Vineyard Commons has lovely, spacious floor plans ...

Vineyard Commons has lovely, spacious floor plans and wonderful amenities and creates a community spirit through activities. Requests for individual apartment maintenance are most always handled promptly. The staff is professional and courteous.

There are however issues. Vineyard Commons is perpetually short staffed. There is a consistent approach to trying to hire a single part-time maintenance/cleaner which has not been effective. Current maintenance and cleaning staff are competent but have an overwhelming task. Presently there is a single housekeeper cleaning 4 three story buildings plus the pool/clubhouse/gym. Routine maintenance such as dryer vent cleaning and furnace filter changes are continually deferred. Lighting in the stairwells is a perpetual issue.

The four star review indicates our general happiness with the property, but new residents should be prepared for a 5% annual rent increase each year. Current owners and management seem determined to proceed with this course of action, as residents have spoken to management and been told RENTS WILL INCREASE EACH YEAR.

The market ultimately determines whether or not the rents are valid. The floor plans are superb, but the interior of the buildings are becoming neglected. With the number of vacancies in the high teens, time will tell how valid this approach is. Many 55+ communities resident plan to stay for a long time but are on more fixed incomes. Think carefully about the impact of 5% annual increases each year, even with a 2 year lease, to a starting rent of $2300.

Margaret Ferrara and Judy Ballou