[laurajo82]

From out of state... Was there about a week ago and did some random driving around to look for rental housing. However, some of the places we drove through that looked really nice in person, have HORRENDOUS reviews online. Or they looked nice online, but when you drove through the neighborhood that hair on your neck stood up....

Our search can branch out to a max drive of 20 minutes from Downtown Hartford.
Hoping people here can point us in the direction of reputable rental companies, rental agents etc.
Looking for housing from out of state is frustrating to say the least, and when you add in the sheer number of fake ads and scams.... ugh!


So far I want to tell people:

A) don't bother with Cosmopolitan Realty- I had found this website and wrote down a few addresses of rental listings for us to drive by while we were in town last week. All of them were occupied, and looked as if people had been living there for years.... I had emailed them before we had left chicago to try and get some more information, and never received a reply email. After driving past the third not for rent rental, I decided to call the # that had been on the website. It went to a generic automated "you have reached *number*)" voicemail. I left a measured yet obviously irritated message, figuring this is the end of the scam. But NO. About 15 minutes later someone called me. When I explained to him that I had spent time and driven past several of the rentals on his website only to find they were all occupied (and looked like they hadn't been available for a long time) his response was "well, what did you think of them?" REALLY?!?!?! I said, "They aren't for rent? that's what I think. Who maintains your website? Who monitors your business email? You haven't even told me your name!" no response.... awkward silence... I just said we're not interested in renting through you and hung up.

B) mr C.Matos
c.matos2582@gmail.com
@@@ APARTMENTS AVAILABLE TODAY @@@
(and about 200 other ads per day)
He uses a picture of his face on every single ad (no pics of actual apartments) and his ads are all written in capitals... ugh

After caving and emailing this guy about "do you have a website where pictures and addresses of the rentals can be found?" and also explaining that his overload of craigslist ads with all caps writing and a blurry picture of him was not only unappealing but unprofessional.... His response was:

"GROW UP"

I wrote back explaining that I am grown, and told him what I am looking for in a rental in the area
(just to see what his response would be)



craigslist 3765882435
Apr 27 (2 days ago)




to 98b2e343ffb032.




On Apr 27, 2013 10:28 PM, "Claudio D. Matos" <c.matos2582@gmail.com> wrote:

Laura i apologize i just reply for you to grow up but the reality of it , wether you like it or not is that me , myself help the fommunity including bettered women and help the state relocate a abuse female...so if you need an apartment feel free to fontact me and i will schedule a show for you in one of our units....Thank you and have a great day and night...sincerely David...


Excuse my type-O's...After all it was nice meeting you...But don't i look handsome????..lol...I am single!!! Lol



Gross.

So tell me, who can show us legit rentals?
Who has given you the shim sham and deserves the cone of shame?
What apartment complexes made you want to become the unibomber?
Can you recommend safe, friendly neighborhoods?

Thanks and hello!

[jaydez]

What is your budget and what are you looking for in your apartment?

[laurajo82]

would like to stay under $1400,
safe safe SAFE neighborhood!!!!
has to allow a small dog (she is a service animal, if that matters)
would LOVE a single family home, but not averse to apartments/town homes
2 or more bedrooms
as open as possible with a nice kitchen
and within 20 minutes of Hartford.

[DawnMTL]

Did you look in West Hartford? It's not part of Hartford -- it's its own town.

[laurajo82]

we drove around and looked at places in Manchester, Middletown, farmington etc... But like I said it was only drive bys... now the real searching has begun and has to be done FAST!

[AmyBergquist]

Try Manchester. There are a lot of larger communities there and they have their own management, so who you're dealing with should be more responsive/reliable. You'll be within 20 minutes of Hartford.

[JayCT]

Laura - I am sorry you had a bad experience but coming that far and not having a good plan to visit places was not a good idea. Many times rental agents have generic listings they use for apartments. Some are legitmate in that an apartment is being vacated soon but they do not have photos of the actual place available. Still I would recommend using a realtor for your search. It is hard to find good places without one when you are new to an area. Manchester is a good area to consider. There are a number of larger apartment complexes there. Also consider West Hartford which has a wonderful downtown area with lots of shops and restaurants. You should not have too much trouble finding a place in your price range. Good luck, Jay

[laurajo82]

When we came last week, we didn't have the contract 100%. With that in mind we were really looking to see what places looked like, if they seemed safe, what realistically was out there, etc.

[laurajo82]

Jay- can you send me contact information for the realtor you mentioned?

[cdhpotter]

Laura- you said you drove around Manchester, Middletown and Farmington- those are 3 very different towns. Which one appealed to you most while driving around?