Wrote review 13 years ago and want to add this to initial review. I wished I could make this up.I went through hell living here., till a few owners got city state and federal people eyes on this mess .Don't want anyone else to experience what I went through. Was First time home buying and experience felt horrific, traumatizing Building in poor shape and should not have been approved for condo in 1999. People please be careful when buying Hoa ,putting your money with people you don't know!. You could find yourself in situation like mine;unsafe community,losing a lot of money and eventually your property!..Experienced problems early on with illicit smoke, car vandalism ,frequent water damage to my bathroom /unit about 4 months after moving in . Hoa refused to enter unit causing problem until I threatened to call 911. I used insurance and money out of my pocket to repair unit ,car damage.I was Laughed at, talked over and dismissed when I went to board meetings to complain about smoke property damage. When I informed them they will hear from attorney they called police tried to lie said I threatened.them! (Sic).. I wonder what they are hiding to be this lowdown and nasty??. Very large nasty disrespectful group of people living here:was never welcomed here,told didn't want me there always nasty comments, slander from group of owners. Approached ,targeted by "homeowners gang" saying didn't like me will petition me out.Never did anything to provoke attacks.I Building Poorly maintained,managed ;frequent turnover of property management companies,$500,000 .00 suddenly missing from Hoa bank account,kickback allegations,aforeclosures, delinquent assessments payments,7 years of special assessments;aloofness , frequent transient of residents,lack of neighbor community.( whew). Speaking with owners group reps who are shocked about my experiences;addressing ways to stop other owners from going through mess I had to experience. read more

I owned a studio here as an investment property for 20 years. The property management staff and maintenance staff were always helpful,polite and responsive. The current maintenance team is very friendly, polite and professional. The common areas have always been nicely updated and maintained. And then came TBG (The Building Group Mgmt), they are the worse. 1)They came up with a brilliant idea to charge all the grandfathered investor/owners a $500 annual fee to pay for postage and phone calls. These are low priced condos ranging from $60K-$165K. I have not even heard of half million dollar propertie owners being charged this amount and this does not include the move-in&out fee. 2)They scheduled the board meeting regarding this in between the association firing one managemnet and hiring them, therefore hardly any of the owners were aware that this meeting was taking place. 3) After they signed a parking agreement unbeknownst to me, with my tenant they put the charges on my account when he failed to pay them they tried to hold me financially responsible. The charges were finally removed after several calls and emails, 4) I made a mistake when setting up my automated HOA payments and was short $14, they let three months pass without a courteous phone call or mailed letter to inform me because as I was told, "it;s not our job". I then received a legal notice demanding possession or full payment including $75 for each month that I was $14 short and the legal fees. A $14 shortage turned into over a $1,200. 5) I emailed the board and TBG four times asking them to consider crediting me these charges, I received a one sentence response from the board president and nothing more after that. Approximately 10 people were recipients on those emails and no other replies or acknowledgement. I have served on the board where I resided and nothing like this would ever have happened there, I just sold my unit and happy not to ever have to deal with these people again. read more

Been here a year and I so impressed with all aspects of management - competent, quick response, courteous. The building is always being cleaned and things being updated - do not let the delivery people make you think that the mess the leave is common elsewhere, because it is not. This is something beyond the control of management but aside from that, I LOVE IT. The pool was amazing, clean, well kept, respectful neighbors. Bravo SCC! Bravo! read more

South Commons as management is good. They are expensive as they charge 225 dollars move in and move out fee but the rooms are big. If you are planning to stay in south Commons I would recommend to stay in a management owned apartment and not to occupy owner owned. I stayed in 2 High Rise building and the owner never returned the deposit. Also they falsely accuse you for not giving keys and treat you very badly when you live the apartment. My 2nd owner was a teacher in 2901 South Commons and made it very hard for me while leaving the apartment. She accused me for not giving keys and yelled at me as if I stayed there for 3 years without giving rent. I was the only girl and treated me very badly. And when I said I will complain to the lawyer she said she found the key and was unapologetic. She literally deducted money by giving several reasons which I did not go to argue. But she was very disrespectful. I cleaned the house through some company and she said its not clean and made her husband go all over the house with shoes. I am really disappointed. Overall it is good place to stay but not in owner owned apartment. read more

