And the carpet makes the whole apartment smell like road kill. To top it off the office help act like there is nothing wrong or that they can't help me!

lucky79

Resident • 2004

Its so quiet!

I've lived in many apartments but this one is by far the most quiet an I love it! I can relax and forget about everything at the end of the day. I like the color of the walls to its a real warm color.

Current Resident 594675

Resident • 2000

Beware of scorpions!

I have lived in South/Central Texas my entire life and have never seen so many scorpions. In the six months I lived at Gaines Ranch I found 5 scorpions in my apartment, and was stung 3 times. Each time I was stung, I was in my bed asleep, no fun! Management said that there was nothing they could do, but obviously the place was infested.

Current Resident 457748

Resident • 2004

The Staff are usless, no security, expensive trash

There is no security, the gates are always open, the staff claims that the gates are access gates and not security gates, not what I was told when I rented. Maintenance is very poor, the A/C fails continually, the staff is cordial, when you are signing the contract, the management has never been anything but rude know-it-alls that know nothing. It is noisy with the big trucks and Harleys racing through the complex. Dog ---- everywhere, when it rains wear a cloths pin on your nose for 3 days.

Current Resident 372560

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Happy that I am leaving

Don't get me wrong. The setting is beautiful. If I could fire the staff, fix up the place and raise the security level I'd be happy to stay. But my year is up and I can't wait to move into my new place and get away from the A/C that hasn't worked right all summer. The scorpians that you have to look for every where. Terrible customer service from the staff. The nicest thing about Gaines Ranch is moving out!

foosball_monkey

Resident • 2002 - 2003

Overpriced apartment going downhill fast...

