The Abbey at Lakeshore

I lived at the Abbey for about 9 months in 2010... although the apartments were older, I felt that they were reasonably priced for the location, school district, and apartment conditions. Plus, they were very close to the Lakeshore trail! This gated community was small and cozy. Staff were very friends and responsive to our needs while we were there. The neighbors above us were often loud and did sound like a herd of cattle at time but that has been my experience in most older apartments. \r \r As for the water and sewer prices... Birmingham is in pretty bad debt and the outrageous water and sewer prices are not unique to these aparments (it's a city-wide problem). I appreciated the trash compacter being away from our living areas (it is located outside of the apartment gates) and did not mind paying the $5 for this set up. \r \r While we may have gotten lucky because our apartment had new carpet, had been painted prior to our moving in, and had working appliances, I was under the impression that the management had been trying to update most units. As for the ""bug problem"" noted by others, I did not have this problem either. While an occasional dead roach popped up, these were the types that live in trees (the community is surrounded by trees, which gives it a secluded feeling) and the fact that they were dead meant that the pest control service was doing its job. \r \r Overall, my only complaint was that it took a while to get my deposit back (which wasn't much because they allowed me to take my last months water & sewer feeds out of that rather than having to pay it before I moved out). If I hadn't been relocating due to a new job, I probably would have stayed in the apartments longer. \r more

I have lived here a long time. I used to adore it here. After seeing several mgrs go it has become so stressful to live here. Why don't I move? I don't have the money for deposits. My goal is to live here only one more year if I can stand it.\r The water and sewer bill continues to be the main problem. Mine is $70.00 + dollars and we have no washer hookups at all! Now they are nickle and dime-ing us. $5.00 for trash, $2.19 (each month) for them to process the outrages water and sewer bill, can you believe that and now $1.50 each month for Pest Control! The lease reads like an agreement to enter a communist country. Living in North Vietnam would be easier! Pros: beautiful trees gate pool Cons: Management, Over priced water n sewer bill more

The Abbey should be shut down for renovations. The apartments are old, stinky and falling apart. To charge this much in rent you'd do better letting a 5 year old build you a tree house. There are roaches, nothing is ever fixed the RIGHT way and you are left waiting about 2 months or longer before your repair request is addressed. They are just after MONEY...no one cares about the condition of the apartments or your safety! Keep looking..... Pros: A roof over your head Cons: Apts are falling apart,$700 in rent, mgmt unprofessional more

WAY over priced!!! They nickle and dime you to death and then keep most of your deposit when you move out for no reason. I got $50 back from a $300 deposit and my place was in BETTER condition than I found it. \r \r The location is good but the places are old and falling apart. My airconditioner flooded my living room 2 different times in less than a year. I had to get out of there Pros: Has locks on the doors- you need them Cons: Terribly managed and quite sketchy more

Many problems with the units and the management will not fix them. They simply try to cover up and rig everything the best they can. It is simply not a good situation. Though it is close to Samford, that is the only good thing. Spread the word to look at other options!! Cons: Horrible Management and Old more