Beautiful scenic apartment buildings which converted into condominiums in 2000. Sturdy buildings, beautiful landscape, swimming pools and near public transportation. Buildings are low rises (5 stories) and 2 high-rises (21 floors). South Commons is very lovely as this property has been establish since the 1970's. The units were modernized with the condo version. Buildings, grounds, housekeeping and security staff are very hard working. This is a quiet and diverse community where multiple ethnic groups live together very harmoniously. read more

I agree. This place is great. Lived there from '02 to '06 and loved the location, view from my place, being close to Comiskey, and being close to the EL. My only complaint is that they didn't open Starbucks down the street until AFTER I moved out. read more

Pros: Spacious houses Near school Playground Cons: Management is not prompt to solve issues Not safe after dark read more

South Commons Phase I Condominium Association- The overpriced Ghetto complex I received this site from a friend of mind who was looking at condominium reviews online. She asked me my opinion of buying a condo and after living in South Commons for over 10 years I had to be honest with her and say" I do not recommend a condo unless you are wiling to deal with people who may or may not have good solid experience to run the association". My experience has been horrific and would never recommend anyone to live in South Commons until they change the Board of Directors, The Management Company and the Law Firm they use. All the comments prior to mine have been posted by board members who of course thinh that have done a fantasic job. I think the contray. I have to be candid I am particularly bitter because as a result of the poor management etc. I have lost my unit that I invested my life savings and invested in for over 10 years. Each board at this complex has mismanaged the money of the association, they entered into a settlement with the developer that never indemnified the homeowners after the develop gave unit owners a property with over 9 million dollars in needed repairs. I and 7 other homeowners filed a lawsuit and after 3 years of battling in court the judge presiding over the matter has finally decided to hear our issues. To this day based on fact an belief it is believed that the board and its attorneys received funds under the table to except the lame settlement provided to the homeowners of this association. this is very sad because those choices have caused many people to lose their property by possession orders or forclosure that may have been avoided had the association really worked in favor of the homeowners. sometimes people are so greedy they don't care. I think the hardest part for me has been that because I fell behind on my assessments I became a target for the Board and the Attorneys. I hate that I ever bought this condo, the Board is arrogant out of touch with the issues the homeowners have, they let the managment company and the law firm arnstein & lehr churn the accounts of the association and ignore just about every concern the homeowners have that is important to them. As a result of the Boards behavior the homeowner morale is extremely low. The Board meeting have on a good night maybe 20 homeowners out of 679 units owners present. As a result the Board does everything contrary to what is in the best interest of the Association for their own benefit. The finances are smoke an mirrors, every year they write off accounts to make the finances look good and then lie to homeowners and say we would be fine if we could get people to pay as if no one wants to pay their assessments The assessments are high they have had 2 special assessments and will most likely have one in 2011 and the sad part is I might not feel so bad about spending high assessments and special assessments if the complex wasn't in such ill repair. The elevators are always breaking, they spent over 1.3 million dollars in tuckpointing and they still have units with leaking when it rains, they recently spent over $300,000 on a concrete project that has left the complex looking poorly esthetically, the only amenity is the pool, no fitness center, they have security, but I question how effective that is for the homeowners particularly since there are always break ins etc. In addition, the complex is infested with bed bugs, roaches, and most recently rodents are on the rise. Lets not forget the constant revolving door or homeowners deserting their property, High forclosures, high amount of rentals because people can't afford to live their, because they can't sell there unit, the assessments have gotten too high or the assessments have caused the homeowner to compromise their relationship with their mortgage lender. I am normally very postive, but I take issue with people patting themselves on the back about doing absolutely nothing. I am not exaggerating. This board lets management and the law firm run everything and both are robbing the association blind. I predict that if this associaiton does not change its course this year it will most likely be insolvent in the next few years. Would I buy in South Commons- No, I would not even recommend this place to my worst enemy. Now don't just take my word for it go visit the place if you are considering a purchase in this complex and talk to the homeowners. Talk to at least 10 homeowners. I find that the minority homeowners tend to be more disgruntal than the mainstream. I say this to insist that you get comments from a variety of backgrounds not just one or the other. South Commons Phase I Condominium Association - Don't get snookered, don;t hire the Firm Arnstein & Lehr( David Sugar) and don't use Community Specialist for a Management compan ( The most unprofessional company the complex has used) read more

