The Verandah

utah1

Resident • 2011

Dishonest Staff

You can not trust what you are told by their staff. I like the community but, due to construction starting at 7am 7 days a week I wanted to move. I considered staying if they could adjust the rent a bit. That they did they raised it $50 a month! There was no consideration for the decrease in desirability. Can't open the windows without my house being covered in a layer of dirt. And the deck area was always covered in layers of dirt etc. Stability and consistency for my child was of utmost importance, so I decided to look at the other side of the complex. They were aware I had a pet and gave me a unit to look at and a price. 3 days later when I went to make the change I was told not only did the rent go up, but it was not ok for a pet. I have the unit # & price in writing. All they could say was this is what the paper says. So obviously they do not care about the people that they rent to. I was told the price went up on Mon. Right after I talked to them I am sure!It was the exact same unit type and the price did not increase like mine did. They did not say this price is good for just today!this minute! I think they were happy I left so they could raise the rent to what they were asking me to pay in the old unit! VERY SHADY AND UNETHICAL PEOPLE!

gtnaustin

Prospect • Visited 2011

Had a GREAT Experience

I don't live at Verandahs --- yet!!!! I stopped by this community on a fluke on Saturday. Something in the back of my head told me that they didn't ahve a dog park so I really hadn't bothered looking. I have two HUGE service dogs. I had them with me when I stopped in to check out the community. Considering my full grown animal, Titan, stand 6'4" on his hind legs they are pretty daunting. The staff was excellent with my animals. I've had several very bad experiences with my service animals at other properties and my animals have warned me about staff at numerous others (it's one of the functions of my animal). I pretty much laid out what I was looking for and was steered to a WONDERFUL apartment with a HUGE outdoor living space. This is a big deal to me because 1 - this is Austin and we love our outdoor space and 2 - it's great for my animals when I am home. They love to lay out in the sun at times. The apartment I was looking at is the 910 sq ft 1 bedroom. Is it perfect, no it's not. Do the pros far outweight the cons, yes they do. I arranged with my leasing consultant to watch for this particular model to come available in the future and I WILL be moving there before the end of the year. Overall, this is just a WONFERFUL place. The parking issues people seem to have a problem with are not an issue for me since I don't work. I'm giving this place a shot, I think you should also.

cheatedcollegestudent

Resident • 2010

Dishonest staff and misrepresentation of the facts

My son rented an apartment with two other folks at this complex. Two of the other guys decided to move to a one bedroom apartment in this comnplex proir to the end of there lease, but before the lease expired. The apartment place convinced my son into releasing the othe two off of the lease by telling him they would allow him to terminate his lease at the end of the school year. They said the would collect the rent from the other boys for the remaining month and then they would terminate his lease in May VS Aug. This all sounded great because he was coming back home for the summer. Well, once he moved out they can back and charge him over $ 800.00 to replace the carpet. Well, this amount they did not split with the other families they just billed it to him. Yes, he had a dog for the last 2-3 months prior to moving out by guess what the one of the other boys had one for the entire stay. The day we moved my son in the other boys dog pee on his bed within 5 minutes of him arriving. They omitted telling him any problems with the apartment when he move out six weeks later would be 100% his responsibility. Yes, he should of had to pay his portion of the damages but should not of been responsible for the carper changing in the other young mans room or the entire place. By the way my son also ask them to do a walk thru after the others moved out and the refused. The plae was left clean because we made sure we did the right thing. We are currently turning them over to the BBB.

Current Resident 27123

Resident • 2010

Sweet Retreat?

Update: What a difference a year makes. After about a year living there it really went downhill. I'm really disappointed in the staff. They really only care about their rental numbers and not about the people that live there. It's gotten more questionable tenants and it's much less peaceful than it used to be. The construction of a huge shopping district next store is dirty and loud starting at 7am 7 days a week. They aren't ones to work with you on your lease terms and they require a 60 day notice to move. After a year living there, rent increased by over $100 a month. ---------------------- I've lived here for over 6 months and love it here. I have to agree with parking but can usually find a space during the day very easily. If I park after 10pm sometimes its tricky to find a spot near my building but its not that far to walk. The grounds are lush and well maintained. The pools are awesome. The view of the canyon and sunsets are amazing. Its wrapped by reserve land so you feel you're out in the country. The apartments are amazingly spacious and completely renovated with quality fixtures. The maintenance crew is amazingly fast and very nice. The gym is above par and there is even a half court inside basketball area. I was really nervous about moving into an apartment after living in a house for over 15 years but I absolutely love it here. I can't hear my neighbors at all. Unlike some of the reviews on here, there have been NO loud parties. In fact, its so quiet here, I'm concerned my rambunctious 13 year old and her friend's laughing might be too loud here. The apartments are really laid out well so that there are no common walls that aren't backed by kitchen cabinets, closets or bathrooms.

