Welcome to Forest Place Apartments: where the roaches sign longer leases than the tenants. If Dante wrote the Inferno in Miami, Forest Place would've been the 10th circle of hell. (This needs negative stars as one is far too generous.) I lived at Forest Place Apartments, 1600 NE 135th Street, North Miami, FL 33181, for ten years (June 2014 - June 2024). Ten. Years. I know a thing or two about this place. LISTEN UP. That's not renting--that's a hostage situation with automatic withdrawals. I believe the building was built in 1969, so that is about 20% of the time it's been in existence. This is a LONG time. Back in 2014, when I first moved in, the building was still owned under the late, legendary John J. Brunetti. Say what you will, but under Brunetti, the elevators ran more often than not, the roaches kept a low profile, and rent hikes were tolerable--never more than 10% year over year. Then he passed in 2018, the estate sold the property, and along came new owners who felt like they'd graduated from a late-night real estate seminar. Repairs slowed to a crawl, while rent hikes shot up 17%+ year over year.. From that moment, Forest Place didn't just decline--it nosedived harder than an oceanside Miami condo during an inspection. The elevators? Pure slapstick comedy. Push the button and it's a lottery ticket. Maybe you'll ride. Maybe you'll get stuck between floors drafting your last will. On their fastest day, they moved like molasses at a Canadian DMV. On their slowest, you were carrying groceries up seven flights like you'd joined a CrossFit cult you never signed up for. And the roaches? They weren't just pests--they were co-tenants with more rights than I had. I found them in my Keurig (roach-infused coffee, bold roast), in my sandwich (extra crunch, no charge), and in my pants (surprise! morning cardio). I reported this over a dozen times over the years. Nothing. Silence. Management's answer to pest control was "close your eyes and pretend." So I hired my own private firm and paid for three separate cleanouts out of pocket, just to make my place semi-livable. Meanwhile, the roaches were thriving--probably paying rent more consistently than half the tenants. Now, about management. The poor souls in the office will tell you, "we'll do what we can." And I believe them. The problem is, they're not empowered. The new owners keep them hogtied and muzzled. They can't approve real fixes. They can't sign off on repairs. They can't even acknowledge the obvious without risking their jobs. Calls about not renewing my lease? Ignored. Emails? Same. Certified letters? Through one ear and seemingly out the other. This place was such a mess Patrick Fraser from Channel 7 News almost ran it on Help Me Howard. I believe the North Miami magistrate cited the property. Even the mayor raised an eyebrow. When your roach problem makes it to city hall, you're not "property management"--you're running a civic embarrassment. And me? I was a model tenant. Ten years. Never a late payment. Half the time, I wasn't even living there due to extensive travel. But in 2024, after a decade of loyalty, they refused to renew my lease. At first I was furious--sure, no one likes to be dumped. It's not that the staff doesn't care--it's that the owners run the place like a bad reality show called Slumlord Apprentice. But when I met with staff in person over my non-renewal, it was like a bad HR meeting, two to a room. The staff seemed TERRIFIED. What did I want? I just wanted the owner to acknowledge my appeal and inform me of the decision. In fact, the owner may have been present that very day, but if so, he ignored me. Horrible. Then, shortly after moving out to a first-floor unit in another city, I broke my ankle. Suddenly, climbing seven flights of stairs when the elevators inevitably failed wasn't going to happen. Looking back, not getting renewed was a godsend. In a twisted way, it worked itself out. So why did I stay ten years? Because moving is miserable and the location was convenient. That's it. But let me be crystal clear: For the sake of your sanity, your dignity, and all that is holy: please, do not rent here. Get a second job. Sell plasma. Start an OnlyFans. Live in your car. Crash on a friend's couch. Whatever it takes. Just don't. Rent. Here. (Photos Saved From 2024) (They DID return my deposit) This review reflects my personal experience and opinions as a former tenant. read more

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American roaches and yes they fly. Mainly in the lobby but they do end up in the units as well. read more

Forest Place Apartments - American roaches and Yes they fly. They get in our unit all the time. Mainly in the lobby of the buildings. - Apartments Near Me - North Miami, Florida

