Camden Gaines Ranch

There are a lot of pro’s to Camden Gaines Ranch: location, size of units, well-​kept grounds etc. However, there are three major cons to be aware of:
1. They tell you when your term is up, you will be given new term options with an increase in rent (they try to keep this under 15% a year, crazy!) and that you will be given a month to make your decision if you will take one of the terms or not. However, when my term came up I was only given two options and 7 days to make the decision.
2. There is no place on site to throw-​out larger items, such as broken furniture. This makes move in and out more extra difficult. They also do not encourage recycling as whenever I recycle if I also have more than one bag of garbage they refuse to pick up both bags of garbage. Very lazy.
3. You get Time Warner Cable/​Internet, cannot opt out or choose a better provider.

Mandatory Time Warner Cable subscription. If you want to have a choice, don’t even bother looking at this place. Is this apartment complex geared towards technology illiterate people? Why would anyone move to a place where the management helps with TWC’s subsidized monopoly and having 0 chance of getting a decent competitor like Google fiber.

My husband and lived at Gaines Ranch for about a year and a half and loved it! It’s a beautiful little community and it was absolutely perfect for our first place together.
Some pros:
— 10 – 30 minutes from downtown, depending on when you leave in the morning.
— The prices are very reasonable for the size of the apartments and the distance to downtown, although they do increase regularly.
— Super close to Sunset Valley for most of your shopping needs/​wants.
— Has a gym, pool and small dog park.
— Gated.
— Helpful and timely maintenance staff.
— Pretty nice finishes inside, including built-​in bookshelves (!!).
— The apartments are built to condo specs, which makes them pretty quiet (but you will still hear your upstairs neighbors sometimes).
— Trash is picked up outside your door five nights a week.
— Beautiful grounds, perfect to take a walk with your family or dogs.
— Surrounded by greenbelt, so everyone has a great view.
And some cons:
— You’ll see some complaints about parking. I’ve only had problems finding a spot in front of my building after about 9 p.m. Any other time of day I’ve usually been able to snag a spot either at or right next to my building.
— The gate frequently breaks.
— Depending on the time you leave, the access lane onto Mopac can get backed up.
— You can’t opt out of Time Warner Cable or trash pickup.
All in all we had a great experience!

My boyfriend and I have been living here for several months and we love it. The complex is quite and feels isolated from the city. I swear maintenance handles issues usually in 30 mins. It’s crazy! We really enjoy looking out from our balcony and seeing deer. It’s our little piece of tranquility in crazy Austin!

The front office is always helpful and friendly! Even though I prefer living in a house they make it enjoyable to live in our apartment.
The location is another great reason to live here.

It looks nice at first but it is a thin veneer, cheaply built. Fake wood, really toxic vinyl floors.
Lots of luxury fees without the follow through in actual quality. Costly overall.

Additional reasons I continue to give this place a ⁵⁄₅.…
I was starting to feel a little isolated since it lets out near some highways (you don’t see the highways at all from the apartments, but in terms of going for a walk I didn’t feel like I had any options but the Greenbelt). Then I zoomed into a Google Map and discovered there is a network of well-​maintained paths that go straight out to some great walking neighborhoods. A hidden gem and I am so impressed they exist (though probably underutilized as not really advertised). Now I am out and about all the time.
Maintenance is insane. The only time they didn’t fix something within 24 hours was after we got extensive flooding in the area, and they had to play catch up. You just do an online request, don’t have to make any calls or speak to anyone, come home from work and it’s fixed like magic.
Love it here.

