Cottage Grove at Gainesville

I lived at this wonderful community for four years, and overall, it was a very pleasant experience. The previous manager, Joe, was fantastic, and the new manager, Jonathan, has proven to be equally compassionate and dedicated. The "cottages" here are essentially individual houses, each with its own address, which is vastly superior to traditional apartment housing. The living spaces are generously sized, and the screened back porch is a fantastic feature. There's even a convenient spigot for washing your vehicle. The maintenance team is both friendly and efficient, always ensuring that any issues are promptly resolved. While the gym could use some improvement and the key fob system is somewhat redundant since the doors remain unlocked, these are minor concerns. Parking is fair, with no pass required for guests, which is very convenient. For dog owners, there's a shortcut trail leading directly to Squirrel Ridge Dog Park, which is a fantastic amenity. The location is just far enough from the main city to avoid much traffic, providing a peaceful living environment. The community also offers recycling services, which is a nice bonus. During my time here, I only experienced one instance of noisy frat neighbors, but it was quickly resolved thanks to their effective disturbance policies. The staff is always friendly and courteous, and Jonathan, the manager, consistently went above and beyond to help with any issues, whether with roommates or otherwise. Despite all these great features, the cost of living here is surprisingly reasonable compared to other options in the area. Plus, the free and fast internet is a huge perk. Overall, this is an incredible place to live, and I highly recommend it!

My daughter has lived at Cottage Grove for the past 2 years. Being new to Gainesville and attending UF the staff made her feel so welcome! The process was very easy and she will miss it very much. Terrific experience!!!

Cottage Grove is amazing! The office is so friendly and always take care of you. I love my cottage so much!! When I moved in, it was clean and welcoming. Plus, maintenance is great because they stay on top of any issues that arise. The neighborhood is pretty, safe, and fun. Cottage Grove feels like home :) 10/10 living experience

Cottage Grove is the best place I’ve ever leased from. Hands down a wonderful place with great upkeep and amenities. The office does a fairly good job with community activities.

Moving-out fees are super high - they also charge you for every little thing (even after I spent hours cleaning my room for move-out). Also the property manager is not good at responding to email so don't expect to have any problems solved through emailing him. His response to my email came half a month later and when I replied that same day, he never answered back. He also never answered any of my roommate's emails. The overages were also really high, even when trying to conserve electricity and water. For these reasons, I would not recommend this place.

I lived here for 4 years. Previously owned by some great people but new property manager Johnathan Spence has taken over and has ruined the management. Charged me after moving out to clean my already spotless room. I called and asked for an explanation and was told he was not in the office (he is). Then sent 2 emails and a text with no response. Took my guarantor to call and complain and ask for an explanation for him to simply drop the charge. DO NOT PAY THE CLEANING FEE. Exploiting college students and hiding from confrontation. Do not recommend.

Cottage grove charges insane move out fees for "damages" they find in your room. My room was spotless and cleaned it myself and yet they charged me for cleaning of the room and for holes in the wall even though I covered them up myself and in the lease it doesn't mention anything about holes having to be covered up in general. And then they charged me for carpet even though it was in terrible condition when I moved in as well as paint when they hadn't even painted my room before I moved in and the drywall was ripped in a section. I noticed the charges on my account and I stopped by the office to talk to the manager about it and they weren't around and I couldn't even speak to the assistant manager about anything and they seemed clueless anyways. They gave me Jonathan's email (the manager) and I emailed him, I received a response right away which was nice but he said that he will go through my disputes in the next couple of days due to him being busy with turnarounds of the units for newcomers. I completely understand that, however it's been 2 weeks since that email and he hasn't reached back out. I decided to email him again and give him the benefit of the doubt and still haven't heard back. If they want my money then they're going to have to come to me. I received a bill in the mail at my new place but if the manager can't sit down for 5 minutes and answer my email then I'm not going to keep emailing him. I liked that the units were houses instead of a huge building but the management really sucks upon move out and they will charge you insane prices. I supposedly owe $375 in damages after $100 of my security deposit was applied. Better start saving up now to cover for your "damages" in your unit! UPDATE: I moved out 7/31 and it's currently 9/15 and I haven't heard from the manager since 8/24 and I've sent multiple follow up emails and no response still. And when he did finally respond to my email, it was 2 sentences that didn't address most of my concerns I mentioned in my original email. One of my roommates still has yet to get in contact with him in general, she's emailed and called multiple times for him but he just ghosts. So she's also having the same issues.

