I've been living at The Lake Shore Apartments for almost a year now, and I can honestly say that…read morethis was the perfect fit for me personally! I live in one of the non-high-rise structures on the 3rd floor--not a lakeview, but a great location nevertheless!
*Safety: (+) Ypsi isn't exactly the safest place, but Lake Shore offers some comfort in the gated grounds & security gated entrance (someone there 24/7). (-) Even though there is a secured entrance, sometimes people follow you through the gate instead of checking in or swiping their entry fob separately (which can be really worrisome since you don't know whether that person is a resident--I suppose there isn't much Lakeshore can do about this problem though, unfortunately).
*Value: (+) For the price, size, + amenities, it's a great value--they offer free workout classes and all kinds of events each month--it's a great place to make connections! The complex is always looking to increase participation in events & activities, and they work hard to make it feel like your money is coming back to you (e.g., monthly Bingo to win rent credit)... (-) The price seems higher comparatively to other Ypsi residences and possibly out of reach for someone on a really tight budget--I had to sacrifice other expenses because I wanted a safer place more removed from Ypsi (always read the online reviews for those seemingly "too-good-to-be-true" places). (-) From the renewal lease terms, it seems that rent goes up every year...and not just a few bucks--it might become unaffordable if you stay more than a year without an income increase. (-) For how much they do & all the amenities they offer, it seem that Lake Shore sometimes cuts corners to save money or doesn't have money to make necessary repairs. For example, the dog park fence is broken in places, and I found out from other residents it's been like that for a few years now. Also, they advertise 5 tennis courts but 3 of the 5 are not open due to a crack in the court that has been there since before I got there.
*Staff: (+) Management is really responsive to your questions, concerns, & suggestions. They may not always be able to accommodate, but you know that they at least listen. And the staff member who plans activities is always looking to help residents market their talents for the benefit of all other residents. I've heard some examples of management giving people a hard time despite extenuating circumstances, but my personal experience is that they are always at least willing to listen and try to work with you. They're understandably hesitant to break the terms of your lease since it's a legal contract.
*Maintenance/Utilities: (+) My personal experience with maintenance has been a positive one--they respond to requests quickly and efficiently for the most part. For example, I once realized that a raccoon had gotten into the wall of my balcony through the roof, and maintenance staff took care of the problem within a week, updating me on their progress. Regarding utilities, my thermostat is certainly not perfect, but the bills seem manageable in the apartments where you pay for your own usage. I paid max $100 total utilities (incl gas heat, sewer, water, trash) in the cold winter months (no one was living on the 2nd or 1st floor beneath me during the winter months), and up to $50 for electric/ central air in the summer. Note: those in the high rise with AC units may have a different story to tell, as well as those living lakeside in the winter months. (-) I've heard resident "horror stories" about problems with maintenance or heating/cooling that never quite get fixed.
*Pets: (+) It's quite pet friendly!! There is a dog park which many residents use, as well as dog waste stations around the property. Having both an initial move-in deposit plus a monthly pet fee seems a little much, but is comparable to other apartment complexes in the area. (-) People don't always clean up after their pets, and many tie their dogs out (which is against the rules).
*Parking: (+) It's fairly easy to find parking somewhere in the complex, though perhaps not always right near your apartment door. You can purchase a carport which is reasonably priced ($15/mth) and well worth the price in the winter months! (-) Some areas of the complex have better parking access than others for general parking.
*Quality of Living: (+) I can honestly say I feel quite lucky that I get along with many of my neighbors and have few complaints about my personal living situation this past year. (-) I've heard about and witnessed some concerning things, including the constant smell of marijuana in the halls, thin walls and noise/music, pervasive dog barking, and some owners who cannot control their aggressive dogs (and bring them in the dog park even though they know the dog is aggressive). (+) Luckily, Lake Shore is responsive to complaints and tends to do their best to identify the problem resident and manage the problem.