Sorry, Gaines Ranch Management, but I actually did live at your overpriced and substandard apartment, and my reading other negative reviews only confirms my belief that you guys are just a bunch of liars. I lived at your apartment, and I dealt with your lies and misrepresented unit. I am a living, breathing person and not a "competitor" as you would like to think. It is also sad to me that you guys solicit reviews from your residents, as this may continue to backfire as you have seen already from several postings below. You guys don't need help tainting your reputation: your management and staff do a fine job of that already on their own.<br><br>PROS:<br>=====<br>1) Direct access to the Greenbelt. Great for hiking and biking and walking the dog.<br>2) Built-to-condo-specs walls and floors. I can't recall hearing any noise above or below me.<br>3) Spacious and open balcony.<br>4) Wood exterior paneling.<br>5) Trash pickup service.<br><br>CONS (beware, this list is long):<br>==================================<br>1) Got lied to from the get go. Was promised cleaned carpet upon move-in, and if the carpet wasn't in good condition, then it would be replaced. Moved in my first day, and the place smelled like fermented feet. Stains all over the floor from ink, nail polish remover, and who knows what else. Carpet was crispy, like hair after too much Aqua Net.<br>2) Crappy layout. Talk about Feng Shui violations. Huge livingroom with bizarre tight dark corrider/hallway. No natural light came in so the place felt like a dungeon.<br>3) Was listed as a 2 bedroom but was more like a 1 bedroom 1 study. The second "bedroom" didn't even have an overhead light or fan!!! What is up with that? Air didn't circulate well in there, either. Perhaps the place should have been advertised "1 bedroom 1 mausoleum".<br>4) Couldn't open the refridgerator and dishwasher at the same time. A headless, brainless genius must have designed that layout.<br>5) CARPET IN THE BATHROOMS???? C'mon, people. Can we say mold, mildew and mung? Totally disgusting how the bathroom had a constant humid, dusty feel to it. Blargh.<br>6) The combination pantry/laundry closet. Oh yes, I love mixing my Tide and Bounty sheets with my cereal and pastas! I've seen better setups in ghettos.<br>7) Garbage disposal was messed up. When you ran it, it shook the countertop and anything on it, no joke. Glasses and ceramic bowls would rattle. The disposal sounded like you were running an airplane jet engine.<br>8) Fluorescent lighting in the kitchen. At times I felt like I was in a third world prison or a public school 3rd grade classroom in the inner city.<br>9) No overhead light in the livingroom, nor an overhead fan. <br>10) Layout of roads within the apartment. Entering and exiting were one-way only, and this made for a lot of confusion for people because I saw at least twice people exiting through the entrance. Could have been some nasty head-on collisions but luckily no one got hurt...that I know of. One-way roads in an apartment are just stupid stupid stupid. <br>11) No locks on the bathroom doors. They just kind of closed. I don't remember if the rooms had locks on the doors.<br>12) Maintenance had to come by multiple times to fix the same problems: broken refridgerator, balcony screen kept falling off the rails, leaking kitchen sink were among some things. <br><br>The lowdown:<br>1) I must have been bad in a previous life or something b/c I had to deal with the craphole that is Gaines Ranch apartments. <br>2.) I read the review titled "Stay Away" and have to agree with the first part: some of the reviews do stink of Gaines Ranch employees. For example:<br><br>"Beautiful views, clean and well kept grounds<br>From: -Anonymous-<br>Date posted: 9/22/2003<br>Years at this apartment: 2002-2003<br><br>I just renewed my lease for a second year. The office staff have been great. I work out of the house so I really appreciate having a natural view outside the "office" window. Very quiet yet close to the downtown party scene."<br><br>Sorry, but no one talks like that. "Downtown party scene", huh? Hello, did this "reviewer" walk out of a bad 80s movie??? This is equivalent to an old person calling younger people "whippersnappers". Smells to me like an old, crotchety Gaines Ranch employee trying to sell to the 20-something crowd. Sorry, it's not passable when you say "downtown party scene". Please check your Gen-X reference manuals and try again.<br><br>Here is another questionable "review":<br><br>"Great Community w/Great Surroundings!<br>From: -Anonymous-<br>Date posted: 11/8/2003<br><br>I recently moved into Gaines Ranch and have been nothing but impressed with the office staff. I did ask and there have been recent changes and the property is now under new management. My apartment has a great floorplan with a fantastic view. To top it all off I am five minutes from the party scene but have the luxary of privacy and nature. <br><br>The maintenance staff is also new and they respond to my requests on the same day! I was impressed! I have lived at other communities and the maintenance staff does not respond for days. <br><br>Happy Resident!"<br><br>Okay, let's look at this line: "To top it all off I am five minutes from the party scene". Um, hello, did this "reviewer" also step straight out of a bad 80s movie??? Once again, the words "party scene" come up. *guffaws* Sorry, Gaines Ranch employees, you guys are just killing me with your "reviews"! What next, are you guys going to describe the apartments as "totally rad and awesome to the max!"??? hehe! Give it up. Stop talking like a brochure and maybe some of us will buy into your "reviews".<br><br>Okay, note the constant use of the word "impressed"? Read the next review and see how it comes up again and again in different variations...<br><br>"Yes new management seems impressive<br>From: wantpeaceandquiet<br>Date posted: 11/10/2003<br>Years at this apartment: 2003-2003<br><br>I've been at Gaines Ranch for a little over a year now. I'm one of those tenants that pretty much keeps to myself unless I have a problem that I can't handle. <br><br>Previously, I was unimpressed with the management in the office, although maintenance was always quick to respond to my needs. <br><br>Recently, I called the office regarding a noise issue, and was very impressed by how it was handled. The noise stopped immediately, and I got a phone call afterwards verifying that everything had quieted down. <br><br>Pretty impressive! It looks like things have really turned around."<br><br>So to sum things up, this place sucked and I would rather chew on my own fingers than live here again. Use your common sense to distinguish the real reviews (positive or negative) from the ones obviously written by Gaines Ranch employees. If you still decide to live here, good luck because you are going to need it.

