The Den Cedar Ridge, willington-ct

Big shoutout to Ijeoma, Jessica, and El! The staff at the Den - Cedar Ridge are not only kind, they are genuine when it comes to making sure you are satisfied with the apartment you are assigned, but also with your roommate as well. From the moment I entered the leasing office, my concerns and preferences were taken seriously, and clear efforts were made to make sure that I was fully taken care of. On top of that, I was given a tour of the demo apartment, and my worry about adequate space was eased after it was explained that there were multiple spaces where my roommate and I could store our belongings outside of our room. I was also provided with complimentary snacks and offered additional food as well. It is clear from entering that these people are not just trying to take your money, but they are very personable and want you to feel welcome in your new 'home.'

Management is the worst I’ve ever experienced. The front office is condescending and have made many simple situations incredibly difficult. For instance our renters insurance. She told me what I would need to do and when I would do it, there was something else I had to do that she didn’t tell me so I was paying renters insurance TWICE. They make no attempt to make residents life either and it’s very evident they do not care. My roommates and I were consistently given different information from different people which often resulted in a fee at our expense. This place nickels and dimes you. They charged me for not returning the parking STICKER. It fell off my car and the girl rolled her eyes at me reminding me it’s just another charge. Maintenance also sucks. We had to have the guy come “fix” our door about ten times. It was never fixed and in fact tried to claim WE damaged it and I had to fight against paying. The place is a great community and there are some perks, but nothing positive to say about management.

Very concerning advertising practice. I found an advertisement for this apartment complex glued directly onto my car’s windshield with a strong adhesive, without my permission. This was not simply a flyer placed under the windshield wiper — it was actually adhered to the glass. When I tried to remove it, the paper tore apart and left a significant amount of paper and adhesive residue on the windshield. I now have to spend my own time and potentially money to have it properly removed without damaging the glass. I have photos documenting exactly how the advertisement was attached and the residue it left behind. Regardless of whether this was done directly by the apartment management or by a third-party marketing company working on their behalf, putting advertisements on someone’s private vehicle with strong adhesive is completely unacceptable. I hope management investigates who is responsible, stops this advertising practice immediately, and takes responsibility for any cleaning or damage costs caused by it.

I lived here for one year. The rent increased from about $2100 to ~$2500 (~18%) without noticeable improvements in quality. Although the unit is advertised as “renovated,” many features still feel older. The carpet is uneven in some areas, and water leaks occurred multiple times (ceiling getting wet). Similar issues have been reported by other residents in the property as well. The blinds are relatively fragile, and several units appear to have broken ones. In terms of features, there is no central AC or garbage disposal. Cooling relies on two window AC units upstairs, with none on the first floor. Running both units may trip the breaker, and it can take time for cool air to reach downstairs. The unit is relatively small with an unconventional layout and limited natural light. Sound insulation is limited — normal TV audio from neighboring units can be heard through the walls. On the positive side, the environment is quiet and pleasant. The property is pet-friendly, there is a walking trail nearby, and parking is generally sufficient. Overall, it may be worth comparing other options within a similar price range.

PLEASE DONT LIVE HERE: If I could give zero stars I would. My experience living here was very disappointing. I will tell it briefly but there was so much more. First, were ongoing pest issues in the apartment, including ants and spiders, which made the space uncomfortable at times. Communication with management was also so frustrating. Many times emails were not answered until multiple follow-ups were sent, which made it difficult to get issues addressed in a timely manner. There were also several occasions where the hot water stopped working, and at times the water appeared discolored. Another concern was the move-out process and additional charges. They will do their best to charge you for any little thing after you move out and they will claim it’s beyond normal wear and tear when it’s not. Also a lot of the things that are enforced are not on the lease so it’s easy to walk in blind. Overall, the setup of the apartment was nice but the experience and treatment was horrible. I would recommend new management and fair policies. This is student housing and I felt as though they weren’t really supportive with that.