Applewood II

Pros

• The common areas are kept very clean.
• They have an awesome cleaning person.
• The apartments are nice.
• The units are more spacious than comparable units.
• Heat is included in the rent.
• WiFi is included in the rent.
• Dishwasher and disposal are in all units.
• There is a sprinkler system.
• There is a great Residential Manager for Units I and II.
• Most units have very large linen closets in the bathrooms.

Cons

• The price is outrageous.
• The WiFi is horrible for what you pay and there is no free WiFi or cable.
• The apartments are either too hot or too cold.
• The air conditioning is outdated and barely works.
• There is a no-dogs policy, yet some residents have two dogs.
• Underground parking costs $42 per month and there is a wait list; not enough free outdoor parking.
• The thermostat cannot be controlled or is not clearly marked, causing temperature issues.

Review

The property presents a surprisingly mixed picture. On the bright side, the common areas are kept very clean, and residents repeatedly praise the cleaning staff as excellent. It's clear that the cleaning team does a thorough job, which helps the building feel well cared for despite other drawbacks. Yet that positive impression clashes with a sentiment you hear often from residents: the rent is high for what you get, and the price is hard to justify given the available shortcomings. For example, one resident mentions their mom pays about $940 per month plus electric, highlighting the friction between the cost and the value.

In terms of utilities and amenities, there are conflicting signals. Some units advertise heat and WiFi included in the rent, which would be a strong value add. However, there is also a persistent complaint about the quality of WiFi, with residents saying it's horrible for what you pay and that, in practice, you'd expect free WiFi and cable at that price. The situation is further muddled by notes that WiFi is indeed included in rent in some descriptions, but streaming is explicitly not allowed in others. The result is a sense that what's promised isn't always what's delivered, or at least that the rules around WiFi usage are uneven.

The climate control in the apartments is another major sore point. Units are described as being too hot or freezing too often, and the air conditioning is frequently characterized as outdated and barely functional. There are mentions of thermostat behavior that's not well regulated - thermostats that aren't clearly marked and can't be controlled easily. Some residents even observe that people keep windows open in winter to cope with the heat, which suggests that the heating and cooling systems aren't effectively managed. The presence of a single mechanical A/C unit per apartment adds to the sense that climate comfort is inconsistent from unit to unit.

Parking and outdoor space add to the cost burden without delivering consistently smooth access. Underground parking is an extra $42 per month, and there's a wait list for spots. Outdoor parking is also insufficient for all residents, contributing to frustration about where to park. These parking realities compound the sense that, while certain amenities exist, they aren't always accessible or affordable for all residents.

The furniture, finishes, and overall unit quality show a mix of updated and aging elements. Kitchens feature laminated cabinets that are described as cheap and aging poorly, with beige laminates not aging well over time. The apartments also have a sprinkler system and a disposal with a dishwasher in all units, which are welcome conveniences. On the negative side, the cabinets and fixtures have not aged gracefully, and the maintenance budget for upkeep is described as being cut, which aligns with a broader observation that the company has been prioritizing new construction over maintenance of existing units.

Management and maintenance staff receive a range of impressions as well. A standout positive note is a "great Residential Manager" for Units I and II, suggesting that some on-site leadership is doing well. But beyond that, there's a broader sense that maintenance is underfunded or neglected in favor of developing new units. This creates a perception of uneven attention across the property: some units may benefit from thoughtful, proactive service, while others suffer from delayed upgrades and repairs.

Finally, there's a discrepancy between policy statements and resident experiences regarding pets. The official policy says no dogs, yet there are reports of residents with two dogs in some cases. This inconsistency contributes to a sense of lax enforcement in practice, which can be frustrating for residents who expect clear and consistent rules. Taken together, the reviews paint a picture of a building that can be clean and well-managed in parts, with genuine strengths in certain units and staff, but hampered by high costs, uneven climate control, restricted but inconsistent WiFi terms, parking challenges, and a maintenance focus that seems more oriented toward new construction than tending to older spaces.

For someone considering moving here, the overall tone is cautionary. The property has clear upsides - clean common areas, some well-regarded management, and practical conveniences like a sprinkler system and in-unit dishwashers - yet these advantages are tempered by a harsh price-to-value equation, unreliable climate comfort, parking limitations, and maintenance practices that don't always match resident expectations. If you're weighing options, you'll want to compare these trade-offs against newer or better-maintained buildings that offer more predictable heating and cooling, more straightforward WiFi/cable terms, and a more transparent approach to parking and pet policies. Some residents suggest looking elsewhere unless you can find a unit that aligns closely with your expectations for comfort, cost, and consistent maintenance.

Restaurants

• Arby's (0.2 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Village Inn (0.3 miles)
• Burger King (0.3 miles)
• House Of China (0.4 miles)
• Ichiban Steakhouse & Sushi (0.6 miles)
• Olive Garden (0.7 miles)

Physicians

• Dubuque Anesthesia Services PC (0.3 miles)
• Eye Deal Optical (0.4 miles)
• Laser Skin Solutions (0.5 miles)
• Dubuque Family Practice (0.6 miles)
• Fuerste Eye Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Tri-State Independent Physicians Association (0.6 miles)
• George Behnam Isaac (0.6 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.4 miles)
• Jumble Coffee Co (0.5 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (0.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Monks Kaffee Pub (2.6 miles)
• Convivium Urban Farmstead (2.6 miles)
• Charlotte's Coffee House (2.7 miles)

Theaters

• Phoenix Theatres (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• Hartig Drug (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Mercy Family Pharmacy-West (1 miles)
• Hartig Drug (1.5 miles)
• Hy-Vee Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Mercy Family Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Power Of Prayer (1 miles)
• Resurrection Church (1.5 miles)

Transportation

• Aaah Lucky Cab Co. (1.3 miles)

Parks

• Veterans Memorial Park (1.6 miles)
• Asbury Park (2.1 miles)
• Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens (2.2 miles)
• Riverview Park (2.5 miles)
• Bee Branch (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Mercy Hospital Emergency Room (2.2 miles)
• Mercy Medical Center (2.2 miles)