Sonterra Apartment Homes

brianmego

Resident • 2008 - 2009

Best apartment I've ever lived in

I just renewed for my second year last week, and I have nothing but glowing reviews for Sonterra. The rent is well priced, my apartment clean and spacious. I have had the usual problems with appliances that you would expect from any apartment complex, but the staff is always immediate in their repairs, and after two parts did not fix my water heater, they installed an entirely new unit for me which has had no problems since. The complex has recently put in new landscaping out front, and we are now hands down the most beautiful apartment in the area. There's also all kinds of events hosted by the complex, from outdoor movies by the pool to free breakfasts cooked by the staff! I wouldn't think of living anywhere else.

LaceFace85

Resident • 2009

Very happy here!

I have lived at Sonterra for about 6 months, and I have absoultely no complaints! For one thing, I think we got a steal on our place, $800 for a spacious 2br, 2ba. I live on the bottom floor, and although there are a lot of kids around, I almost never hear them. And the kids I have seen around seem very well behaved. Same goes for pets; it's a pet-friendly community, but I have had no problems with noisy or aggressive pets. It's a very clean community, and well kept. The office staff is very sweet and helpful, and even plan fun activities for the whole complex. You can ask them for anything and they will go out of their way to help you. Once a month Stacy, one of the girls from the office, cooks breakfast for everyone. There are also pool parties with pizza and drinks, and last night they put a huge blowup movie screen up next to the pool and we had movie night, with free popcorn, candy, and drinks. It was so much fun! And techinically the pool closes at 10 pm, but as long as it's not too noisy or anything, they don't enforce it, which is really nice for night owls like me. It is a very friendly community and I have become good friends with several of my neighbors, and meeting new people here is so easy. Overall, I love this apartment complex and don't plan on leaving anytime soon. It has made my transition from the midwest to Texas an easy one.

AmyAmes

Resident • 2008 - 2009

i love my apartment!

i love my little apartment! i have a one bed/one bath on the third floor - it's quiet, the hallways are clean and other than the yappy dog that lives with my neighbor, i never hear a peep out of anyone. i recently asked for a few upgrades when i signed my second lease. not only did i get my carpet steam cleaned, i got a slew of other things that have made my home feel even more homey than before. i was given, at no fee, a beautiful brushed nickel faucet for the kitchen sink, a really nice ceiling fan in the main room (now i have 2!) and a new light fixture in the bathroom that i would have picked out if given the choice! i have a fire place, a good-sized walk in closet, a darling little laundry area and a balcony overlooking tons of trees! i recently started hanging out at the pool and have had the best time doing so! i've befriended many of my neighbors and had a blast at the party that the complex threw (pizza/music/etc what could be bad?) and just tonight, 7.15.09, i attended the showing of a movie on a huge blow up screen at the pool. it was such a nice way to hang out with friends, make some face-time with my neighbors and enjoy a hot summer night. i have had no issues whatsoever with the office staff - as a matter of fact, they are all so nice that i am friendly with a few of them outside of the leasing center! all in all i am glad that i made the decision to move here in feb of 2008 and i'm sure you will too!

Current Resident 498340

Resident • 2008 - 2009

I love it here!!!

In retrospect to the most recently posted review, I have to say this has been the best place I have lived in yet. I have lived in some very nice places before; 2 of them here on 620, I have not had too many bad expeirences at all, and not one here at Sonterra. The Staff has always been super friendly, and the maintainence men always say "Hi". The property here is always clean and all the trees are lovely. I spend alot of time on my patio and it's always a pretty quiet neighborhood. When I go to the pool the other people that live here seem very nice and usually start conversations... none of which have been negative about living here. I'm happy to have renewed my lease, the rent stayed the same and they gave me $500 off the month after my new lease begins.

Current Resident 993390

Resident • 2008 - 2009

RIDICULOUS APARTMENTS!!

Very bad and dirty apartments. The model you see is nothing like what you get. Ridiculous office management. Once customer is in they dont care if they suffer. Stay out of here.

