Parkside Five Points

Imagine laying on your couch looking out your windows onto what seems to be beautiful Carolina Mountain Trees. Then imagine picking up your phone and ordering an über to Downtown Raleigh, estimated fare $ 8. Ya. That’s where it’s at. This place boasts old charm (original wood floors in some areas, large rooms, rod iron stair rails) with modern function (open concept, brand new windows, updated HVAC controls, granite, stainless steel appliances). I can not complain at all about location, cleanliness, responsiveness to maintenance requests, privacy, etc.
One sour apple is staff. On the surface they’re great, bubbly, inviting, host amazing events. However when questions/​concerns arise they fall short. I’ve had a few things come up, nothing major, most solved with leasing office staff. However when trying to execute first months rent via online pay, a hot mess ensued.
Long story… Long, I fat fingered my account number and edited it immediately after. The next day, I noticed rent still was not drafted from my account. Well before the dreaded 5^th of the month deadline, I called the leasing office to trouble shoot the issue. I am assured everything is fine «sometimes it just takes a long time the first time around». So … here comes the 6^th and the office calls to alert me my payment did not go through and I would be «spared the late fee but have to pay the returned check fee». Umm… come again?
Unsure of what I could have done differently (corrected error on my end, called office and had them look at it, was assured it would work out) I bring to their attention my confusion and the classic «there’s nothing we can do about it, please be in touch as soon as you suspect theres an issue in the future» line was dropped. So to finish my due diligence I ask to speak with a manager. I was told she would be in touch early the following week and SURPRISE… nothing. Ok cool.
This was disappointing at best. My fiancé and I are in a position to relax and save money before buying, so we’re looking to settle in somewhere to save on rent and be happy for longer than a traditional 1 year lease. However considering this first impression and weariness of future money grabs, we would probably jump to another community if the opportunity presented itself. Which is a shame because staff excluded, this place is great.