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I have not even moved in yet but I already feel welcomed!! I receive service from Natalie who made a great effort to accompany me in an apartment tour. Natalie was swamped with prior engagements but it did not interfere with her attention and assistance for me. Customer service from the start is stellar! read more

I wanna start off by saying I never typically leave reviews, but with the service Mrs. Natalie Ortiz, provided my self and my realtor was hospitable and if not the main reason for me selecting to reside at this property. Her warm positive attitude towards people, makes Forest Place feel like home. When you come to view the property ASK FOR Natalie Ortiz. I primrose you will not regret it. read more

The apartments are very spacious, rent is affordable, centralized location, close to almost everything. Communication is great. Gated community with a security guard all night... which is great! The staff is amazing! Natalie Ortiz (Leasing office) is always so nice and helpful. Super professional! The maintenance staff are all so polite and hardworking, also so quick to respond to any service request needs! Especially Alex! He's awesome! read more

- [ ] No communication between management and tenants. - [ ] Mold issues - [ ] Serious German Roach Infestation - [ ] They turn off the hot water often, without notifying residents( Our hot water has currently been turned off for the past 1hr 30mins, and they did not notify us before doing so! Tried calling the office 5 times and no answer) - [ ] No visitor parking area so if you have company they risk being towed if they park in the parking lot - [ ] Had issues with maintenance entering my apartment without prior notice at one point Prices aren't bad but you do not get what you pay for. This is a Very uncomfortable place to live! read more

just moved to miami, it's was really tuff to find a place but I was really lucky and happy to found Forest Place apartment. Specially to find a wonderful, amazing and really knowledgeable person Like Natali at the front office she was really sweet since the first day I step in to that place and making myself comfortable and easy to acomódate me with everything. Thank you so much Natali you are the best read more

I leased an apartment in the North tower for a year. I recently loved about 2 weeks ago. Pro- moved in a good area, close to shops, restaurants, parks. CONS- limited parking, very very infested with German roaches! So the 1450$ I was paying for a 2 bed 2 bath was not worth having to share with hundreds of roaches. They did fumigate once a month but that only seemed to attract more roaches. I NOW HAVE THOSE ROACHES IN MY NEW UNIT because They were in my furniture. Tv, sofa and kitchen table. I have hired Terminix to get rid of them completely! Please stay away from this place it is so unsanitary read more

I was skeptical about moving to this apartment in the beginning but at this point i have no regrets so far. The management team is amazing and very respectful unlike other apartments. This morning i had issues with my toilet and called it in ,maintenance came in less then 30 minutes . Alex the maintenance supervisor was so kind and generous he welcomed me as a new tenant and reassured if i had any issues to feel free to reach out. i would definitely recommend anyone to move at Forest Place Apartments. read more

Forest place is A disgusting place to call home. The staff is rude, slow and very unhelpful. There are bugs everywhere. While you walk down the public hallways they are crawling up the walls, they are everywhere in your apartment ....kitchen cabinets, counters, bathrooms EVERYWHERE. Nothing is done when you complain about them, the bug guy is a joke. Elevators never work. You get stuck daily. The "security guard" that comes from 8pm to 6am lets every individual into the gate. There is never parking and I never felt safe leaving my car in the lot. The whole building smells of weed and has very unsavory characters milling around at all hours. My neighbor smoked every hour of the day and made my apartment smell like an opium den and dive bar. Just do yourself a favor and keep looking unless you enjoy feeling unsafe and like a lower and low class citizen. this place will make you crazy. read more

We would like to say a big thank you to the Management and Staff of Forest Place for making Forest Place our home for the past several years a very pleasant, comfortable and safe one. The Management and Service Teams are thoughtful and responsible. We always received timely, courteous and compassion assistance when it was needed. This made our stay at Forest Place Apartments a very pleasant one. The building's location is easily accessible and convenient to many commodities and parks. Forest Place Apartments complex is a quiet, friendly and safe apartment building. Once again to the Management and Staff, thank you very much for making our stay a memorable one. Judith B. read more

I love forest place. It is a very good place to live. Everybody is lovely, including staff, and especially maintenance. Alex was awesome, you put a work order in he is there. He is polite and energetic. Thank you for the help. read more

