Asbury Plaza Apartments, Chicago

Location location location. It's all that matters in Chicago!

Some apartments were very 80s, but they also cost less. So for people who didn't care as much about how their apartment looked, it was worth it. I suppose the pool deck was rather small for a 384 unit building, but it was pretty underutilized as well.

Building management was very helpful. For example - my original move in date was on the 15th of the month, but my old lease ended on the 31st of the prior month (leaving me a 2 week gap). They worked with me to help me move in on the 1st. Also, the door people were very friendly and helpful.

Laundry was expensive. Started at $1 to wash and $1 to dry and was raised to $1.75 to wash and $1.75 to dry mid-way through my year living there

East view from my unit is amazing. Management great to work with and polite/responsive. Location is ideal. Unit was very nice upon move-in, remodeled/upgraded and very clean. Daytime doorman is very nice and friendly.

There are roaches (they call them waterbugs) everywhere. One was in my unit once but I see them in the common areas constantly. They are huge and terrifying. I see them by the pool, in the laundry and fitness center and in common areas. HVAC is not ideal. They keep the building so hot that my unit was too warm and sliding doors had to remain open all winter just to maintain 70 degrees, otherwise it crept up to 75 degrees. Also the AC broke twice at the beginning of summer for days during a heat wave. Water pressure for hot water is not great and they couldn't fix it.

The location in River North and the view (from inside or on the balcony) are both outstanding. The convenience is great as well. The door and maintenance staff is friendly and prompt in responding to any issues, and I've always had a good relationship with the management team.

The temperature control could be better, though I understand that the current system is standard for buildings constructed in the 1980s. Also, the one downside of the location (which is not unique to this particular building) is its position at the intersection of common routes for emergency vehicles, meaning that sirens are frequent.