The Francesca

To start, there was the horrible paint smell (from the initial make-ready) that permeated every crook and cranny of the small apartment for months. Then after that started to (finally) dissipate they went to repaint the next apartment and then we were back to the horrible smell to which i was advised by management to "deal with it" and to "keep the windows closed". Later that week i figured out that the fumes were coming through the vents and per their advice I was effectively trapping the fumes… in my apartment with me. This Box of fumes made it impossible for me to stay in the apartment for 3 days. The apartment I was paying for was unlivable.

Then there was the Bug problem which took them roughly 6 months to get taken care of ... obviously they worlds hardiest roaches are indigenous to the area . Each time I reported the issue I was told that there would be a tech to spray the area again. This usually took another week or so and then I had requested a heads up so that i could get my cats out of there. This request fell on deaf ears each and every time. So, aside from my cats getting their lungs free of small rodents and insects they got a nice does of insecticide about half a dozen times.

Then there's the extremely paper thin walls and ceiling which is great if you care to know all about your neighbors life events. Or if, possibly, you want to record how often they make their way to and from the bathroom during the night then these are definite pluses ... for me i was none too thrilled about it. This also attributed to my loss of sleep throughout the week because of the squeaking and the late night conversations of the other tenants.

And lastly but not least was the very unprofessional management. Please be advised that the events listed above were all reported multiple times and most took many back and forth conversations to get an adequate resolution to them. It seems they rely on the "if you ignore it then it will go away" philosophy of management. I can only assume that this and other issues are what has led to the Mass Exodus of this apartment complex in the last months.

I would never recommend for anyone to move here. There are many great apartments in Oaklawn area and there are also many so-so ones. The Francisca Apartments fall well below both of those. Read More