I have lived at Forest Place 2 years now and I absolutely love the staff and wouldn't want to live anywhere else! They are all so amicable,helpful and genuine. I wrote a post before and it was a little negative, I was on meds and didn't mean to be negative, I love the staff!!! The maintenance manager rocks!!!! Sometimes I don't even have to ask for something to get done. If he sees it needs fixing, he'll take care of it or have a team member do it, and that to me is everything!!! Natalie, the leasing agent is super helpful..I simply adore her!!! Nicki is fairly new but in the short time of her being at Forest, she has helped me and shown sincerity with me! They are all just very helpful! They are all great people and I wanted them to know just how much they are appreciated! Alex, Natalie and Nicki, you all rock!!!! read more

been here for a year now and I love this place!! I have no complaints, it nice and quiet and clean. The staff is super friend and always willing to go the extra mile to meet your needs. I love Natalie, she is amazing and always welcoming. The maintenance guy is also amazing and super quick with their repairs. I had my toilet clogged and out in a request at 4am and the maintenance came in a little short after and fixed my toilet. The service is incredible and they all have fantastic customer service to provide to all their tenants. If you're looking for a a great place with a reliable staff, this is the place to be! read more

Natalie is excellent at her job, very friendly and helpful. Most important attentive to the needs and expectations of the client. The place is beautiful, clean and safe. read more

AMAZING office staff & convenient location! Just renewed lease for very spacious apartment and will begin third year of renting on the premises. read more

There are so many excellent people at Forest Place. The management office is the best, especially Natalie. She is professional, always happy to help and always friendly. The maintenance staff is fast and know what they're doing. The amenities are awesome, pool and gym and especially the lockers for getting packages. I have lived here over five years and each year the place gets better and better. The location is great. Great shopping and restaurants and parks all around us. I highly recommend Forest Place Apartments. read more

I'm not even a resident ( yet lol ) and I love the place. Not only does the property and the units are beautiful but their Marketing Consultant Natalie Ortiz is amazing. So nice, informative and patient. Answered all and I mean ALL our questions, we drilled her and she never lost her composure. She's fully of positive energy. What I like was that she wasn't trying to sell me a thing. She makes it feel more like a home. My wife and I are hoping we get to move in May. Thank you Natalie!! read more

Great maintenance service. The maintenance manager is always available for your needs. We highly appreciate his disposition.

My boyfriend has lived here almost two years - his lease is up this coming October. I imagine for the price this is a GREAT deal, but with cheap comes a price. If this is all you can afford, I feel for you. If you choose to live here, be prepared to room with cockroaches. These cockroaches are NOT Palmetto bugs. They are German cockroaches and very difficult to get rid of. The building claims to spray for roaches once a month. ONCE A MONTH?!?!?!?!?! How do you expect to get rid of a roach infestation problem when you "spray" once a month?!?!?!?!?! And let's discuss the "spraying". I was home once when this alleged spraying took place. The dude sprayed one small area on the kitchen floor and called it a day. Not one cabinet or drawer was opened. Then he asked me if I wanted him to spray in the bathroom! Really dude? Spray freaking EVERYWHERE! With that said, please know your rights and read your lease. The landlord has a contractual obligation to keep dwellings free from cockroaches and other pests. Forest Place has an INFESTATION problem that WILL NOT go away unless management decides to tent the entire building. I feel sorry for people who cannot afford to live anywhere else. This place is gross. The staff is meh. They're not super nice and they're not super rude. What irritates me about management is that they 100% are aware of the issues and do nothing about it. I however, plan on taking matters into my own hands. Again people KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Call the City of North Miami and have the building inspector come inspect your apartment and DEMAND management fix the problem. Parking is insane. There is zero visitor parking. Oh wait! How can I forget the BLACK, TAR mold growing in the shower. I cleaned it with bleach but it continued to reappear. Management came and asked if we "took hot showers" like we were the problem. They sprayed some solution and called it a day. Fast forward three weeks later and there is now a leak where the mold is/was. The entire ceiling is wet. Obviously there is a leak somewhere. I'm pretty sure management will slap a Band-Aid on this problem too. read more

HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE place. If I could give this place a negative star, I would. The elevators haven't worked in 2 years and if you try to move out, they give you an extremely hard time and make it almost impossible to get your deposit back. It's a joke and a scam!!!!! Terrible! read more

Great locale. Residence are cool. Pet friendly. Residence actually work and are quiet!

