Sonterra Apartment Homes

Ssimpson76

Resident • 2004 - 2007

Am sad to leave Sonterra

I love living here. I will have lived here almost 3 years. My neighbors are wonderful and have lived here just as long as I have. The floor plans have nice storage and are well designed. The staff is very responsible. Backs up to a Nature Preserve, great for pets.

ezg07

Resident • 2007

I love this place!

We have lived here for a month and a half now and I'm so happy! We have a wonderful view of the Balcones Nature Preserve-try to get an apartment with a view of this property, you won't regret it! I never hear any noise from any of the other apartments, so the apartment is very well insulated (I was told recently that they are built to condo standards). I also am very impressed with the maintenance staff--every time we have put in any kind of maintenance request (which have been very minor) they have been here within the next 48 hours. The office staff is nice enough, and although they are a little bit disorganized, they are always having fun get-togethers for the community. The balcony/patios here are to die for and so much better than any other apartments in the area--especially great with a good view (another apartment complex in the area built by the same builder that we looked at was going to have us looking at the new Wal-Mart. I have never had a problem with parking and the other residents are very nice. You can't beat the price for what you get--a wonderful apartment that feels like home sweet home--such an oasis. This place is very pet friendly and the grounds are beautiful and well kept. I'm so glad we chose to come to Sonterra!

Current Resident 676575

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Very Happy!

Ever since Greystar has taken over the community has improved. Just wanted to say everyone that complains is usually because their doing something they are not supposed to or parking where they shouldn't. The office staff is very nice & professional and ALWAYS willing to help. The amenities,fitness classes, & opening the business center at ph2 have improved the overall condition of Sonterra. I LOVE IT HERE.

pae9132

Resident • 2007

not that great

The apartment itself is nice and it's a very nice neighborhood but the parking is horrible. With the rent that I pay I am entitled to park inside of the gates but because I get home late almost every night there is no space. I have to park in the handicap spot to stay inside of the gate. So the security guard decided to have my car towed. I must also note that I have never seen a handicapped person or a handicapped on any car here or I would have just parked outside of the gate. I went to the office and they said they do not deal with the parking. It is up to the security. We are also supposed to either park in an open space or under an over hang depending on the sticker number which is to be placed on the car. Each night when I get home the open spaces are full and the overhang spaces are open. I don't park in the overhang space just to make sure that I am not taking someones spot but I seriously doubt that the people who are supposed to park there are using those spots. So now I will have to pay to get my car back. I don't have too much time left here so I will just stick it out at sonterra but the management didn't seem to care at all. I'ld try to find somewhere else before making the decision to move here.

Current Resident 39374

Resident • 2007

Lived here almost 4 years

My husband and I have lived here for quite a while and although there have been a few minor problems, the office staff has always managed to meet them to our satisfaction - and we are very picky people! <br>We lived in phase I first and we knew all of our neighbors and were pleasantly surprized at the diversity of our building. We all became such good friends that at one point, we all knew each other and would have barbeques together - it felt like a community.<br>The one drawback to phase I - trash pick-up! There are 3 dumpsters inside the complex and no matter which building you're living in, you could ALWAYS count on being woken up by the dump truck that would come at 3, 4, 5 AM on a SATURDAY!! This is the one issue that management didn't want to address when we asked if they could change the pick-up times - surely a big client like an apartment complex would have enough pull with the garbage collection company. <br>In phase II, there is only one large compactor at the entrance. So in exchange for quiet, everyone has to transport their trash to the front (no big deal to me but something to consider). Sometimes on the weekends, it does tend to fill up to overflowing.<br>I have been working out of town and believe me, this place is QUIET!! Occassionally, there is a motorcycle early in the morning, but hey, at least he has somewhere to be, right? Working in other cities, I am grateful to have the well-designed and quiet of this place to come home to. We've had college kids for neighbors and most of the time we couldn't hear them once in our bedroom (to my constant surprize).<br>Very nice neighbors (mostly), nice trees!!! I've never seen a complex maintain the landscaping this way and it's one of the things I love about this place. On the other hand, it may be a city requirement because it's built on the edge of a nature preserve - which is a big controversy in Austin - the city I think owns it and they've been selling it off to developers - we hate it although we're a part of it. Life in the modern world!<br>We made a great deal with the management on our place in phase II and we've been pretty happy here. New management took over within the last two years and some positive changes have happened - more resident events, phase II clubhouse available for rent now, and a new SECOND business center with computer access (the business center was also a draw for us). Some things not so good - old management would clean breezeways and re-stripe the parking lot annually but that has stopped.<br>O, I forgot - THE VIEW - definitely get an aparment with a view before all the trees are cut down!

