Ok, so my girlfriend and I wanted to move and experience the downtown living. We found this complex just about a 10 minute walk from downtown. This place, in general, was all right. We got everything they promised us, such as city view, over-sized windows, free parking and internet, and they advertised us that the apartments were energy efficient.
Months went by and the internet they "offer" was horrible. I am a Network Architect, and love to be able to build and have a decent speed on internet and a nice network. The network always failed and crashed. You figure since you are paying a whole lot of rent money, to at least get decent internet, well you couldn't. We got Comcast instead.
The "free" parking was a plus, however, issues started to rise when tow trucks towed my vehicle twice for "not having the permit displayed clearly." While other neighbors had their permits not visible. I always seemed to be the unlucky one to get my vehicle towed. The last one incident was that they towed it because it was parked on a "handicap" spot which, really, lots and several people parked there also, but I was the unlucky one to get my vehicle towed. Of course, I made the complex talk to the towing company to release my vehicle for free. I was furious. I used to park in the street and got a ticket for parking in a no parking zone. The no parking zone just got put up two months ago and the complex failed to tell its residents, several people got tickets because we didn't get informed. I put a complaint and they said they weren't responsible because it is public, which I really believe is not fair for us, the residents.
The electric bill went to the roof. Like literally it was ridiculous. The appliances weren't really energy efficient like they said as well as the light fixtures. During the summer time, warm air would come out as the A/C and cold air during the winter when I turned the heater on. The thermostat kept on failing several times and it would never regulate, it would just run and run despite of being in AUTO mode. Maintenance techs came and "fixed" the issue but it didn't get better. I now live in a 40 year old townhome and the electric bill there is reasonable, like it should be! I have my computers. servers, routers, lights, TV's and heater in AUTO mode and the bill isn't as high as it was at Link. (Think twice before moving and ask if its really an energy efficient apartment.)
We got tired of the construction noise!! Summer of last year a contracting company came next door and leveled the place to build a 10 story apartment building, thus blocking our view and creating nasty noises. One of my neighbors also told me he was tired of the H3ll he was living and he was two doors away from me. They are still building it and the complex is still charging a lot of money for a view they can't even show!
The apartments are overpriced for the site, looks, and space. if you really want luxury move to the Locks or First National. If you want luxury and don't want carpet in your floor move to 3600 West Broad street, where it is really energy efficient and they don't charge pet rent. Also, if you want to pay less rent per month and still have a decent place to live, move to either henrico or chesterfield.
I do NOT recommend Link Apartments to a family or a recently married couple, especially if you cook, better move to The Locks, where the kitchen area is huge and better space and counter tops, and they have a pantry. The kitchen area at Link is very small and the sinks are too shallow to even do heavy dish washing; the fridge is low quality and is not even energy efficient; the microwave is way too high up (if you're a short person, it will stick) the fake wooden floor they have in the kitchen area gets dirty too quickly. These apartments are suitable for people who relocate a lot and don't have time to cook; for singles; for students who eat out and don't require much space, or for womanizers to have some weekend escapades.
If you want a family and luxury based complex move to the locks where the kitchen area and living are twice as big as Link. If you want quality and to be in the heart of Richmond move to First National, if you hate carpet and have pets move to 3600 West Broad where it is wooden floors and no pet rent.
If you have a pet and think on moving to Link Apartments, think twice, because it is going to be waste of time and money, time because you will have to clean the carpet and make sure it is not smelly and has no spots; and money because at the end of your lease they will still replace it and charge you over $600 for a brand new carpet, regardless of you spending time cleaning it. After me doing treatment to the carpet they told me they were going to replace it regardless because of pet damage.
Pros: Nice grills, good for singles and students who can't cook and care less about space.
Cons: too pricey for space and location, small appliances, no pantry. read more