When moving in, the cottages weren't spotless/the cleanest, but I figured that's what one should expect when living in college apartments? I kept the two houses clean and had no problem with move out fees when moving from the first house to the second house (but I later found out my roommates from the first house that all left cottage grove to go to different apartment complexes did get charged ridiculous fees). Overall it was a fairly good experience living there WHEN I WAS THERE. I will say overages were kinda crazy even though we kept the temp at 78 degrees and turned it off whenever we could (to where it would get kinda uncomfortable temperature-wise in the house) to get the cost per month down. There were a lot a lot a lot of cockroaches in both the houses I lived in too (not the whole year, but during certain seasons there would be more spotted in the house) even though we kept the house clean. I am being genuine in that it wasn't too bad of an experience when living there BUT (and this is the reason why this rating is so low) after moving out, I lost ALL respect for Cottage Grove. Many of the comments already here are accurate in that they charge ridiculous fees (mine originally was just over $600). The main thing that made me furious was a charge for a mattress replacement when the wear and tear on that was from an accumulation of damage from the many years it had been in the house (they charged my other two roommates for this too). So if you move in and see a dirty mattress-- it most likely shows they don't actually replace them and are just exploiting college students by charging for a mattress replacement each time someone moves out. If the mattress is pristine when you move in, I guess that means they are using the money to improve! So when filling out the form to show all the existing damages the first week of move in, BE EXTREMELY THOROUGH AND PICKY. Include the conditions of the mattress (especially underneath the mattress-- that's where they got one of my roommates. They charged her because the underside of the mattress had a stain, which was most definitely there before moving in). Any little stains, and imperfections (holes in the wall, any command strips left on the wall or remnants of it, any outlets that look damaged-- they charged me for an outlet (and I had no recollection of one being broken)), ANY LITTLE THING. Even if it seems too thorough or nitpicky, report it. Make sure to take and keep a bunch of pictures of the condition of the house. I emailed the guy in charge to dispute these charges and never got a response. I think my other two roommates did get a response, but he never responded to me (I gave him plenty of time). I emailed again saying I would like a response and an explanation/help with this in a respectful and kind but firm manner (in both emails I sent), but got no response. After my roommate got a response, she said her balance went down some in her account, so I checked mine and thankfully mine went from $600 to $333, but I feel it is still outrageous for what they charged for. (part of me wonders if that's a "tactic" of theirs-- overcharging and then once they get a complaint, lowering it so it doesn't seem as bad of an amount to pay. I don't know, just a thought). Today I got an email from the system@entrata email (which I think is the automated email) telling me to pay and that "Failure to pay this balance may result in further action including, but not limited to, reporting to the credit bureaus and/or legal action." I ended up reluctantly paying. I really do feel like I was taken advantage of. I just think its funny that I didn't get charged with any move out fees from the first house to the second house even though I cleaned the two places and left the two places the same before moving out. Please please please take my words into consideration before moving here.

This location is run-down and ghetto. I had a noisy roommate from who attempted to attack me and Stole my Amazon deliveries from the front porch (I had several packages stolen) The recent management has transformed this place into a complete disaster. I decided to leave and tidy up, but they unfairly overcharged me for various expenses. As a result, I am pursuing legal action against them. The location of this place is adjacent to a drug rehabilitation center, which means that every time I would take a one-mile walk to the store, I would frequently encounter harassment from drug addicts. Additionally, there is a notorious motel known for its association with crack addiction located directly across the street. At night, they go through our trash and one of them requested a lift from me. I was scared and ran away. I strongly advise against staying at this place.

Cottage grove charges insane move out fees for "damages" they find in your room. My room was spotless and cleaned it myself and yet they charged me for cleaning of the room and for holes in the wall even though I covered them up myself and in the lease it doesn't mention anything about holes having to be covered up in general. And then they charged me for carpet even though it was in terrible condition when I moved in as well as paint when they hadn't even painted my room before I moved in and the drywall was ripped in a section. I noticed the charges on my account and I stopped by the office to talk to the manager about it and they weren't around and I couldn't even speak to the assistant manager about anything and they seemed clueless anyways. They gave me Jonathan's email (the manager) and I emailed him, I received a response right away which was nice but he said that he will go through my disputes in the next couple of days due to him being busy with turnarounds of the units for newcomers. I completely understand that, however it's been 2 weeks since that email and he hasn't reached back out. I decided to email him again and give him the benefit of the doubt and still haven't heard back. If they want my money then they're going to have to come to me. I received a bill in the mail at my new place but if the manager can't sit down for 5 minutes and answer my email then I'm not going to keep emailing him. I liked that the units were houses instead of a huge building but the management really sucks upon move out and they will charge you insane prices. I supposedly owe $375 in damages after $100 of my security deposit was applied. Better start saving up now to cover for your "damages" in your unit! UPDATE: I moved out 7/31 and it's currently 9/15 and I haven't heard from the manager since 8/24 and I've sent multiple follow up emails and no response still. And when he did finally respond to my email, it was 2 sentences that didn't address most of my concerns I mentioned in my original email. One of my roommates still has yet to get in contact with him in general, she's emailed and called multiple times for him but he just ghosts. So she's also having the same issues.

Joe is absolutely amazing!! I've lived in 6 different Gainesville apartments and this one is by far the best. Joe always has your back and is very very very good at his job!