pegsue85

Resident • 2003 - 2004

worth less than two cents

My husband and I just moved out last weekend and I have to tell you we couldn’t do so fast enough. The place was crawling with bugs, sure you live on the greenbelt but you don’t want “it” living in your apartment. In the year we were there we had clothes stolen from the laundry room so we bought our own washer and dryer. Then the dishwasher flooded the kitchen and living room and they argued that it was our fault (they said it was the washer) until we got our lawyer involved and he directed their attention to the work order for fixing their appliance. The carpet was in very poor shape when we moved in so I am hoping I do not have the same problem with my deposit as others on this site had. Overall the place “looks” great and the leasing agents are nice prior to you signing. But remember that they are “LEASING” agents and once they have your name on the dotted line expect them to treat you like something you picked up on your shoe walking to your car in the morning (dog poop get it).

goodrenter99

Resident • 2003

My 2 cents

My wife and I lived in these apartments last year. I have to say the overall experience their was positive, with some drawbacks. We had a difficult time deciding because the prices in Austin are very high and if you are looking for apartment that is not a total dump you have to pay extra, so we made a choice to extend our budget and move in. I cant say for others but we lived in a 2 bedroom apartment and I never heard a sound from any of my neighbors. We even asked our neighbors if they ever heard us or our music and they said they never heard anything. We both love nature and this property is a golden as it backs up to the greenbelt with basically limitless area to walk and roam. The layouts are nice in the apartments I would have to say and the property has a nice feel. They were very energy efficient my electric bill averaged around $60-70 year round. The pool was very nice, but the beer drinking and smoking became a drag. I think many of the people at the pool did not live there because of the way they acted. Complete disregard for the property, throwing trash about, leaving beer bottles around, and flicking cigarette ashes in the pool. The dog crap also became a problem as their are many paths around to walk the dogs and many people let their dogs go all over and this activity usually happens after business hours. I guess some people are to lazy to use the doggy receptacles and bags that are provided. We never had a major bug problems, we saw a few ants, and one baby scorpion. We never had any maintainence issues living there and the problems we had they fixed immediately. Traffic sucks everywhere in Austin and getting down mopac is a drag so plan accordingly. The mopac turnaround at this property is very slow in the morning. The apartments are a little overpriced and we probably could have picked up a better deal, but overall we were pleased to live here. The office staff was cooperative and pleasant most of the time. They powertrip a little bit, but they probably have to put up with a lot of ---- from residents bitching all the time. Not to mention the fact that they are probably overworked and underpaid. This place is good, but I would look twice before you leap.

Current Resident 204050

Resident • 2001 - 2003

I hope this helps you decide.

My wife and I lived at Gaines Ranch Apts for 3 years. First we lived in a 1 bedroom on the first floor by the exit, then we moved into a second floor 2 bedroom in the back (bldg 10), before moving to a 2 bedroom 1st floor when our son was born in order to cut costs and minimize stair climbing. The apartments had their share of pros and cons. I used the green belt, workout facility, and pool. All were nice, but I used them during non-peak times so I didn't experience a lot of the issues others did. There's wildlife since you live in the greenbelt, but mostly millipedes, silverfish, and a few ants. Came across a few scorpions, but that's normal for the location (a buddy of mine moved into some apts further south on Mopac and actually had a scorpion crawl up his leg while on the computer!!). The reason I'm writing this is to offer general apartment advice. In the last apartment we lived in (with my newborn son) I smelled gas. I wrote a maintenance request and called in a complaint, but nothing came of it. After a week, I called the gas company and their technician found the leak and shut off/red tagged the water heater fitting. When I called the apartment to explain that the gas company had red tagged the water heater, they had maintenace come out and fix it the next day. So if something doesn't seem right, there are things you can do to rectify the problem. After the gas leak was fixed, the maintenance guy checked to make sure we had hot water and even cleaned the shower head to get rid of calcium build up. The only other issue was with a contractor who came out to fix the air conditioner and used the washing machine drain to empty the condensor, but forgot to replace the washing machine drain hose so when I did a load of laundry it sounded like Niagra Falls in the pantry/washroom. I quickly shoved the hose back into the drain pipe, but the kitchen was flooded (and out came the ants). The maintenance guys came out a few days later to mop up and were very professional about it. This was the third apartment complex we've lived in in Austin and I have to say it was the best. Donna is nice and always worked with us. We would've stayed longer, but with my wife going back to school and a new child we just couldn't afford it anymore (even with the generous rate offered to us to stay). Oh, and there was carpet in all 3 of our apartment's bathrooms (the one bedroom and both 2 bedrooms). The crunchy carpet issue the previous tenant spoke of was probably from dried steam-cleaning detergent. We had that in the second floor apartment where we were vacuuming up white powder for months before the carpet softened back up again (another bad contractor job). For the most part, all our neighbors were nice except for the last couple to move next door (lots of fighting and cussing, but management knew and were working to evict them). Oh, and we did loose all of our deposit plus an extra $100 charge for carpet and blinds, but that's pretty cheap compared to some others. That's our Gaines Ranch experience, hope it helps you decide where you'd like to live.

