I've lived here now for just over a year. I moved here from CA to attend a doctoral program at…read moreUConn. I was done living in student housing or in a shared home with others. I wanted a nice apartment complex with my wife that was pet-friendly. Boy did I get what I wanted at Broadleaf. To be honest, I skimmed over the apartment complex when first researching apartments. It wasn't until we were pressed for time as our lease was about to be up in CA, that I frantically started searching and came across this complex.
I e-mailed them immediately, and was warmly received and responded to within the day. All of my questions were answered to a satisfying level, and we received plenty of pictures of the apartment. Upon arriving to CT and the complex, I was impressed as to how accurate the photos were to the actual apartment, and I really liked how clean and well-kept the buildings and grounds were. This complex really takes pride in making its ground beautiful. Aesthetics is important to me, and, it seems, to them, too.
The apartment itself was gorgeous (we opted for the cherry-wood cabinets as opposed to the white) and came furnished with stainless steel whirlpool appliances. I'd have preferred a gas stove to the electric one, but there's nothing wrong at all with the stove they have. It's just a preferential difference.
There is central heating/AC which is a lifesaver. This was a dealbreaker for me with a lot of the other apartments. I've never ran into an issue with the heating/AC here.
The prices are reasonable, and the parking is ample here. The floor plans are diverse and really nice.
The management is nothing short of amazing. They are on top of everything, and they've always been courteous and helpful in all my encounters with them. Please keep doing what you're doing!
Maintenance as well is amazing. I really like the little online portal they have to make maintenance requests. It's very simple and intuitive, and you get to see a little report of their visit. The maintenance guys have always been nice, relaxed, and prompt in their work. Definitely keep these guys around and give them a raise!
I picked this complex also because of its location. It's close to the I-84, and it is right next to a number of shopping centers and the Buckland Hills mall down the road.
The apartment complex, pre-COVID, also put on plenty of community events to bring people together, which I enjoyed.
The only small-con I would have is that the dog park is nothing special. Just a little fenced in area with wood chips, random toys, and two benches. Then again, what could you really ask for in a dog park? So, I can't really blame them. Maybe throw in a tree or two for shade and expand it a bit. But this is a minor con.
I want to end this review by responding to another review here which I thought was poorly reasoned. I will address each of that review's cons and note that none of them are an issue:
First, I have had NO serious issues with noise or thin walls. I do hear my neighbor's dog upstairs who runs around frantically chasing a ball, but it's only every once in a while, and because the dog is huge. Nothing serious, especially not meriting a disparaging con against the apartment. I have neighbors on all sides. Haven't heard them.
Second, the 60-day notice period was e-mailed to us frequently in the months leading up the end of our lease. We never had an issue with that.
Third, yes, there is no elevator. So, if you chose to live on the third floor, I admit that it would be annoying and stressful to have to move because you'd have to lug everything up two flights of stairs. I'd blame the architects/designers of the apartment for that but necessarily the apartment complex itself.
Fourth, water heating up has never been an issue for us.
Fifth, dishwasher makes no stupid sound when dishes are done. Must have been in that particular apartment.
Sixth, the dryer DOES make a very loud, startling buzzer sound. It scares the crap out of me every time I hear it. But, honestly, this is just a minor inconvenience that seriously leaves me with a "big whoop" reaction to the original reviewer. The buzzer of the free dryer I get in no way takes away from the fantastic quality of this apartment complex. Would I prefer a dryer without a loud buzzer noise? Sure. Why not. But I don't really mind that it does buzz. Not enough to place it as an actual "con" of living here.
In summation: I highly recommend living here. I plan on living here for the entirety of my doctoral work.