Current Resident 154049

Resident • 2010

Nice place to live

I have lived here for over 3 years. I have had no complaints except the parking issue. I do have to walk a ways when i come home at night but its an apartment complex. what do u expect. As far as noise i dont hear any. and if i did, i would call the police like any normal person. people who complain about noise just makes me laugh. call the freakin police idiots. As far as the people who are moving in, yes i can see what your saying but that doesnt mean that they dont have money, or arnt good people. Just because they have tatoos and like to drink beer and listen to music, doesnt make them bad. GROW UP. The grounds are kept up very well. If you go to any other apt complex in the area ( like the 6 across the street) they dont even compare to this place. Landscaping here is lush and very beautiful. Yea its more expensive to live here for a reason. You pay for what you get. And lastly, if you dont like it here then move out. lots of people would love to live here and im sure the office staff would love to weed out all the dip shits who complain all the time for no reason. This is a very nice property so dont be fooled by the dip shits who complain on here because they have nothing better to do.

Aus.omeTX

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Holy Hill Billy Heaven - Trailer Park High Rise Anyone?

I read over these reviews before moving into the Verandahs and saw a few describing the "class of people" overtaking the Verandahs. There were comments on the standards going down. I thought the authors must be the pretentious snobby type and ignored them. I wish I wouldn't have! If you've ever wondered what it would be like if a trailer park started stacking trailers on top of each other - kind of like a trailer high rise - this would be the place to go. There are loud parties until 3:00 in the morning on Tuesdays - or any other random weekday - at least 3 times a week. They usually take place in and outside of someone's garage - all of which are equipped with TVs and lawn chairs (freaking' AWESOME during football season). Whoo-hoo party in the garage! My lovely neighbors also have frequent impromptu block parties complete with card tables, barbeque, a contest to see which is louder - a motorcycle or an F-350, an eclectic musical mix of country, country and country, out of shape men and women with far too much un-tan, flabby, tattooed (not cool tatoos - the homemade, prison type) skin exposed and, of course my favorite, loud obnoxious ranting like, "Get 'er done!" and "Suck it!" It's really an awesome social experiment if anyone is a Sociology major at Concordia. In all seriousness, I don't feel safe here anymore. The neighbors are seriously scary and not what you'd expect in NW Austin - Dangerous. In addition to the demographic highs, the parking is awful, the management seems incompetent at best, the grounds are not kept up (dirty!) and I'm convinced I'm the only one who knows what the green "Pooch Poop" bags are for. The walls are PAPER THIN. I can hear my neighbors going to the bathroom (gross!) and can't even watch a movie on a Saturday afternoon without my crazy cougar upstairs neighbor banging for me to turn it down - apparently, too many block parties means that 11:00am is too early! The only thing good I can think to say about this place is that they have great, wide-open floor plans at affordable prices and the pool is VERY cool. Then again, after the pool water is infested with the loud, inappropriate, drunken Hill Billies (which it inevitably always is), you have to take your children and evacuate. Definitely NOT a good place for families. This place is falling apart! It used to be nice - now there's just loud, obnoxious Hill Billies dancing on its resort-style grave.

Current Resident 700238

Resident • 2010

Great Place

I have lived here for about 2 years. The only issue that I have had is parking. Office staff, Grounds, Maint, pools, everthing else is great. People who write bad reviews about this place are a joke. I love it here and dont plan to leave anytime soon. Any other apartment community in this area do not even compare to this place. If you dont like it here then move out. Alot of people would love to live here. All in all this is a really nice property

Current Resident 112817

Resident • 2010

poor management

I just signed a lease here and already I'm dealing with dicks in the management. The girls in the front office are extremely friendly, helpful, and overall a pleasure to deal with. However, any substantive issues are gonna have to be dealt with through this --- monkey who I'm probably not allowed to name here. Make sure you get every single detail of your lease (and any special discounts) spelled out in extreme detail, through the head ------ bag, BEFORE signing a lease.