Lived there for 1 year in 2005-6. 2nd floor. During the year the entire building I lived in went down to zero clothes washers and I had to haul to a laundrymat. The hallway floors were constantly flooded due to fire sprinkler vandalism. I referred to the building "The Titanic" because I was literally Kate Winslet walking through watery flooded halls. My bathtub had FECES COMING UP FROM THE DRAIN. Why I don't know. I tried to bleach/clean it daily to no avail. Never a fix. Bathroom sink also had black sandy debris with glass pieces (?) coming up. I had a leaky AC unit that drained water into a closet. My inner door knob came off, trapping me in my apartment and I had to ask for rescue from the balcony. The kitchen and bathroom cupboards were entirely eaten by termites at the floor. There were gecko lizards on my kitchen floor (didn't really bother me.) My dog had seizures from the pesticide paste the management squirted monthly inside my cupboard doors. (Expensive veterinary bills). My dog had constant fleas despite monthly "spot" treatments on the back of the neck to prevent/treat. The neighbor played a single bass line on repeat, which I learned to sleep to. l was lucky enough to have running water on the 2nd floor when there was no electricity during 4 hurricanes ("Rita," "Wilma," "Katrina," & "Ophelia") and multiple days after. The rest of the floors above me had no water, no showers when no electricity. P.S. the toilet seat and bathroom mold without electricity/AC and you have to take cold showers by candlelight. Myself and many residents were locked out of the building when someone falsely pulled a fire alarm during a hurricane (no electricity), we exited the stairs and couldn't get back into the building because the stairway is exit only and the front elevator (only other entry) was out of electricity. The exercise room in the next building AC never worked and the room smelled of mold/mildew/unsafe to breathe. It was extremely hot if you were on the exercise machines and I had to haul my own standing fan. The 2 buildings towers were gated but the "security booth" staff were smoking MJ on the job. The 2 buildings parking lot had coat hangers and empty plastic drug baggies littered on the concrete all over. Other "families" would get out of their car and just throw their garbage/fast food bags and waste in the parking lot (?!?!?!) I was harassed by a man with a towel on his head in the parking lot evenings repeatedly when I was walking my dog. It was an experience. read more

I have lived here for three years and always try to get people I know to move in. The staff is wonderful. They receive packages for me and handle any repairs right away. The roach problem from other reviews seems to have gone away. I rarely see any and the ones I see are dying. My neighbors are great and friendly. They always say hello and have helped me many times by moving heavy things for me or watching out for my child around the pool. We have made friends with some neighbors and hate to see them leave when they have to move out. The train is not a problem for me...I like to watch it go by. I too would like more guest parking but my visitors always seem to find space somewhere close by. read more

I lived in this community for 3 years and only stayed this long because I had a large deposit on hold. This apartment was infested with roaches everywhere since they one. Sometimes I was eating and roaches was falling from the ceiling. They promised to flush the apartment to kill the roaches and they never did. Finally I had to pay for my own past control so the roaches could be terminated.It was a nightmare... The new assistant office manager is really rude very hard to get help from. The school district is D- ,NO PARKING FOR GUESTS, the new office manager is super rude, I witness 2 bisexual guys having intercourse by the pool table.Totally nasty! Don't even bother try to get your deposit money back they will never return a penny from it.You will be better off getting a utility apartment for cheaper and probably roach free.Also this place is very noise at bed since is near a train track. read more

DISGUSTING! Do not move here it was a huge mistake. First thing ROACHES!!! I was calling maintenance almost non stop about coming to my house and the woman at the front had the nerve to ask what my "real issue" was. Roaches greet you at the front door outside every night. They are in the elevators, hallways, and your apartment. I am very clean and did my best to keep them out my house but they were crawling throughout the building. The women at the front are just plain RUDE. They did not give me my deposit back and sent me an outrageous damages bill. If you come home after 8pm forget about parking. The elevators smell and the side door constantly smelled like urine. I never used it. The guards sometime go missing when someone needs to be let in the gate. This place was horrible. read more