The apartments are nice, and the location next to the greenbelt is what sold me on the place, You can be 10 minutes from Downtown and feel like you are in the country. the trees are gorgeous. There’s a nice pool and a small, but adequate work out room with three treadmills, and some weights. The apartments are almost all upgraded to granite-​like counters, stainless appliances and wood-​ish floors. Wood-​ish you ask? It looks like wood but it’s actually a sheet of sticky vinyl over the floor. Be careful moving things as it scratches very easily and will gouges the plastic even more easily.
Like most apartments in Austin these days, the prices are just climbing higher and higher. After one year, my rent went up over $ 200 per month.
Parking. Limited at best. Garages are $ 90 per month and can take over a year to get one on the wait list, if then. If you don’t have reserved parking, good luck. you’ll need it.
Time Warner Cable pact with the devil. If you want the freedom to choose your internet and cable provider, this isn’t for you. There is a mandatory $ 80 Technology Package (Internet & cable), with Time Warner, who I am convinced is evil incarnate among service providers. I could get into my troubles with TWC, but that’s for another review. The $ 80 is on top of rent.
Trash. It’s neat that they have contracted Valet waste to collect your trash from outside your door. Only problem is it’s another $ 30 extra per month and you can’t opt out of it. Also the $ 30 doesn’t include what the city charges for Trash. Budget another $ 6-​$ 10 on top of the $ 30. And they don’t collect on Friday or Saturday nights. Make sure not to leave your trash can out before 6pm or after 9am or you’ll get a nasty-​gram from management.
Dumpster. Be advised that if you are living in front of Building 21, you’re going to walk out your door and see trash. A lot of trash. The compactor is there and it’s noisy, plus people will leave their refuse (since the service won’t pick it up) on the weekends.
Dog droppings. Yeay pet friendly complex! Boo trashy people who are far to busy and important to clean up after Fifi or Fido.
Sir Bro’s-A-Lot. So yeah, Brah. Let’s get schwasted at the pool brah. I’ll bring my stereo so everyone can hear how cool we are and what great music we listen to brah. **Face-​Palm**
Management is okay. Items are submitted online and routed through the big bad Camden network. They will have resident appreciation days, but during the week, when most of us are at work, so I have yet to be able to participate.
It’s a fine apartment complex, if managed a bit corporately.

I live here and I love it so far. The staff is absolutely amazing! Incredibly attentive and they go out of their way to help. I don’t know who the people giving one stars are talking about. I’ve never had an incident of anything but super helpful and gracious employees here. This is truly one of the most amazing apartments complexes to live in around here. My friends always oooh and aaah at how awesome my apartment is. This is Austin, stuff in this area isn’t going to be super cheap, but it’s worth it, imo. Just be sure to say exactly what you need/​want. Once again, I can’t speak more highly of the staff. Really attentive and highly responsive. Be nice to people, be respectful and you get respect back.

I wanted to write a review because many of the negative reviews on this page almost scared me off renting here. That would’ve been a mistake, because I really love it here.
The units are beautiful, if you’ve seen the photography they use on their own website, you might be skeptical that it’s actually that nice. Well, it’s actually that nice!
Granite counters, stainless steel appliances, etc. The wood floors are actually not real wood. You might think that’s bad, but I don’t think so. First of all, I didn’t even notice that until much later, because it’s really high quality faux wood floors, so it’s not cheesy. Second, you pretty much can’t scratch up the floor at all0 – I’ve dragged a bunch of furniture over it at this point, and it’s pristine. Third, it actually feels nicer on your feet than real wood does. It’s not cold or echoy like real wood.
The office staff is totally nice and really helpful, every single one of them. The maintenance staff is on the ball and super helpful — I once brought a couch home and had to haul it up to my third floor apartment, and the head maintenance guy Ram plus another maintenance guy named Will helped me get it up stairs, no questions or fuss. They are awesome.
I have almost never heard any noises from any neighbors, ever. The one time I heard something I was sitting right against a wall that my neighbor keeps his sound system near and he had it turned up to test how loud it could be, and only if I was quiet could I notice any sound at all. I also bought a sound system and I went around to any neighbors that might affected and gave them my number so they could text me if it bothered them at all. I’ve not heard anything from anyone. The place is like a bunker for sound.
The ONLY real downsides I see are:
1) You must have a car to get around. It’s super close to a lot of things, and minutes from downtown, but because of how it’s situated, with the exit right on the highway, you’ll need a car to get anywhere except going for a walk on the greenbelt, even to go to things that are close by.
2) The internet they force you to get is fine, but it’s overpriced if you’re only using the net and not the cable TV service. And if you don’t want TWC, well tough. I’d love to google fiber in here, but I doubt that will happen soon.
3) Valet trash service is hit or miss. If you have a relatively normal schedule and relatively normal trash needs, then it’s probably fine – it’s nice to have someone come grab your trash everyday. I’ve been furnishing my place which means a lot of cardboard boxes and the like, and I break them down flat like I’m supposed to but often they don’t take it, and they don’t say why they don’t take it. Hands are full I guess. Also, they require you to use a specific trashcan that they supply, which is all well and good except the can doesn’t really fit conveniently anywhere in my apartment. It’s a small hassle.
The landscape is kept clean, the facilities are kept up, the location is awesome, I just really think the place is great. And for what it is, it’s totally reasonable pricing too – not out of line with other apartments of the same size, except I have granite counters, a vaulted ceiling, a wall of windows overlooking the greenbelt and downtown, with a fireplace, a giant tub, and a walk in closet. I love it.

