July 2019 by John C.
The location is great. Easily walkable to downtown, but far enough away that the inconveniences of living downtown are mostly mitigated. The building is really cool. Thick rock/block construction - I can't hear any neighbors unless I'm in the hallway, or near the windows. Hardwood floors. 15' ceilings. Gated parking is limited, but there's lots of street parking. The only things I don't like are the single pane windows, they let in so much heat and some noise, and the small floorplan. I live in a small studio and there are bigger apartments available, but at a rather significant (to me) price premium. However, I'm not a big fan of the management company. No weekend or evening hours, even for maintenance requests. Even during business hours it can be spotty whether you get somebody, or just the machine nobody seems to check. Paper rent checks. Occasional reminders the building is smoke-free, despite the obvious pot smell on the first floor. The worst of Fenton : I had no idea a rent check hadn't arrived. Somebody silently put a note on the door indicating their intent to evict. I was home at the time and the first I heard of it was when I left that evening - a Friday - with no recourse other than to call my bank and wait for Monday. I wasn't evicted, but that was their first response, to threaten legal action. If they had knocked on the door instead I could have and would have paid, but I had no idea. Now I ask the 2nd or 3rd of every month if the check hasn't been deposited, she is less than thrilled to field this question and often simply doesn't. Not a great sign when the company won't confirm whether they've received payment prior to charging late fees. Other thoughts. Washer/dryer hookups is weird in an apartment at these price points. No amenities like pool, or green spaces - there is a park nearby. There is a lot of street parking. My unit is smaller than the advertised square footage, as was another unit I looked at. The wood floors may not be in great shape, take a good look before moving in.
