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| - I lived at Monterra for 2.5 years and when it was good, it was good, but when it was bad it was horrid.
The Good:
My apartment was actually affordable when I moved in. I was paying $575 for a one bedroom (essentially a studio since it was 475 sq ft) with a washer/dryer, microwave, dishwasher, and disposal. The fridge in my unit was not a full size one but I made it work. The neighborhood is not the "nicest", just don't venture out after dark. Electric through APS were reasonable, usually $40 in the winter to $120 in the summer with a direct west facing unit.
The Horrid:
I chose not to renew my lease for a variety of reasons but partly was due to increase in rent. To re-sign my lease for another year it was raised to $666 (you couldn't raise or lower it a $1?) which does not include water, sewer, trash, admin fees, city taxes, and renters insurance. This was going to push my living costs above $725. The above utilities are all measured per unit/per usage but those combined were around $30-40 per month for my small unit. I did use their renters insurance which was $20 per month and included with my rental payment directly to Monterra.
My neighbors were also a big pain and there was a constant revolving door of bad neighbors. The Cops were called to my building multiple times. My neighbors were quick to steal any package left at my doorstep with over 8 packages taken in 2.5 yrs. I had my car damaged by the tenant who parked next to me and when I contacted the office, I was told that was my business to handle it with the other resident.
The grounds were nice but full of dog poop. At least once a month the complex would threaten to fine dog owners but more poop would be waiting in the grass the next day. My neighbors were too lazy to walk to sidewalk to smoke their cigarettes and would light up in the enclosed hallways.
The office cemented up their night drop box and only accept online payments. This doesn't sound like that big of a deal but I had an error with my bank and was unable to use the free bank pay service. Instead I had to pay online with a credit card, or drop off certified funds. The Online bill pay gouges you anywhere from 3% (if you are lucky) to 8% processing fee which really adds up over the months. I chose to pay in money orders to save money but without a night drop, the office hours are very inconvenient to drop anything off on time if you have a 9-5 job and if you do make a special trip, the office will be closed for lunch.
Upon moving in, I was very disappointed with the condition of the apartment. The carpets were cleaned but definitely not new, and pink stains (not mine) began surfacing the first few days I was there. I found a chicken bone in my "clean" dishwasher when I went to load it as well as several stranger's ATM receipts in the dryer with my first load of clean clothes. I was unable to take a shower the first night I was there due to the tub/shower being so stopped up with someone else's hair it wouldn't drain.
I lived here for 2.5 yrs but was still expected to "return the apartment to the original move in condition otherwise you will be charged to bring the unit back to move in conditions" and boy, they were not kidding. If you live anywhere for any extended time, there is usually wear and tear that you can't help. There is usually a concession given if you live in an apartment for several years on wear and tear, but not at Monterra.
When I moved out, I was charged $65 to clean 400 sq ft of carpet (I later found out I could have them cleaned on my own which could have had done for less). The carpet cleaning charge being your responsibility was never disclosed to me and is charged upon move out. Usually damage to the carpet and unit is pro-rated (based on how old the carpet is when you moved in as well as how long you occupy the unit) but not here. I was also charged $100 to repaint the apartment (the charge was later reversed once I pointed out during walk through I was told I was NOT going to be charged to repaint the apartment because there were no alterations to the walls), $50 for light cleaning (I spent 4 hrs before the inspection cleaning the place top to bottom), and $12 for the drip pans on the stove.
Be prepared to be charged to ready the apartment for the next tenant even though there was minimal damage, if any, to the actual unit. Be prepared to have your deposit taken and to owe them more money. Thankfully they didn't charge me for the chicken bone, hair filled drain, and dirty dryer I found when I moved in which would have brought the unit back to the "original move in condition."
Over all, my time here was a means to an end. The apartment (at the time) was affordable, centrally located, and manageable for a single woman.
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