Staff is very unfriendly — not accommodating at all and act like they do not have time to assist you. I have lived at several Camdens over the past years and am very surprised at the unfriendliness of the staff at this one. I expect more out of Camden and this staff is not meeting the Camden Excellence that I have seen at other Camden properties.

I’ve been extremely disappointed in the management here. Threats about garbage placement for their ‘valet’ trash ‘service’ (an added cost which you are forced to pay) and broken gym equipment are just a couple of the things that have forced me to write such a horrible review. On the plus side, it’s generally quiet, but that’s probably just because everyone is moving out. If the management can’t figure out that they’re here to serve, I’m sure the trend will continue. I’d think about living somewhere else, unless you’re into forced add-​on ‘amenities’ (valet trash service and time warner cable) and fines for made-​up rules that don’t make sense (I guess unless you’re management and want to inflate income by pissing off your customers). Steer clear of this lemon.

I don’t write reviews, but I simply LOVE Camden Gaines Ranch. We have been living here for 4 years. Every year we sign a different lease term and move to a different building, either because of wanting a lower floor or needing a backyard. But every building we lived so far has been nothing but amazing! Having the Green Belt as a backyard is just one of the perks.
The complex has a great hiking trail entrance that takes you deep into the Green Belt.
The pool is beautiful and the surrounding scenery makes it a great relaxation place. The gym has everything one needs to get or stay in shape. Awesome!!!
The location is amazing! it takes 5 minutes to get to downtown being that MoPac is adjacent to the complex. During peak hours it takes me 20 –25 minutes to get to 183.
The best part of living here is the office staff. They are so helpful and friendly. Always geeing you with a smile. The girls are always welling to help. They are always having activities in the club house to bring neighbors together — from movies at the pool to food truck — making a really close community.
If you have an issue– which is rare — the maintenance staff will come out on the same day and fix it.
The location is clean and they always strive to keep it new. The remodeling had made the apartments super modern with stainless steel appliances, granite tops, new bathroom vanities and washer and dryer included in the rent.
This is a great place if you want to relax at home or by the pool or being active while hiking in nature or while lifting weights in the gym.
Cannot beat this location. If offers a variety of shops near by and whole food a couple of miles down the road.
This place has been my sanctuary for the last 4 years. Love it!!!

DO NOT RENT IN BUILDING 19 or BUILDING 4!
I was advised prior to initiating my lease at Camden Gaines Ranch the complex remodeling venture would be resolved within a few weeks. This statement by staff member was an absolute misrepresentation as the remodeling project is STILL commencing nearly one year later. I have complained on multiple occasions, being ill-​advised the conclusion was «soon» approaching. Residing in a «luxury» apartment home as my office, I had many concerns when selecting a location. I have been disenchanted at best, as I am typically awoken (Monday-​Saturday) to the grinding of granite cutters, buzzing of saws, pounding of objects, from construction activities in the parking lot. I have secured video of sofas, trash, debris being deposited into the dumpster by non-​contractors.
Secondly, my fiancé who visits has incurred the cost of replacing THREE run-​flat tires on her 2015 vehicle (purchased ⁶⁄₁₄) due to nails found in the tires at a cost of $ 450+ per tire! The management reponded advising the contractor cleans area daily, thus is not liable for the damage.
Next, Camden misrepresented/​marketed the Time Warner technology «upgrade» to residents at 50 Mbs increasing to 300 Mbs months PRIOR to actual fiber installation. I documented actual performance as low as 8 Mbs (a dial-​up rate common over a decade ago). I personally wasted countless hours (documented in Time Warner call records) contacting multiple representatives, coordinating many Time Warner onsite support calls to learn as much, resulting in significant business loss due to computer down/​lag time.
Additionally, I cancelled my gym membership last Fall, as I was advised the gym was nearing completion at my lease signing. Another untruth as the gym remodeling project was not concluded until 6 months post-​lease signing.
Lastly the swimming pool was not available for resident use until after Memorial Day.
As the end of my lease approaches next month, none of my grievances have been resolved, yet I am advised I must provide a 60 day notice as well as pay a «lease-​break fee» should I elect to move prior to the lease expiration date.
I am underwhelmed with Camden Gaines Ranch at best.
PLEASE SEE PHOTOS POSTED.

