Southern Oaks at Davis Park

I moved to Southern Oaks in May 2012. I love it here. Parking is close to the apartments. The kitchen is big enough for two cooks at the same time. The laundry room is large enough to hold stored items. The walk in closet lives up to its name. I’m a writer. I use my garden room for an office and it’s large enough for my desk, desk chair, four bookcases, a reading chair, ottoman and an end table. It’s quiet. I look out at woods. It’s October 2015 and I hope to stay here for a long time. Southern Oaks is pet friendly. They have a dog park and a pet station, with plastic bags and a trash bin, to leave your pet’s surprises. Southern Oaks has a great club house, gym, pool and BBQ picnic areas scattered throughout with walking paths.

I lived in Southern Oaks for about a year and was present during the management switch to Sherman Residential. There were a number of car break ins, but now there are many security cameras in the parking garages that the break ins occurred in. Once under new management the office was definitely under staffed, but once they hired more people on I have had no complaints. Maintenance has always been timely, the property manager has made every effort to make the complex a better home for everyone, and I always felt that they took my concerns seriously (which is more than I can say for other apartments I have lived in). Overall the community was great and generally quite. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this complex to a friend.

On /​about January 16, 2015, a number of cars were broken into where some were vandalized and others had property removed. It was a resident who discovered it about 5 AM. The resident called both Durham police and the 24 hr Maintenance hotline. Only the police showed up. A security camera, which covered the parking area where the crimes occurred, had mysteriously disappeared days earlier.
The law states that the property mgmt. is supposed to inform the residents within 48 hours of an incident; it was nearly 5 days and it took numerous residents requesting information. In the silence that followed, a number of residents placed flyers on cars and at the mail area. It was witnessed that those flyers were removed by mgmt. Sherman denies this happened.
Previous mgmt. had security through a 3^rd party vendor. This service was not retained. Since the event, several have formed a crime watch, posted our own devices, and walk the area.
Many residents have requested a full accounting of what happened. Mgmt. says that they are waiting for the police reports. If you ask, Durham Police will provide you with copies. I was told a new Property Mgr was interviewed, would be on site within a week, and she would be fully aware of the situation. I spoke with her on her first day. She said she was completely unaware of the break-​ins.
She did admit she was familiar with distressed properties. I was not aware that Sherman Residential considered this property distressed.
A letter from Sherman Residential states, «security is your responsibility». Thanks to low cost video technology, residents are assuming the responsibility mgmt. has abdicated.
This issue is far from over. Some have banded together and are seeking a legal remedy Sherman Residential may choose several different responses. One of which is to let the property value and appearance to slide even more, allow Section 8 entitles residents to move in, and be compensated by the government.
Caveat emptor.
** UPDATE ** I am pleased to report that I have to update my review. I have had some billing issues due to an error with my CU software. For the last 2 months, I was late with my rent due to this confusion. I have been in contact with mgmt before /​during /​after this issue which is why I think there were not extraneous fees charged. They were fair, flexible and understanding when they did not need to be. Kudos! Also, the work here has been tedious but well worth it. Lights that were broken have been fixed and the whole community is getting a paint job. Not just lipstick on a pig. Again, kudos! My 1^st three months were under 3 different property owners so I was very concerned. But, they kept their word about improving safety and improving care /​maintenance. And now, we’re on the food truck ‘radar’.
It’s consistently getting better and I am glad to report it!
Thanks to both Dennis and Sara for your hard work.

I am currently looking out at a cop car. The second one this morning. There have been over a handful of car break-​ins and even a motorcycle stolen! The complex has been under new management (sherman residential) for almost a month. They have done nothing! !! No notice to residents about the incidents or what to do if you are targeted. The police have been here twice this morning and management hasn’t even shown up yet. I can’t find a number to contact them at. Do Not rent from here.

We are in our second apartment at Southern Oaks. Our current apartment is roomy and well appointed with outside views from every room. The rental staff and the maintenance staffs ahve been very helpful and responsive. I recommend Southern Oaks to anyone looking for a nice place to live in RTP.

Southern Oaks is a wonderful residential community– fairly new and hence, clean and modernized. I initially chose this place because it has elevators (in 2 big buildings) — what a lazy bum I am, considering I live on the second floor.
It’s also quiet and has friendly and attentive staff with efficient maintenance personnel. The community room has large screen TVs, a beautiful outdoor swimming pool, pocket ball, games, a nice gym, coffee machines, and a computer station. I live here about half of the year, and enjoy the quiet yet friendly location. The dog park and car washing area is also a delightful convenience. It’s pet-​friendly, and coming from NYC, I’m at awe with how amicable NC people are! The rent is a bit on the steep side considering it’s NC, but well worth the price– I have a 2 bedroom 2 bath apt all to myself, and love the patio/​veranda, too– and, for the price– it’s not a bad deal :)