The Boulders Apartments and Townhomes

Please go through the reviews closely--they are listing "local guide" paid reviews as positive reviews, and the honest to goodness former residents' reviews are deleted or an offer of "call us, we'll talk about it" are added by management. I've lived here for 2 years--I still live here, so I know what I'm talking about. There are great tenants leaving because of the rent increases--$50-100/mo. The apartments are already overpriced for the size--we are not in the Minneapolis market, but Ian, who is the regional person--feels that the prices should be in that market. The apartments are stuffy and small, the cabinetry is just the cheapest I've seen in an apartment in this price point. The carpets---everyone here is correct--there are, on any given day, 10 complete rolls of carpeting down in the underground garage--it costs around $200 for a Lowe's installer to recarpet what little space needs it---and yet the management charges you for steam cleaning (Stanley Steemer) which is around $350 (must have receipt) and then Tony, who is the head maintenance guy--will claim that there are stains underneath the carpet, charge the tenant their entire $400 security deposit, another $1K for "replacement fees". The stovetops. I photographed everything when I moved in--but I see at minimum, 4-5 stoves junked in the rubbish room every month--they just charge you for the "top replacement" which is truly stupid because at the quoted price, you can purchase a new stove. In other words, your security deposit here is $400, but they'll end up keeping that, and charging you another months' rent, basically---for "fees". If you can't afford to do that---I would move elsewhere. The grounds. They're atrocious. There is no DNA testing for the dogs, to ding the owners for not cleaning up the waste, so there's no ability to penalize owners for this. I've watched owners, especially the residents at Mayo--let their dogs out right in front, defecate in the shrubs (pretending to be engrossed in their phones) and then walk away. Management won't do a thing--Ian is more interested in the money, not the quality. The office claims that everything has to go through him? Well, not really. A former maintenance guy and I had a conversation about what is talked about in that office---and I quote--"the office staff sits around and talks sh*t about all of the tenants", with personal information being discussed with maintenance crews there, as well as the ever rotating staff of leasing agents. Two former friends have relocated out of the complex, one because she had placed surveillance in her apartment, and maintenance was routinely entering her apartment without her consent. They do offer a Ring now, and I am wondering if this is because of the constant complaints of the residents that maintenance people are going in without consent, but you still have to pay for that service. I pay for privacy in my rent--that is what I expect. I also have placed private surveillance in my apartment. LOOK before you come here. TALK to the residents. Figure out why, at this time---there are >25 units open, they're dropping the price to $1080 for a 1BR (when I came here...a 1BR was $1600)---FIGURE IT OUT. They're not doing that out of the goodness of their hearts. Ian knows why people are fleeing this complex, and he's squeezing the remaining renters to make up the revenue, without putting anything into this place. DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE. (and watch out for the hoards of mice coming in from the fields behind the complex. they do this every cold snap/winter and after the fields are cut for hay. and they all live in the external walls of the apartment complex. so there's that.)
Jan 8th, 2024

Lived here for 1 year and 6 months. Horrible management and horrible customer service. I would move anywhere besides this place :) They STOLE a large chunk of our deposit and I truly mean stole, extremely unfortunate. They charged us for a stovetop that was damaged upon inspection when we moved in, and claimed it was not even with proof of it being damaged. They charged us for the cost of replacing the entire stove top. If you're desperate and cannot find anywhere else to live take pictures of everything and document your heart out because they will steal your deposit. They also increased rent 400$ in 1.5 years. Which in my opinion is extortion of those in need of housing. Good luck, hope you find a place better then the boulders.
Dec 16th, 2023

Stay away. Very expensive fees and dishonest staff members.
Jul 18th, 2023

Lived here for a year, was a bit rocky in the start but after they changed management the place completely turned around and was amazing. Not only was I treated with more respect, but they actually heard my concerns. They are not out to get your money now, they want you to be safe and happy where you live. The amenities are amazing and the staff are quick to help with whatever you need. I would recommend to anyone who it looking for a comfortable way of living. Shoutout to Rachel who helped me with a lot of my concerns. I don't feel used or taken advantage of my money at all when talking to her.
Jun 26th, 2023

Do not recommend at all. The boulders appear to be a great place when touring.. until you have to actually deal with the staff and management of the boulders. I lived there for 1 1/2 years and when we had to extend our lease it had gone up a substantial amount and all they had to explain this was inflation. Price of extending a lease for someone who never missed a payment and even paid a week early all while never causing a problem for them should not go up like that. Then once I moved out they completely robbed me of my deposit. We cleaned that apartment to the nine and never even made a ding. We never even hung up pictures or anything that would cause damage to walls. They then reported that we scratched the stove top, when that was reported BY THEM in the move in walk through. So the damage was already done and they blamed us and would not do any walk through to show us. So they charged us for a FULL REPLACEMENT of the stove top, and likely they did not even replace it because they already knew it was scratched. When you try to talk to their management/staff (MELISSA) she is very rude and not willing to work with you at ALL. She is fake to get you in there then is a you know what. I HIGHLY do not recommend anyone that has other options to live here. They took advantage of us as recent college grads and now so thankful to have our own home :-) please avoid these guys at all costs. SHOULD BE 0 STARS
Dec 22nd, 2023