Current Resident 554022

Resident • 2005 - 2008

Ok

My wife and I lived at Sonterra for 3 years. Overall it was decent place but it seemed to get worse overtime. I think changing management companies was definitely a change for the worse. The prices were good especially for the size. I really liked having an attached garage. The rooms were large and nice. The bathrooms were big. Having a walk-in shower and a garden tub was nice. The kitchen and laundry room were large and good. The appliance were ok. The oven was cheap and rarely kept the right temperature. There were some maintenence issues over the time we were there. But most things were taken care of. We had a crack in the bathtub. We weren't able to use it until it was fixed. Then the guys that fixed it didn't do a great job. It looked bad. Once a sprinkler leaked. They fixed that promptly. Later the lady upstairs let her washing machine flood. The ceiling was in pretty bad shape and some of my things got wet and ruined. No replacement or money for those. I had already given notice that I was leaving so I assume that's why they never fixed anything. Parking was fine especially since we had the garage. The business center was useful. It has two computers that always worked and a fax. The pool was fine but often crowded and loud. The gym was nice with good equipment. I think the one at phase 2 was even better. The longer we were there, the worse the office staff and maintenence got. Over the last year or so, they seemed to have a lot of turnover. They were usually ok to work with but if they were at fault they usually made it worse. Once they signed for a package from UPS but lost it. They claimed UPS never dropped it off. Well 7 days later, they sent it back to UPS to be returned to sender. Luckily I had already contacted UPS and was able to get it back. But I had to go to the other side of Austin to the UPS distribution center. I would say it was safe overall. I think more losers were moving in all the time. Toward the end of our stay, I remember the cops coming because of a fight in the parking lot. I never had any problems with vandalism. Noise wasn't too bad unless a neighbor was being exceptionally loud. The gates had problems often especially when they changed remotes. Changing the remotes also affected the garage doors. There were many times my garage door would not open or close because of the new remotes. It was a big hassle especially if you were trying to leave because you'd have to get out the car close the door from the inside then got into the apartment and come out the front door. After I moved out, I was glad they didn't bill me for anything extra. Probably because the place was a wreck after the upstairs flood. Sonterra was my third apartment and I'd have to say it was the best of three. It was a decent place to live. Of course it had problems but every place does. I'd say for the money and what you get, it's probably about what should be expected but there's always room for improvement.

Lanasmith

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Good and Bad

I have lived at Sonterra for three years. I love the apartment, but the office staff is totally incompetent. EVERY time I receive a package, they can never find it. Amazing. It happened again today. I was told there was no package and when I checked on delivery, it was delivered on the third. So, tomorrow, once again, I will have to go back to the office and tell them that they have my package that they couldn't seem to find today. This happens with every single package. I think they need a new system. The office personnel changes monthly and I always have hopes that the next new face will get it right. So far, it hasn't happened.

Current Resident 460714

Resident • 2008

I like it here.

To the comment below: Wow, somebody get a life. I've only lived here for 4 months but I really like it. I'm all about free food and I realize it's FREE and a curtesy for them to feed us. Free enchiladas:) Yah! Free italian:) Yah! Free donuts:) Yah! Guess you're looking for more than free food, get a friend. This is funny to me, it's an apartment complex not a concierge service. I've lived in many apartments around this area and this is a really good deal. I love having a garage and being on the first floor. I like that we have 2 different work out areas with different things in them, open all the time:) I haven't been here that long but it seems like a normal complex to me

C_Elle

Resident • 2008

Love it!

My husband and I have lived here at Sonterra for about 5 mo. and are very pleased with everything about it. Our Apartment is beautiful and spacious with great rent! The office staff are really nice and helpful! Everyone that lives here is really friendly and inviting! The 2 beautiful club houses have nice work out rooms (with a TV) open 24/7, they have fun events with good food every month, and they always have cookies and gourmet coffee! Honestly, I have no complaints and I'm sure we will continue living here for a long time.

