Dearing Garden Apartments
**Dearing Garden Apartments: A Unique Living Experience in Athens, GA** Located at 329 Dearing St in the heart of Athens, Georgia, Dearing Garden Apartments offers residents an opportunity to immerse themselves in a vibrant college town atmosphere. With its proximity to the University of Georgia, local eateries, and cultural hotspots, this community is ideal for students, professionals, and families alike who appreciate the convenience of city living. The property features a range of apartment layouts designed to cater to various lifestyles, ensuring that there is something for everyone. While Dearing Garden Apartments has garnered a mixed reputation, it’s important to highlight the positive experiences of some residents. Many appreciate the quieter atmosphere on certain sides of the complex, as well as the accessibility to nearby parks and community events. However, potential renters should be aware of the challenges highlighted by others, including maintenance issues and pest control concerns. The management team is noted for being hard to reach, so prospective residents should consider these factors when seeking a new home. If you're looking for an apartment that places you at the center of Athens' vibrant lifestyle, Dearing Garden Apartments might just be the right fit—just be sure to weigh all reviews and visit the property to get a true sense of the living experience. For more information, you can reach out at (706) 850-7727 or visit their website at [lewispropertiesathens.com](http://lewispropertiesathens.com).
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Reviews & Questions
Google Reviews
Ansley Hatcher
Absolutely do not live here. Living at Dearing Gardens was a nightmare. In my two years here, I dealt with rats, roaches, and other bugs on a regular basis (and I kept my apartment extremely clean). On three separate occasions, I had to remove rats myself because maintenance either refused or never responded, even during business hours. These weren’t just field mice - they were giant NYC subway-sized rats. Pretty much anytime I returned home from being away for longer than 5 days I could expect to find evidence of a rat. I’ve thrown away hundreds of dollars worth of kitchen appliances (including a microwave, air fryer, and two coffee machines) because they were infested with roaches. I even had to toss baking sheets because they were covered in rat feces. The lease states that professional pest control will be provided upon request. However, the office only sent pest control to my apartment twice after agreeing to send them bimonthly. There was also mold growing under the sink, which they never addressed. Additionally, there were leaks in the ceiling that were reported and never fixed, broken appliances, and ongoing issues with parking (the frat houses on the Harris Street side of the complex would take up spaces in the lot and in the grass right outside my apartment). To top it off, the leasing office is a ghost town. They’re never open, never answer the phone, and good luck getting a response to an email. It’s honestly one of the most negligent and poorly managed properties I’ve ever encountered. The general upkeep of the entire complex is abysmal. Don’t be fooled by a cheap rent price. You will pay in stress, lost property, and health risks. Steer clear.
Michelle Parkos
These apartments are GREAT! I have lived at the corner of Waddel and Church on the second floor. In general, this side of the complex is quieter and parking isn’t as much of an issue. These units are just far enough away from the frat houses to where you can still have peace of mind. I LOVE the location. I can walk to work; it is a mile to downtown, .8 miles to the stadium, a mile to 5 points, etc. The complex is full of grad students, young professionals, and some students. I have only encountered 1 instance where there was a party. Overall I have had no noise issues. These are older apartments, but I have loved the character and had no issues. The kitchen has a black and white tiled floor and carpet throughout. My 1 bedroom is basically the same size as the 2 bedroom and it is HUGE. If you want all the bells and whistles, this is not the place for you, but if you want a great place to live and are okay without granite counters/beautiful appliances, this place is great. Also, there is a washer/dryer in each apartment! I would definitely live here for a long time but I am relocating out of state. These apartments are definitely a great place to live. I have added chalkboard contact paper as a backsplash in the kitchen and put on my own blue knobs ☺ I added some of my photos because when I was looking I wished there were more. I hope you all find these helpful.
Elise Nanista
This place would probably be condemned for the bugs if it were inspected. Plus management is VERY hard to get ahold of. My apartment is literally falling apart and they raise my rent every year without fixing or maintaining anything. I can’t wait to move out and be charged for unnecessary things like so many others before me
Jacob S. Rojas
I would give them 0 Stars if I could. How in the hell do you run a business if you are 1 never open, 2 never reply to emails, 3 never answer the damn phone. If you have ever dreamed of living in your parents college apartment from 1980 something (and I mean literally because not a single inch has been updated/upgraded). It is one thing for an apartment to be not super energy efficient but it is clear that the leasing company has failed to make reasonable upgrades to ensure that you are not just spending money out the butt trying to keep up with how expensive the utilities are month to month. I have lived in 3 college towns and Lewis Properties is by and far the most predatory leasing company out there. How do you send out a threatening email about parking in the lot without a pass and then you proceed to not answer the after hours number when you are a rent paying resident and can not find a parking space and have to street park when you pass plenty of spots that have no parking pass... not to sound like a Karen.... bc I get it the unit is close to Milledge Ave so you want to park here... but I mean if the leasing company is not willing to follow through with their end of the agreement then why ask us to do it?!?!? I would recommend to anyone who has lived there to file a complaint with the Athens BBB and the City of Athens. It is clear when driving through any of Lewis Properties "communities" that they simply only care about screwing over their residents as all of their "communities" look like run down crap holes. The office staff ARE not friendly and the maintenance staff do nothing but blame you and charge you a ridiculous fee to do their job. Not to mention when you move-out they keep half of your security deposit and then when they go to take a look around the unit (which hasn't changed since the day you moved in) they take the other half and give vague descriptions of what they found to be an issue such as "blotches on the wall" when they specifically instruct you to buy some crazy specific paint that only 2 shops in Athens have and then to paint any holes you put in the walls (mind you in order to make it not feel like you live in a hospital psych ward you're going to want to put paint things on the wall). Regardless if you cannot tell by now this is an awful complex and an ever worse leasing company.
