Apartment Review for Bella Vista - Memphis, TN

Where do I begin....I've lived here for a little over a month and I plan to break my lease as soon as possible. First off, DO NOT BE FOOLED BY FIRST IMPRESSIONS!!! I can't stress that point enough. The first thing you will probably notice after having the misfortune of wandering into this complex is that the grounds are immaculately maintained--I mean it actually looks like somewhere a reasonable person might choose to reside. Suffice it to say, the grounds are the only well-maintained areas, but this you'll find out if you foolishly choose to rent here as I did. The model unit that you will be shown is also very clean and well laid out--mind you, it looks nothing like the vermin-infested hole you'll be renting. The staff will seem very genial and responsive to your concerns, but after the lease is signed that too proves to be a front. The first day I moved into my unit I noted the washer/dryer did not work, the kitchen sink leaked, the water pressure was extremely low, the mailbox key didn't fit and I noticed roaches (more on them in a minute). After listing all of these issues on the move-in inspection sheet I was provided by the leasing agent, I was assured that all of them would be addressed within a week's time. None of them were until I'd been here nearly 5 weeks. They didn't come fix any of these problems until after I had paid my first month's rent--go figure! When the sketchy maintenance men did show up over the course of that time period it was sporadically and often unannounced--they literally barge into your apartment while you're asleep. To this day I still cannot get into my mailbox because apparently it takes an act of God to have the lock changed and a new key made; like many of the other tenants I have to break into it with a blunt object in order to get my mail. The tenants themselves are a mixture of hispanics--who make up the majority--and assorted riff-raff (i.e. thugs, drug dealers, etc.) I've never felt especially unsafe insofar as I've never had any specific incidents. But, the pit bull fights, blaring music and loud talking in the wee hours, roving bands of suspicious-looking characters, and almost constant commotion may make one uncomfortable. Now, a word on the six-legged freeloaders. I have NEVER IN MY LIFE seen soooooo many roaches in one place. I have tried every type of pest control product available (foggers, sprays, traps, gels, powders, etc.) to no avail. I have even had a professional exterminator come in, but being that my bug problem was not limited to my unit but part of a complex-wide infestation there was little he could do. The roaches infest every nook and crevice of the unit. They crawl on you as you sleep, eat your food, literally crawl out of the walls and plumbing fixtures, fall from the ceilings, bathe with you, come out of the sinks and toilets, hide in your clothes and linens, and the list goes on. If you listen, you can actually hear them at night on the walls and floors! Having never lived under such squalid conditions, I find this apartment deplorable and my family and I will be vacating the Bella Vista Housing Projects without delay! To hell with their move-in specials, for the $600+ per month that they charge you can definitely do better!