I love living at Camden Gaines a ranch… In fact, I’ve now been living here a year, and I just renewed my lease!
I am very surprised at all these negative posts and reviews. First of all the gym was closed due to severe and unexpected flooding. The pool is closed due to a leak which can happen any time. Are these inconveniences… Yes, but I know and feel that the management group is doing everything in their power to fix it! In fact, most of the management live here, so I think it’s safe to assume that they would also like too enjoy the amenities. I hate to see all the negativity because these things happen at all apartment complexes.
As for the management, office staff, and maintenance. I have never had a problem with any of them! My questions are always politely answered and they are always willing to help.
The pool is beautiful and I love the location. It takes 5 minutes to get downtown. It’s just a straight shot up Mopac. Never once have a regretted my decision to move here. Green let access is always a plus! There’s a million shops and stores nearby. Oh and you can’t forget the dog park!
The only reason I gave CGR 4 instead of 5 stars is because too many tenants do not pick up after their dogs outside. I feel that stricter rules need to be enforced.

I’ve lived here for 3 years and I think it’s great. A little expensive but a great place to live. It has upgraded units, native landscaping, pet friendly and a lot of nice people. It’s gracefully aging and they fix anything you complain about. Nic and his staff are super.

Maintenance is constant and always. It seems as though something new breaks down every couple weeks and I’ve stopped submitting requests because they don’t ever come to fix it when they say they will.
The front gate/​gate box breaks down frequently. I’ve come home late from the airport at 2am and it wouldn’t open, not with my clicker or the gate box. I’ve also had times where I had coworkers coming to get me at 4am to go to the airport and the gate box wasn’t working so I had to walk all the way to the front with my luggage in the freezing cold. There have also been several times where I’m leaving for work and the gate wont open to let me out. I had to open the other gate and go out the entrance.
The gym is a joke, they had to «re-​do» it because of a flood, it took them about three months and it looks the exact same. I was expecting if they had to re-​do it then at least try and make it better or maybe larger if you’re already taking the time on it.
The office manager has serious attitude problems. I work in customer service and even the emails they send out are worded rudely. Even if I have something to tell someone that can be a bit negative in nature, such as «don’t leave your garbage outside your door except in the trash bin or you will get fined»; I phrase it in a way that is still very kind but gets the point across. This office– nope they have no concept of customer service and if you try to reply to any of those emails they don’t answer you.
NOTE: I want to note that this is nothing against Camden. I have lived at two other Camden properties before and it was nothing like this.

Beautiful retreat from downtown but just a stone’s throw away (yes, secluded and glad for it!) FYI, transports: if you live anywhere but downtown you will incur traffic, but as the billboards say, «you’re not stuck in traffic, you ARE traffic» (so please relax and enjoy the view as you ride home).
A few of my favorite things:
Greenbelt access from the parking lot
Awesome vaulted ceilings
Tons of windows and therefore natural light
Secluded feel right near the heart of the city
General cool energy about the place
Great pool & grill area
Condo specs mean I can play my music without feeling like an a-​hole
Deer and other cute wildlife to feed just below my balcony
Now, to address all the negative comments. Yes, there are some d-​bags who live here, and it is quite possible to have a bad experience because of how these people act. But, in a world of humans, is this not possible literally anywhere?
I have learned over the years that as long as you flash a smile or hand over a nice comment before letting on about your problems/​complaints/​issues, then you will receive much better service. Yes, I had a couple moments when dealing with the staff where I thought, «Damn! What did I do to you?» Then I remembered my time in customer service and realized they probably take a daily beating from this huge community of residents. Sure enough, a little kindness went a long way, and they were very attentive and friendly throughout my stay.
So, don’t let other d-​bags or your own douchey attitude let you miss out on a great home. I’ve lived in Austin for 13 years, and Gaines Ranch is still my favorite!

