I've been a resident of the complex for about 3 years and lived in two different Village apartments. The first was a one bedroom closer to the river, the second was a one bedroom with bonus room/two bedroom. These are certainly old apartments, but fairly well maintained (compared to other old apartments). I can't recall them ever promising me amentities that weren't available, so most of you should be perfectly aware of what to expect before moving in. I've read some reviews about bugs, but I've never had an issue in either apartment except for the occasional spider or ladybugs in the fall (and face it, you will always have to deal with potential bugs whether you rent or own).
Some positive things about the Village:
>It's unique and charming - and I get to paint the walls. Mine also have the beautiful hardwood floors, which I think are easier to maintain than carpet. Based on reviews, I think it can be a bit of a toss-up on how well maintained your particular unit is, but mine at least have been pretty decent.
>The area itself is pretty safe. You can't get away from it all, but I've rarely seen police cars zooming through or heard of any break-ins. My sister once left my apartment door unlocked and slightly ajar all day by accident, and I don't think anyone even peeked inside.
>The location is convienent. Far enough from OSU, that it seems like most of the college parties are gone, but close to shops, restaurants, etc., I also like the grounds a lot -a lot of old trees and greenery. It's nice to be a little nestled away from High St.
Some negative things about the Village:
>Heating/Cooling can be a pain. Because the apartments are old, they're draftier than normal, so it seems like they don't old heat as well. I also think the hardwood floors, while easy to maintain, don't insulate the way carpet does. But I normally just walk around in socks.
>No private patio/balcony. The grounds are great to walk around in, but I miss this aspect since it would be really nice to have some outdoor privacy. Sunbathe, garden, etc., without other people watching. I know the some of the condos have them, but the Village doesn't, which sort of sucks.
>It's pricy for the squarefootage. I do admit, compared to other areas, the price per squarefoot is higher. But then again, it's Clintonville, and even OSU Freshman know that this is a better area than east of Campus or closer downtown. As a single, young female , I'd much rather pay a bit more and feel safer than to listen to sierns blarring all night and have a bigger bedroom.
As for management/leasing office, I really haven't had much experience with them. I guess I got a weird look from the bright blonde one when I turn in a copy of my renters' insurance policy to them. I think they were just annoyed that I dropped it off with leasing instead of management (which was closed). Maintainence has been fairly timely and has corrected issues I had with a loss in water pressure in my bathroom sink, a running toilet and a bad seal on my refidgerator.
Horrible people manage the place
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over a year ago )
Reviewed by: Anonymous
It's really too bad. Olentangy Village was a nice place and I recommended it to everyone who asked. These days, however, the place is managed by several people - the office staff particularly - who are just plain horrible. I'm not sure if they simply hate working here and so take it out on the residents or what. Everyone I talk to relays a bad experience they've had with them.
I'll share one as I think it's particularly funny: They decided to do curb work along the apartments and so sent out fliers notifying everyone that it was going to happen. Without telling those people that they would tow (i.e. implying that they just wouldn't be able to park in certain areas), they towed a significant portion of their residents. A competent manager would assume they hadn't sufficiently communicated what was going on but these people went ahead and towed an entire street's worth of cars. I thought it was hilarious. Though it was also pretty pathetic and illustrative of the kind of attitude and mismanagement that comes out of the office staff.
You're probably better off living some place else.
Reviewed by: Anonymous
I am a resident of Olentangy village and I really like my apartment. However, I think they have a very bad leasing staff. I just want to share an episode that occurred yesterday. The leasing office is very close to a crossroad. Me and another car were waiting for the light to become green. Then a third car approached and started to honk at us repeatedly. I thought this person was crazy. Then the light became green and I saw this third car parking in front of the leasing office and with my surprise it was a member of the leasing team!!!
I don't know who recruited them ... probably they are some relatives of the new property owner!
BTW: this person has a quite big car, blue or dark grey ...
