Laurel Estates

Pros

• The apartments are beautiful and currently undergoing remodeling with new windows, kitchens, and bathrooms, including granite countertops in the kitchen.
• The experience has been very good for a working mother.
• Monica and Brittney of Bryam Property are helpful, informative, and provide information in a timely manner.
• The community offers several backyard parks that children enjoy.

Cons

• Dennise, the property manager, was extremely rude.
• The staff asked for her life story and had her run around town to get forms signed and notarized, then delayed sending a completed application.
• They tried to dictate who would be living with her, using address issues as a reason to stall.
• Laurel Estates' phone contact was unprofessional, with no introduction and a sounding of anger from the start.
• The place is described as ghett o with no repairs; residents may have no heat and staff are intrusive and controlling.
• The complex is likened to a jail run by wardens who exert control while claiming to help.
• Basic needs like window screens aren't provided; basements flood and mold is present.
• Lucy is described as shady, unfair, and dishonest, not doing her job.
• There is ongoing loud noise and disrespect.

Review

The Laurel Estates complex is described as a place that has recently undergone a broad remodeling effort: every apartment, the windows, the kitchens, and the bathrooms are new, and even the countertops in the kitchens gleam with granite. The community is painted as pretty and inviting from the outside, with the added appeal of patios and outdoor spaces that residents say they enjoy looking out over. In theory, the renovations and the amenities promise a refreshed, comfortable living environment, especially for families and moms who are balancing work and home life.

But behind the polished surface lies a stark contrast in experiences, starting with the rental application process. One reviewer paints a frustrating and dehumanizing picture of dealing with a manager named Dennise, who is described as extremely rude. The process involved being asked for what felt like the entire life story, running around town to get multiple forms signed and notarized, and then being told who would be allowed to live with them because they were staying with a family member temporarily and sharing the same address with the child's father. The sense conveyed is that the requirements kept changing or multiplying, and the reviewer was told that even after providing the requested information, the completed application might not be sent. The language used makes it clear that the process felt more punitive than helpful, with a firm admonition against phrases like "I'm trying to help you," which were interpreted as insincere.

A separate encounter with a caller who answered the phone for "Laurel Estates" is recounted as even more jarring. The call is described as lacking any introduction, with no professionalism, and with a tone that sounded irritated before the conversation began. This seemingly small moment - an initial contact made without courtesy or proper greeting - appears to have left a lasting impression about the level of service residents can expect.

Despite these negative experiences, not all interactions are bleak. There is a strong endorsement for other professionals linked to the broader property management network. Specifically, Monica and Brittney from Bryam Property are highlighted as exemplars of what good service looks like: they are described as helpful, informative, and timely in providing information. The reviewer who points to Monica and Brittney emphasizes that, if you're seeking assistance, professionalism, and responsive customer service, those two would be the people to talk to. In the same breath, the reviewer notes that their own experience with the Laurel Estates apartment has been good in one critical respect: as a working mother who comes home to her children, she has found value in the daily experience of living there, suggesting that some days or aspects of life in the complex do work well.

Yet the overall sentiment remains unsettled, as the same thread contains a strong warning against being misled about the place. The reviewer uses striking language to describe the complex as the "GHETTO" and argues that maintenance is inconsistent at best. The fear is that residents can be left without heat, with maintenance visits that feel intrusive or nosey, and with staff who tell residents how to live rather than addressing practical needs. The implication is that there is a sense of control exerted over residents because the housing is government-supported, and the outcome can feel more like a custodial watch than a mutual, empowering living arrangement. The reviewer warns that even though the complex may offer housing assistance, it comes with a heavy emotional and psychosocial cost.

Historically, the same reviewer recalls a much warmer experience from years past: living there 21 years ago, and now having family still residing at Laurel Estates. Back then, the complex was associated with government funding and a rent structure that capped at a percentage of income - specifically 30% - with tenants paying their own gas and electricity. The nostalgia is tempered by practical memories: the presence of backyards with several parks where children could play, a feature that remains appealing to families. However, the current renovation and funding dynamics do not erase the complaints about basic maintenance - screens in windows, basement floods, and mold are identified as ongoing issues that demand attention and fix. The reviewer even calls out particular staff, including someone named Lucy, who is described as shady and dishonest, and not performing her job competently, reinforcing a sense that accountability and trust are fragile under the current management structure.

Noise, another recurring complaint, punctuates the mixed tone of the reviews. Residents report being unable to tolerate loud disturbances and feel disrespected by some of the people in the building, further underscoring the social friction that can accompany life in a multi-unit complex. Taken together, the remarks suggest a complex that has the outward polish of renovations and family-friendly amenities, but is simultaneously challenged by administrative friction, maintenance inconsistencies, and a perceived culture of control rather than partnership with residents.

In sum, Laurel Estates presents a paradox: a freshly renovated living environment with attractive features and a community-oriented history, yet a resident experience that ranges from appreciatively practical to deeply frustrating. The conflicting accounts - from the highly charged, sometimes harsh critiques of the application process and onsite interactions to the commendations of some staff members and favorable personal experiences - capture a property that is clearly not uniformly experienced. For potential residents, the takeaway is nuanced: the physical premises and some support staff may offer real advantages, but the process, management practices, and maintenance reliability deserve careful scrutiny, and prospective tenants may want to corroborate experiences with current residents and seek out the most professional contacts within the property network.

This part of Waterbury, Connecticut offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With several parks nearby such as Bucks Hill Park and Norton Park, seniors can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely walks in nature. There are also numerous dining options ranging from fast food chains like Taco Bell and Wendy's to Italian cuisine at San Marino Ristorante Italiano. For medical needs, there are reputable hospitals like Saint Mary's Health System Affiliates and pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy in close proximity. Additionally, there are healthcare providers like Community Health Center and Specialists In Women's Healthcare PC available for specialized medical care. The area also features entertainment options like AMC Starplex Cinemas Southington 12 for movie buffs and the Church of Eternal Light for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to retire in a convenient location with access to essential services.

Parks

• Bucks Hill Park (0.4 miles)
• Plymouth Green (6.1 miles)
• Norton Park (9.2 miles)
• Lock 12 Historical Park (10 miles)
• Hollow Park (10.2 miles)
• Hubbard Park (10.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Taco Bell (1 miles)
• Frankie's Hot Dog (2.3 miles)
• Arby's (2.5 miles)
• Burger King (2.6 miles)
• Wendy's (2.7 miles)
• San Marino Ristorante Italiano (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)

Cafes

• Riders Smokehouse Bar (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.6 miles)
• Starbucks (8.6 miles)
• Aroma Joe's (9.7 miles)
• Starbucks (10.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Saint Mary's Health System Affiliates (2.2 miles)
• Saint Mary's Hospital (3 miles)
• Naugatuck Valley Surgery Center (3.1 miles)
• Hospital Of Central Connecticut At Bradley Memorial (8.1 miles)
• The Wellspring Foundation (10.4 miles)
• The Hospital of Central Connecticut Cancer Center (12.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Saint Mary's Hospital, Inpatient Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.6 miles)

Physicians

• Community Health Center (2.8 miles)
• Ihsan I Jabbour (2.9 miles)
• Specialists In Women's Healthcare PC (2.9 miles)
• Shetty Jay, MD (2.9 miles)
• Bidarkote Somanath (2.9 miles)
• Rehabhealth PC (3.6 miles)
• Quadrastep (3.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Starplex Cinemas Southington 12 (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Eternal Light (8.6 miles)