Since Sara's review of this joint (she and I lived together) it's undergone some financial issues, and as I understand it is owned by "the bank". The manager was fired (he really was a flake) for not paying the bills and has filed bankruptcy. While living there, we had at least three occasions were the energy and water companies came to our property and posted notes on all of our doors saying they were going to shut off our service because of an overdue bill. Well, we phoned the office, obviously, and got this response: "Oh! I sent that out. The check must have crossed in the mail." ...Now...I'm no idiot, and as a tax-paying, bill-paying citizen I know that no company is going to threaten to turn off power to an entire apartment complex in the dead of Michigan winter, because a check crossed in the mail. It was right around then we all started about talking about moving out. We were paying month to month at the time, and turned in our 30 day notice in November 2008 (I think). Around the same time we got a paper/copied "heat bill" on our door. Now, in over two years there had *never* been a heat bill for this place. The bill read nearly $100, but had empty date lines that were supposed to be filled in. Well, the hell that I'm going to fork over $100 without knowing what or when I'm paying for. So, I phoned the office. Apparently the former manager hadn't been handing those out either. They still didn't give me the dates, nor the total bill, which apparently was different than what the sheet said? I moved out less than 30 days later. I tried to get in touch with the new "managers" several times and could not. They seemed to be as bad as our old flake. It's been almost a year since I moved out, and though I loved the house, the location and the price, I'm not sure it was worth dealing with such a poorly managed complex. Not to mention the multiple threats of losing utilities puts a damper on any living arrangement. read more

We have been living here since the new ownership and have had no problems. We are in our 6th month of the lease and we have received no outrageous heat bills or strange notices. Nicole Leigh S.'s review sounds a bit odd. If you live in an apartment and were not told when you signed that the heat would be free, but then you never receive a heat bill for your unit, doesn't that tell you something isn't right, and that maybe you should ask the management about it? Anyway, the new ownership appears to be very responsible. Heat is divided among the residents in each building, according to square footage of each unit, and bills come at a timely manner. We have never had a heat bill for $100 or more than that, even during a freezing winter and spring. Tenants receive bills from Consumer's for their electricity use. Water is charged to each unit at a flat $25 bill, billed at the same time each month as the heat. Our unit stays nice and warm in the winter and we do not have noticeable drafts, unlike the previous place we lived. Our building is at the bottom of the hill and the buildings at the top of the hill are exposed to more winds and cold than the buildings further down hill that are more shielded from it. It's simple to put plastic over your window to cut back any drafts to help your unit stay warmer. As for the dog droppings mentioned by a previous reviewer, how can the management or owner of the place be blamed for people not picking up after their own dogs?? Management did send warning letter out, around February, reminding people to clean up after their animals and that if anyone was seen not doing so they could face eviction. So, the management did their part and sent out a warning and a reminding of the rules. Outside of that, people are responsible for their own animals feces. Regarding a previous reviewer stating that her lot was not plowed after a winter storm, all I can say is I have never seen a time when the plow truck here wasn't out after a snowfall or storm. After every snow, I would see the plow truck out at 6. a.m. There was one storm that dropped a very wet and icy, sloppy snow mixture overnight and the management sent out an apology note that said their equipment was unable to effectively handle it because it was so wet and heavy. Other than that, I have seen no issues with the plow truck not plowing. Perhaps some people need proper vehicles that can handle the norther Michigan weather. Overall, this has been an excellent place to live. The units are quiet and we cannot hear our neighbors. I've lived in apartments where it seemed the walls were made of cardboard and you could hear your neighbors talking, etc. This place is nice and sound proof. The grounds are pretty, the management is friendly, and we have found the maintenance people to be prompt in getting over to look at a problem. If you own a dog or cat, you can have them here. The units are set up like townhomes, with a second floor. The clubhouse is nice and can be rented for group events at $15 an hour, for tenants. The only thing I wish was different was that the parking lots were able to handle more vehicles. A lot of units have multiple adults renting together (3 and 4 in some units), and they all have their own vehicles, which makes more vehicles per unit that the standard norm for a typical family with children. So, the lots can get filled up fast as people return home from work, and a few extra spaces would be nice to help this situation. Also, if they would assign spaces or space numbers, that could possibly help. Or, if they would build an overflow/visitor lot across Manitou Dr. There are almost enough spaces for each unit if there is one to two adults, and maybe one or two children, living in them. But several units are more like college dorms with 4 and 5 adults shacking up together in them. That's my only real complaint. Otherwise, we recommend this place to people who are looking for a quiet place to live. In my experience, this is a lot nicer place that other apartments I've rented, especially for the price. read more