Current Resident 514269

Resident • 2005 - 2007

AGREE W/ NOTHING NICE HERE

I read the review of "Nothing Nice Here" and I have to say, as a current resident, that person was EXACTLY right. Everything they mentioned is what is wrong with my experience here, especially the constant inspections and the poor quality of construction. My husband and I have lived here for 2 years and the only reason we have stayed is the location. The walls are so thin we hear every conversation our neighbors have in their bathroom, (they've heard ours) I hear every thing-down to their fork hitting their plate in their kitchen. The cabinets are all hinged poorly, and hang crooked. Our bedroom door that leads to the balcony is crooked with a huge gap at top, allowing bugs and air in and the window in our bedroom is not at all sealed, making our bedroom at least 15 degrees colder or hotter than the rest of the house. No one has ever appropriately fixed it. Spiders are a serious issue. The hideous gold fixtures are unsightly and we had to provide our own ceiling fans. Our gas fireplace continually stops working. A culidsac was recently built with four or five homes that completely took away our beautiful view of nothing but trees, and when we moved in we paid a little extra for a view, and when this happened, the management would not reduce our rent and bumped our rent up $120 at lease renewal. The only reason we renewed was the location and hassle of moving, although we are almost ready to move. There are only two good things about this place: 1)there are some great floorplans and spacious closets. 2)They've recently opened up both phase I and II clubhouses and have added several amentities.

api588

Resident • 2002 - 2004

Haunting

Not to sound crazy or nutty but I just want to tell my experience of my 2 years at Sonterra phaseI. My husband, baby boy who was about 2, and I moved to Sonterra in 2003. We upgraded to a bigger apartment to accomidate our needs and got a really awesome deal on a huge 2 bedroom apartment. From day one things were not of the norm. Our doors, windows, kitchen drawers and cabinets would open and close at any time. Our sliding glass door would be open sometimes when we got home. We knew that it wasen't us and living on the 3rd floor we knew it couldn't have been a prank. At first I was just alarmed and wrote stuff off as accidental. There were several nights that our TV would come on, alarm clock would go off at any time and we would wake up with no covers on our bed. I know this sounds really crazy but it is now that I am really scared. <br>I informed the office of our stories and they didn't seemed shocked at all. Apparently I wasen't the only tenant that complained of abnormal experiences. I begged the office to move us to another apartment and they told me they couldn't. Unfortunetly we had to live out our lease and decided to purchase a home. <br>My son is now 4 and almost daily speaks of his "old apartment" He tells me that it was scary and there were monsters who did things to mommy because they didn't want her there. <br>I refuse to bring up our experiences with him <br>but it is a constant conversation that he wants to talk about. I am just interested in to know if anyone else has had abnormal experiences as we did.

amontecalvo

Resident • 2006

Nice community, Great value

Have lived here since February '06...got lucky,signed a lease for 2br, 2ba - over 1300 sq. ft. and under $800. Pretty good value.<br><br>No problems what so ever. Plenty of Parking (I have three vehicles and a boat), nice grounds, and overall very quiet. I work from home and am at the apartment most of the time. <br><br>Interiors are clean and spacious, large balconies (recommend one facing away from the parking lot - there are a lot of great views here), huge closets, good appliances, reasonable electric bills. The only things I don't like about the apartment itself are the gold doorhandles and cheap linoleum in the kitchen and baths...everything else is up to par or better than most other apartments, including ones costing hundreds more per month as I'm coming to find out as my lease is about up.<br><br>Staff is friendly, maintenance good. Though I've never had to call them with a problem. Would definately recommend living here and am considering taking a different apartment in the same community.