Current Resident 381277

Resident • 2009 - 2010

soon-to-be former resident..

Nice place run HORRIBLY (cannot stress that part enough). They need to try letting the maintenance crew run the apartment office because those are the only people around this place that can do an even HALF-WAY DECENT job (even though they take up about half the garages on the property that just about every resident is on a waiting list for due to the horrendous parking). There is dog sh** all over the place and the property manager is an incompetent joke. Talking to him is like trying to communicate with a baboon and his crew of bumbling idiots that work in the office typically tend to follow suite. In summary: management is terrible, there won't be parking, you will get towed, and watch your step.

CosbySweater

Resident • 2008 - 2010

Good vs Bad

People are always more inclined to talk about a bad experience over a good one but I like to give credit where credit is due. So..this is my 9th apartment in my 6th city and this is the 1st apartment where I didn't want to bolt the minute my lease term was up. It's a weird feeling, I must say. I moved here for work, sight unseen. I basically viewed what I could online and hoped for the best. When I finally arrived, my expectations were exceeded. And no, I'm not easily impressed nor am I overly picky. The interior is nice and was clean upon arrival. The appliances aren't ancient and look good. The cabinetry is on the cheaper end but still looks nice. As far as noise goes, it's not too bad and depends who your neighbors are. I happen to have a couple on the brink of a break-up next door so I often hear arguing and crying. I can't hear them word for word and it's usually during "normal" hours so I tend to shrug it off or go into another room. As for outside noise, it depends on the time/day. Friday and Saturday nights are obviously busier and then any time after school or on the weekends you tend to hear a couple obnoxious kids out and about until dinner time. Parking seems to be the biggest issue (as it is with most Austin apartments). When I first moved in I always had a spot, no matter the day/time. However, recently spots have become harder to find the later it gets. The lot starts filling up as early at 8 PM on week nights and will sometimes force you to park a fair distance away from your apartment. Yeah, we could all use the exercise but it's not exactly convenient if you're alone and get home super late or if you have a lot of groceries to haul. While on the topic of parking..I really hope the office looks into dormant vehicles. I see several vehicles in one particular area that haven't moved in weeks and/or months. They should be given a warning and then ticketed/towed if there's not a good reason for them just sitting there. The lot isn't a scrapyard. What else? No major crimes that I know of. The office staff has been friendly and were helpful the few times I've needed them. I've had three minor maintenance issues over the span on my lease and they've responded within 24-hours each time. The two pools are nice. The landscaping looks good and is well maintained. Great location overall and the canyon makes for a nice view. Being on 620 ensures you're close to anything you might need. So, if you were thinking of moving here, hopefully this helped. It's a nice place, IMO.

gran1965

Resident • 2008 - 2009

Fairly nice apts

These people with bad reviews just need a platform to complain. Lived there for 18 mos, recently bought a home and moved. Parking is definately an issue but management is easy to solve. You act nice/get nice back. All maintenance problems were taken care of quickly. Loved the layout of the apts. As to the pool, it's a noise getter etc but it IS WHERE PEOPLE CONGREGATE. To be expected. All in all I was very happy there.

kane78

Resident • 2008 - 2009

Nothing to Brag About

I think the complex is one of the nicest I've seen and I like the layout of most of the floorplans. I fortunately have a garage so I can't complain about parking, but I have seen first hand how horrific it can be. As with most complexes you take the good with the bad. The pool is gorgeous in my opinion, but it is so overcrowded with current tenants as well as others coming from other complexes to swim at ours. The people are notorious for leaving cigarette butts and beer cans lying around as well, but the partying at the pool has slowed down since new mgmt took over. The outside noise level isn't too bad, but other people are right--the walls are so thin you really can hear everything. I used to be able to hear my neighbors yelling at their tv whenever a game was on. Thank God I'm moving out before the playoffs start! My biggest complaint of all--the office staff. It is truly the worst I have ever seen. They screwed me over on my lease term and won't take responsibility. Work orders and other forms get lost. A friend of mine even moved in here and he asked to see his file for something a week or 2 after he moved in and they said they couldn't find it. All in all--they're idiots!

