The Circle at Hermann Park

I lived here for several years. The fire alarms go off more frequently than anywhere else I have lived, college dorms included. They are extremely loud, much more than necessary. They are loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage. The package delivery service recently changed from an Amazon hub and a package room to fetch. I cannot say enough bad things about fetch. They lose packages, they delay packages, customer service is atrocious. The water system of the building needs frequent repairs with frequent shutdowns for the entire buildings water supply. The apartments themselves are nice, as are the pools and gym. The community generally feels safe although recently there have been some violent crimes and care thefts. The apartments aren't set up to manage the extreme heat in Houston. There are large poorly insulated windows that admit a huge amount of heat. My electricity bill was nearly twice any of my friends in similar sized places.

Having lived here for 3 years now, I can say that it used to be a good place but not so much now. 1) Security is slacking. Seriously a concerning number of car break-ins, etc. And management takes no responsibility. For the price, security should be much tighter. You do not sleep well knowing any day now, your car might be next. 2) Packages are received through a 3rd party company, which often doesn't arrive due to theft or incompetence. So good luck receiving packages larger than a microwave - it won't be sent directly to you. They also did away with the Amazon hub so even simple packages take forever. 3) Management never responds. Nobody picks up the phone, even when you can see them in the office.

I didn't know that signing a lease here would also be signing on as a detective. Now that they use FETCH, Every other package is delayed. That's if they're even sent. If it's not delayed then it just disappears and I have to put in at least one, sometimes two claims before I see any action from FETCH. No option to opt-out as it's mandatory and now shipping companies won't even deliver to apartments that use Fetch. The management doesn't seem to care and really only uses this service to save on having to handle the packages themselves. I'm not the only one that struggles with this. A quick google search will reveal how terrible FETCH is and yet management still insists on using it and even tries to argue that it is "for the tenants".

Overall my experience has been pretty positive while living here at The Circle over the last 18+months (currently a graduate student at Rice University) It's a Nice facility, but has had some problems in the back with theft on the premises (I had a trailer and mountain bike stolen). The staff is professional and generally good natured, especially Tam at the package pickup... she's outstanding; definitely sets the example for professionalism.

Pet friendly, attentive management, quick maintenance repairs, security guard, 2 gyms, lap pools/kid friendly pools, packages of all sizes dropped off at office which has extended hours to pick up! Garage and street parking with secure entrances all around the property. I feel safe and comfortable in this apartment :)

The apartment is very nice. There are not a lot bars and restaurants around so its quit and low traffic. Located across the street from Hermann gold course and the Houston zoo.