Apartment Review for Ramblewood Apartments - Grand Rapids, MI

Ruined by the AIMCO company that owns it, while owner and slum lord, Terry Considine rakes in upper six figures and more. High monthly fees ALL YEAR AROUND for heat, which used to cost $200 annually, now divided amongst apartments so that if you have a small apartment, you'll be paying for your neighbor with the 3 bedroom 2 floor apartment's heat - without any proof that they're not raking in the profits. Ditto on water and trash removal charges that are ridiculous. ISTA - who charges for water and trash - is probably a sub-company of Ramblewood - they are not listed as a separate entity. Residents ignore leash laws, we get threatened all the time about illegal pets but no one does ANYTHING about it. Some let pets stay on porches and bark non-stop and even have 'doggy litter boxes' on the porches that overflow with urine and feces. No signs to prevent fishing; people do it all the time and leave the dead fish on the shore. The fee for a huge dog is the same as a tiny cat - $200 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit for any pet, plus $28 a month per pet. FOR A CAT''''' How they can even justify that outrageous amount is beyond me and my neighbors. They already have a full month deposit, plus the 200, plus the monthly fee - which would pay for carpeting the entire home again. (And trust me, they won't spend a dime on doing THAT - my carpet was disgustingly stained when I moved in.) The lake near our apartment has fountains that break regularly, filthy scum on the supposed 'pond' and geese pooping everywhere. The lawn is either bald or weedy and gets mowed 'regularly' once every six weeks or so in the summer. Moles everywhere, so forget taking that nice walk around the pond. Mosquitos galore because the pond scums up quickly and rains create overflow that nearly comes up to your back door. Trash and cigarette butts are never cleaned up, and there is very little grass - mostly weeds - because they fired the grounds crew that used to work here all the time. This is without a doubt one of the biggest tragedies in Grand Rapids; a community that used to be gorgeous and desired as an 'executive' living style has been ruined by a thoughtless, scamming, uncaring bandit of a landlord, who has no interest in Michigan or what it stands for - family and beauty. PASS THIS ONE BY Parking costs extra if you want a shelter (no garages). VERY NOISY - thousands of geese and ducks that are not kept under control, late night parties, SAFETY: Halls to apartments are badly lit, badly upkept, often the bulbs are out. Lights come on late, so use a flashlight if you don't live on the first floor. UNWELCOME GUESTS: Count on having a bat or mouse or two as a sometime resident, it doesn't have to do with keeping your place clean. MAINTENANCE/HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES: Repairs made badly, upkeep (like rotten, ugly countertops that are hand-sprayed once every 5 years and stain badly) are never replaced, utilities and toilets are old and cheap. Cabinets do not have handles and are a dark, ugly brown. Shelves are cheap and do not support much. Pest control is unheard of (especially moles and geese). RUDE AND UNCOOPERATIVE STAFF: 'Corporate made me do it' is the standard response.