Apartment Reviews for Amli At Lantana Ridge - Austin

I really enjoyed living here, but about 70 days before my renewal (10 days before I had to give move-out notice) they sent me a letter telling me my rent would increase $98/month if I renewed. The letter was dated a week before that, and I really would have liked the extra week to decide, so it seemed like they did it on purpose to rush me into a decision. Needless to say, I went looking for a replacement! However, there are more pros than cons to living here.

PROS:
-It is very nice that they have boat parking available, because very few complexes have that. It's somewhat pricey at $50/month, but that's cheaper than any public storage and definitely cheaper than keeping it in a marina or at all close to one of the lakes.
-There are several garages available to rent as well, attached and detached, which is a nice option to have, especially if you need extra storage.
-My neighbors were all very sweet and when walking around the complex it was nice to see a lot of friendly people that want to get to know you.
-I really enjoyed the grounds here, especially the trails throughout the property; that's one of the reasons I liked it so much, because the trails are a great place to go run or bike or walk a dog and they are right outside your front door.
-If you are looking for a treeless property with no bugs then you're in the wrong place. It's Austin; there are GOING to be doodlebugs in spring and the occasional scorpion or spider, especially if you're on the first floor. There's not a whole lot an exterminator can do to prevent these so GET OVER IT!
-There have been several breakins to the mailboxes since I've been there, but they've put up more security around the mail room and they've gotten better about keeping the gates closed from what I've seen. After they put up the gate around the mail room with the code to get in there haven't been any more problems. I haven't had issues with breakins and I actually feel comfortable leaving my door unlocked while I'm out running. There are many families with kids in the complex which makes it feel safer; when there are kids, there are concerned parents that do everything in their power to make it safe for them.
-The floor plans here are for the most part well designed. I was in a Riesling which fits my needs perfectly and is a good size for a 1 bed/1 bath. The bathroom and closet were very large! I do wish there were more options for a 2 bed/1 bath. I was pleasantly surprised that inside there was crown molding and tall ceilings, with good sized windows and good quality (albeit inexpensive and inexpensive-looking) cabinets. I looooved the built-in shelving that was throughout the apartment. The walls were thick enough that I never once heard my neighbors on either side.
-Maintenance got to my major issues within two hours even on weekends and all others within a day.
-The staff wasn't terribly helpful but they weren't rude. They got things done in a timely manner (except for the notice that my rent was going up...). Pay your rent on time and you'll coexist happily for the most part.

CONS:
-Depending on where you're located in the complex, it can be difficult to find parking, especially at night. I think it's a little silly that they have so much covered parking that goes unused when it would be much more useful to have those open to everyone without fear of towing.
-There were some times I could hear the people above me but in general I didn't have many complaints with them. Again, this depends on your building. I did notice that one apartment a few buildings away from me had several dogs that would bark any time anyone would walk by so there are some places in the community where I can see noise being a problem.
-Ask them to empty out the dryer vents in the laundry facilities or else it may never get done. After it took 2 dries just to get my clothes slightly less damp I asked them to and after that the dryers worked way better.
-I had some issues with the interior. The electric coils on the stove were crooked and didn't quite fit the stove correctly, and there were other minor issues like that that are just because the items are mass-produced for cheapness. The shelves had been re-painted so many times that they were somewhat gummy, so my things would stick to them and sometimes the paint would remain stuck to my books.
-The pet fees are outrageous. It's like this almost everywhere in Austin, so it's hard to complain when everyone else has the same policies, but it takes some major audacity to charge a $400 fee (half of which is a refundable deposit IF your pet doesn't mess anything up) AND $10 a month in pet rent PER PET. Better leave your pets at a friend's house!

I'd still be there if not for their disloyalty to current residents :(

I just love this place. I moved from out-of-state, and had never seen the place prior. (Colleagues helped me narrow down the search and decide over the phone.) Everyone in the office is like family. They know most people by name, and work orders are fulfilled by the next day. We have wonderful social and volunteer events planned each month. Free breakfasts once a month. Happy hours. Fun contests. Pet-friendly. GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS landscaping and vistas. Great location. Terraced lay-out. Wonderful neighbors. <P>

I have lived at Lantana Ridge for almost 2 years. Overall I am very happy with this apartment. It is away from the city, in a quiet area. The management is always very kind. The service men are very prompt about fixing things around my apartment and on the first try. The rooms are very spacious and have a modern touch to them. The closet space is very generous. The bathrooms are very nice and have garden tubs. The only thing I have to compain about these apartments is that the kitchen space is a little small. <P>