Current Resident 988594

Resident • 2004

unbelievable

This site is such a joke. I responded on this site when I moved out and just popped back in and this is a joke. Clearly can't get a legitamate review. All negative reviews are so,how should I put it... CLEARLY FROM THE SAME PERSON! All the "issues" are clearly designed by the same simplemind. If you've lived there for 3 years who is the idiot now. Unless the office staff has insulted your mother or child the venom is way out of proportion. Hard to believe. Let see who would want to make Gaines Ranch look bad? It seems very obvious this site is not designed to give a forum for actual tenant responses but rather a weapon with someone with ulterior motives. Now I can't believe anything from this site as true. Good or bad It seems like quite a game

beasportok

Resident • 2004

Let's break this all down:

Ok, it really seems to me like the negative reviews are coming from the same person. That most recent one? The one about waiting to have the carpet replaced? Seriously, comparing that with the people that are mad for having to pay mega bucks to have their stained carpet replaced, they just cancel each other out. I don't believe that, and neither would an educated person reading these reviews.<br><br>I got brand new carpet when I moved in, and as to that carpet in the bathroom thing, mine has ceramic tile, so I'm not really sure how long ago you must have lived there.<br><br>To everyone searching for a new apartment, look at what has been written, even by the negative reviewers: They never heard their neighbors. They have huge patios. They have character that I couldn't find anywhere else I looked. My apartment locator told me they are first class all the way, and I agree. Everyone in the office knows my name, and they all live here- even the Manager. That helps everyone here keep the noise level down. <br><br>And to that guy who wrote about the old "hags" in the office???? Seriously, have you even seen them? Blondes, brunettes, and even a redhead. Too bad most of them are taken, but one can always dream. That guy definately never lived here.<br><br>To sum it all up, great place, hot chicks, quiet as hell, and worth every penny. If you disagree, you probably pissed someone off or got kicked out, and you're just out for petty paybacks.

Current Resident 906351

Resident • 2004

Very disappointed!

I just moved in last weekend and must say that I am very disappointed. The carpet is stained, smelly and torn. They painted right over the dirt and grime of who knows how many tenants before me and I already have an ant problem! I have been assured that the carpet will be replaced but why didn’t they do that before I moved in and what do I do with my stuff while they’re doing that? The place is already the pits and I still have six months on my lease and am going to try to get out ASAP. Don’t be a fool like me!

Current Resident 845188

Resident • 2004

Don't come!

I have lived here for the last 6 months and am glad to be leaving. I'm a confessed partier so when I heard noise I usually just joined in but after having my car and apartment broken into the security of this place stinks. The "security" gate is a joke. The office staff says they can't do anything about anything. The one problem I had, my a/c rattles all the time, still is not fixed. For the price there has to be something better out there.

free2be

Resident • 2000 - 2002

come on

I've read some of the review and just have to say the serious amount of anger behind some of those statements really disqualify the comments. It makes it hard to believe the critical statements and you want to get an rational opinion to make a decision on a place to live,but come on. The venom behind some of that stuff is way too much. I lived at Gaines Ranch years ago and I have to write to defend 99% of the rage statements are bull. The whole appeal of the complex are the trees and the setting. The apartments are huge by apartment standards. The noise compared to other places is null. You are living in an apartment with people all around. If you want more privacy you definitely won't find it in another apartment. I was looking at this site and saw this rating and was appalled. You knew there was fluorescent lighting and carpet in the bath when you signed up. The layout didn't change from when you signed up either. Come on. By the way I don't work in the office.