Dustin Alfonso Chacón
Absolutely awful place to live. My apartment had tons of maintenance issues that were never resolved, including a broken dishwasher, cabinet doors that don't close, and mysterious stains and holes in the wall. The leasing company is incredibly predatory – lease agreements end mid-July, without prorated rent, and the leasing company tried raising my rent by about $300 after I had lived in my apartment for two years. Moreover, they towed my car, and claimed that I did not have a parking pass hanging in my mirror (I did). The leasing office is also only open for a few hours during the work week, so if they ask you to come in person, you'll have to take time off to do just that. In 2022, they changed the parking passes, and gave us all a few days to come in person and exchange them, under threat of towing our car. I will never rent from this predatory leasing company again. You can get substantially nicer and better places in Athens for far less. Don't waste your money on these vultures.
Farran Smith McElligott
I lived at dearing garden for 3 years and am generally pretty happy with the experience. Management is always kind and was accommodating when I dealt with them. Maintenance requests tended to take longer than I would like, but the two guys who do the repairs are very friendly and kind. The apartment building is old so there are some structural/design issues (the floors aren’t level, the bathroom and kitchen are outdated, the washer dryer closet can only hold a tiny set). I never had issues with any bugs or rodents. I wish they would replace all the blinds, use quality paint on the walls, shower, and cabinets, and I really wish there were ceiling fans. The courtyard is a nice plus and there is a bus stop only a block away. Parking is an issue during the school semester because frats use the parking lot, but there still was available parking most of the time. Overall, this complex is a good deal for the price.
Graham Hasty
I have lived here throughout college for over 3 years because it was affordable and is close to campus. I would stay away if you can afford it. Rent has increased for a 2 BR from $770 to $850 to $900 to now $950 for the next period (this is us renewing by December and being faithful tenants). Their reasons for increases are the same every year and unfounded. There is no significant improvement to the property within the apartments or the landscaping (what they have done was done to a low standard). Walls and ceilings are paper thin so you hear EVERYTHING your neighbor is doing. Every wall and ceiling is bright white so make sure to bring lots to decorate so you don’t feel like you’re in a hospital. Lewis Properties also ignores tenant requests for improvements. The company screamed at my friend for receiving a new parking pass as stated in the lease. If you absolutely have to live here you’ll be fine, but you’ll definitely want to find somewhere else. Just another predatory style of property to take advantage of students and the terrible real estate situation in Athens.
M. M.
If you would like to live with ROACHES falling out your cabinets, this is the place. They only spray when you beg and mention how unhealthy and unsanitary that is. After spending time and energy begging, they may spray (sometimes they flat out ignore you) and it "fixes it" for like two weeks, during which, you will see 10 roaches instead of 30 running out of the kitchen every time you enter. It is absolutely disgusting. Also, they don't fix the big stuff until you leave, such as the sink that leaks, or the cracked window. But the cherry on top are the conditions that they will throw at you when you don't renew the lease! Surprise! You have to pay for professional carpet cleaning! And for the painting! don't expect your deposit back and you will probably have to pay more! Basically, you will be living in a 60s apartment, poorly insulated, ridden with ROACHES (and even FLEAS!!! even if you have no pets!!). Definitely not worth it.
Chris Payne
Horrible experience, mold was present upon arrival that never was cleaned properly or at all despite several maintenance requests and the issue got so bad my roommate and I were frequently sick. During winter our heat broke for several weeks and the leasing office said they would reimburse us for space heaters. We bought two and when we asked for the reimbursement they said they would only reimburse us if we GAVE THEM the space heaters in their original boxes. what?!?!?! Many other issues with this apartment included parking (not even close to enough spaces for all tenants, apartment would say we can park on the streets around the complex… and I ended up getting several tickets), the tiniest washer and dryer you will ever see (almost comical), roaches, no ceiling fans, no ceiling light in living room, kitchen cabinets that don’t close, rude maintenance team (the two men would frequently enter my room without knocking while I was literally in bed half dressed), and a leasing office that DOES NOT ANSWER PHONE CALLS. To top it off, we paid so much money on things during move out like professional carpet cleaning, and a month after moving out I still have not received my inspection results or received my security deposit back (probably won’t for some reason.) When moving out, we also realized that anything kept on the closet floor was extremely moldy due to complex never fixing the issue, and ended up having to throw away many personal items such as shoes, bags, etc. STAY AWAY.
Sarah Middleton
I would give this apartment 0 stars if it was an option. The apartment floors are uneven the vanity in the bathroom has so much water rot that it’s falling apart. Not matter how much you clean and do everything on the checklist at move out they will still find a way to keep your deposit. This place is a dump.
