Prairie Tree

Pros

• The residents describe the staff and manager as friendly and awesome, and they look forward to living there.
• They consider Prairie Tree Apartments a great place to live.
• The location is excellent and the staff are friendly.
• Prairie Tree is highly recommended by residents to others.
• Rent is extremely reasonable and the management is stellar.
• The complex is pet-friendly with fair deposits and fees, and it accommodates dogs up to 75 pounds.
• It feels safe, with clean buildings, excellent snow removal, and well-kept lawns, and parking is readily available for guests.
• The leasing agents are accommodating, and maintenance is timely.

Cons

• They noted that too many people come and go.
• They reported that the parking lots lack security cameras and vehicles have been broken into several times.
• They described management as basically sucks.
• They criticized the application process for taking over a week with poor communication and follow-up.
• They called the process a waste of time and money.
• They experienced troubles with the default appliances.
• They observed that reserved parking spots were not strongly enforced, leading to lack of parking at times.
• They suggested that communication via door notes is ineffective and preferred emails or texts.

Review

Prairie Tree Apartments is described by many residents as a welcoming and friendly place to call home. Several reviews highlight the genuine warmth of the community, starting with the manager who is repeatedly praised for being awesome and easy to communicate with. People recount feeling welcomed from the moment they arrived, with staff and management going out of their way to make moves smooth and transitions comfortable. One reviewer notes that the manager herself is a very kind and approachable person, and others echo the sentiment that the leasing and office teams are responsive and accommodating. The overall vibe in these accounts is that there is a sense of companionship and mutual respect between residents and the people who run the property, which makes Prairie Tree feel like more than just an apartment complex.

In terms of value and convenience, renters repeatedly commend Prairie Tree for offering an excellent location at a very reasonable rent. The pricing is described as extremely fair, especially in comparison with other complexes in the Rapid City area. The property is portrayed as a practical choice for people who want good amenities without breaking the bank. A standout feature for many is the availability of garages, which is noted as a significant advantage in a city where such options are harder to come by. Across several reviews, the grounds are depicted as well-kept, with pets being warmly welcomed - a notable point for dog lovers who appreciate a generous pet policy and reasonable pet deposits and fees.

Maintenance and upkeep emerge as other strong points in the collective narrative. Reviewers repeatedly mention prompt attention to issues, with repairs often completed quickly and maintenance crews being reliable. The facilities themselves are described as clean and well-maintained, including the pool which some residents use frequently. Even with occasional hiccups, residents feel that the management prioritizes a tidy, safe environment. The snow removal, lawn care, and general curb appeal receive particular praise, underscoring Prairie Tree's commitment to a comfortable living environment in a climate that can demand extra care. Parking is generally seen as available and accessible for both residents and guests, which contributes to the sense of convenience and livability.

However, not all experiences at Prairie Tree are uniformly positive, and several threads of critique appear alongside the praise. Some residents acknowledge that management can be strict at times, even as they also describe the manager as kind and easy to communicate with. There are mentions of a few recurring irritants: occasional appliance issues within units, and a general sense that security could be stronger. One reviewer points out that parking lots lack security cameras and have seen multiple vehicle break-ins, and they report frustration with reserved spots not being strongly enforced, which at times leaves residents or their guests without a guaranteed place to park. While the buildings themselves are described as secure, some concerns remain about door knockers and the importance of better-security practices.

Communication gaps also surface in the feedback. A common suggestion is to shift away from door notices toward more direct channels such as emails or text messages, so important information isn't missed. While general notices at entrances are hard to miss, several residents feel that important updates sometimes get overlooked because the current system relies heavily on posted notes. This comes across as a relatively minor but persistent irritant in otherwise positive evaluations, especially for those juggling busy schedules or recent moves.

Experiences of new tenants contrast with those of longer-term residents. A resident who recently moved to the area describes a very negative impression of the application process, noting delays that stretched beyond the promised timeframe and a sense of being given the runaround. They chose not to pursue Prairie Tree after a prolonged delay and perceived miscommunication about why the process took so long. The sentiment there is stark: the process felt inefficient enough to be a waste of time and money, and the overall tone is one of frustration with management.

On balance, Prairie Tree Apartments emerges as a place with many strengths that attract residents who value a friendly community vibe, pet-friendly policies, reasonable pricing, and reliable maintenance. The positives - welcoming staff, a supportive and approachable manager, well-maintained grounds, efficient upkeep, and practical amenities like garages - form a compelling package for people seeking a comfortable, affordable home in a convenient location. Yet the reviews do not overlook areas where the experience could be improved: stronger security measures in parking areas, more consistent enforcement of reserved spots, clearer and more timely communication, and a more streamlined application process. Taken together, the feedback paints a nuanced portrait of Prairie Tree as a popular and largely well-regarded option, especially for those who value community and value-oriented living, while also offering concrete opportunities for the management team to address operational gaps that can affect day-to-day resident satisfaction.

Physicians

• Allergy & Asthma Of The Black Hills (0.5 miles)
• Black Hills Ear, Nose & Throat (0.5 miles)
• Schmagel, Pamela A, Md - Rushmore Ob/Gyn (0.5 miles)
• Siri Knutsen-Larson, MD (0.6 miles)
• Sarah Rodolph, DNP (0.6 miles)
• Regional Heart Doctors (0.6 miles)
• Ray Dental Group (0.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Joe's Place Bar & Grill (0.8 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.9 miles)
• Blue Lantern Lounge (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Colonial House Restaurant (1.7 miles)
• Culver's (1.7 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Black Hills Imaging Center (0.8 miles)
• Black Hills Surgical Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Rapid City Regional Hospital (1.3 miles)
• Labor and Delivery (1.3 miles)
• Rapid City Regional Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Black Hills Imaging Center (1.7 miles)
• Monument Health Dialysis Center (2.9 miles)

Parks

• Robbinsdale Park (0.9 miles)
• Wilson Park (2.1 miles)
• Dinosaur Park (2.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (1.5 miles)
• Open Bible Christian Center (2 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Boyds Drug Mart (1.5 miles)
• Boyd's Drug Rx Express (1.6 miles)
• Family Fare Pharmacy 3253 (1.8 miles)
• Monument Health Home+ Specialty Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Medicine Shoppe (2.3 miles)
• Rushmore Compounding (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Scotters Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Pure Bean (2.5 miles)
• Cambell Street Cafe (2.8 miles)
• Essence Of Coffee (2.9 miles)