Shade at Desert Ridge Apartments

I moved into Shade in 2019 and had a great relationship with all the staff - especially management. I talked to my neighbors frequently and we all enjoyed the property.

When knightvest took over, we all noticed how management did not seem to value good kind communication. Gates were mismanaged (codes not secure + cards stopped working), lights started being installed (terrible blue non-relaxing). Staff was quitting. Online accounts were bungled. Lots of ineptitude.

One day I heard someone out... on my balcony installing a new light. I interrogated this worker and he said we were given notice. I went to the office upset by the intrusion. The office said they had given notice.

My neighbors that I spoke with all said the same thing. No notice given. Nothing. Management was becoming brazen and nervous about their missteps was the consensus among the residents I spoke with.

So I moved. I worked out a deal with management to pay a certain amount and move out as early as possible. I covered all bills. When I called 2 weeks before my scheduled move out date to be done with everything, they told me I could not move out early and said some utterly ridiculous things to me. They manufactured a new bill for me that was nearly 700 additional to what we agreed to. I called bs and disputed. They would not budge. They sent me to collections and have told the collection agent I was aggressive and violent. I have even hired a law firm to ankle bite the credit bureaus to remove it. It's been a terrible experience.

So... think twice before moving here. Ask the residents if you can find one. Management does not have your back. Read More

We have lived here for a year now, and it had been fine. A new management company just took over and now it's gotten scary in a way I honestly thought was something only seen in tv dramas. Now we have suddenly been charged for all kinds of things. For example, a garage opener with a dead battery cost me $51 to replace as a "damaged" garage opener. Another example, and this one really scares me... they gave 2 days notice that they were entering the apartment to install new electronic door locks... and air conditioning control pads. And then we got charged for them! Have you ever had to buy the new fixtures or appliances that an apartment decided to install without giving you a choice. I don't own these fixtures... at least I don't think I do. Who knows. But I certainly bought them. Now im wondering how to get out of here without them messing with my life too much. I feel like complaining to them would just put us on the radar of the two lifestyle corporate live ins they installed in the front apartment. So slipping away quietly seems safest. We keep getting new legal notices stuck to our doors letting us know exactly what they're allowed to do and what they aren't liable for in the future... it's majorly sketchy. I'd steer clear. It's too bad because they are really making the grounds look nice. But yikes... Read More

Let me preface this by saying I've sold higher-end real estate for 25 years and just relocated to the area for family reasons. I lived here for 6 months in 2018 while looking for a home to buy and have nothing but positive things to say about the staff, the apartments, and the grounds. The staff was responsive, friendly, and helpful. The apartments are clean, somewhat updated, and allowed good light in. The grounds and pool areas were well-kept. I never saw any signs of vandalism or heard... late-night partying, and my unit looked out towards the main pool area. I saw one cockroach while I lived there, but I noticed unsatisfied renters complaining about them in literally every complex I researched. When you think about it, it's almost impossible to avoid in an irrigated, shared living situation where trash is collected from the units, and I thought they did an excellent job managing pests.

Parking for residents and guests is amazing as there's always a ton of it...much better than other places I looked at in Scottsdale, and the complex is really well located. It offers easy access off the 101, is about 25 minutes from the airport without traffic (a good location to minimize traffic issues, by the way), and is next door to and across the street from a ton of different restaurants and shopping. Overall, it was a great experience. Read More

The people at the office is beyond rude and no one would take responsibility for their own mistakes making the tenant pay for their lack of irresponsibility and unfairness. There is absolutely no communication between them. I am completely baffled. And their appliances don't work either and multiple maintenance request has been submitted and maintenance would say they work just fine when they don't. I regret signing a lease here.

The crime rate is terrible in this apartment and the security dispatch is terrible as well. Pool has been closed for vandalism on multiple occasions. Tenants have had strangers approach doors and attempt to come in to apartments. There is also a roach infestation problem and apartment units are dirty and poorly maintained. Worth looking elsewhere. I lived here for a few months and could not finish my lease . Only plus is that the staff is helpful sometimes.