I lived here with my family for a year in 2018-2019 while completing a master's degree program at a…read morenearby university. While the units lack many of the upscale frills of other apartments, it is extremely well maintained thanks to the best and most responsive front office and maintenance staff of any apartment complex I've ever lived in -- and that matters more than granite countertops.
We chose the park in part because we wanted to live in Prattville, but also because they offer an all-inclusive option with furniture and utilities for one monthly price. Considering we were only staying here for a year, we didn't want the hassle of monthly utility bills and moving furniture, so this was the perfect option.
The best part of living here was the office staff. They're prompt and courteous to handle any issue that comes up and the maintenance staff knows what they're doing. What's even more important is the long-term building and property maintenance. Just in the year I was there, they ripped up, replaced, and repainted the side panels of every screened-in porch on the property, had the road re-sealed, and put in ramps on every sidewalk. That's a lot of investment in things most people don't notice. They're also in the process of replacing the carpet and blinds in every apartment as it is vacated, regardless of condition.
The residents are all pretty nice and courteous, too. A lot of people get out and walk or run through the complex daily, or visit the pool. I myself took advantage of the sidewalks and gravel path that form about a half-mile loop through the complex. It's nice to see people out and about, even on the hot days, and everyone will give you a friendly hello, or even strike up a conversation.
Of course, there are some downsides, of course. First, insects. We had the occasional cockroach appear, which is disgusting and unfortunate but it also just a product of living in the south. They also stopped showing up once one of our neighbors moved out, so maybe it was his fault? We were also once invaded by ants (which was quickly handled by the included weekly pest control service).
The biggest problem I had with this apartment was the lack of natural light. The living room in our townhouse had only three small arrowslit-type windows. You know, those tiny holes archers used to defend old castles. I exaggerate, but only slightly. The apartment was dark but for about 10 minutes of direct sunlight every morning when the sun rose over the building next to us. Coming from Hawaii where we had an abundance of sunlight and windows, it was honestly distressing for awhile. If you're used to, or want, a lot of natural light, look elsewhere.
Another issue is dog poop. The complex is pet-friendly, which is nice, but a lot of owners take advantage of it and don't clean up after their animals, even though the property as multiple clean-up stations with free poop bags! People need to be more respectful of their environment. Pet-friendly complexes are harder to find for this reason, and it's a shame.
Overall, for the best-managed and reliable apartment complex you may have ever lived in, give this place a try. However, if you're looking for granite countertops, valet trash, and other upmarket elements in an apartment, look elsewhere.