I lived there for 3 years the entire operation is run by students and one adult, it's very expensive, the overages are insane, they lose your mail constantly, they leave advertisements and surveys on your door weekly, they are completely incompetent, staff are constantly entering your home for inspections and other tedious nuances, they tamper and ruin your internet connection, they will leave random maintenance equipment and projects in your entrance way for months on end. Maybe the Gainesville renting atmosphere is just so bad that this is considered upper end, who knows. So happy I moved.

I live here for a year and was extremely happy to move out. Overages are ridiculous, get ready to pay $20 to $50 extra a month while keeping your house on 78 degrees. The staff is pretty useless and the property manager is rude. On top of that I moved into an apartment that had fleas and it took weeks to get rid of. Don't be scammed by the exterior, I wouldn't recommend living here to anyone. I wish i would have listened to all the other reviews when I signed here.

I have lived here for approximately a year now and I absolutely despise this place. The rent is insanely expensive and the overages are even WORST. Each month's overages are at least $40 even with all our electricity & water used at a minimum. I have no idea where all this overages is coming from?! And we always keep our AC unit on 79 degree which is pretty freaking hot already. They always leave us notices at our door with random charges and have no idea where they get that number from. The previous reviewer was correct, the management here is ridiculous, it is run by a group of sorority girls and one adult. When my roommates and I first signed our contract, they told us that the last date to turn in rent was the 5th of every month, but they midway through the year they changed the date on us and failed to inform us about the changes. Yes, this place is a nice neighborhood to live in, but not without taking a hunk of your money with it every month. I would not recommend this place to live in to spare the headache & expenses. I cannot wait for my lease to end so I move out of here!!

I have lived here for six months now and learned the hard way this is a horrible place to live. The electric overages are horrific. $300 in one month horrific..how does that even happen? We keep the place at 80 degrees which is super hot the ac isn't on all that much. They couldn't tell me why. I still don't know. The staff is inattentive and rude, including the guy that takes care of the pool and grounds. Way to go Cottage Grove. The grounds are nice enough, nothing too special though. Pool is ok, have been to way better ones at other area complexes. Pass this one up, there are waaay better places in Gainesville than this one.

On first glance Cottage Grove is a great place to stay--I have friends tell me all the time how cute my townhouse is. The four bedroom four bathroom home I subleased for a semester was very nice, spacious and felt like an actual home. However, the service and the way the place is run is ridiculous. If you live here, expect to pay HIGH overages, EVERY month. I lived in Canopy Apartments last year and not once did I pay overages, and we weren't exactly conservative with our electricity. Here, we don't even run the dishwasher (handwash EVERYTHING) and keep the AC off in order to save electricity and STILL wind up with about $25 (on average, has even got to $45) overages per month. The problem is that the cap for this spacious two story townhouse (that has 2 AC units) is the same as the cap for any other regular sized apartment. This is RIDICULOUS---how can they expect the same cap for a home almost double the size??? Upon moving out, I was asked to move out a full week before my lease was up in order to accommodate the next group of girls moving in--I still had finals and had no where else to stay, so that was impossible. However, I found it very rude and unprofessional that they would even bother asking a paying tenant this. When I spoke to the owner of the complex, Jaime, about my move out date, I got a text message the day before saying that the new tenant was arriving that day and needed the room for that night. Again, VERY unprofessional--my mom was coming up that night to move my stuff back home and we had no place to stay. I had had enough of the poor professionalism and service and stood my ground and was able to stay my final night. Finally, if you move in, expect to either move into the room cleaned by the previous tenant (which may or may not be up to par) or have to pay a $200 cleaning fee to have it cleaned specifically for you. The fact that it's not automatically cleaned for the new tenant by the complex is ridiculous. The bottom line is simple: the townhouse is a lovely, spacious home for any student living in Gainesville. However, the poor professionalism and the ridiculous charges they add to your already $590 (if a 12 month lease) rent far outweighs anything "nice" about Cottage Grove. There are far better options in Gainesville.

This place is ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, it looks really nice, but the prices were ridiculous. The overages are outrageous and when I lived there, I got a notice that they were increasing prices. Don't let them tell you that "you pay one price and it covers everything." What they fail to tell you is the only way to not get overages is to keep the air conditioner off.. at all time, or really high so it never cuts on. There was always upcharges, no matter what you did. The only things I liked were the 24/7 security and the looks of the home. Another issue I had was, when I went to sign to move in, I told them I would only need the place for six months. They told me I have to sign a one year lease but when I was ready to move out, they would find someone to rent it for me. So, with that being said I decided to sign. Well, the six months went by and I was planning my move. When I went to the office the let them know, they told me they would put my name on the list of "subleases available". I said thanks and moved out. Well, two months went by and I never heard anything. So, I had my cousin call and ask if they had any two bedroom places available and they said no... I then became livid because I realized they had been lying. I called them and asked for the manager, her reply was "we can't recommend your room unless they specifically say they are looking for a sublease." ARE YOU KIDDING!? So, guess who had to pay for a place for six months that she didn't even live in, me. I'm glad I'm not there anymore.