Current Resident 889136

Resident • 2008

Rating

Just want to rate...

atx20something

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Crummy Service

There is always something breaking in my apartment; smoke detectors, ice maker, kitchen faucet, water heater, etc. Usually they fix stuff within a day or two, but I called them 4 days ago about my air filters and the bathroom sink keeps dripping water. They haven't fixed it yet and I haven't even gotten a call about when they think they will be there. I called this morning and they said they don't have any record of a maintenance request and they might be able to come tomorrow. Even though I told them the name of the person who took my original request and that I've been waiting 4 days, they still won't come today! This is the second time since I moved here in May 2007 that they have lost my maintenance request and twice they lost the check for my water bill and tried to charge me late fees. What's going on in that office?!?!? A monkey could do a better job!

michelle9319

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Can't Find Anywhere Better in Austin!

I have lived on the 2nd floor for over a year now, and absolutely LOVE it! I'm sad that I have to move out of state, but the Property Manager, Lisa, and everyone in the office has been so accomodating and helpful through the whole process. I have never had a problem with anything at this apartment--not too many bugs, very bright and open rooms, and the maintenance staff has always been there the day of or morning after I call! Some things I noticed the first month I lived here: the accent wall was painted a different color than what I had picked, so I called and it was changed by the time I returned from work THAT DAY! Also, my bills were lower here--I am not one to turn on my air during summer because I want to save the money, but it hasn't cost me much more to run the air! I can't imagine anywhere being better than this place. They really have a quality team working for the residents here. I will be sad to leave!

Current Resident 454371

Resident • 2007 - 2008

awsome!!!

Ive lived here for over a year and i absolutely love it!! The maintance is great, the girls in the office are soo welcoming you could ask for anything more. For thoughs of you who complain, all i have to say is get a life and stop being mad at the world cuz your mad at yourself! I would recommend sonterra to anyone!!

Current Resident 137739

Resident • 2014

#1 Watch out for the blond manager that smiles a lot and pretends to care about you. My wife and I had lived here for 10 years paying 895.00-1095.00 during this time We both lost our jobs in a period of 2 months. We had to move back home because of financial reasons. We told the leasing office of our dilemma and the blond headed manager could not have cared less. She said we would have to continue to finish our lease and pay 1700.00 with lease and fines which we didn't have. We left and she ruined our credit. We even cleaned the Apt and left everything as before we had moved in. Do NOT rent from them. We paid them over 100,000 dollars in a period of 10 years but that meant absolutely nothing to them. Cold blooded. Stay away from SONTERRA APTS 8801 N FM 620.

Current Resident 538542

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Awful Office Staff

My husband and I have been living in Sonterra Apts for over a year, the office staff has slowly been declining. The latest is by far the worse. When you call the office they are rude and short with you, and most important unwilling to help. The maintenance orders do not get done in a timely manner. We are not bad tenants, in fact we have never paid our rent late, or one single complaint from any of our neighbors. You would think they would like to at least try and give good customer service. When asking to speak to the supervisor a women who claimed to be the Regional director, was the worst one of all. As soon as are lease is up we will be gone, will not live where we are not wanted,

suziej95

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Always changing....

I've been at Sonterra for awhile now and since then there have been so many change in staff and owners. I understand how the business works however where is the previous manager. He was great in taking care of business especially quickly. Now the guys there just look at me like I'm crazy. Even though he may thought I was crazy he listened to my complaints and was the best. How do you loose an asset like that? Sorry guys get better staff. The new lady doesn't seem to be all there. Who is doing the hiring? On the bright side maintenance is awesome.

chico135_98

Resident • 2008

Thanks Guys!

Thanks for getting the gates working. I've been at this community for 4 years and they gates have never completely worked. You guys are taking care of things.... Thanks!!!!

roaster

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Horrible Office

I have been living here for a year and my lease is ending at the end of this month. I spoke with the office staff about transferring to a different apartment and all seemed to be going well. They had me fill out a new application and the necessary paper work. Well, as soon as I wrote them two checks they told me I would not be able to transfer due to my credit history. I had just finished filling out the paper work and had not even walked out of the office yet! Then they tell me that they are going to keep the application fee because of the work they have already done on the application. What work? They never even had time to look at the application since I had only handed it to the leasing person 90 seconds earlier. What a joke. Never mind the fact that they had no problem approving me the first time that I moved in. I have not been a bad tenant, I was late a couple of times with the rent but I made sure to pay it plus all applicable late fees and I have never had any complaints from other residents. I would not recommend coming here unless you like being treated badly.

