I've lived at Halstead Merrimack, managed by Bozzuto Property Management, for some time and cannot recommend it. Though it looks appealing at first, the day-to-day experience falls short. They advertise "luxury living" but fail on the basics.
TL;DR: There are many similarly priced options nearby--look into those before choosing Halstead.
Be wary: the leasing office often runs contests for reviews. I suspect many glowing reviews come from prize-seekers, as they need to send a screenshot of the review to management (who is going to submit a negative review to the person in charge of selecting the winner? Also, I've never seen winners announced). Everything below is my honest experience.
Inside the Apartment (GRADE: B)
*Noise & Insulation: Road noise is noticeable; windows are drafty, and heating costs can be high. Good soundproofing between units.
*Finishes: Appliances and fixtures are builder-grade, not luxury.
*Hot Water: Takes a long time to reach taps.
*Bathroom Heat: No heat source and the fan runs constantly--very cold in winter.
Outside the Apartment (GRADE: F)
*Landscaping: Poorly maintained; as of May 12th, grass is overgrown--worse than nearby commercial buildings. It's embarrassing.
*Cleanliness: Dog poop is a recurring issue. Management should address it.
*Noise: Close to a highway and a noisy road frequented by loud vehicles.
*Parking: Guest parking is especially limited.
Leasing Office (GRADE: D)
*Friendly during lease-up, but indifferent once you're in. I'll spare more details--consider this a warning.
Maintenance Team (GRADE: A)
*Responsive and helpful on the rare occasions I've needed them.
Price to Value (GRADE: C)
*Premium rent isn't justified by the experience.
*Reports of steep rent hikes forcing tenants out.
*Extra costs: $150/month per garage spot, $40-$60/month storage, $50/month per pet.
Other Considerations
*Bozzuto Management: Senior staff are polite but unhelpful in resolving issues.
*Tenants: Mostly good people, with a few bad apples.
*Construction Concerns: A sprinkler pipe burst and displaced residents for two months (and counting!)--raises red flags.
*Community Events: Poorly executed--minimal food and drink. Other complexes do much better.
Conclusion
Halstead Merrimack looks nice in photos but doesn't deliver. With noise, lackluster units, poor service, and high rent, it's not worth it. I've held up my end--on-time rent--but Halstead has fallen short. read more