atxsooner

Resident • 2009

Current Resident

I currently live in The Verandah and I'm dying to get out. When looking for an apartment last February I read the warnings here and did not take it seriously, now I'm wishing I had. I enjoyed the first few months that I lived here but recently have continually been let down by the complex (they recently got new management so I'm not sure if this is where the problem lies). The parking here is horrendous, I know it has been mentioned in previous posts but I feel it's important to reiterate this. Not only have I been towed (my own fault) I've had to park about a 5-7 minute walk from my apartment on a Wednesday night which does not set well to a single lady. I've also been on a waiting list for a garage since I first moved in so I will have a set parking spot and about 3 months ago someone moved in below me and instantly received a garage, when I called to ask about my place on the waiting list they informed me that I am sixth on the list. I have also had similar problems with management not really caring when you call. I've called on 2 occasions after hours left messages to please call me back and have yet to receive callbacks. I find it completely disrespectful. Lastly, about 2 months ago we got letters left on our door that we will soon be receiving 2 water bills per month until we are "caught up," in this tough economic time, not to mention holidays, it is difficult to budget an extra $60-$75 a month due to the apartments inadequateness. My lease is up at the end of January and cannot wait to leave!!

Current Resident 425785

Resident • 2009

NO NO NO NO!!!!

Poor parking. You will be towed and that will cost $193. Poor draining system, water collects everywhere. In the summer, that is a breading ground for misqutoes. Nobody picks up after their dog. Staff is unprofessional. They never follow up. Landscaping needs attention. Exposed pipes and wires on the ground. Walkways are not well lite at night. Walls and floors are thin.

rainnbo

Resident • 2006 - 2009

Verandah - Overall Good

The Verandah has the best 2 bedroom floor plans I've ever seen. I stopped looking when I got here. I feel at "home" here and I feel safe. Never had a problem with office staff or maintenance. Maintenance is there super fast when needed and they always fix the problem, they come back if necessary and never forget. One time when I had shoulder surgery they helped me up two flights of stairs with groceries and he told me to tell him when I had to carry anything else. I do notice that people don't clean up after their dogs - maybe the management could send a note out or something. I do not use the grassy areas, but it turns my stomach to watch from the window. I've been here three years and didn't hear my downstairs neighbor until this lady moved in with a hyper kid. He is a bit overboard though and she leaves him alone. He bangs his skateboard helmet on the railing of their balcony repetitively until I go out and ask him to please stop. If I leave the mom a note, he is mostly quiet for a couple of weeks. Other apartments I've lived in were 50 times worse than the Verandah, I think we all tend to forget that. One thing that I think is a bit insulting: I have to downsize for a bit, I don't want to move from this awesome floor plan, but I need to go down to a 1 bedroom for awhile. Management is charging me a $300 transfer fee AND another $400 deposit! How many of us have actually gotten a deposit back after living somewhere for 3 years? I'm clean, organized and immaculate, but I've never received a deposit back. So... I'm stuck because I don't want to break my lease. This is a negative of the Verandah. I feel like they should kick something in for their long time residents who have never paid their rent late.

Current Resident 429503

Resident • 2004 - 2009

place is a nightmare

too many complaints to list... I lived here for 5 years, it was wonderful for a long time but kept changing ownership/management. Shortly after signing my last least renewal, I was counting the days until I could leave, the property/community has completely gone downhill. I Heard everything my neighbors did and parking is impossible. Maintance staff is rude and rarely fix things on the first try. I absolutely agree with every complaint listed in all the other posts on here... and as one last insult, they towed my car away the day I moved out because I had it parked up at the entrance to my building while I was loading my things as the nearest parking spot was 3 buildings away.