South Commons Phase I Condominium Association - Condominiums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have lived in South Commons for over 4 years. We have seen a great deal of change and improvement for the better in those years. I am completely satisfied with my condo, the location and the community. The assessments are certainly a consideration, but as homeowners, there are always improvements that need to me made to your property and South Commons is striving to make upgrades that will significantly improve our properties and our values. read more

South Commons is a great place to live in Chicago. It's located on the near south side and is only 3 miles from downtown and 1/2 mile from Lake Michigan. Transportation is nearby with buses, and trains within walking distance and freeways just a few blocks away. If you like sports, you can walk to Sox park, and it's easy to catch a bus to Soldier Field. The views are great, the neighbors are friendly, and there are two pools on site, and a large public park just across the street. So much to like... read more

The best place I have ever live in. I'm single and been live there for three years! The maintence team is wonderful, and they always came within half hour after you call. The security guards are always within sight whenever I left home or got homes. I never feel so safe as a single lady living in a complex building. It's so convience that you just need to take one bus to downtown and Navy Pier, and no need of transfer. Indoor parking is cheap, and there are plenty of street parking too. A lot of older people have moved, and now it's mostly young and single professionals live there. read more

I have lived in South Commons for 25 years. Twelve of those have been as a Condo owner and thirteen years as a renter in the same building. During that time, I've witnessed one crime! This area has been crime free 97% of the 25 years. South Commons is a beautiful property with six buildings. Four of the buildings are 5 stories and two are high rises...679 total units. There are two private outdoor swimming pools on the property and right across the street, on Indiana is a park district facility with a quarter mile running/walking track and several tennis courts. The views are spectacular from the high rises including the lake and the downtown skyline! We're walking distance from Sox Park and the lakefront walking/running/biking path to the Museum campuses and the loop. Apartment floor plans are unique and most units have big balconies. It's a wonderful place to live in Chicago......check it out!!!!!!!!!! DT read more

This is the worst place to live in Chicago, I am living in building 3001 it is so noisy from morning 6:30 till night no proper acoustics, I can easily hear what my neighbor speak. in lobby u can't stand at 12:00 at night common what is the use of it then, since i am in 1st floor until now i got 3 times gutter water from my kitchen sink and i visited management office they told call owner, my owner was out of town and that bad water was all over my place after a day they came by that time you can imagine my situation. funny part is there is no centralized heating this fucking ppl expect us to live without heat. guys look wise it is good not to live. there is no safety here. I am having lot to say but no patience. In one word "fuck this management" and owner fuck south commons. u will get good apartment in prairies, lake meadows or bridge port, don't get cheated by thinking it is near to iit campus. I want to give 0 star but not possible. please don't come here or else you will loose your peace. read more

DO NOT EVER MOVE HERE! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!! I would't be this forthright for no reason. I move to South Commons in January 2013. One day before moving there my partner and I decided to move a couple of things into our new unit we just purchased. Immediately not even 10 minutes before we start we got bombard by the security and the Chief Engineer who I think has anger problems advising us that what we were doing was wrong moving this in before our moving date when the day before we were clearly advised my the management office that it was okay to move a few things in. We didn't even get a Welcome to South Commons, instead we got yelled at by irate staff. Second, the rules in the building are so strict that when we decided to remodel the living floor it took about a month and a half because different employees in the management office were basically giving us the run around and each and every person told us something different when we called them concerning the remodeling. AND the most important thing is I have never seen a bunch of Unwelcoming people in my life!!! EVERYONE in this building ARE EXTREMELY RUDE. you see someone aND you just being nice say hello or good morning, you get a mad face and the cold shoulder I couldn't believe it! after 5 months of living in that god forsaking place we are moving out. PLEASE I'm warning you, PLEASE DO NOT MOVE TO SOUTH COMMONS YOU WILL REGRET IT TRUST ME read more