The staff was friendly and professional. The leasing professional gave me all the information I needed and showed me the apartment. I saw the pool as I passed by it, and it seemed nice.

During the initial telephone interaction, I was pleased with the level of attention and professionalism but things changed drastically when I arrived in person. I was left sitting for almost thirty minutes only to be told I needed to come back another day for a tour despite being next in line for assistance. The office staff seemed overwhelmed and perhaps in need of more help. A current resident engaged in conversation with me while I was waiting and advised against moving there. She claimed that employees would come into her apartment when she was not home and she said she was given the wrong address on her first day there. She went to her new apartment only to find someone else lived there.

The grounds of the community were in great condition. The roads were nicely paved. The community felt quiet and homey.

The community was close to major highways and convenient to public transportation. The property had curb appeal and had a very welcoming inviting energy upon entering the property. The management staff as well as the maintenance crew were all very nice and well mannered. They spoke to me in passing the atmosphere of the community seemed very friendly and inviting. The pool area seemed maintained very well and looked very relaxing. Based on those facts my perception of the property was a very favorable one.

My friend and I began the application process in July for a 2br/2b apartment and it took 4 months for us to finally get a clear answer, an answer that left us having to scramble for other residence. Here's what happened along the way:

Contradictory and Miscommunicated Information-
The whole ordeal was a mess of the two leasing agents giving differing information; one would say one thing and the other would say something else, they would tell us one thing one week and then the next week they would tell us something totally different. They would tell us to bring in one thing and then when we would bring it in, they would tell us that we didn't bring the right thing and they didn't tell us to bring what we brought.
For example:
In the beginning we were told that they didn't care how little we made only that we didn't make above a certain amount. The week we were supposed to move into our unit, I received a call- they wanted to know how I was going to afford the rent. When I confronted her with the previous information she had initially given me, she said that that was correct, but now they care and want to know how I'll afford it.

Lack of Follow-Through-
Twice we were promised a unit and both times they came up with new reasons as to why they were going to default us to the next available unit at the last minute. Thankfully I wasn't renting moving trucks or else I'd be out a couple hundred dollars for the two times we were given move in dates.
My friend and I had to continually be on their case, coming into the office and calling, in order to make sure that things were being done and making sure that the process was moving along. If it weren't for this I'm sure that things would have taken even longer.

Lack of Accountability-
Whenever we would confront the two leasing agents with their miscommunication, lack in performance, or overall grievances they refused to own their mistakes and repeatedly shifted the blame onto us; this is just bad customer service.

I regret my experience with Country Gardens Apartments and all the money that I lost in the process between application fees, the gas I spent traveling there and back again, and the time I took off work to get things done. I wanted to live here because of the great reviews that Country Gardens got compared to other complexes, but I don't think Country Gardens deserves the reviews that I read after my own experience. It should be noted that right before we began this process their longtime head leasing agent after 10 years left and the two current leasing agents were left to fill her shoes along with adjusting to new rules implemented by their company. They clearly weren't comfortable in their new roles and were adjusting to the change. Having taken their learning curve into consideration, their professional conduct and handling of our situation leaves me with little grace for the imposition that they may have, themselves, been in.

I did not get a chance to see the amenities, since I was not shown any.

The community offered a fair rate. The fact that cable and washer/dryer could be included in the rent was a positive.

It was a 20 year old community that was attractive and nicely maintained. The floor plans were spacious and well laid out. The staff was friendly and helpful.

I would live here. The virtual tour is a great idea. It's always raining in Florida. I really liked that. The leasing office is very noticeable as soon as you drive in. I was very impressed with the free accent wall. Keep up the good work.

The leasing agent was friendly and professional, she showed sincere interest in helping me to get the size of apartment I requested. She made a good demonstration even though she could not show me an apartment because there was not availability of any at the moment.

The community was very nice with a real homey feel. Everyone I met there was very nice and friendly. The grounds were well maintained with mature trees and plants. The apartments are large and updated, with a chance to personalize them with the accent walls.

It was a nice property. There was nothing available when I visited.

The leasing office was very nice and the leasing professional was very professional, but there was nothing special or overly appealing about the community.

The leasing professional was friendly and gave me a virtual tour.