I have lived at Manitou Woods for nearly five years and give it five stars. No it is not the Taj Mahal, it is not the White House or even Buckingham Palace ... It's a very lovely affordable place to live with wonderful curb appeal. To keep costs down the maintenance crew is minimal but those working there do a great job. When we get 14 inches of snow and it keeps coming down there is no value in plowing and no one should be on the roads in the first place, stay home and enjoy the blizzard. The utility bills are very fair, the carport is exactly that, not a garage but it does what it is meant to do at a minimal cost. Nella, the manager is without a doubt one of the kindest, loving, helpful individuals you could ever ask to serve the complex and she does her best but for some her best or anyone's best will never be good enough. Again, this is the best place to live for the price and what you get in Traverse City and a perfect location. When a family / individual moves out the floors are all being redone with a beautiful wood/laminate, walls painted and appliances upgraded. Manitou Woods is Traverse City's best kept secret. Richard G. read more

This is the worst place you could ever experience. Like the previous reviewer I agree everything looks ok initially. Sadly this place has ALOT of hidden problems. We had major water leaks which destroyed possessions twice. Management is very indifferent. Despite spraying for bugs we were literally overrun with ants and beetles in summer and many many spiders in fall. Management "divides" the heat bill on a shared meter so despite keeping our thermostat low we got $250+ heat bills in the winter due to others running their heat high. Looks like a bargain but you get what you pay for. read more

Manitou Woods had poor management a few years ago but the owner has completely re-vamped the place!! Management is great now! The property always looks amazing, the units are beautiful, and I love living there!! read more

Where to begin... The first day we moved in the pipes under our kitchen faucet was leaking and we couldn't get anyone to come by and fix it for 3 days. The carpet was nasty burbur with a bunch of fray lines in it. We noticed that every time we turned on the light switches, they made crackling noises (but maintenance said that was perfectly normal). Whenever we turned off the upstairs hallway light it would BLINK for a while! But that was normal too. The property smells like raw sewage on some mornings to the point where you literally gag. I had a nasty smell coming from under one of my kitchen cupboards and had maintenance come to check it out. They said all they smelled was wet dog; it actually smelled like sewage (I have a dog, I know what wet dog smells like). I pay over a 1,000.00 a month to live here. All it covers is garbage and lawn maintenance, but there is no lawn maintenance that goes on here. The bush outside my townhouse looked like a nasty, dried-up tumble weed. They don't rake any leaves or pine needles. They don't maintain the landscape at all. There's dog droppings EVERYWHERE. Oh yeah, and you have to pay an additional 15.00 for a car port. It would be an utter joke to say their townhouses are energy efficient in any way, shape or form. All previous places I've rented have never sacked me with such ridiculous electric and gas bills. The upstairs is not insulated AT ALL! In the summer you have to point a fan up the stairs and even that doesn't make a difference. In the winter my daughter has to sleep with 4 thick blankets to keep warm (despite the register in her bedroom and one in the bathroom and the other room). The air conditioner doesn't work well and smells like mildew when it's on. The place was built and designed by a third grader I think. When I'm in my bedroom I can tell if the basement light is on because there's a gaping space between the molding and the carpet. The cupboard doors are crooked. No one seems to think they need to put their dogs on leashes and management does NOTHING about this. In fact, management is a total joke. The lady running the show here is an apathetic burn out, doesn't care about anything and think you have no valid reason to complain about anything. And finally, the morning after a major winter storm no one came out and plowed. Cars were getting stuck left and right in the parking lot! And this went on until noon! On a Friday! People couldn't leave to go to work or anywhere else because the maintenance crew never showed up! Apparently they'd spent the first half of the morning taking care of the owner's property, making sure her place was nice and plowed. Apparently her property was more important than her tenants being able to get to work. And if you have children who need to ride the bus? Have fun with that. The sidewalk leading down this steep, treacherous hill is maintained only half the time. I would NEVER recommend living here. They say on their website that they provide "affordable", "luxury" townhouses but nothing could be further from the truth. These people are in it for themselves and they simply do not care.. read more