Apartment Review for Longhorn Landing - Austin, TX

When writing a review about an apartment complex and its staff, you have to look at all aspects of the facilities, staff, and safety issues. My situation was unusual...I wanted to live with my girlfriend and she wanted to live with her friends. I do a lot of research and I found this place...it was student housing at a great price. I sent it to her friend to look at because she was stressing out about finding a place. Anyways, she ended up going and visiting it without our knowledge and signing up. So this meant that pretty much unless she wanted to break her lease contract (which she could have done) we were going to have to live there too. It was ok though, because when my girlfriend and I went to visit and sign a lease, they showed us the grounds and the facilities which were amazing...on the outside...they have the largest hot tub of any Austin area Apartment complex...holds something like 35 people or something...i dont know because ive never used it. Anyways they have some pretty good facilities...the problem is that there are two pools...both of which always have a million people in them. The parking situation is this...there is plenty of parking and they also have covered parking that you can pay 25 dollars a month for (doesnt make your car anymore safe, in fact, I believe it makes it a target in a way). There is also a gate...there are a lot of problems with this gate. 1) The gate is rarely closed...always open during the day, sometimes closed at night. (its actually open right now as I can see it out of my window) 2) The gate breaks on occasion (but is usually fixed within 2 or 3 days)...in this case you either use the other side, or go in through the exit or out through the entrance. 3) The gate codes dont work, whatever they tell you...I used to party here in high school and the gate code I used then still works now, but if you can afford it, get a remote because its works every time. (I personally love it) Now safety I dont really even want to talk about at this point...you hear all the stories about people getting robbed and what not but I put that all behind me until last week when the people right next to us got robbed...that makes me feel real safe...but I know that everyone is going to say "you live next to downtown Austin, I cant believe you didnt think there was going to be crime there"...and actually I did know...I knew going into this that I would be moving to the "ghetto" of Austin (East Riverside)...but the point is that the contracted lease agreement that I signed says that the gates will be closed at all times...I know that a gate isnt going to stop anyone, but it just makes me wonder what else they are slacking on. This review is for people who have never lived in Austin and dont know about the East side of Austin...most of which is very crime oriented...if you are looking for safety I do not recommend you stay anywhere near the east side of Austin. The reason that the apartment is so cheap (I am paying about 415 a month for everything) is because the things here (I mean stuff in the apartment) is cheap and everything is the same...its basically a big dorm room...so if thats what youre looking for then I say go for it. There were a lot of problems with the apartment when I moved in mainly because of previous tennants...holes in the doors, the carpets had not been steam cleaned, the kitchen was a mess...it honestly looked like no one had cleaned after the last tennants moved out...but it was clean within a couple of days...Maintenance is actually here right now fixing the sink amongst other things. They know what they are doing, but they are pretty creepy...it kind of bothers me that they are allowed to come in whenever they please and all they have to do is write us a note that states that they were there. Staff...wow, where should I start...well, you cant really expect much from these guys because they are 18-24 year olds...oh wait...YES YOU CAN BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR STAFF...I have a story about this... I moved in about 2 months before my gf did because I took over another guys lease. Anyways, so when my previous roommates moved out, I lived there alone for about a week. My gf wanted to move in a day early because school was starting soon and she wanted to have time to do shopping, get unpacked and everything (becuase she was moving from another city). The staff absolutely would not have it...it was a liability issue...thats cool...i mean it sucks, but thats cool. So its my 21rst birthday weekend and I fly up to St. Louis to party with some friends right before school starts...my girlfriend is moved in and her friend is moved in. I forgot to lock my door because I was late for my flight, and really didnt think it was that big of a deal since I trust both girls...anyways we had a 4th roommate moving in the day after i got back, I didnt know her, but I would be back in time to lock my door. So im in St. Louis and I get a call from my gf and she tells me that the apartment complex is letting out new roommate move in two days early (so much for that liability issue). So I call the staff and they answer...I tell them my situation (that I have 5 grand plus worth of electronics in my room and it would be nice if they could lock my door or have someone come get a key to lock my door...) and they say that they cant help me...and that they are sorry I forgot to lock my door...anyways long story short, I came home early...I kid you not, I came home early..I know that might seem a little off, but I am very protective of my stuff. Anyways I hope that my experience in the past 3 months (yes thats how long I have lived here now) has helped you in any decisions youre about to make. alphabeta23@gmail.com is my email if you would like to talk to me further.