Reviewed by: Anonymous
I've lived in the Village for over 10 years, and have enjoyed the time that I have been here. The maintance staff has always been attentive to requests for service, and the beautiful grounds can't be beat. OV's proximity to OSU and downtown makes it perfect choice for not only students but young professionals as well. Definatly among the best rentals in Clintonville. As a long time resident, I was at first nervous about the new management, but am happy to see the improvments that are being made. Gotta love the vintage apartment and the history behind the property
Reviewed by: Anonymous
The management staff is just horrible. They had this reputation before I got there but I guess I didn't believe them. Wow, was I wrong. They have a lot of turnover year-to-year because they treat everyone like **** and nobody stays for more than a year.
They once towed 40 cars from their lots to do curb work and charged their owners.
Reviewed by: Anonymous
My experiences here were very good, I did not have any trouble with the neighbors, in fact, all of them were very friendly and went out of their way to make me feel welcome. This is not a big party place, although at time people may have a few friends over, it does not get loud, which makes it a good, safe place away from campus where you can concentrate on your studies. Enough parking for you and your friends if you choose to have some over, and a short bus ride or drive to campus, or about a 25 minute walk. Not a place to live if you want to be wild and crazy, or have a lot of parties, I would live here again. <P>
Reviewed by: Anonymous
This is a fantastic community in Clintonville, a youngish, professional, kind of area in Columbus proper. The Management and Maintenance staff are very friendly and responsive. The Leasing Office staff is very friendly and approachable. The fitness center is great (ellipticals, treadmills, more), as well as the swimming pool, free DVD rentals, and the entry point to the Olentangy bike path. This is a beautiful property with classy brick buildings, and they have a wide variety of styles of apartments. I had friends in three different buildings over the years I was there, and they all liked their apartments a lot. <P>
Reviewed by: Anonymous
Had a very good experience here. Lived there for two years and enjoyed the convience of all the shops and surrounding community. There are no air conditioning units in the village apartments and as others state it is a little overpriced considering. This may not be a problem most summers in Ohio but there are some hot ones!! It would have been fine if I hadn't been in vet school and trying to study. Superior service by staff and an overall friendly community. <P>
Reviewed by: Anonymous
Best apartment I ever had. The location was ideal, the apartment was beautiful, and the staff was so professional it was almost scary. I'm not kidding. It's a little expensive, but you get what you pay for. I think I had one plumbing problem when I lived here and it was fixed the next day. Never heard my neighbors--never even knew they existed half the time. The people who live there are a really good, diverse mix--young professionals, older retirees, students, and families. All different races and backgrounds, too. You can go right out to High St. and get any kind of deli, cafe, or grocery store you want. I'm sad I left. <P>
Reviewed by: Anonymous
I've lived in three different apartments in this complex now (moving for better views of the river and bigger spaces), and have had a great experience with all three and with the management staff. The buildings are older so I've had some problems with things breaking or leaking, but maintanence has been out to fix any problems I reported the day I reported them and have done more than I expected. Parking is better for some buildings than others, but mostly it's pretty good. The location is convenient to campus, shopping, the bike trail. A couple times a year they offer rent promotions where you can get lower rents, so look for those. <P>
Reviewed by: Anonymous
I was very excited to rent with Olentangy Village-particularly because of the really cheap rental deals going on at the time. This community is really well managed, quaint, clean, and friendly. I like the variety of people who live here--younger and older. It's location is ideal-right in Clintonville with little shops and cafes right at the gateway to the village. <P>
Reviewed by: Anonymous
For Village area of apartments:
Not bad for security, given the deadbolt locks and indoor hallway entrances.
At least enough parking for one car [and a second car if also renting a garage for extra charge], although I don't have a car of any kind. Also guest parking pass for guest, but no motorboats allowed and probably no RVs allowed either, though.
Pretty good appearance on outside with no more than minor litter, but some mold problems inside.
Other than mold problem, maintenance was pretty good, fixed toilet problems, replaced refrigerator, orkin persons occasionally came to add baits to control pharoah ant populations.
Condition was pretty good at move-in; however, a few areas of paint peeling, and gas heater knobs (to control heat flow, thus indirectly, home heating bill(s)) very very hard to turn, though!
As for noice, occasional noice from adjacent apartments, lot quieter when you keep windows shut, but then again, some street noise can be welcome occasionally.
Good-enough place to live, if you don't mind paying above-average rental costs for the age of apartments.
Location is only a block away from the nearest major grocery store, especially if you can't afford a car yet for carrying groceries..
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