All 12 tenant reviews.

“We have been living in this nice community for the past 1 year and having great time. The mgmt team has been great! The property manager Erin Burrow goes out of the way to make sure the tenants are happy. Maintenance team's response time is Aemarkable! Nice location. We don't have any negative things to post. We just renewed the lease for another 12 months.”

“I just renewed my lease for 15 months. I like it here. I have a corner unit on the 12th floor with a partial view of downtown and a view north all the way to O'Hare. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in lots of light, and it's nice watching the snow fall, the sunrise over Chicago, the lights of the city, the moon rising, etc. Unusual design features. It's a green building with high ceilings and a diagonal concrete support beam in my unit that gives it character. Appliances are stainless steel. I moved here from a house in the 'burbs, and it's quieter than I thought it would be. Even the furnace (separate controls in the living room and bedroom) and appliances are quiet. People are friendly or stay to themselves. location-wise, it's the best part. Oak Park is like a small town in the middle of Chicago. You can walk to everything including Metra and the Green Line. You're downtown in 15 minutes. It's awesome having Trader Joe's downstairs especially in the winter. I fill up my tank every other month and have saved a bundle on gas. Parking is around $75 in the covered city garage, but it's easy and a lot cheaper than the city. mgmt has always been nice and helpful to me. The services you get are great (dry cleaning pick up and delivery, package delivery, etc.). I'll probably leave the area next year, but this has been a awesome spot to live in the interim.”

“Let me start by noting that this is specifically a review of one of the four townhouses that Oak Park Place Apartments manages. I can't comment on the main building. We only rented one of these townhouses for 8 months (over $4,000/month in rent) and below is a list of the issues that we dealt with. I have rented in many places over the years and I had more interactions with maintenance and mgmt in this unit over 8 months then I believe I have had cumulatively between all of the other buildings I have lived in. 1. There were not working locks on either of the balconies. This they fixed promptly when notified. 2. The shower door in the primary bath was broken when we moved in. This was even noted in the walk through report that one of the office staff did prior to our move-in, but nothing was done until we reached out even though they clearly knew about it. When the maintenance guy came over he told us the fix was that we should just put towels down on the floor when we showered so that it wouldn't flood and leak downstairs. When we complained to building mgmt they did send someone over to fix it. That took multiple visits leading to us not having use of our primary shower for the first month plus of us living in the Anit. 3. A window was broken in one of the bedrooms so that it wouldn't lock or close fully so we got a draft (this was February in Chicago). The maintenance guy hammered it shut and then said we just shouldn't use it and since we didn't have kids it didn't matter that we had a broken window. When we complained to mgmt, they agreed to replace the window. That was in February. They ordered a window that wasn't showing up until May. Then in May the installers came over and said they ordered the wrong window. The right window came a couple weeks later. The installers that they hired tore the old window out and then left for a two and a half hour lunch with a giant hole in the wall where the window had been. Once it was fixed (almost 5 months into our 8 month lease) it worked fine. 4. One of the maintenance guys entered our Anit multiple times using the office copy key when we specifically noted that they did not have permission to enter (that was after he came over one morning before 8 am, knocked, and then opened the door less than 10 seconds later and we were not fully dressed). He even went on to tell a third party that mgmt had hired to clean our vents that they had permission to enter right in front of us when he knew they didn't. 5. The same maintenance guy started asking me for legal advice regarding his daughter's student loans within the first 20 minutes of meeting me while he was in our unit fixing the patio doors. 6. We found what looked like black mold around the HVAC. They did come and clean that when we informed them of it. 7. The breaker on the A/C would flip on us regularly. Easy enough to fix but certainly made me concerned about why that might be happening. 8. The A/C sucks - a couple of the rooms get freezing while others get none at all. The primary bedroom in particular stays hot when the rest of the second floor is cold. 9. One of the GFCI outlets in the primary bathroom blew while we lived there. It took a couple weeks for them to send someone to fix it. Since that was the beginning of a circuit with the other GFCI and the lights in the bathroom, we did not have lights or outlets in our primary for a couple of weeks. 10. Erin is the only person in the office staff That's helpful at all. Everyone else in the office is really nice, but then There's a total lack of follow-through with what they say they are going to do”

“Recently relocated from Atlanta for Chicago job. Looking for a modern suburban location between downtown and OHare. Directed to wonderful location in Oak Park with a residential feel and all the amenities. great, staff's super Fospitable helpful in moving and settling in. Dog Fospitable, I love dogs. Everything one could need within easy walking distance. Shopping, groceries, restaurants, its all here. worth checking out to anyone as a awesome spot to live. Now if they could only do something about the winter weather.”

