Locale Austin Rainey Street

Katie showed me around yesterday and was so helpful. She seems passionate about her work. The community was beautifully presented, from the lobby and hallways to the amenities, and the apartments feel like good value. If you’re looking around the Rainey area, check them out. :-)

I’ve lived at this complex for a little over three years. Until this year, I’d never been late with rent here or at any apartment since I was 18. Things started going wrong after I moved from a two-bedroom to a one-bedroom and the property switched to the MyCamden app. On January 1st, I paid my full rent through the app. On January 4th, I got an email saying it was late and charging a fee. I thought there’d been an error, but paid the fee rather than argue. On February 1st, I again paid my full rent in the app and then paid utilities right after. I got a confirmation email, and my account showed a $0 balance. Still, on February 4th, I received another late notice and another fee. I went to the leasing office. Management said the confirmation email only showed utilities, so they couldn’t verify the rent payment, even though the account balance was zero. I explained that it made no sense to pay utilities on the first and skip rent, especially with my record of paying on time. They only agreed to cut the fee in half, which was still a lot, instead of removing it entirely. There are also unresolved safety problems. In October, my storage unit and many others were broken into, and more than $3,000 worth of my belongings were stolen. Management took no meaningful action, and there still aren’t cameras near the storage units. Cars have also been broken into after the parking garage gate was broken for weeks. It’s disappointing that management won’t fully waive a fee that I believe is incorrect for a long-term resident, while these security issues remain. This has changed how I feel about living here.

At these prices, you’d expect basic upkeep. Instead, trash cans overflow, the amenities are dirty, and there’s a serious problem with dog waste. It feels like the Camden team isn’t investing in regular maintenance, and we’re tired of the slow repairs and poor service. The pool has been closed for nearly two years, with promises about reopening that keep shifting and move-in dates pushed back. Balcony doors facing Rainey Street have had their handles removed, so residents can’t use them. Construction blocks the view and leaves little sunlight. One elevator has been out for months, and then the other one broke too, leaving just one for the building. It can take 10-15 minutes to get out. The garage gate has failed multiple times, repairs take weeks, and there have been too many car break-ins. So the rent is high, but there’s no pool, no access to those balconies, broken gates, broken elevators, and dirty amenities. Camden Rainey Street needs to stop cutting corners and take action.

Maggie in the leasing office has helped me more than once, including with move-in and other logistical headaches afterward. She’s quick, professional, and sweet. My unit looked brand new when I moved in six months ago, and I’m happy with everything so far. I do think trash service should be optional.