After living here for 1.5 years, you have to take the good with the bad, and everything in between…read more
Maintenance: seriously awesome! Whether it's plumbing or a paint touch-up, it gets taken care of extremely quick. They can even install an extra A/C in the horizontal slider window with some plexiglass. As for winter-time: just clear off your car, and the rest is plowed and salted.
Price: Rent this close to Boston will be expensive no matter what. Prices used to be on the lower side of the spectrum, but have since increased.
Noise: Sometimes people outside can be a bit obnoxious with the yelling, and somethings kids playing a little late into the evening, but no one testing the limits of their amp.
Safety: While I've never felt unsafe, there are a couple of things I'm not thrilled about. First, I wish there were more functioning cameras throughout. Second: packages get stolen like mad! USPS does not deliver, leaving a note to pick up at the post office. If you are getting packages by any other carrier, ship it to a friend, your office, else your package will get opened, if not taken. I've had lens wipes stolen... enjoy your clean glasses a*****e!
Neighbors: Other than thieves who steal your s*** leaving torn packages in the lobby, people keep mostly to themselves. But some folks need to learn to use a dumpster. It's not difficult, just don't leave it strewn outside, this is not a modern art installation. Though the complex is officially smoke-free, I can sometimes smell mild cigarette smoke coming in from the bathroom vent (most likely).
Hot water: As someone who likes hot showers, the water is far from tepid at ~140°, and I love it! No, I don't crank it all the way, I'm not insane.
Parking: I've never had an issue with parking, and there's always a spot nearby. Though I do wish they would repaint some of the lines!
Area: Nice for a walk (semi-circle of about 1/2 a mile), with a good amount of greenery. However, due to its forest-like nature, always keep some bug spray around. Would also be nice to have some sidewalks, though people don't particularly drive it's NASCAR. There is a bus station at one of the entrances to the complex. The bus runs okay (the T is well, the T), it runs enough to get you to and from work, but if you need to get to work early, or are planning to get back very late, seek other means. The bus is 222P, the 'P' is important.
Lighting: I would invest in some new lighting. The lamps around the complex have a nice aesthetic but are quite dim. The parking lots are generally well illuminated, but that light pollution though... One of these insanely bright things mounted on a different building acts as a sort of nightlight!
Bricks: My apartment is a freakin' sauna! Heat may be included, but it's like having a radiator in a steam room. Sure, it's great for aesthetic and fire-resistance, but not climate. Case-in-point: outside was ~50°, heat off, balcony opened a crack, still, 80° in the apartment. I wish I were kidding. If you like it cold, try for an electricity-included unit... I like it cold, and my electric bill in summer is insane.
Pools: Small and more for the kids, two-and-a-half strokes, and I am on the other side! Though they are great to cool off on 90° days for everyone. There are chairs to get from R & R in the sun, though they're not the most comfortable
Basketball and tennis courts are okay, but the volleyball court lacks a net (or even the posts anymore). There is a small playground, but I'm afraid I've outgrown it by quite a bit.
Fitness Center: three treadmills, two ellipticals, some free weights, and a pulley. If that's all you care about, you're almost fine. Otherwise, just go somewhere else. Not open 24-hours (which is weird considering you need RFID access). Also, no spray/towels to wipe machines down. The closet is useless for holding coats in winter. There are toilets and showers, though the showers could use a lot of love. Bring shower shoes!
Pre-move cleaning: They did a stupendous job of cleaning the apartment pre-move-in. I thought they'd just vacuumed and borrowed my parents' carpet steam cleaner, and the water came out clean! Though as it is with old carpet, no matter how good you clean, the stains eventually pop back up.
A bit of the weird: The cabinets could use a better layout. Some of them you have to reach with your whole arm in the blind and hope you pull out what you were going for. I want to get a thermos, not do the hokey-pokey. Likewise, some of the closets have storage above, but the door only reaches so far. Light switches are sometimes poorly placed, a light switch for the plug directly below means I have extension cords running half the length of the bedroom!