Where do they hire their staff from, middle school? I provide renters insurance for my clients and they make it so difficult so that you’ll do business with the insurance company they love sending referrals too. The second you ask them a question they accuse you of «disrespecting» (not a real word honey) them or giving them «attitude» then here comes the HANG UP. Right out of high school is not the pool of employees I’d be looking in but apparently the Camden management does.
Oh, by the way Camden apartments on Davis Lane are not much better. I’m on the board of an HOA next to this property and were constantly having to deal with their residents who trespass onto our property. The management there has such an I DON’T GIVE A DAMN attitude like they have in Dallas… oh, that’s right they ARE from there.

SPOILERS: Camden Gaines Ranch sucks. Rent elsewhere. Got a minute? Read on. (There’s even a bit about coming home to a bloody bedroom door one day.) I’m just glad I photo documented the entire fiasco.
This place seemed alright when I first checked it out, but boy did I make a mistake moving here. Can’t wait to leave.
First of all, when I rushed to get here on time for paperwork and move in I was informed that the tile work in the master bath wasn’t complete but that if I was patient they would finish within a couple days.
That was A BIT OPTIMISTIC. In actuality the shower wasn’t even built, there were no mirrors installed in either bathroom, and there was a bunch of other shoddy work done to the apartment. There were HOLES IN THE WALLS from previous fixtures, the countertop in the kitchen is totally unfinished underneath where you can see pieces of stacked wood used to level it, and in general there is the feeling that a lot of the work was measured, cut, and completed by a child. For instance, the second bathroom door brushes against the «brushed metal» handles of the cabinets.
I loved calling and calling and having to go to the main office once or twice a week for TWO FRICKIN’ MONTHS to get them to actually get around to do any work. So until then, NO SHOWER in the master bath, NO MIRRORS ANYWHERE, yet somehow tons of dust every week from the occasional contractor or handy man who would put in his half hour and leave. Never mind that the people in the office insisted that they believed the work had been done. They never really bothered to check.
The best part was after letting them know the shower still didn’t work they sent a guy by while I was out. I came home to A BIG SMEAR OF BLOOD ON MY BEDROOM DOOR. Apparently the guy cut himself while fixing the shower and rubbed his bloody appendage on my door on the way out. To this the office asked if I would like someone to come out and clean it up. AMAZING! At least the shower worked after that… although, to be fair, it leaks out onto the floor every time I use it. Sigh.
And can you believe that they were UNWILLING TO REFUND me any rent despite the apartment being unfinished on their end for two months? So much for personal accountability.
Another fun part is how apparently my upstairs neighbors litter like crazy, pretty much making my otherwise half-​pleasant view of trees pretty gross. This took OVER SIX MONTHS to resolve with the office. I showed them pictures and try promised to get it cleaned up but just like everything else, it NEVER HAPPENED. Ok, after over six months it did. I should have just waited for a glacier to clear out the trash.
Another AWESOME part of living here is the night there was a massive MULTIPLE CAR BREAK IN. Glad my car was unwashed and a mess inside cuz that looked like it sucked for the residents it happened to. Security is pretty much mostly an inconvenience, not effective. About one in five cars actually buzz in. The rest just wait for someone else to and follow them. Which probably explains how if you get in too late there’s no parking for you anywhere near your unit. Makes you really dislike the neighbors who park their scooters in an entire spot. And good luck having friends over, cuz there’s def no room for them.
The little dog park is nice, though. Too bad I step in dog poop on the way to it half the time.