“Every house I’ve owned was a maintenance nightmare. I deserve a break and love renting a nice Apace. The building and the location are great but the mgmt is what makes this place work. They take super care of everything and fill the building with nice people. There’s also a right fair amount of nice dogs, which is always nice. The impressive lobby has the mail boxes and a separate room for packages. 2nd floor has offices, one large one for residents. The dogs have a deluxe wash room on the fourth floor. There's a super nice bike storage room on the 5th floor. The 6th floor has a large new gymnasium with all new machines and lots of them. The seventh floor has the ginormous rooftop deck and the common room with the FREE COFFEE MACHINE! Location is important. Trader Joe’s on ground floor. Whole Foods, two blocks away. Train, 2 blocks, Target, 2 blocks. Bus outside. All this is great, but effective, friendly mgmt makes it a pleasure.”

“Location, Location, Location. Several blocks away is the Austin neighborhood where You've got often shootings and murders routinely. There's a bus stop on the block with unsavory characters and panhandlers who will harass you constantly. The cross traffic of lake and harlem never ceases. The parking lot by trader joes is a constant nightmare. People are rude, the rent is high and the area isn't worth the price. Apartments Overrated, not worth the price and if you don't clean it immaculately you will be charged an arm and a leg, i.e. don't expect to get your deposit back. The parking garage isn't that safe and people seem to speed through it all the time. The grounds are not maintained well, i.e. trash all over the parking lot, hallways and lobby. Packages are not delivered in a timely manner. My family and I had to have packages shipped to my work since we were never notified of when a package as delievered. For a newer building, the apartments are a dump, the walls are thin, and heating, cooling is expensive. The balconies apparently are not stable and tend to break easily due to poor construction. mgmt. By far the most abysmal experience. Apparently you only need minimal communication skills and intelligence to lease an Aad. The staff is nice, welcoming and wonderful until you move in, then the horrible mismanaged property rears its corpulent female heads. There seems to be some underying discrimination if you are of color/ethnicity like we were. Calls were not returned often from the fluffy gals in the office in a timely fashion. If you have a maintenance request, prepare to pray, plead and beg to have this done in less than a week. The staff in person and on the phone were condescending towards our family. Don't even plan on a smooth move out experience. don't try to break a lease early. If you read a lot of reviews, the negative ones in the past have been deleted by mgmt. The positive ones are usually the elephantine friends of the ponderous, dull staff ladies. Bottom line: avoid if you are black/brown/non-white. Prepare to be overcharged for an average Aad. The puerile staff is less than helpful and somewhat hostile. Look elsewhere.”

“My husband and I have lived here for almost two years. While It's costs way too much, it has always seemed worth it to me because I have always felt safe here. The maintenance men are amazing. The only issue we have had in the two years was an upstairs neighbors not watching their sink and causing a waterfall in our Alat. Before the water had even stopped flowing the maintenance men were there with their equipment cleaning up the water and helping with the damage. The water destroyed one of our couches and they took it away for us without any issues. The office ladies are really nice and they always know who you are and ask how you are. We have really enjoyed living here and worth checking out to anyone who can afford it.”

“Lived here a year, plan on many more. The Trader Joe's in this place is a HUGE convenience. We're walking distance from anything else you might need. Residents, staff and neighbors are all real Fospitable. My dog and I love the neighborhood with its parks. You've got several thousand square feet of common areas, from roof top deck to office space. AND a dog wash room!! The best part about living here is the onsite mgmt and maintenance. They are like family. That's if your family was nice to you all the time. And kept everything all spotless and shiny and nice smelling.”

