Arcona Strand — Local services in Lower Allen

Very nice apartments, great location, trails to walk your dog. Maintenance crew does an excellent job, just need to clean up after the work is completed. There is a train that goes by and we do hear it but I was told if you live in the buildings closer to the tracks the noise is much louder and you feel the vibration. I was told these apartments were sound proof, they are not, you here pet owners dog or dogs running around, music, and their showers running. Parking is a total disaster; was told moving in by former property manager once paving is completed then parking would be address and there will be a place for visitors to park, paving is still not done, new property manager said they may not address parking so many tenants are very upset, especially those on the first floor. There are many senior citizens living here who choose to live on the first floor to avoid stairs and need ease of parking, but there is only one handicap space per building, and the younger tenants do not respect that first floor apartment parking spaces belong to that apartment. Many have over size trucks and back their truck almost to their front door. And some tenants have more then two cars and park them right up front then you have tenants who invite friends who take up spots tenants need. This complex is not even half filled which means parking is only going to get worse as more tenants move in. Not difficult to hand out stickers and put signs up where visitors should park. Great place to walk your dog but not enough pet stations to drop of dog waste, and the few there are fill up very quickly and are not changed often. Tenants trash is suppose to be left outside in front of the building which is not nice to look at but the trash truck does come early to pick it up. This complex has only two trash bins and because the corral was built too small you cannot get to the recycling bin which means the trash bin gets full very fast so tenants just pile up the trash by the bin. Management won’t put in a compactor because it would look ugly and it’s not the look management wants. There is only one entrance here and exit which causes traffic going out in the morning. Not sure why management won’t use the side entrance on the far side of the complex for residents who live on that side. Club house is very nice and it has a library and board games, meeting room and kitchen, issue is it’s not open often due to management not being there and management closes it at closing time. There is no corporate office, not sure what to call it, some say it’s a partnership but if the property manager does not give you the answer you ask about or does not response to your calls or emails you have to recourse. That is why concerns go with out answers or you are given separate answers. Lots of construction going on around the complex and not sure when the coffee shop, pizza place or beer pub will be started or done but that will increase traffic and parking three times what it is now and I see no progress to address those concerns. Not sure what the future holds for Arcona Strand but if the owners do not start to address tenants issues especially parking there will be a high turnover. This complex won’t reach a year until February and it will be interesting to see who renews their lease. I do like it here but we pay rent and need certain issues address to make it less stress free living. I know it’s apartment living and there will be difficult tenants but again if the issues are address it makes living here...

When I first moved here, Kathleen was the manager! I was not given the apartment that I had leased! None of the things that I was told about the apartments security, or build quality was true! Kathleen was gone the next day! Tiffany took over! Since that time, the noise levels have been atrocious! Trains go by at all hours of the day and night! The walls are so thin, that everything can be heard! The floors shake when people walk and the vibration and loud thumping, from people running up and down the steps, is terrible! The wall behind the washer and dryer had to be replaced, because the washer leaked, all over the floor, from running down the wall! Since I lived on the third floor, walls and carpeting, had to be replaced on both floors below! There are many people who smoke here and it's "supposedly" a smoke free property! It is not! Nothing is done! Police have been here, many times for noise problems. The office does nothing... in fact, we are told to call, the police! I complained about loud parties, late at night, dog barking, loud, screaming arguments! NOTHING WAS DONE! Constant construction is loud and my car was constantly covered with dirt and mud from the roads, around Arcona! Yet not one car wash coupon, was ever given to me, which I requested on multiple occasions! I had also asked for a reduction on my rent due to having workers in and out of my home for several days! I was given a $100. gift card, of which only $80. was available, as I was charged the $20. fee for the card! Recently, I moved out and I have been visiting with friends at Arcona, as COVID restrictions caused me to lose a place in Florida! Now, it snowed, two days ago... everyone is STILL waiting for the snow to be cleared away. I personally cleared 2 parking spots and was told since there is NO assigned parking or parking stickers to prevent multiple cars parking and taking up spaces, that I can't save the spaces, that I cleared! Insane! Management is NO help! Recently, a new idiot moved in and has been extremely rude and has caused problems over his parking. He leaves at 5:45 AM after running his car for 10 minutes with high beams on, glaring in the windows. I asked him to please not do this or try to park elsewhere, away from peoples, windows! All he did was complain to the office and once again WE called the police! The Strand at Arcona, is THE worst place I have ever lived! BTW,,, you will need an Attorney to get anything legal accomplished!

In response to your response... To what racial slur or inequality are you referring to? Telling someone to go home, is not a slur....LOL.... I Mean really! Also, yes I did thank Tiffany before, however, to insult me and my friends, without knowing the truth and only hearing one side, is...

Perfect for a young professional! Great walking trails, gym, safe area and it’s awesome to have so many local restaurants in walking distance!! Shirley Rae's (great at ice cream AND salads/paninis), Thea (probably one of the best restaurants in mechanicsburg and it’s BYO), Springgate winery/brewery, amore pizza, and idea coffee! All of them are fantastic! Plus there is a little bakery nearby called McGrath's bakehouse that is also walking distance—they make amazing sourdough breads. There is also a small but modern gym, pool, grills and clubhouse with free printing when you need it. Quite literally a young professionals dream apartment complex for central PA. Everyone has been super nice and the maintenance crew is friendly, helpful and very quick-same day even for a minor repair. My 1 BR is spacious and modern with an open floor plan, walk in closet and a balcony.

I don’t know why everyone is so harsh of Arcona in some of these reviews! I was almost deterred after reading these but I had heard good things from a friend of a friend who lived here and I’m so glad I listened. The only con I would advise you to consider is the train. It is pretty loud however for the average person, myself included, you get used to it and after a few weeks to a month. I actually thought it had stopped running because I started tuning it out so well. That being said, if you are sensitive to sounds this apartment complex may not be for you.

As for the other cons in these reviews, it’s almost like they were written for a different place as they have not been my experience at all. You put garbage out front of your apartment building in the morning twice a week and they literally pick it up for you! So yes there is only one dumpster but you don’t ever need it. The walls don’t seem super thin to me as other reviewers have said either. I do occasionally hear my neighbors but definitely no more than an average amount for living in an apartment building (I do live on top floor though). Dishwasher and other appliances don’t seem cheap to me-very standard dishwasher and gets all my dishes clean every time! Oh also parking and traffic has been a non-issue. Maybe it’s just my building but I usually get in the closest spot or two to the door, even when getting home late. There are lots of open spots available all the time. And when I leave in the morning at 7am it’s usually me and 1 or 2 other people no traffic back up that I’ve seen (but also that might be bc of the rona). Highly recommend this...