qucik_silver

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Awesome results

I've been here for little over a year. There have been several issues such as gates not working and issues with getting my things repaired in my apt in a timely fashion. Well since new management has been here. My roomie and have seen them go to town and take care of business. When I need something done in my place they get it super fast. I've seen the gates being repaired and seen them working while the management were giving them a trail run. This place is already beautiful and now that there's awesome people who are there to take care of us and seem like they really care is an A . Thanks

ddare2dream

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Great place to live / Pet Friendly

We have lived here for two years, and in March we will resign a lease for another yr. The apartments have lots of space and storage. In the two yrs we have been here we have lived in a two bedroom on the second floor and love it, and we now live ina 3 bedrrom on the thrid floor with vaulted ceilings and also love it. In march we will move to a two bedroom in Phase two and try that area out. The pools are always clean and well kept. The office staff is very helpful and will wokr with you to find exactly what you want. I would recommend this complex to everyone that is lppking for spacious apartments and pet friendly place...

Current Resident 95039

Resident • 2007 - 2009

I AM FED UP WITH THIS PLACE!!

So like a ------- I renewed for a second time....and shortly after my a/c started having problems. I have called at least 5 times, they have come out twice..once to add freon, once to do a "hard turn off"....I HAVE TOLD THE OFFICE EVERY TIME THAT I HAVE DONE THIS!!!! I have flipped the breaker at least 30 times and it usually works for about an hour. Last night it wouldn't work...they are lucky it was cool outside b/c I had to have the windows open b/c a/c not working. So I write a letter today and the maintenance main goes to check on it and the office staff finally tells them that I have flipped the breaker switch...------- WOMEN IN THE OFFICE NEVER TOLD HIM THIS!!!!!!! They are useless and all need to be fired! Thank God the maintenance people have their ---- together! Another complaint is during the winter I can't use the heater and hot water at the same time...I have complained about this and nothing done! If it wasn't so expensive for me to move I would have moved....NOW WISHING I WOULD HAVE BEEN BROKE FOR A WHILE AND MOVED!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL NEVER SUGGEST THESE CRAPPY --- APARTMENTS TO ANYONE!!!!!

sonwherra

Resident • 2006 - 2008

HA! I just read a recent review of a couple living here for 5 mo...

I think this person is an employee and is clearly attempting to "promote" Sonterra. The new manager is very hard to deal with, all tennants that have lived here long enough to go through the several management changes and shuffle between owners has seen at least management that were willing to do what it took to keep their tennants. Things like new carpet or at least a free shampoo when your lease was up, the painting of an accent wall and the attempts to iron out issues between neighborning tennants that might have had a duspute or two. The current office manager is very uncooperative when it comes to anything. Look, half of the jets in the hot tub in phase II don't work and haven't worked since about mid May or early June. Silly things like that, also they are allowing almost anyone to more into Sonterra so that they can meet their quota. Just Saturday night there were 7 parties going on in the surrounding apartment buildings and another down at the phase II clubhouse. One of the office workers even threw a party down at the clubhouse for halloween with a beer keg and loud music. All attendees seemed to be about college age. This place is going down the toilette, oh and an ongoing complaint - PARKING! If you are not home by 8 o'clock you might as well park outside the gates at the clubhouse because you will not find anywhere to park. People have garages and at times dont even use them, they should at least inforce those tennants park in front of their garages at night to allow others a decent parking spot. Oh and if you have kids, don't move to Sonterra. There is absolutely nothing for them to do here unless they live at the pool 365 days a year. They don't want them playing in the hall ways (I understand that one), they don't want them playing in the parking lot and there are absolutely no play grounds for them to play in. There is a nice large area they could clear out in the parking lot where they could slap in a playground. But then the kids would have something to do that would keep them out of trouble, so forget that idea! Oh, (I could go on & on) and the person that I am claiming to be an "employee" mentioned something about Sonterra providing great food, what in the hell! This person clearly bumped their head when they got out of bed. Prior to this manager we had a special team "The Care Team" they threw on a party every month at both clubhouses. The actually cooked food! This new manager brings in fruit (the only fresh thing), small boxes of cereal, milk, store bought muffins, bagels and even brings in her personal smoking toaster from home to cook the bagels. The Care Team cooked breakfast casseroles, sausage eggs and several other breakfast items. They even held Bar-B-Que's at the pools in the summer, popsicle & soda socials for the kids & parents. And even football parties. They sold the TV's from the phase I clubhouse so it would be impossible to hold one of those there now, and Phase II never had one so they would have to rent one (there is an idea) to do that now. Anyway, so my point is they don't give a rats --- about their tennants, not like they used to. One of the office girls made the comment "we don't need the Care Team, I can do just as good if not better than they did". YeaaaaaaaNO! Tennants that have lived here 5 years are even complaining about the staff & management. Give it several thought before you decide to move to Sonterra, especially if you have a family or dogs!

