Ming Gardens Apartments

Pros

• Jerry is on top of maintenance issues.
• Jerry is a great person, very friendly.
• The complex has someone dedicated to their work like him.
• The reviewer has no complaints about the maintenance service.

Cons

• The resident reports car break-ins within the first month and a daylight apartment break-in, indicating poor security.
• They feel it is unfair they paid extra on their deposit due to a low credit score.
• They believe there is no real security in the complex and that affording a security door is a problem for them.
• They think the price is not worth the safety and describe the complex as overrated, with only new floors and countertops.
• They describe the bathtub and toilet as gross and say being told it could be painted is unacceptable.
• They do not recommend that a single hardworking person live there alone, especially if they have valuables.
• They plan not to renew the lease due to fear of another break-in.
• Five years later, break-ins persisted and worsened, with a bike stolen from the patio and a lack of security or window screens on most windows.

Review

Residents describe a living situation where security concerns dominate daily life, even as a few staff members are praised for their responsiveness. One reviewer moved in on June 1 and immediately encountered troubling incidents: a car break-in within the first month, followed by a daylight break-in to the apartment on September 1. They had paid extra on their deposit because of a low credit score and worked full time, never having been late on payments or evictions in the past. The experience left them feeling it was unfair, noting that no one warned them this was a problem in the complex before it happened. They wonder aloud whether investing in a security door would have mattered, recognizing that the intruders did not necessarily use the front door, which they feel undermines any sense of security.

The same account goes on to critique the broader sense of safety and the value proposition of the property. The resident argues that the price does not match the level of risk, calling the complex "over rated" and suggesting that the security measures are insufficient for someone who lives alone and works full-time. They point to visible maintenance issues as well: the apartment has seen only floors and countertops described as new, while other areas - specifically a bathtub and toilet - were described as gross. When they requested cleaning, they were told the tub could be painted, a response they refused, signaling dissatisfaction with the condition of the unit and how issues are handled. The combination of safety concerns and subpar amenities contributed to a determination that they would move if not bound by a lease, with a definite decision not to renew when their current term ends in June.

The sense of insecurity intensified as time passed. The reviewer recounts moving out of the original unit - yet security problems persisted, and the situation grew worse over the course of five years, even after transferring to a different unit within the same complex. A bike was stolen from a patio, and there remained a lack of security measures such as window screens on most windows. The implication is that the property continues to struggle with break-ins and a general lack of protective features for residents, despite the length of occupancy and the repeated exposure to crime.

Amid these concerns, another perspective surfaces from a different resident who has lived there since May. This person highlights a bright spot in the property: the maintenance team, particularly one employee named Jerry. According to this resident, whenever there is an issue requiring attention, Jerry is on top of it, described as a great person who is friendly and dedicated to his work. They express clear satisfaction with having someone reliable who visibly cares about maintenance and responsiveness, noting no complaints about Jerry's performance. This positive essay about maintenance contrasts with the broader security worries, illustrating that the property does have at least one consistently valued staff member who contributes to a better day-to-day experience.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a complex picture of the complex. On one hand, there is a troubling pattern of security shortcomings - car and home break-ins, thefts from patios, and a lack of protective features like window screens - that continues to affect residents years after move-in. The financial and personal costs of such incidents are felt in fear, in the sense that residents worry about what might happen next and in the frustration over not receiving timely, transparent communication about security risks. On the other hand, the property benefits from dependable maintenance staff like Jerry, whose responsiveness brings tangible value to residents who need timely repairs and a courteous, helpful point of contact.

In the end, these experiences illustrate a split reality: safety and upkeep are not uniformly consistent across the property. For some tenants, the security environment remains a major concern that undermines the perceived value of the space, despite some positive interactions with maintenance personnel. For others, a dependable, personable maintenance team can significantly improve daily life, offering a degree of reassurance and practicality even as larger security issues persist. Potential renters and current residents alike may find it crucial to weigh the reliability of on-site maintenance against the ongoing concerns about security and building conditions when evaluating whether this complex is the right fit.

This section of Bakersfield, California, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to relocate to the area. With multiple places of worship nearby such as Laurelglen Bible Church and St. Philip The Apostle, individuals can find spiritual support and community engagement. The neighborhood also boasts a variety of dining options including O Ramen and Jollibee, providing opportunities for culinary exploration. Access to pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS, as well as healthcare providers like Valley Medical Group and California Retina Consultants, ensure easy access to medical services. In terms of entertainment, residents can enjoy movies at Regal Edwards Bakersfield or take a stroll in the nearby Wilderness Park for outdoor recreation. Overall, this part of Bakersfield offers a well-rounded environment with essential amenities within close proximity for seniors looking to settle into a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Places of Worship

• Laurelglen Bible Church (0.4 miles)
• New Life Center (1.4 miles)
• St Philip The Apostle (1.5 miles)

Restaurants

• O Ramen (0.7 miles)
• Jack In The Box (1.1 miles)
• Wienerschnitzel (1.1 miles)
• Maui Pho (1.3 miles)
• Carl's Jr. (1.4 miles)
• Jollibee (1.5 miles)
• Golden Ox White Ln (1.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Hina's Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Coughy Shop Collective (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• Stanton Optical (1.2 miles)
• Valley Medical Group (1.3 miles)
• Pacific Pulmonary Services (1.5 miles)
• Pacific Pulmonary Services (1.6 miles)
• G.B. Ha'Eri, MD (1.7 miles)
• California Retina Consultants (1.8 miles)
• Ma Soler, MD (1.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Good Samaritan Southwest Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Mercy Southwest Hospital (2.6 miles)

Transportation

• GET Bus Southwest Transit Depot (1.8 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Edwards Bakersfield (1.9 miles)
• Reading Cinemas Valley Plaza with IMAX (1.9 miles)

Parks

• Wilderness Park (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• Sam's West (2.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.6 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (3 miles)