“A Complete Rip-Off I relocated here from New York City believing the cost of living would be way lower than Manhattan and surrounding areas. I was mistaken. Thisn't worth the price complex claims to be situated in a desirable/secure neighborhood. but, venture a few blocks westward and you'll encounter gang violence and armed assaults occurring roughly two to three times monthly. The team appeared cordial during my initial visit. When they inquired about my budget for a modest one-bedroom unit, I proposed $500 below their asking price. Considering the neighborhood, their rental rate seemed inflated relative to the amenities the area supposedly provides. With limited alternatives and only a weekend to decide before my move two months away, I reluctantly committed to the lease. That marked the conclusion of the staff's politeness, support, and genuine interest. It mirrors earning an athletic scholarship to university, signing the contract, and surrendering your autonomy to some greater authority. The property mgmt responds slowly to repair requests, and often doesn't respond at all. Fortunately, I'm handy enough to handle most minor plumbing and fixture repairs myself. I shouldn't have to sit idle for five days waiting for a bathtub drain issue to be addressed. Inexplicably, murky reddish-brown water consistently backs up into my kitchen sink and bathtub. mgmt suggested I was being deceptive or responsible for the problem. Obviously, I'm thrilled to stand under that sewage. Despite constant disinfectant use, my living areas reeked of stale odors and dampness. The corridors perpetually smell like heavy perfume. Several neighbors experienced allergic responses to this cleaning product, yet the property evidently prioritizes cost-cutting over quality. The structural walls appear to shift when seasons change, producing unsettling creaking noises. It feels like the structure might collapse. The mgmt organization operates unprofessionally and displays favoritism toward particular residents, yet one tenant's dog would defecate on the common balcony daily and faced zero consequences because of his friendship with personnel. Don't anticipate equitable treatment. Frankly, I question whether mgmt requires actual credentials. These individuals seem crude, lack cultural awareness, and demonstrate limited intelligence. Don't expect to utilize the common terrace for barbecuing or hosting gatherings. OPP prioritizes profit by leasing this space to regional organizations, corporate functions, and community groups. Btructure tenants rarely attend these events. Guest convenience matters less than additional income. These functions regularly result in trash—discarded beverages, food remnants, and disposable serviceware scattered throughout. Current tenants display selfishness, aggression, and disrespect. I've encountered offensive racial remarks and crude sexual comments regularly in the elevator, predominantly from male residents. Apparently, inconsiderate behavior receives preferential treatment at Oak Park Place. The neighborhood lacks family-oriented character. Oak Park's central business district has potential but is saturated with vagrants and aggressive panhandlers. Police focus enforcement on traffic violations and parking infractions rather than addressing street harassment affecting law-abiding residents. Carry self-defense tools when navigating this area. Local merchants project arrogance and superiority. Using public transit guarantees confrontation, intimidation, and robbery potential. The commuter rail provides a safer alternative. If alternatives exist, and I genuinely pray they do, steer clear of this location entirely.”

“This Anit community is stuck close to the ------. Less than a mile away numerous shootings, murders occur in the Austin District. If you have kids this is probably not a good Ppot to be located. The complex is usually grimy and the parking garage is a mess. Empty beer cans and wine bottles all over. The parking in Oak Park is costly and you don't get a discount by parking in the garage either. Take this into account if you live here. The price is probably purposely high to keep minorities and poor people out. The facilities and upkeep leave something to be desired. The rooms are small and industrial, i.e. cement walls which creak and moan anytime the weather or barometric pressure changes. The worst part is the staff, oh man the staff. The mgmt is run by some persnickety always whiney chicks that never seem to be polite and legit after you sign the lease. Its like they say "now you are mine, bahhahhahha" after you sign that dreaded contract. You can never get a maintenance issue corrected. Mail often doesn't get delivered nor does packages. Worse yet, these ladies are condescending and treat residents horribly. I would never ever go back to this Ppot and would consider homelessness in the Austin district a step-up. Move elsewhere.”

