The Enclave at Richland Road

Pros

• The complex is beautiful and well kept.
• The updated unit is highly praised by residents.
• The property is clean and the office staff are great and helpful.
• The neighborhood is quiet with friendly neighbors.
• Shan is helpful, upfront, and organized during the application process.
• The new management is great, with Miss Shan described as a rockstar.
• The management changes have improved the property; staff are communicative and professional.
• The new property manager is great and cares; residents plan to stay long.
• The community is nice and convenient, with professional office staff and timely maintenance.

Cons

• Rent is described as insane and above market value for the quality provided.
• Many units are outdated with long-standing wear and tear and poor ventilation.
• Some units flood during heavy rain due to hillside slope.
• The property enforces strict rules (no grilling, no smoking, limited outdoor d?cor) that curb residents' freedom.
• Lease terms trap tenants (no sublease; buyout fees; rent quotes can change).
• Management is often rude, unprofessional, or inconsistent, with frequent turnover and poor communication.
• Ongoing pest and maintenance problems persist (roaches, door/seal issues) and there are safety/privacy concerns (unannounced workers entering, use of tenants' power).

Review

Village West and the related Henssler Property Management properties in Auburn have become a study in contrasts. On one hand, some residents praise the grounds, the quiet neighborhood feel, and the staff's willingness to help once a new management team has taken the reins. On the other hand, many renters describe a recurring pattern of high rents that don't always align with the condition of the units, rigid rules, and maintenance woes that can leave residents feeling frustrated or stuck. The complex has clearly drawn a mix of loyal tenants and others who feel the experience has worsened over time, particularly with changes in management.

A recurring theme is the tension between price and value. Numerous reviews say rents are priced above what the apartments feel worth, especially when interiors are outdated and appliances and fixtures show long-standing wear. Several tenants point out that not every unit has been updated, with some older layouts, kitchens, and appliances that feel tired or ill-fitting for the price. In at least one memory-rich anecdote, a move from one unit to another revealed improvements in condition, suggesting that some buildings fare better than others within the same property portfolio. The frustration isn't just about the sticker price; it's also about the sense that basic maintenance and modernization have lagged, leaving residents to wonder why they're paying mortgage-level rents for dated spaces.

The rules and restrictions add another layer of discontent for many. Reviewers frequently cite strict guidelines - no grilling on patios, only balcony items are allowed, and a blanket ban on smoking both inside and outside the buildings. For some residents, these policies feel intrusive and out of step with expectations of a modern rental community. The impression conveyed by several posts is that the more one pays, the more the rules feel burdensome, as if the management's emphasis is on compliance rather than on creating a flexible, comfortable living environment. The perception that lease terms can trap tenants - no subleasing and potential hefty buyout fees to end a lease early - adds to a sense of rigidity that clashes with the everyday realities of life, especially for those who are just trying to manage mobility, job schedules, or deployments.

Maintenance and condition issues crop up repeatedly and are a frequent source of frustration. Reports include flooded units during heavy rain, outdated interiors with poor ventilation and lighting, and a long series of small-but-irritating flaws - outlets installed incorrectly, missing screws, doors with hardware problems, and cabinets that are literally falling apart in some units. Move-in inspections sometimes reveal damages that feed suspicions about the way security deposits are used, with some tenants asserting that last tenants' issues were not adequately resolved before new renters moved in. The maintenance story is a mix of responsive teams and ongoing problems: some residents praise quick repairs and proactive service, while others experience persistent complaints about broken air conditioning, high electricity bills, and repeated bug problems. In one vivid account, a front door replacement was avoided in favor of a temporary fix, leaving a sense that safety and quality were being sacrificed to keep costs down.

Management experiences vary dramatically, and the turnover has been significant. Early in some tenants' timelines, there are remarks about rude or unhelpful interactions during application processes and price quotes that suddenly change - episodes that left prospective renters feeling stressed and uncertain about what to expect. Over time, several reviews highlight a dramatic shift: new managers have arrived, and with them, a palpable improvement in communication and friendliness. Individuals named Shan and another recently described manager are praised as capable, organized, and customer-focused - "a rockstar," "absolute professionals," and "great people" who have helped transform the community feel. Other residents note that the management has become more responsive, with employee teams that are courteous, helpful, and better organized. Yet the contrast persists: for some, the old, more abrasive management style lingers as a cautionary memory and a reminder of a rougher transitional period.

The community atmosphere itself is described as largely positive by many residents. Several reviews emphasize clean grounds, a quiet neighborhood, friendly neighbors, and a sense of safety. People speak warmly about the office staff and maintenance crews who show up promptly and treat residents with respect. The newer management wave seems to have revived some of the warmth and professionalism that long-time tenants remember, and a number of residents express strong willingness to stay or recommend Village West to others precisely because of these improving interactions. There are also calls from happy residents who feel the property has great potential when managed well, and who appreciate the convenient location and the relatively strong sense of community.

However, there are stark warnings from other tenants who describe highly negative experiences. A few reviews use strong language to convey dissatisfaction with how the property has handled issues like application money and denial processes, and one note mentions a security or privacy concern about unauthorized entries by contractors. Other alarming anecdotes describe units with ongoing problems - roaches, unlevel floors, old and failing appliances, and doors that look like they've been damaged before residents even moved in. These voices underscore a reality that, for some families, Village West remains a challenging place to live, where the positives of a good location and decent staff are overshadowed by recurring maintenance gaps, inconsistent policy enforcement, and the stress of rent increases.

In summary, Village West and its management group present a complex portrait of a community with real strengths and notable weaknesses. The property's appeal rests on clean grounds, a generally quiet environment, and the potential for strong, professional management, especially under the newer leadership that some residents now celebrate. Yet this is balanced by persistent concerns about value for money, outdated interiors, aggressive or inflexible rules, and a history of maintenance and communication issues that have left some tenants feeling unsettled or eager to move on. For prospective renters, this means a careful weighing of priorities: if you value a responsive, friendly management team and a community that is moving toward improvement, Village West could be a good fit - provided you can tolerate or address the ongoing questions about rent, unit quality, and the frequency of renovations.

Parks

• Who Let The Dogs Out (0.9 miles)
• Felton Little Park (2.7 miles)
• Donald E. Davis Arboretum (2.9 miles)
• Town Creek Park (3.7 miles)

Transportation

• Village Transit Stop (2 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (3.3 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (4.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Momma Goldbergs Deli (2.1 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.2 miles)
• Subway (2.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.3 miles)
• Waffle House (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• The Depot (2.5 miles)

Physicians

• Burson Daniel Auburn University Student Health Auburn (2.3 miles)
• Pediatric Associates of Auburn (2.7 miles)
• Auburn Audiology Center (2.9 miles)
• Auburn Spine And Neurosurgery Center (3 miles)
• Auburn MRI Research Center (3 miles)
• Unity Wellness Center (3.1 miles)
• Pediatric Clinic (3.3 miles)

Cafes

• The Coffee Cat (2.5 miles)
• Rosshouse Coffee (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.2 miles)
• Taste of Asia (5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Southern Baptist Convention (2.6 miles)
• Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (3.1 miles)
• Lakeview Baptist Church (4.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Alburn Student Univ Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• The Drug Store (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (3.5 miles)
• U-Save Pharmacy (3.8 miles)

Hospitals

• East Alabama Health Care Authority (4.3 miles)