Costa Del Lago Apartments — Attraction in Comisión de Fomento de Villa Lago Meliquina

Where to begin with this place. I've lived here since May 2012. Always pay my rent on time, never cause problems, and generally mind my own business. My experience at Avesta (formerly Esperanza and before that Willow Lake--NEVER a good sign when an apartment complex feels the need to change its name every few years), from the general area to the condition of the apartments to my neighbors to the office staff, has been less than ideal.

These apartments don't reside in a great part of town. Granted, there isn't much the staff can do about that even if they wanted to, but prospective renters should be aware that while this part of Lake Worth isn't a total ghetto, it's only one echelon above that. And it's gotten worse since the Walmart opened across the street, bringing with it the crime, car break-ins, riff-raff, and constant police activity you'd expect from a Walmart in a questionable neighborhood.

The complex itself doesn't attract the best residents, either. Spend an hour at the pool on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and you'll see what I mean. Parents with 16 unruly children and no motivation to discipline any of them. Constant yelling, screaming, fighting, and generally uncivilized behavior. Teens using filthy language and openly (and loudly) discussing drugs, guns, and violence in earshot of young children. Of course, if you want to visit the pool, that'll cost you 25 bucks for a key to get in, even if you're a resident. Staff claims it's to keep out nonresidents who cause trouble; they don't seem to realize it's the people who live here that are the problem. When I questioned the high price for the key, they claimed that's what it cost them. Funny, last time I had a key made at Lowe's, I don't think it cost even $1.

The apartments were constructed, I believe, during the 1970s, which is also when the last meaningful repairs were made. These buildings are falling apart. In three years I've had an A/C unit dump gallons of water on my carpet, an upstairs neighbor's A/C unit dump gallons of water that also found its way down to my carpet, a toilet completely stop working, the bathroom and kitchen drains stay clogged despite me being single-handedly responsible for Drano's stock doubling, more A/C issues (usually in July or August), and the other morning I went to open my refrigerator like always and the handle broke off.

I understand things break sometimes, whether you live in a brand new home or a run-down dilapidated place like this. But the office staff's unwillingness to respond to these issues quickly and efficiently is what makes it untenable. My A/C leaked for almost six months, and each time they had some hack "handyman" come out and slap a band-aid on the problem, which stopped the leak for maybe a day or two before the floodgates opened again. At which point I complained again, another band-aid was slapped, and the process repeated until FINALLY they agreed with me that they needed to replace the whole unit. This after MONTHS of having to wear shoes in my own apartment because the carpets were saturated in cold water.

I almost forgot the bugs. Specifically, German cockroaches that it also took me six months to convince the office staff were a serious problem they needed to deal with. Every week they had some guy come out and do a cursory spray. It became VERY apparent after two or three sprays that this was doing NOTHING, yet when I mentioned I was still having problems, the staff's response was, "We'll send him out again." HELLO?!? Have they never heard the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result? When they finally got it through their heads that the issue needed a more robust solution, they reluctantly sent out a different guy who actually took the time to examine the walls and foundation, determine where they were getting in, shoot up the tiny crevice with poison and then seal it off. And what do you know, it solved the problem, but again, it was after MONTHS of me sharing this place with thousands of unwanted roommates who didn't chip in...

You get what you pay for, as a single bachelor I don’t need much. This apartment is the first I actually enjoy and felt compelled to decorate for a longer term stay. There are no in unit laundry machines and yes the laundry rooms aren’t spectacular; I’ve never even entered. The 1/1floor plan makes it feel roomy, it’s not a box with adjacent rooms, I can walk to the kitchen and bedroom and feel like I have a substantial private space. I’m on the first floor so as expected I occasionally hear things from other apartments but I am sure people can occasionally hear me too, the sounds from other apartments (for me) are surprisingly not intrusive. My A/C has actually amazed me, it has never broken down, and has performed like new since I moved in.

The maintenance is what it is, the service men are professional and attentive, they are not there to renovate apartments they are their to implement repairs as needed, the repairs are mediocre, but it’s good enough as a care free renter. Some apartments like mine can park 5 feet from their entrance door. Aside from a few issues I’d call the place a good place to live overall. Price is right location is fine, I have a giant patio glass door next to my couch with some greens and a body water to look at once in a while. Yeah I like it here, the roaches are a thing but I’ve lived in New York and learned deal with them. I have no roaches… knocked them down with my own professional insecticide and sealing cracks. I might see one every month or so…. Not 10 like when I moved in. If you want to live economically and can tolerate less than 5 star luxury living this property might be for me you too. UPDATE: I asked the property to treat the grassy areas adjacent to tenant first floor patios due to excessive moths and flying insects.. I was delightfully surprised to see the grass treatment being done only a few days after I had suggested it. I'm sure it was already apart of proper grounds keeping plans. I just wanted to say thank you! THANKS COSTA DEL LAGO!

Update , after I moved in JAN 2022, rates shot up dramatically hopefully this will be temporary and rates and market prices...

I moved here in May 2015. I have read some of the reviews posted here, and I wondered if some of the posters live in the same complex where I live. I would recommend this complex for the reasons that follow.

First of all my application process was easy. Yvette in the property management office was polite, helpful and professional while I was applying and when I came to see the property. In fact, compared to some of the people at some of the other properties, she was a dream.

My apartment is nice and was clean when I moved in. Best of all NO ROACHES! I have seen a couple of small ants occasionally, but not enough to be a problem. There were a couple of problems with my apartment. My A/C leaked and within a few days I realized that my fridge didn't get cold enough. It took a couple of days to get to the A/C, but they came in and fixed the problem on the first try. I have not had a problem since. When I complained about my fridge, I used their website to do it. Within 2 hours someone came to check it. He took one look, and ordered me a new fridge which was delivered the next day.

The management here is in the process of repaving and repainting all the parking spaces. They have already finished my section, and it looks like they have done a good job. About the staff, I saw one of the property managers driving around on her golf cart one day. She stopped twice to pick up trash that was on the ground near the dumpsters. They do allow dogs here, but I think my neighbors do a good job of cleaning up after their pets. I never see poop on the grounds anywhere. Also, about my neighbors, they seem to pretty much keep to themselves. I never hear loud noise or see unruly behavior. Even by the pool. I have seen families there, and again, they keep to themselves, although they don't seem unfriendly.

Lastly, there is a Wal-Mart, 2 pharmacies, a supermarket, dry cleaners, and about 4 restaurants all within walking distance. (Yes I said walking.) I have not seen any issues here, and in fact, I am sure I will renew my...