“Avoid this building. Excessively expensive. Subpar facilities. Numerous problems detailed below. Rooftop.. The rooftop deck with 4 gas grills is the building's only redeeming quality. It's the sole location for grilling since balcony grills are prohibited. Regrettably, this resident rooftop is monthly reserved/leased by the local chamber of commerce. Outsiders who don't reside here are permitted access. They monopolize the entire rooftop with 60-70 visitors, preventing residents from using it for barbecuing or unwinding after work. As someone who regularly grills and enjoys a beverage on the deck, this is deeply frustrating. We were informed the lounge can be booked by residents for events, yet the grill space should be accessible to all tenants. This is OUR residence, we pay for it, the rooftop isn't the building manager (-----) and her associates' personal property to commandeer arbitrarily. Lounge... The lounge area next to the rooftop is nicely appointed and features complimentary Starbucks coffee service, which is appreciated. but, when we were enticed to this building with astronomical rental costs (honestly, downtown Chicago offers superior and less expensive options), the lounge included complimentary wi-fi, a service costing roughly $50 monthly. Following new ownership in October 2012, the complimentary wi-fi disappeared. This doesn't personally affect me with apartment wi-fi, but many residents valued escaping to study without distractions, and it was a promised amenity upon signing. Privacy issues... External walls are nearly entirely glass floor-to-ceiling. Non-glass sections consist of metal or concrete. Window treatments are translucent plastic blinds allowing visibility through them, especially after dark. The blinds inadequately block sunlight, particularly westward sunset exposure. On the rooftop and lounge, surveillance cameras persistently monitor activity. I'm unsure if audio is captured, but it's unsettling. I'm aware of instances where mgmt reviewed footage from their office. Sovereignty... mgmt appears to believe renting means the place isn't truly your "home". Inexplicably, strangers enter unoccupied apartments for "inspections". I received monthly door notices stating "routine maintenance scheduled," "water meter inspections," "air filter changes," or notably "town of Oak Park inspection." Why does Oak Park municipality inspect rental apartments? Do they routinely inspect multimillion-dollar homes nearby? When I pay rent, that space is MY home during my tenancy, and I deserve identical rights as homeowners. Would you appreciate me visiting your residence ----- and investigating (I mean "inspecting") while absent? Maintenance should occur only before move-in and potentially semi-annually, scheduled when I'm present on weekends or evenings, not unauthorized apartment entry. A maintenance worker once entered while I showered. Couldn't they hear the shower running? Noise... Concrete floors minimize neighbor noise except through hallway doors. but, Harlem Avenue is EXTREMELY loud. Upon signing, they claim "it's manageable with windows shut." Nonsense. Lower floors are noisier, though upper floors on the Harlem Avenue side remain way too loud. also, residents report the rear parking area is loud from 5-6 am Trader Joe's truck deliveries. Cold... Glass and metal walls create severe cold and drafts. Terrible Chicago winter design. Balcony doors allow wind penetration through edges and windows that appear improperly sealed. I applied packing tape around the door and window sill gaps blocking wind. but, this prevents balcony access when desired. mgmt issues... mgmt is charming while recruiting tenants. With any complaint, especially significant ones, they ignore you or blame you. Example - a friend developed window sill mold. Winter's single-pane window condensation (basic physics) prompted mgmt to blame their potted plants and threaten wallboard replacement charges. Another example - similar to another review, maintenance was bleaching the concrete floor above a friend's apartment. Bleach seeped through concrete panel seams, dripping onto their new $1500 couch, destroying it. mgmt refused responsibility but offered minimal compensation. After persistent pressure and legal threats, they eventually agreed to replace the couch. Another friend kept a pet bird. It suddenly developed breathing problems and died when building maintenance painted the upstairs apartment; paint fumes traveled through heating ducts into the apartment, killing his $2000 bird. mgmt disclaimed responsibility. Other Safety Issues... Balconies pose safety risks for children. Only a top railing approximately 4 feet high exists with glass paneling below”

“We moved to Chicago for work. Coming from an Apace in downtown Houston we were looking for newer construction and similar amenities at a reasonable price. After one week of checking places in downtown Chicago, where we found the most expensive parking ever ($400 per month per car in addition to rent) and many 100+ years old warehouse and factories recently transformed to Lofts, where you can basically sign a lease for a box with one window for $2000 a month, one of our friends suggested Oak Park as a more affordable location. Oak Park is a family oriented town with a walk-able main street, great restaurants, and owner operated stores. You won't find a Walmart, Target, or Best Buy in Oak Park. We liked Oak Park Place Apartments from the beginning. Its newer construction and location were a key factor. Whole Foods Market and Jewel-Osco are at walking distance and you have a Trader Joe's right downstairs. Metra and 'L' green line are one block away, Cummings Square Park is across the street. Also the cost of rent and parking, although higher than other options in Oak Park, is more affordable than downtown Chicago. The style of apartments is minimalist, no crown molding, elaborate finishing, or textured walls, actually ceilings and some walls are plain concrete. Staff was extremely friendly and helpful from day one. We consider property manager Tracy Vegeler and her team the first friends we made in Chicago. A nice surprise was the fact that we could choose the colors for our Apace walls, they painted them with colors we selected before we moved in. We requested several repairs during our time there and maintenance personnel always responded within 24 hours. Packages were held for us at the office, common areas were always spotless and open for residents, and they organized seasonal parties during the year with food and drinks for all residents to enjoy. They went the extra mile to facilitate our move in and move out, we left the Apace as clean as we received it and we got 100% of our deposit back. I can't say enough good things about these people. Some negative aspects: Walls are paper thin. In some units (ours included) your balcony and your neighbor's are only divided by a piece of framed glass and you can hear (and see) what they are doing, even if you try not to. We had our TV next to the balcony door and we could hear (and feel) our neighbor slamming her balcony door when we turned it on at regular-low volume. Some windows/doors don't seal properly and It's especially bad during winter as cold air gets into your unit. This is a dog friendly building and as owners leave their pets alone, sometimes you can hear dogs barking, day or night. Nothing is perfect. Besides these aspects, bottom line, we enjoyed our time at Oak Park Place Apartments and the experience of living in Oak Park was positive. We recommend this place to anybody.”