The Avenue at Orono, orono-me

Terrible place to live. I would not recommend Acadia Heights to anyone. Our HVAC has been broken for three months during the dead of summer, and despite submitting six separate maintenance requests, nothing has been done to actually fix the problem. Our apartment has consistently been over 80 degrees, including at night, making it extremely uncomfortable and, at times, unsafe to live in. Our lease classifies a lack of working HVAC as an emergency, yet the clubhouse and maintenance team have repeatedly ignored the issue. Each time we submit a request, we are told that the maintenance supervisor or “boss” will come by to fix it, but weeks go by and nobody shows up. What makes this even more frustrating is that we are still being charged for HVAC despite the system not functioning properly. Our air conditioning has been blowing hot air throughout the summer, leaving us with essentially no relief from the heat. We have also spoken with other residents who have experienced similar HVAC issues. Considering Acadia Heights has been under new ownership for less than a year, the lack of communication and maintenance is extremely disappointing. This is student housing, and residents should not have to come home to an apartment that is over 80 degrees and worry about the heat, especially overnight. We pay a significant amount of money to live here and expect basic necessities like functioning air conditioning to be provided and maintained. The way this situation has been handled shows a serious lack of care and urgency toward residents. Three months, six maintenance requests, and still no working HVAC is completely unacceptable.

This is the best apartment complex I’ve ever freaking seen. It is so big and nice and the amenities are awesome. There is tanning beds, the main lobby is so nice and there are lots of places to study and a very nice gym. Right near the college and perfect for students looking to lock in and have fun in THE GREAT Orono Maine.

Be very careful about living here if finances are a concern. Our bills went up every month for a total increase of several hundred dollars per month. They will nickel and dime you every chance they get. It ended up being about $1,000 per month per student. $4,000 for a 4 bedroom. That is crazy expensive. You’d do much better finding another rental. And, if you live somewhere else, you’re not at the mercy of their ever changing, make life more difficult, rules. So glad to be done with them.

Our experience with The Ave at Orono was frustrating, and I hope sharing it helps other students and parents make an informed decision. We rented an apartment for our son during the 2025–2026 school year while he attended the University of Maine. During the application process, we carefully completed all of the requested information. The roommate questionnaire specifically asked if he wanted to live with certain people, so we listed the names of his preferred roommates. We also noted that he was a member of one of the university's athletic teams, hoping that information would be considered during the roommate matching process. About a week later, we were notified that he had been assigned to an apartment with two female roommates and one male roommate he had never met. This was not a living arrangement we requested or approved. When we contacted management, we were told the only solution was to find someone to sublease the apartment and pay a $500 transfer fee. No alternative options or accommodations were offered, despite the roommate assignment not reflecting the preferences we had provided on the application. To make matters more stressful, the resident portal was down for approximately a month leading up to move-in. During that time, communication was minimal. We received only occasional messages apologizing for the outage and saying the issue would be resolved as soon as possible. This made it difficult to access important information and added unnecessary anxiety during an already busy time preparing for college. While our son ultimately completed the school year, the leasing process and customer service left much to be desired. My advice to future residents and parents is to ask detailed questions about how roommate matching is actually handled, what happens if an assignment doesn't align with your requested preferences, and what fees may apply if changes become necessary. I understand that managing student housing is complex and that not every roommate request can be accommodated. However, I expected clearer communication, greater flexibility, and a willingness to work with families when problems arose. Unfortunately, that was not our experience.

I have lived at The Ave for about 4 months now, and I can confidently say I love this place. The community here is very welcoming, and it really feels like it was designed with college students in mind. Anytime I’ve had an issue, the maintenance staff has taken care of it quickly, usually within a day or two, which gives me a lot of peace of mind. The office staff is also super friendly, approachable, and always willing to help with questions or concerns. The amenities are a huge bonus. From the fitness center to the study spaces, everything makes life as a student much more convenient. The apartments being fully furnished is a lifesaver, it made moving in stress-free, and everything is modern and comfortable. I also love the location: it’s close to campus, grocery stores, and restaurants. Parking is convenient, and I always feel safe here, which is very important to me. Overall, living at The Ave has been such a positive experience. It’s affordable, convenient, and student-friendly. I’d highly recommend it to any student looking for a place that feels like home while offering all the extras that make college life easier and more enjoyable.