Crystal Lake

Pros

• Rhonda is the best; she is very helpful and explains everything well.
• She represents the company well.
• Rhonda was amazing - very nice, very helpful, very professional.
• The landlord is very friendly and the apartments are kept nice and presentable.
• Rhonda, the manager, is excellent and Ron in facilities is welcoming.
• Pretty easy move-in; the management is great and easy to talk with and interact with.
• Maintenance issues get addressed promptly.
• Management staff is amazing and very personable; any issues are promptly addressed.
• Everyone was so nice and professional; the staff are like family.
• The apartments are very nice, the grounds are well kept, and the staff are like family.

Cons

• One reviewer paid $205 to apply and was told $2,600 per month was not acceptable, describing the staff as snobby and rude.
• A resident said the water bill is very high and the laundry facilities often malfunction, sometimes leaving clothing wet, and the patio is unusable due to a pine tree and spiders.
• The complex was described as expensive and having bugs.
• A reviewer felt unsafe after a drunk person harassed them in the parking lot and described management as overbearing and unprofessional.
• Management was criticized for needing many calls to reach anyone and for never returning voicemails.
• There were car break-ins and a bike theft in the area, raising safety concerns.
• There is a mold issue, especially on the first floor, with poor ventilation.
• The complex is not very family- or kid-friendly, with no designated place for children to play.

Review

This collection of comments paints a picture of a quiet, relaxing place to call home that many residents come to love for its serene setting and dependable, friendly management. The property sits in a peaceful niche with a well-kept feel: lakeside views, abundant trees, and grounds that most reviewers describe as nicely maintained. While not described as luxury living, the complex is repeatedly praised for its comfort, its calm atmosphere, and the sense of home it provides. Several residents emphasize that the location and overall vibe are strong selling points, making it an appealing option for families, retirees, and busy professionals who value a tranquil environment and convenient access to town.

Central to the overwhelmingly positive sentiment is the management, especially Rhonda. She emerges as the standout figure across many reviews, described as helpful, professional, and genuinely caring. People consistently note that Rhonda communicates clearly, explains processes well, and treats tenants with kindness. Her attention to moving-in details, responsiveness to concerns, and ongoing reassurance - sometimes even checking in on family members - creates a feeling of belonging and personal attention that several residents say makes the complex feel like a family, not just an apartment complex. Other staff members, notably Dennis and Tommy, are repeatedly praised for their reliability and friendly demeanor, with specific thanks for prompt maintenance and practical, friendly interactions.

Maintenance and operations often receive high marks as well. Reviews recount quick, effective repairs and a generally proactive maintenance culture. When issues arise - sinks, leaks, or other repairs - residents feel they are addressed promptly, and they appreciate clear notifications about work orders. The sense that staff members will go the extra mile to resolve issues contributes to a feeling of safety and reliability. Even when some hiccups occur, such as occasional delays in returning calls or the need for maintenance to address ongoing concerns, the prevailing tone is that maintenance is on-point and responsive, reinforcing the overall impression of a well-managed property.

Residents frequently describe the environment as very quiet and "lake nearby" with a beautiful, tree-filled outlook that enhances daily life. The area is portrayed as safe and comfortable, with particular emphasis on the ease of living and the perception of a welcoming community. The sense of belonging is strongest among long-term residents who have built relationships with the staff, feel looked after, and enjoy a stable routine. That feeling is reinforced by accolades for the on-site atmosphere - where neighbors are described as friendly and approachable, and the overall vibe feels homey rather than transactional.

Not all feedback is uniformly glowing, and several reviewers offer constructive cautions. One former applicant recalls a sticker shock moment: paying a substantial application fee only to be told that the proposed rent was beyond acceptable limits, accompanied by a rude, snobby interaction. That experience stands in contrast to the otherwise warm and accommodating tone of Rhonda and the team, highlighting that the initial application phase can vary in tone and efficiency. Other practical downsides surface as well: some reviewers note long wait times to reach staff, occasional voicemail delays, and the reality that not every communication channel feels perfectly seamless. For prospective tenants, it's a reminder to align expectations with the realities of busy property management.

There are also a few more tangible trade-offs mentioned by residents. A few reviews point to higher utility costs, with the winter electric bill sometimes rising significantly, and some suggesting practical workarounds like space heaters or warmer clothing. Complaints about the physical layout - such as a patio that isn't ideal for use due to landscape constraints - and issues with parking availability at night, contribute to a sense of imperfect practicality despite the beauty and quiet. Matters like mold in bathrooms on some first floors, occasional issues with laundry facilities (including machines breaking and concerns about refunds), and neighbors' noise or disruptive behavior from time to time temper the otherwise favorable impression. A few residents also describe unsafe incidents outside the complex, like car break-ins in the neighborhood, which remind readers that "quiet and safe" can coexist with normal urban risks, requiring ordinary precautions.

In spite of these caveats, many long-term tenants speak of a strong sense of community and a deep appreciation for the staff that makes staying there feel right. Several reviews celebrate the ongoing renewal of leases year after year, with residents expressing that they would stay if circumstances allow, and many describing the complex as the best option in the area or a place they'd eagerly recommend to friends and family. The recurring theme is a complex that delivers on the core values of quiet living, convenient location, and a human-centered management team. When combined with lake views, well-kept grounds, and the warmth of a team that truly seems to care, the overall impression is that this is a solid, appealing home for those who prioritize a calm, friendly, and relatively maintenance-light living experience - despite the inevitable trade-offs of cost, occasional inconveniences, and neighborhood realities.

Ultimately, the reviews converge on the idea that this community offers a nurturing home base with standout staff leadership, especially Rhonda, who anchors a team that residents feel genuinely supported by. The balance of strong upkeep, a peaceful setting, and responsive maintenance creates a favorable living environment for many, while the noted drawbacks - costs, occasional miscommunications, noise, and neighborhood risks - serve as practical considerations for anyone weighing a move. For those who value a quiet, family-like atmosphere backed by dependable management, this place remains a compelling option worth serious consideration.

Physicians

• Bloomberg Eye Center (0.5 miles)
• Center For Sight (0.5 miles)
• Drs. Killian, Knobeloch & Pfau (0.5 miles)
• Capital Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (0.5 miles)
• Surgical Intervention (0.6 miles)
• Orthopedic Specialists & Sports Medicine (0.6 miles)
• Licking Memorial Women's Health (0.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Arensberg Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Arensberg Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Arensberg Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3 miles)

Hospitals

• Licking Memorial Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Licking Memorial Pain Management Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Licking Memorial Hospital (0.7 miles)
• Licking Memorial Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Licking County Alcoholism Prevention Program (3.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Trek Brewing Company (0.7 miles)
• Lucky Bamboo (0.7 miles)
• Wendy's (1 miles)
• Dairy Isle Heath (1.3 miles)
• Kanji Japanese Steakhouse (1.6 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Big Apple Cafe (0.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2 miles)
• River Road Coffeehouse (3 miles)

Places of Worship

• The Pentecostal Church of God (1.2 miles)
• Newark Heights Church Of God (1.3 miles)
• Newark Church Of The Nazarene (2 miles)
• Crossroads Baptist Church (3 miles)
• General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (3.6 miles)
• Vineyard Grace Fellowship (3.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Indian Mound 9 (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Fanchion Park (2.1 miles)
• Infirmary Mound Park (3.4 miles)