I lived at The Anderson at River Oaks for four years, and unfortunately I watched this property go from one of the nicest apartment communities in the area to one that I could no longer justify living in.
When the property was owned by Gables, it was exceptionally maintained. The grounds were clean, the amenities were always in good condition, maintenance requests were handled quickly, and the staff was friendly and professional. I genuinely enjoyed living there.
Everything changed after the property was sold to The Anderson.
The decline was almost immediate. The main elevators were out of service for nearly 10 months, yet rent and various fees continued to increase. It felt like new charges were constantly being added while the quality of the property steadily declined.
The fitness center is another example. The air conditioning was broken for more than three months before it was repaired. All of the free weights disappeared and, during my time there, they were never replaced. They also removed one of the property's best amenities--the movie theater room. I used it regularly to watch UFC events and other sporting events with friends. It was replaced with an empty room containing little more than mirrors and a ballet bar, making the space essentially useless.
The biggest issue, however, was sanitation.
For roughly the last two years of my residency, there was a constant dumpster odor throughout the hallways. The sixth floor was especially bad. The first floor frequently had flies and even maggots around the trash area. This wasn't an occasional problem--it became a normal part of living there.
The original maintenance team that had helped make the property enjoyable was gone, and in my experience the replacement staff simply didn't maintain the property to the same standard.
Cleanliness throughout the building also deteriorated. Dog urine in the elevators became common, common areas were frequently left dirty, and the smell of marijuana regularly lingered throughout the hallways.
Management turnover was another major concern. During my final months there, it seemed like management changed repeatedly. There were multiple property managers and office staff coming and going in a very short period of time, making it difficult to get consistent communication or accountability.
Security also became a serious concern. There were increasing reports of vehicles being broken into, vandalized, or stolen. I owned two vehicles and no longer felt comfortable leaving them in the garage, which ultimately became one of the main reasons I decided to move out.
It's honestly disappointing because this property used to be one I would have recommended without hesitation. Today, based on my experience, I cannot recommend it. Between the deteriorating maintenance, persistent odors, declining cleanliness, constant management turnover, noise from late-night parties, marijuana smell throughout the building, and growing security concerns, it simply no longer offers the quality of living it once did.
If you're considering moving here, I strongly recommend touring the property carefully--including the hallways, elevators, fitness center, and parking garage--and deciding whether the current condition justifies the price. read more