Current Resident 623781

Resident • 2007

love it

My husband and I moved here from New Mexico, and we love this apartment. It is very affordable and the views (from the 3rd floor) are amazing. Our apartment is large and has an open floor plan. The fitness rooms are open 24/7 and to hot tubs are so relaxing. The nieghbors are friendly and there is plenty of parking spaces available. I enjoy the peaceful quiet surroundings, and the trees keep everything cool. When we have called the office for maintenance issues, they were here within 48 hours to fix it. The apartment was just purchased by another company, but so far so good. This is a great place to live.

whickums

Resident • 2007

It's ok

8/2007: I really enjoy my floorplan- 2 split, large bedrooms with a huge balcony and walk in master closet. My bathroom has both a stand up shower and a garden tub. It's very open and I happen to have a wonderful greenbelt view and lots of woodsy area to walk my dogs around. I live at the edge of phase II so it's generally pretty quiet in terms of traffic and other people milling around. The street this place is located on is really good for evening walks or jogs. It's a residential neighborhood and pretty well kept, and a lot people use it for exercise. What I don't like about this place: -In phase II there is only 1 TRASH DUMPSTER for all 18 buildings, and it is located outside the front gates. This means all of us have to load our trash up in our cars and drive it 1/4 mile up to the front every few days. Very inconvenient. -I question the construction at times. We recently got new upstairs neighbors and I can hear a LOT more than I thought. I know when they are taking showers and using their toilets and of course can track their every movement walking around. I have never lived below the 3rd floor until now and I wonder how loud we are for our downstairs neighbors (with normal activity) after dealing with this. -The price is a bit higher than I would like. We pay about $1050 for a 2 bedroom with a garage. We're planning on renewing but I expect they will raise our rent even more. -Like a lot of places the water bill is submetered. I don't understand the specifics but it's translating to water bills around $50/month which seems pretty high to me for 2 people. -Although I like that they allow us to have our 2 large dogs, we had to pay a very high pet deposit as well as monthly pet rent, and we aren't even afforded pet pick up stations or a doggy play area anywhere on the property. I mention this because I lived at The Preserve at Travis Creek in the past and they had both (and we never paid montly pet rent there). Why pay the extra cost if management is not going to give us something in return? -I'm a little creeped out by all the creepy crawlies I see, but we are in kind of a rural area. There are Daddly Longlegs everywhere, and I have seen quite a few scorpions INSIDE my apartment (2nd floor) and run into a Coral Snake while walking my dogs. 9/2008: **Since writing this review I have transferred to a smaller, 1 br apartment for about $830/mo. The transfer process was pretty easy. There is new management now and there have been some instances of miscommunication, but it's not unbearable. The noise from our upstairs neighbors is still suprising to me- it must be a construction issue. The grounds have been well kept all year, however they must be watering like crazy because our water bill has actually gone UP into the 70s, which is rediculous. They have added poop pick up stations for our dogs, which is appreciated, and we have small recycle bins for some of our recyclables.**

Current Resident 22519

Resident • 2007

A true Getto

I saw a kid get his #@* kicked in the parking lot the other night. The Gates never work and you can hear everything going on in the apartment above you.