sirnoze

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Living at Gaines Ranch was an enjoyable experience

I enjoyed my time at Gaines Ranch. Its quiet, its nestled up against the Greenbelt, the apartments are well insulated, and the kitchens have gas ranges. <br> <br>Does the AM/PM commute traffic on MoPac suck? Yes, but the easy one/easy off access to MoPac is a bonus as is the direct route to the airport. <br> <br>For the few maintenance issues I had, they were quickly and preofessionally addressed. <br> <br>The curb-side trash pick-up is a very nice perk. <br> <br>I experienced no issues with the office staff and found them to be attentive and responsive. <br> <br>All in all … living at Gaines Ranch was an enjoyable experience and will I recommend it others. <br> <br>(Note … I left Gaines Ranch because I’m transitioning into a new career and needed to reduce my monthly expenses.) <br>

Current Resident 401175

Resident • 2002 - 2003

Glad I moved out but where is my deposit?

Moved out late last year. Some say they couldn't hear the neighbors but my where noisey as all !@$$%. Car was borken into three times the last two with a very expensive alarm system that I couldn't hear because I could never park near my door! Never noticed the dog droppings but then I was one that had a dog and didn't always pick up after it. Sorry but late night is scary in that place. I did not take my dog to the pool so that dodo was not from my dog. Had similar problems with things breaking and needing fixed and re-fixed. Some of the staff was nice but for the most part they were horrible. About my deposit. I did an excellent job of cleaning but after I moved out they said the carpet needed replaced. I had it marked on the move-in inventory sheet but they said I never turned it in so I guess I can hire a lawer and go to court or just let them steal it from me. Take my advice and what appears to be most peoples advice on this site and find someplace else.

Current Resident 388992

Resident • 2002 - 2004

Definitely had my share of problems here

After reading some of these reviews, I really wanted to try and give an honest assessment, because it seems like some people have a lot of pent up anger towards their apartment complex. Sometimes this is understandable, but I will also concede that every complex has its share of problems. <br> <br>What I liked: <br> <br>I never heard anyone in the apartments around me. <br> <br>I had a good deal of interaction with a couple different members of the staff while living there for two years, and they seemed fine to me. No one was ever rude to me. <br> <br>If you're not trying to get up Mopac in rush hour, you are actually pretty close to downtown which is nice <br> <br>If you travel a lot, you're pretty close to the airport <br> <br>Since it's a woodsy place there are some bugs but they sent the exterminator whenever I asked <br> <br>What I didn't like: <br> <br>I had multiple maintenance problems while living here. Usually I had a pretty quick response, but the same things just kept breaking over and over again. At one point, my hot water heater exploded flooding my apartment and the one beneath me. Three words for you BUY RENTERS INSURANCE. The staff was pretty good about taking care of things, but it took them a long time, and they left a lot of my furniture out on the balcony for several days. <br> <br>The garbage disposal always sounded like the world was ending <br> <br>Carpeting in the bathroom is just not a good idea... ever. <br> <br>I had huge wasp nests all over my balcony, so I never used it. <br> <br>I could never have my heater on and get hot water at the same time. Who designs a system like that? <br> <br>There were always dog droppings everywhere! I got repeated reminders in my door about how everyone needed to clean up after their pets, but it never got any better. <br> <br>I never felt safe coming home late at night. I got repeated notices of break ins in the area and the complex wasn't well lit. <br> <br>Overall, I moved out because this place was too expensive. Every complex I looked at has bad reviews on this site, so it's hard to know, but I found a place that I think is just as nice (and I'm pretty picky) for $350 less per month than I was paying at Gaines Ranch. I couldn't justify staying. <br> <br>