Current Resident 454055

Resident • 2008 - 2011

Bad to worse at Verandah at Grandview Hills

If you are reading this you have already read the past history of this property. I have lived here for years and it continues to go downhill. I'm moving out. The "new" manager is "trying" but the bottom line is that she has no power to change this property. The latest issue is Frost Banks' "Trails at 360" or whatever; they have turned the entire side of the property by the main pool into an environmental disaster, bull dozing practically everything on the side of a "nature preserve". The equipment noise never stops,even on Saturday, and they have denuded the area so badly it is unrecognizable. The dust storm is causing major respiratory problems for many and clogging the main pool. On top of that, the new owners of the Verandah, during a DROUGHT, have not repaired the irrigation system, which once made this property so beautiful, for many months. They have access to city water, but have not repaired the back parts of the system, causing the property to be dangerously dry. They admittedly could have been using alternative watering in many areas but refused to foot the cost and now that we are having wildfires, thousands here are endangered by the condition of the property. Figure this out: maybe about 536 units times about $1100 a month and they can't afford to fix the system? Also, all the past problems here still remain from public intoxication at the pools,lack of hygiene in pool maintenance, gym equipment unrepaired/bad condition, too many dogs, negligent driving with children in road, filth, theft and lack of police support. THIS PLACE IS A TINDERBOX WAITING TO GO UP. But you will notice, they have made sure the front of the property looks good for you suckers coming in. I think this is the current owner:http://apmanagement.net/

Current Resident 140829

Resident • 2009

Pleasant and pretty

We moved in about 4.5 months ago, and as with every place, there is good and bad. GOOD: Our apartment is beautiful. It was spotless when we moved in, no doubt professionally cleaned, and the layout of our particular floorplan is the envy of all our friends that come over. Our paint and carpet are new. Our appliances are relatively new. The complex was built in 2000 so it s pretty new as well. The apartments are big (ours is about 1200 square feet, including the garage, which is enormous, big enough for two dually pickups, seriously!, not that we have duallies, but you could park them there and still have room for storage). The outside is landscaped beautifully, especially the pool areas. They have a good gym with lots of cardio-type machines (with individual TVs on each machine) and good free weights. There s an actual gymnasium with a basketball (half court), as well as sand volleyball. The people in the office are nice. Maintenance responds quickly. There doesn t seem to be a problem with bugs or pests in our apartment at all (though we are on the third floor, so that helps I m sure). It feels safe at night. From our balcony we were able to watch three different Fourth of July fireworks shows from three different towns, not to mention a spectacular sunset every night of the year. The view of the canyon/greenbelt from our balcony is OUT OF THIS WORLD, btw. Almost worth the whole rent check. The two closest HEBs are clean and new and carry good stuff. We re about five minutes from the Oasis and Lake Travis. There are more great things that I know I m forgetting right now. Overall, it s a very pretty and pleasant place to live. BAD: Our utilities are very high, but I think that s because we face the west and get summer sun all day (hopefully this will mean our heating bill will be much less in the winter, so maybe things will cancel out). But the buildings are definitely not well insulated, which brings me to the second point: the noise. You can hear absolutely EVERYTHING your neighbors do, and they can hear you. In fact, I m afraid to talk on the phone too loudly because the neighbors can hear if it s otherwise quiet where they are. We hear our upstairs neighbors talking. We hear them banging things, dropping things on the floor, etc., and I used to think we just had disrespectful neighbors upstairs, but then our downstairs neighbors came up this weekend and told us we were noisy, and we really aren t, honestly. You can just hear every step you take, especially in the kitchen. The noise level is such that it seriously feels like all the people in the building are living together in one house. (We found out that the noise the downstairs neighbors were complaining about was our dog jumping off the bed every morning, and our dog s not that big, just 20 lbs., if that tells you anything). The upstairs neighbor listens to a CD every morning when she s working out, and I know what CD it is and can sing along. Also, there is dog poop EVERYWHERE outside. No one picks up after their dogs here except us, it seems like. There are doggy cleanup stations everywhere and no one uses them. We don t take our dog to the dog park because it s just too filthy. The only other bad thing is that you have to turn out of the complex directly onto FM 620, which is really busy, and there is no traffic light at the entrance. While they give you lots of space in a nice apartment and beautiful common areas, they didn t spend money on construction that would keep noise down or on insulation. So I guess it just depends on how important quiet is to you compared to having lots of space and beautiful common areas.

Current Resident 350978

Resident • 2008 - 2009

Scorpion problem....

