Avalon on the Sound, New Rochelle (White Plains, Thornwood: apartment, leasing, refrigerator)

[Irn Bru]

I'm moving to Westchester from the UK this week. I have an appointment to look at an apartment in the above mentioned apartment block (NB This is not the newest '..on the Sound East' block). It is on Huguenot Street in New Rochelle.

I've read some bad things on this board about NR, is it that bad?

Also, how would the commute from NR to Thornwood be?

Thanks very much.

[rubygreta]

Don't move to New Rochelle. You can find a nice highrise rental in downtown White Plains, which is MUCH closer to Thornwood than New Rochelle. I'm not sure how long it takes to get from NR to Thornwood, but it's not pretty.

[gentledental4u]

DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT stay in Avalon on the Sound OR Avalon on the Sound East, or any of the Avalon communities for that matter. They nickel and dime you for every single thing that they can get you for. And the service is HORRIBLE! For the record , I am staying at Avalon on the Sound, but I have friends and coworkers who are staying at Avalon on the Sound East, and also one in Long Island.

I will give you some examples. I met a nice couple who had been renting with Avalon on the Sound for 5 years. Their rent was around 2000 dollars a month for a 2 bedroom apartment. When they told the leasing office that they just wanted to spend one more month after their lease was up, the leasing office decided to make the rent for the last month 3500 dollars!!!! There was nothing they could do. On top of that, they had to pay the amenities fee (which covers pool and gym and barbecue area) for 600 dollars!!!!! Does that sound fair at all? To screw an honest, hardworking couple who had been a loyal customer for 5 years straight???

Also, they are very shady when you try to ask them what a typical monthly utilities expense will be. The leasing office will NEVER give you a straight answer. Go ahead and try and ask. Some months, it will be 50-60 dollars. Quite normal right? Then, the next month it shoots up to 200 dollars!!! And you look just look at the bill, and wonder, how in the world did they figure this math out?!?!

Also, the elevators are constantly breaking down. Gym machines will break down (that's normal) but it will be left unfixed for weeks. Repair requests take forever. I still have a problem with my refrigerator and it's now going on 2 months and no nothing.

And please do not fall for the leasing associates tactics. They have a smile on their face and act like you're the most important person in the world. Then, once you are a resident and sign that 13 month lease, all of a sudden they forget you and you are a nobody. and your problems are pushed to the way side. They are so fake.

They also have lied about certain things. I do not want to get into it because it's going to take all night. But I just want you all to know that I do not usually complain about things. And this situation that I have here is so messed up, that I felt the need to warn people about it.

Word to the wise. Beware of Avalon!!!!!!! Please look elsewhere. You'll be glad you did.