The Ridge Apartments

Notes on my stay at the Ridge Apartments. While it was no horror story there it was not a joyful place either.

If the thought of being visited at least three times a year with an apartment inspection does not bother you then the Ridge may be your place. These inspections come in January, February, and in the Summer. Why the first two cannot be combined into a single inspection escapes me. I feel it is an excuse to enter our place of living to nose about. They will go as far as to inspect the… refrigerator including the door seals for dirt, mold, and your general cleaning habits. The same holds true for your bathrooms including the toilet. The balcony is nearly worthless as you are allowed not much more than about two chairs and then NEVER use it for storage. I was told to remove a new plastic cabinet that helped keep things tidy because it was seen as an “eye sore.” Really? ALSO, No BBQing! We all can understand the risk of fire so this rule is reasonable. But then if a community environment is the goal, place and/or allow BBQ pits in the open areas. That is as reasonable as the rule excluding them from balconies. While the rules are meant to keep the “community” neat and attractive, it means your lifestyle may be amended and/or disrupted.

Then the fourth (“inspection”), oh yes, they make an excuse to enter your apartment a fourth time to inspect the fire alarm. Is it too much to handle that these things are conducted in a single inspection? Apparently. Make it clear to yourself that in a decision to reside here you have few rights and your privacy will be invaded on a regular basis.

General notes:
1. Kids may not ride their bicycles on the property.
2. There is limited space for kids to play.
3. The walk ways in and around the apartments are not swept-ever. (ONLY first floor by the landscape crew via blower.)
4. Due to the way/method the pool is cleaned it is closed one day a week. The pool has limited access in the Summer & closed 7 months of the year.

The Ridge is neat and attractive but at the cost of a free(er) life. If you are a transient resident and can live with these rules for that short time then good for you. If on the other hand you wish to live with more freedom for a longer term, as I did, then another place to reside is your answer. Read More