moving to norwood feedback on managed buildings (Quincy, Newton: apartments, lease)

[jwookie]

Hi,

I am moving to Norwood and was looking at these avalon blue hills etc managed condos/buildings to rent in. The online review was very bad with most saying that the management is usually rude, hard to get in touch with and oppressive lease terms. Some buildings have a rat problem, others have noise problem etc.

It would be great if anyone could give their feedback of these kind of places. Some of them being
- avalon@newton 89-99 Needham Street Newton Highlands, MA 02461
- jefferson@dedham 1000 Presidents Way Dedham, MA 02026
- avalon blue hills 326 Canton St Randolph, MA 02368
- norwest woods 1 Norwest Drive, Norwood, Ma 02062
- archstone quincy95 W. Squantum St., Quincy, MA 02171
- Faxon park Faxon Park 500 Falls Boulevard Quincy, MA 02169\
- hancock village 298 Independence Drive,
- Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
- Ridgecrest village 5120 Washington sreet, West Roxbury, MA 02132


I am in New york and am open to moving to any good place near/in Norwood. Which place / town would you suggest (1BR) to rent if I work in Norwood. I think it is not good to move to place like above. About me: I am married and would like a quiet and safe place.

Thanks for the chime and comments

[kaytees]

Hi -

I can't comment on the apartments listed - but I can comment on commute.

I live in Waltham and commute to Canton (I drive right by Norwood). It's easy peazy. It's an ODD day if I hit traffic -basically, it's the opposite commute from most people.

If you are going the other direction (ie: Randolph to Norwood) you will hit traffic every day.

[jwookie]

I am completely confused. Am looking for an apartment to rent for now. Should I look at the management apartments or units that are owned by individuals and rented by owners/brokers.

In NYC there is no concept of community apartment and u either own/rent a place. In case of problems there is the live-in super or owner who quickly fixes the thing.

Please advise on which places should I look at. Maybe I should drive down and see the places.

[kaytees]

Hi -

what you want to rent is completely up to you - there is both in the area. Some people prefer mangement apartments - others don't.

Personally, I'd rather private owned - normally a house or multi family - these could have the option of deck, yard, not cookie cutter, charm, etc.

[rranger]

Have you thought about Dedham instead? It's closer in and there are nice, new apartments for rent in a complex next to the Legacy Mall. It's ideal for shopping and for the commuter rail to downtown. I don't have any idea how much they rent for, but I understand there is some vacancy.

[rranger]

Originally Posted by jwookie

I am completely confused. Am looking for an apartment to rent for now. Should I look at the management apartments or units that are owned by individuals and rented by owners/brokers.

In NYC there is no concept of community apartment and u either own/rent a place. In case of problems there is the live-in super or owner who quickly fixes the thing.

Please advise on which places should I look at. Maybe I should drive down and see the places.

Now you've confused me too! I have no idea what you're talking about with respect to "community apartments" either. In NYC, you actually have more than simply an own-rent dichotomy - you can "own" a condo or co-op (a crummy choice if you ask me - too many covenants), own a house outright, or rent. Can someone help me understand whether any of those choices equate to "community apartments"? If so, it would help to guide jwookie.

[Highwyre237]

Just a heads up, everything I've heard about avalon properties has been constant rent increases every year(10% in some cases)... I know we looked into the ones in newton, but decided against it due to those reviews, as well as the added 100 bucks a month to have our dog and cat. There are better deals out there, but they do look nice

[jwookie]

My job is in Norwood. Last week saw the some places and these are just my thoughts
1. waltham -- bear hill : expensive and white countertops
2. waltham -- longview : one side is view of children hospital and other side is cemetery
3. waltham -- : these guys were asking for us to pay for painting the apartment
Waltham seems a nice safe neighborhood but is far > 40 mins in traffic for commute to norwood
4. dedham - 2 places I saw near legacy mall. I read reviews of car vandalism there and the train lines are just next door.
5. brighton -- place at bleeker street. At night this seemed very far off from norwood and the place seemed dinghy and very poorly lighted.
6. private apt. at west roxbury -- no parking and place seemed rough

This week I am going to see
- avalon @ newton highland
- lodgeatfoxborough in foxborough
- archstone @ quincy
- lincoln heights @ quincy
- waterfallhill @ canton
- webster green @ needham


Please give some feedback on the above places wrt to safety, commute to norwood and apartment experiences

[jwookie]

Originally Posted by kaytees

Hi -

I can't comment on the apartments listed - but I can comment on commute.

I live in Waltham and commute to Canton (I drive right by Norwood). It's easy peazy. It's an ODD day if I hit traffic -basically, it's the opposite commute from most people.

If you are going the other direction (ie: Randolph to Norwood) you will hit traffic every day.

How long does it take for you to commute from Waltham to canton and which route do you use . Also what time of day you start I am looking to start at around 8:00 am