Aria Apartments — Local services in Columbia Township

As a resident from 2022 , I experienced Aria’s early charm and later challenges . Initially, Aria delivered: modern design, pet-friendly culture, scenic lake trails, gym access, and community events created real connection. In-unit appliances, elevators in select buildings, open layouts, and proximity to green spaces and services made life convenient. Leasing and maintenance teams felt accessible and warm. Those features mattered and they still do.

Over time, however, deeper operational patterns began to erode the experience. Sound insulation was poor, making daily life feel exposed. Maintenance occasionally entered without proper notice or left tools or items behind, compromising both privacy and professionalism. Security concerns grew, spanning drone activity, car break-ins, and sadly, even shootings. Cleanliness declined trash piled up, algae pool infestation,pests appeared, and shared areas were neglected. Following a management change, communication became colder and more transactional. What once felt like a community started to feel like a system: concerns acknowledged, but not truly heard.

Maintenance, when done thoughtfully, isn’t just functional it’s emotional. Every unexpected entry or rushed repair leaves an impression. In premium housing, these are not minor oversights they’re fractures in trust. One of the most overlooked issues in communities like this is the misalignment between the emotional expectation set at move-in and the day-to-day operations. When residents’ lived experience doesn’t match the marketing promise, they don’t just get frustrated emotionally detach. And that detachment is far harder to repair than a faulty appliance.

True luxury is not just granite countertops or tall ceilings; it’s communication that is consistent, clear, and emotionally intelligent. It’s systems that prioritize privacy and safety, not surveillance. It’s cleanliness that reflects pride. It’s leadership that anticipates issues rather than reacting. In a post-pandemic world where emotional security and belonging matter more than ever, management that remains cold and procedural will inevitably fall behind.

As someone who never claimed perfection because none of us are I expected mutual respect, open dialogue, and adaptability. So, I pose this as a question, not a complaint: If a long-term resident who once felt proud to live here now hesitates to recommend it, what internal alignment might be missing?

This isn’t about isolated complaints. It’s about the health of the entire resident experience loop the interconnected system of trust, responsiveness, and emotional safety that defines high-quality living. When even one part of that loop is consistently neglected, the whole ecosystem suffers.

Aria already has strong bones. You have the location, design can be improved , and resources are available . What will distinguish you long-term is how you attend to the human infrastructure. Consider implementing regular town halls or anonymous resident surveys, trauma-informed staff training, routine safety and maintenance audits, and clearer systems of accountability that go beyond submitting tickets.

Feedback isn’t friction it’s an invitation to grow. Real estate isn’t just about buildings it’s about culture. Residents pay not just for space, but for peace of mind. When you deliver both visual appeal and emotional integrity, you offer something rare: luxury that’s not just marketed but actually felt.

Wishing you growth, progress, and a future of proud, thriving tenants.

Sincerely,

A former resident who still...

I lived here for 2 years and just recently moved out. I'm going to offer a review for those looking online and are lost like I was. I rented a 739sqft (could have been slightly more) one bedroom apartment and rent was about $1000 with a washer dryer fee. First the pros...the facilities were beautiful almost year round and the area was very safe. The complex offered lots of amenities and I particularly like the gym late at night. The units had amazing kitchen space, hardwood floors and stainless appliances! Everyone was very friendly and there was a nice walking path around a lake behind it. Also gigabyte internet is built into the newer facilities from socket which worked well. Now for the negatives...walls were paper thin. Whether it was people next to you above you or even in the halls you could hear them. The person above me used to play music each morning in their bathroom and I could hear the songs like I was playing them (glad thing they had good taste in music). And if there was any sort of storm it sounded like end of days was occuring outside your window. There is no covered parking unless you want an overpriced garage half way across the complex and there were times at night when every single light in the parking lot was out (good thing it's a safe area). The roundabouts suck massively any time of the year but especially during the winter because the plowing is difficult to do well. Paint comes off the walls and scratched easily and I felt like I had to open every single window in my apartment just to cook dinner for fear of setting off every single fire alarm in the building (which happened to other people in our building on multiple occasions and always at night). For one person utilities hovered around $100 and internet at time of me signing up was only socket and it was internet for $75 or internet and cable for $150. Doors were not hung well and there was an inch and a half gap under my front door which lead me to purchase a door seal and it did not help with utilities. When moving out they will try to take every bit of the deposit they can. I got charged for small scratches on walls that I didn't even notice, a mandatory carpet cleaning fee, and even though I spent a good two hours cleaning the oven a small spot they think they found warranted a $150 "spot cleaning" fee. Overall the apartment was nice but didn't have a few necessary things to warrent the premium price tag. I did enjoy my time there and would suggest a look see but don't be blinded by the shiny appliances and nice hardwood like I was, ask questions! Would I move back here? No. But like I said I did enjoy it most of the time. Hope...

CURRENT ARIA RESIDENTS: Check your A/C for black mold growing under the unit. Aria does not regularly change the filters or otherwise maintain the A/C units, so they are prone to leaking then causing black mold to grow. Other residents have said the same in previous reviews. My filter was changed a total of twice in the two years I lived there. Both were prompted by the A/C breaking. Aria management was only responsive when I repeatedly reached out and complained to the Customer Service Manager. I would recommend mainly corresponding through emails so you can’t be easily lied to or gaslit.

POTENTIAL ARIA RESIDENTS: I urge you to look elsewhere for housing. Dealing with this apartment complex is not worth the price of rent nor the risk to your health and emotional wellbeing.

ARIA MANAGEMENT: Re-evaluate your business model. Try to empathize with your residents. Imagine how you would feel if the one-bedroom apartment you pay over $1300 a month for was falling apart because it’s built with cheap materials that make the apartment outwardly appear like it could be considered “luxury”. Imagine how emotionally exhausting it is to argue with a company in an effort for them to treat you humanely when they only see you as a potential paycheck.

PHOTOS: First photo is when I found black mold under my A/C unit in April 2024. Second photo is from the black mold regrowth I found while moving out in July 2024. Third is the response from management discussing their “treatment” of the mold with a request that I keep an eye out for regrowth rather than the property owner (Aria) hiring an expert to actually treat the black mold to prevent regrowth (spraying bleach and spray paint is not effective treatment as we can see). Last photo is from Aria management in response to my request that in light of their continued negligence any final fees outside of the $600 deposit be waived. For added context, it was sent on 7/31/24 and my lease ended 7/31/24.

FINAL NOTES: Aria did list the mold and mold smell in my final bill, and charged me for three separate cleaning fees. I actively cleaned my apartment upon moving out despite knowing I was inhaling black mold while I was in there doing so. The total move out fee was enough that I owed Aria $23 on top of the $600...