rambres

Resident • 2006

GREAT

This place is just great, the place was soo clean and the office staff is so friendly and helpful. I haven't had any problem with the noise or anything. I look forward to being here a long time.

happytobehere54

Resident • 2004 - 2006

Serene location and friendly staff!

I decided to live at Sonterra because of the wooded area within and around the apartment complex giving it a serene ambiance. The rent was affordable, too. Mostly the complex is peaceful and I have felt it is in a safe area. The apartment staff is very friendly and genuinely seemed interested in the welfare of their occupants. I, especially, appreciate that they are receptive and accomodating of pet owners - I have two cats. I would strongly recommend Sonterra II to others!

Current Resident 599182

Resident • 2006

Amazing Awesome Complex and Customer Care

Jessica, leasing agent, was easy, straightforward, direct, courteous, professional to deal with after I had looked at several properties. I loved the hot tubs, pools, fitness centers, clean units, all built in 2000 ( fairly new ) and quiet, clean, well kept up property! I signed right up...painless, easy process. All of the staff, Sylvia,( accounting ), and all ( maintenance ) have been fast and easy to deal with and perfect! Thanks Sonterra! Stephanie

shane01

Resident • 2006

Nice place, fair value

Sonterra II was a nice place to live. I was sorry to leave since my lease was only 613 per month and included a garage. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that my apt faced the road and I heard all the noise. Otherwise, a good value.

Current Resident 294390

Resident • 2006

Management Incompetent

We only lived here for a couple months, but that was enough to form a negitive opinion. The office seemed generally disorganized. In the short time we lived there, I received package slips in my mail box to retrieve a package from the main office. Each time they couldn't find the package and told me to check back again. They even tried to convince me I must have already picked it up. This happened on more than one occasion. I felt that either their storage area for these boxes must have been a mess, very disorganized, or they just didn't want to look for the packages. <br>We also had a leak in our guest bathroom from the AC unit that dripped constantly. They sent one guy out but he did not fix the problem. It continued to drip for four more weeks, until we moved out...I don't know if they fixed the problem after that. <br>There are several other small incidences, but overall not a positive experience.

Current Resident 100609

Resident • 2006

Sonterra is not so great

when we toured the complex, it was very quiet - which I like. It's surrounded by trees and seemed like it would be very peaceful. For the first couple months, it was. Then some punk-a$$ kids moved in and they ride their sports motorcycle (revving it very loudly) around the parking lot, have friends over and play loud music out of their vehicles, and are very inconsiderate. Management won't (or is unable to) do anything about it. Noise also seems to echo in this complex, when I am in my bedroom I can still hear people who are on their patios talking. The walls seem very thin. I'm extremely frustrated with the noise level because I've lived in really ------ places and I was hoping for a change. If I could break lease, I'd move.<br><br>Maintenance can take a while sometimes, but it's not too bad. I like most of the people in the office. It is difficult to get packages delivered but that is because of UPS and the mail delivery people, not the office staff.

jlkfox

Resident • 2006

How cheap can they get?

I have only lived at these apartments a week. Can you beleive they do not provide lighting in the bedroom or living room. Light fixtures would cost them next to nothing. If you buy them, they say they will put them in. But it will be next year before they do it if they do it at all. I havent witnessed the noise. It is pleasantly quiet in my area. I love the apartment itself. But the statement from a writer earlier is true. The staff is very very inconciderate and slow.