My husband and I have been living at the verandah for 6 mos. now and although things are good, We have been having a MAJOR scorpion problem the past month..... We are only staying until our lease is up in December. The amenities are great... Pool, gym, clubhouse. I am just a little freaked out by how many scorpions we are seeing on a weekly basis. I would recommend living here, but maybe not on the 1st floor facing the canyon....... Thought it would be nice and private, and it is...... just watch where you step!!!

Current Resident 664971

Resident • 2008 - 2009

Was great, but now...

We lived here for a year, really only moving because we needed a 2 bedroom. The good: The property ammenities are great, the view of the sunset is amazing (we has an apartment over looking the canyon), the apartment was perfectly sized (until we needed bigger), the grounds are well maintained (see below), and maintenance was always polite and helpful. Some small things over our last 5 or so months, about the same time some new people came into the office. The bad: The walls and flooring are THIN! The utilities are outrageous! (thanks Perdenales), parking is mediocre at best if you don't get a garage, there are multiple places around the property that have lights out, there are more and more college residents, the parking lot is peoples personal racetrack (even though there are tons of speed bumps), and the grass areas are more littered with dog crap from lazy owners (they provide doggie bags...EVERYWHERE!). Several of these issues were reported to the office and NEVER addressed or fixed. So if you plan on using the grass areas, watch where you walk.

Current Resident 308901

Resident • 2008

Great staff, great living, good neighbors.

I moved in last April and have not had any problems with the staff what so ever. I was a little skeptical at first, because I found out by leaning on my porch rail that it was missing a bolt, which was a little unnerving living on the 4th floor. Otherwise, my experience here has been amazing. Brandy and Lisa are awesome, maintenance always responds within a day or two when we need anything, and the canyon view is gorgeous. The price is right with roommates, the gym, pool, and club house are great, and the sand volleyball court would be great if the tree didn't keep interfering with games. Finally parking; I lived downtown before this, and sometimes I'd have to park several blocks from my apartment, so all the whiny nancies complaining about parking in their posts should consider themselves blessed to only have to walk an extra 50 feet if their lot is full. QQ

Current Resident 567441

Resident • 2008

Great

I have lived here about 3 years now and have had an amazing living experience. The grounds are always very nice and clean, the office staff is always friendly, and maintenance always responds in a timely manner. I work in property management and I am completely impressed. I would definitely recommend The Verandah to others.

Current Resident 408044

Resident • 2006 - 2008

really sweet place to live

I was there for 2 years and in July moved back into town because of car problems and a teen who wanted to ride the bus (no bus out there). I enjoyed living there and the walks down Boulder Lane (close by) to the greenbelt, the great air quality, the prompt maintenance and the beautiful landscaping and clubhouse. I had little fix-it things and within 24 hours generally they were all taken care of. The office staff was always friendly and helpful. Even without a car I was able to walk to Wal-Mart, Home-Depot and 2 great HEBs and other shops.

Txgirl7

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Not horrible but definitely not a winner!

I moved in with my boyfriend here in January and that's also about the time that new leasing agents got into the office. Accept for one nice girl they are all rude! The maintenance people also think that they are management and treated us bad as well. My dog was outside in the evening and I DID have him on a leash and he started rolling around on the ground and accidentely got off the leash with his collar and of course I was trying to get him. A man who works here told me that he needed my apartment # because I can't have my dog off a leash and he DID see what happened! Anyway that's not the only thing with maintenance that has happened but its prob the worst. It's a beautiful complex and I really do like the actual place just not the people who run it! So I would look elsewhere.

Current Resident 240290

Resident • 2008

WORST APARTMENT STAFF EVER

Where can i start on how horrible these apartments are? Let's see....The parking is horrible. People take up two parking spots. I got a brand new car and had it keyed the very next day. That just goes to show the type of people they let live in these apartments. I played some music one night which was not loud at all it came from my computer speakers. But was loud enough for the neighbor to come over and complain. Grounds are not well kept people do not follow the rules about pickin up after their dogs. This apartment is not well lit I never felt safe. The staff is the worst part of these apartments. They tell you one thing and then turn around and go back on it. Management is rude and will not work with you whatsover except for the girl. Price is the worst part. Way to over priced