Golden Ridge in Burlington, VT

Pros

• The maintenance team fixes issues quickly.
• The online portal for paying rent and making requests is easy to use.
• The new property manager is professional and courteous.
• Cats are allowed with a pet deposit.
• The location is great, with a short walk to the grocery store and close to Red Rocks park.
• Hot water is reliably available.
• The bathrooms are spacious with large mirrors.
• A garage parking space is provided.
• Washer/dryer hookups are available in the apartments.
• The area has an abundance of wildlife.
• There are green spaces with picnic tables for children to play.
• Traffic from Shelburne Road is not audible.
• The neighbors are nice.
• The apartments are well organized, spacious, and the surroundings are calm and quiet.
• The complex is beautiful and peaceful for individuals or families.

Cons

• Amanda Bara is a piece of work and very unpleasant to communicate with.
• Linda Wurst is described as a miserable human being, absolutely unpleasant to talk to, and rude.
• The property is not very secure.
• There are extremely loud children not kept under control by their parents, who scream and slam doors in the hallways all winter.
• The kitchen in a one-bedroom unit is small.
• A fellow tenant frequently usurps the reviewer's parking space.
• Tenants frequently break rules, such as leaving furniture by dumpsters or blocking hallways with shoes, strollers, and bikes.
• The shared coin-operated laundry didn't effectively clean or dry clothes and this issue was never fixed.
• The elevator is old and sketchy and sometimes stops working.
• Larkin/Milot are accused of screwing tenants out of their security deposits.

Review

Golden Ridge is best suited for active adults who want a practical Burlington address with dependable maintenance, a pet-friendly policy, and easy access to groceries and outdoor spaces. The community rewards residents who value quick, reliable fixes and straightforward leasing processes. The new property leadership, when present, tends to bring a more professional, courteous approach that improves day-to-day interactions. The setting near Red Rocks Park, green spaces, and wildlife makes daily life feel uncomplicated and livable rather than flashy. In short, this is a no-nonsense, convenient home for those who want solid service and location without expecting lavish interiors or ultra-quiet corridors.

On the upside, maintenance is consistently strong, with repairs completed quickly and a user-friendly online portal for rent payments and service requests. The management shift has brought a more professional tone, reducing blunt or rude interactions that previously lingered in the hallways. Pet lovers benefit from a cat-friendly policy with a deposit, broadening the applicant pool for households with four-legged companions. The location delivers real daily value: a short walk to the grocery, easy access to Red Rocks Park, and a garage parking option that saves street-hunting time. Each unit typically includes a roomy bathroom and washer/dryer hookups, which cut down on trips to shared facilities. The surrounding green spaces and wildlife add a welcome, low-stress backdrop to everyday routines.

Nevertheless, several consistently reported drawbacks temper the upside. The most disruptive issue is persistent noise from extremely loud children and heavy hallway traffic during the winter months, which can erode the sense of peaceful living many seek in a senior-adult community. Parking can become contentious, with some tenants encroaching on spaces despite requests to stop. Rules enforcement is uneven, and clutter in common areas - furniture, strollers, bikes - can undermine a sense of order and safety. Security concerns do surface, with occasional car break-ins cited by residents, underscoring that a calm exterior does not guarantee a high level of protection. The building also relies on a community coin-op laundry that is frequently unreliable, and in-unit kitchens can be small in one-bedroom layouts. A dated elevator and uneven temperature control across units further contribute to the inconsistency in comfort.

These pros and cons do not cancel each other out; they require a thoughtful weighting. The core strengths - responsive maintenance, improved management conduct, pet acceptance, and a strong commuter-friendly location - do offset some daily frictions, especially for households that prioritize practical living and routine repairs over upscale finishes. In-unit laundry is a meaningful convenience that lessens the sting of a flaky shared laundry room. The same positives offer clear value for residents who can tolerate occasional hallway noise and are comfortable navigating a less-polished, older-infrastructure setting. What remains unresolved for many is the balance between livability and security: without consistent enforcement and quieter corridors, the peace of mind needed for steady long-term tenancy can be compromised.

This community is a practical fit for retirees or active adults who want straightforward living with a reasonable budget and minimal upkeep hassle. Those with a cat or small pets, who do not mind occasional apartment temperature quirks, will find the pet policy and in-unit laundry appealing. The proximity to groceries and outdoor spaces supports an active, low-stress lifestyle. However, households seeking pristine interiors, advanced soundproofing, or rigorous security protocols should carefully compare alternatives. It is worth confirming current management practices, parking rules, and the reliability of shared amenities before committing, since resident experiences can swing between steady daytime quiet and sporadic disruption depending on who is managing and policing behavior at the time.

Bottom line: Golden Ridge delivers dependable maintenance, a workable pet-friendly stance, and a location that simplifies everyday errands and recreation. The main caveats are ongoing noise from neighboring families, uneven security, and older infrastructure that can feel dated rather than refreshed. For residents who prize practicality, predictable service, and proximity over luxury, Golden Ridge remains a solid choice. If quiet, robust security, or modernized interiors are non-negotiable, it is prudent to look at alternatives with stronger emphasis on soundproofing, access control, and updated kitchens. Prospective movers should engage directly with current residents and management to verify how parking, laundry, and safety commitments are being handled today before leasing.

This area of Burlington, Vermont offers a convenient and vibrant location for senior living. With close proximity to various healthcare facilities such as UVM Medical Center Ophthalmology and Burlington Primary Care, residents have easy access to medical services. Additionally, there are numerous dining options including Union Jacks and Five Guys Burgers & Fries nearby for enjoyable meals out. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, parks like Oakledge Park and Red Rocks Park provide beautiful natural spaces to explore. The presence of pharmacies such as Walgreens and Kinney Drugs ensures easy access to medications. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of amenities that cater to the needs of older adults looking for a comfortable and well-connected community in Burlington.

Physicians

• UVM Medical Center Ophthalmology - Shelburne Road (0.1 miles)
• Burlington Primary Care (0.4 miles)
• Avada Hearing Care Center (0.5 miles)
• Howard Center (0.5 miles)
• Retina Center of Vermont (0.6 miles)
• Hagan, Rinehart, & Connolly Pediatricians (0.7 miles)
• Vermont Natural Family Medicine (1.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Union Jacks (0.1 miles)
• Five Guys Burgers & Fries (0.3 miles)
• The Spot (0.4 miles)
• Koto Japanese Steakhouse (0.6 miles)
• The Old Post (0.6 miles)
• Burger King (0.8 miles)
• Burlington Bagel Bakery & Cafe (0.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• Kinney Drugs (0.2 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Lunaroma Aromatic Apothecary (1 miles)
• CSL Software Solutions (1.5 miles)
• Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.1 miles)
• Kestrel Coffee Roasters (1.4 miles)
• Muddy Waters (1.6 miles)
• Vivid Coffee Roasters (1.8 miles)
• Kru Coffee Collective (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)

Parks

• Oakledge Park (0.9 miles)
• Oakledge Park and Beach (0.9 miles)
• Red Rocks Park (1 miles)
• William Szymanski Park (1.3 miles)
• City Hall Park (1.6 miles)
• Waterfront Park (1.9 miles)

Hospitals

• UVM Medical Center Registration (1.9 miles)
• The University of Vermont Medical Center (2 miles)
• UVM Medical Center McClure (2 miles)
• UVM Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (2 miles)
• Vermont Regional Genetics Center (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Joseph Church (2.1 miles)