austintexasderby

Resident • 2006

* Office staff Invents Lease problems

I have 2 cars and live on the property. recently, i was asked to move my car because it was in one of the "prime" parking locations. i think the fat ----- next to us wanted me to move my projet car so that her tree trunk legs would not need too much exercise. Likewise, residents can reserve spots if they pay extra and park in the covered areas. We moved the car once, and then after management(female who thinks she has fashion0 harassed us for 2 months to move the car again, i read the lease and realized that she is full of crap. Nothing says these spots are "prime" and she invented crap not in the lease because she did not want a resident calling the office. Moreover, the ----- created a problem by stepping outside the lease agreement and creating problems. So ---- her, i did not move the car and if this kind of ---- happens from the office again i can lodge a complaint with TAA.

moter

Resident • 2006

Management is crappy--

When I first moved in it was ok,if you need something done takes forever. Cops are always showing up. 1 person was killed in 1 apartment.Due to gangs moving in. I have had several packages delivered there and 2 were "Lost" by the office staff.<br><br>DONT MOVE INTO SONTERRA!!!

cosworthzx3

Resident • 2005 - 2006

Excellent Community

I can not begin to give praise to the great place that Sonterra II is. All of our maintance needs are met on the same day that we have the problem. The landscaping is pleasent and creates a peaceful atmosphere. This is the place to live in Austin. Also, the staff is very profesional and helpful for all of our needs.

gingerbread2004

Resident • 2005 - 2006

great office staff, beautiful grounds..

The air quality outside and in was great in this apartment, and whenever I had any problems, maintenance showed up within a day or 2 to fix it. Boulder Lane is a beautiful nature walk and the apartment is surrounded by a large preserve. The apartments are reasonably priced.<br><br>My only complaint was the construction was not well-insulated as regards outside noise, however, I am finding that my new apartment is only a little better. If you are willing to put heavy drapes on and get the right location (not an end-unit), this is great place to live, and I would consider moving here again.

happyatsonterra

Resident • 2004 - 2006

I love it!

I've lived here for 2 1/2 years. I love it! The community is quiet, safe and has attractive landscaping. The office staff are friendly and helpful. Maintence is prompt.

WRFBBQsauce

Resident • 2004 - 2006

Will not re-lease...

The apartment itself is fine, I like my neighbors and enjoy the location.<br><br>The reason i won't be re-leasing is because of the staff at the front office. One very rude blonde 19 year old in particular.

davidgwaltney95

Resident • 2004 - 2006

Totally Great!!

The office staff are friendly and helpful!<br>Maintenence if needed is prompt! The neighbors are quiet. The grounds are well maintained!

bearsncubs4me

Resident • 2006

Great place to live

Great place to live

Current Resident 585424

Resident • 2003 - 2006

Nice place

Nice place to live at. It is mostly quiet with the exceptions some young adults that have parties or some people that start to argue.

Current Resident 469236

Resident • 2006

Nothing Nice Here

The only good thing about this place is the location. It is off of 620 in a neighborhood, so traffic noise is not too bad. This location also allows for nice walks to the park.<br><br>Noise: Loud. This is the most poorly constructed apartment I have lived in. It is easy to hear the neighbors BELOW you! I feel sorry for the people that live below us…I am sure they can hear every foot step we take.<br><br>Quality: Poor. The carpet in our apartment is old and nasty. We have had it shampooed, but our feet still get dirty. The linoleum in the kitchen and bathrooms is just as bad. The installers did a horrible job. The apartment doesn’t come with a fan in the living room and the one in the guest bedroom is tiny. The door knobs were all an old, ugly gold color. I replaced them all myself….which added a lot to the apartment. Like fixtures are also ugly.<br><br>Appliances: Old. Dishwasher and disposal are SO LOUD! Stove is strange…it only has one big burner?? <br><br>Parking: Good. I have never had a problem finding a spot. Better lighting would be good.<br><br>Office Staff: Nothing special.<br><br>The club house is not available for resident use…..what’s up with that? Also, I have never lived in a place that has so many inspections. It seems they are always inspecting everyone’s apartment. They should do all their inspections in one visit.<br><br>This area has many nice apartments, Sonterra is not one of them.<br>