This is the wort experience I've ever had , living in an apartment complex. Constant problems ROACHES, FRONT OFFICE, PARKING, PRICE. If you are reading this do not settle for this place because they will put you in a lease you will regret. They just recently towed my car that was parked in handicap even tho i had my Decal in the car. My wife is constantly screaming because everywhere she turns there are roaches ( they sprayed chemicals to kill them while my 3 month old daughter was home it did nothing)..if you call the front office for assistance for anything they will do anything to provide little information and assistance..major construction around so you will not keep a clean car and will go through 10 different detours and let's not forget THE TRAIN THAT PASSES BY EVERY 2 HOURS..old windows so you Will hear it..i personally am involved in real-estate and this place is horribly established. (Half a star) read more

Been here for two years and love it. The staff is great and very attentive. Huge floor plans that have been upgraded. Great price and building is always clean. read more

If i could give this dump a negative star, i would. From the roach infested building, to the extremely rude office staff i don't know where to start. I'll begin with when i was first presented with a unit that "looks just like the one you'll move into"; they took me up the elevator in the north tower (that doesn't directly face railroad tracks that has a sounding train every 4 hours) and told me this is the same unit but in the other building. Once moved in, (yes, my unit faced the roaring train) i noticed my back door didn't lock and i shared a balcony with my neighbor. When i called to have maintenance fix the lock the office told me "Its just an old lady and her grandkid living next door" I found that was a very weird excuse to not fix my backdoor. Secondly, after i moved in i found cockroaches in the kitchen, cockroaches in the bathroom, and cockroaches in the closet! BY FAR THE MOST DISGUSTING GARBAGE LOT I'VE EVER INHABITED. ESPECIALLY LIVING ON THE 7TH FLOOR!! Soon came the broken elevator that was never fixed the entire 12 months i lived there. The "security gate" is a joke; the clicker never worked, and even after i got a new one the security guard let anyone in at any hour of the night. The pool was shut down by the health department more than once (GROSS). The laundry rooms in the building ALWAYS smelled like cat piss & trying to talk to the people in the office was a joke because everyone had an attitude problem when I asked for my packages. Last but not least; after i moved out of this heinous building they charged me over $1,000 (on top of the extremely large deposit i paid when i first moved in) because i left a brita filter in the fridge & they wrongfully charged me for having "pets". I wouldn't suggest this cesspool to anyone. read more

This place is terrible, they run scams on residents. Implemented a parking pass for residents only but wouldn't even give me a pass because my car is in my parents name, even though they know I live here, pay rent, and this is the car I drive. I work two jobs , come home at all times, I shouldn't have to worry about where to park at my own house? I'm in fear of my car getting towed outside the gate, also if you have guests or family members they have to park outside as well because only ppl with parking passes can park, and guess what the outside parking areas have no parking will tow signs everywhere. They even have a designated tow company "Torres towing" ready to tow residents cars. The ladies in the front are rude and not helpful at all and have a oh well your stuck in a lease attitude. Very unprofessional. The only thing good about this place is the maintenance staff who are extremely sweet and helpful and the size of the apartments. read more

The building has NO GUEST PARKING and if your car isn't registered in your name they will not give you a parking pass to park your vehicle in the lot, and God forbid you or a guest park there car there for 15mins without a pass they will tow your car as soon as you walk inside the building. If you don't have a pass you must park down the street around the corner if you park across the street at the other businesses lot they will tow your car within minutes as well. The neiborhood is bad and you have to worry about your car being broken into. My car and several other residents cars were broken into during my stay there and security doesn't do anything about it they say he's there to watch the building not the cars. The apartment unit is fairly nice and spacious they are updating all of the apartment units. The place has roaches despite them sending a exterminator once a month. The girls in the office (Samantha) were really nice up until I signed my lease then they became rude and unfriendly. The maintenance staff (cleaning/repair) were nice people although most of them spoke no English. I wouldn't recommend anyone to stay here. read more