If you can afford to live somewhere else, move there.
Why?
1. They don't screen people properly and the leasing company has moved in people who smoke in their units. That's bad bc of #2.
2. The ventilation system isn't effective. The smokers fumes go to different floors and different parts of the building through the exhaust system. Residents with breathing issues have repeatedly reported problems, and health issues associated with poor air to the management company for over a year. The management company was not prepared to deal with it. Nothing like having a nice dinner party only to have all of your guests gassed by the smell of pot. And have people leave bc it's too overwhelming for them.
3. The faulty ventilation system often breaks down, and then doesn't work at all. If your neighbor or the person underneath you is cooking onions, garlic or some other strong smelling thing, guess where that goes? Into every nook and cranny of your pretty home. You will be surprised to know how strong cooking fumes can be, as they enter your home at various times of the day and night. When the ventilation system isn't working, cooking fumes can overpower your breathing and cause all sorts of breathing issues.
4. The managing company takes complaints from residents over the phone, then decides if you have to submit something in writing. Then doesn't follow-up to let you know what became of your request. Sadly, there isn't an online system to file maintenance issues. You have to call and speak to someone if you can get them. To file the complaint, they PDF it to you. You then fill it out and have to figure out how to fax it back or scan and email it back.
5. The small units do not have dishwashers, the cabinets are tinier than standard cabinets and are hung high, making it difficult to maximize upper shelves without a step stool.
6. The AC is tricky. Wiring on the AC is tricky. Your AC is wired to three different neighbors ACs. In order for yours to work, all of your neighbors have to have their AC on also. The AC is also an inefficient unit in the living room, and doesn't make it to the bedroom. You need to buy fans to help circulate the air around.
7. You have to find and pay for your own parking.
8. The dumpster is a block away behind another building. So, think of NH winter. . . you have to walk down an icy sidewalk hill to dump your trash in winter. They didn't include that need in the design of the building.
Good things about the Endicott:
1. All utilities are included.
2. The maintenance guys are nice, friendly and willing to help you out. Be nice to them. They are stuck in this faulty system.
3. It is downtown living.
4. It has great windows.
5. Coin operated laundry in the building.
The Endicott is a nice social justice experiment in concept. The idea supposedly was that the nonprofit that provides low income housing in Concord, could make money off of middle class market rate housing supplied at the Endicott. Know that they try to keep costs down and it might feel at times like your first slum lord apartment. read more