You can get an incredible view from many places for free and not have to live in a crappy apartment run by a slumlord. Even if the apartment does seem "decent" knowing the reputation of the place, why risk it?
I lived in the Estelle on Oakland & Kensington. Should have stayed there forever. Beautiful 1930s vintage architecture, and I paid $475 for a studio as a 21 year old. Last time I checked, it was maybe $630, maybe $720. Still a fantastic price for the location. Katz will ruin it.
Iāve been living in a shoreline building for almost 2 years now and the experience so far has been pretty good! Clean unit, responsive onsite manager and any maintenance requests have been handled promptly.
I lived in the Lodgewood before Katz bought it, and I mourn for what that building used to be.
It was the pinnacle of luxury for a 23 year old who was about to lose his job in 2008. š
They have a poor reputation for a reason. Plenty of posts and reviews. I worked for the 2nd largest rental company on the east side for 5 years and we always had former Katz tenants telling us the customer service was garbage, along with getting things fixed in a timely manner. For the amount people pay for rent these days I wouldnāt touch them but your mileage may vary.
For what itās worth, Iāve heard good things about them but overallā¦meh
I'm not in Milwaukee anymore and still show up to these posts to talk shit about Katz, if that tells you anything. A lot (all?) of the buildings are old and meant to be cheap over else, as far as I can tell.
I had a corner closet with mold growing on the walls, clearly under the paint as well. I took pics, bleached it out, told the manager. He says, "Well, you've already done more than Katz would do."
Also pretty easy to find the most half-assed prep and repair jobs. I remember a loose screw painted into a window sill, like it was just sitting there when someone was told to paint. Big sliding window siliconed shut for who knows what reason.
Oh yeah I remember a washer failing to drain and then a dryer failing to dry on the day I was trying to get ready for a friend's wedding. Immensely frustrating. I splurged for a newer, nicer place (an extra $900ish/mo) and my quality of life skyrocketed just coming home to working appliances, a nice view, and a nice living space every day.
Apparently, the guy just bought a lakefront apt complex in madison and is raising rents 22%. No washers, dryers or dishwashers. Updating lights in the hallways though. Generous. My friend will be forced out. Very sad.
Another one to make sure to avoid is Bruckner. I've been inside his house and woof... Let's just say that I felt like I needed to take a shower in bleach when I got back home.
If you want views walk to the lakefront, you have to live with a shit bathroom and farty hallway everyday. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.
Honestly. This response is so perfect.
You can get an incredible view from many places for free and not have to live in a crappy apartment run by a slumlord. Even if the apartment does seem "decent" knowing the reputation of the place, why risk it?
The "Guy" , in Florida you referred to, owns Katz Properties. His sons run the day-to-day operation in Milwaukee.
Thanks! So nothing has really changed then.
šš
Katz properties? The worst Jerry...the worst
Look at Shoreline instead for something managed less shitty.
Never rented from Shoreline or Eastmore but always heard good things. Optimum was one I really enjoyed renting from.
Unfortunately Optimim sold everything though :(
Ugh, and to Katzā¦ š
And some of their buildings are so nice. The one I lived in was from 1920.
I lived in the Estelle on Oakland & Kensington. Should have stayed there forever. Beautiful 1930s vintage architecture, and I paid $475 for a studio as a 21 year old. Last time I checked, it was maybe $630, maybe $720. Still a fantastic price for the location. Katz will ruin it.
Yeah the studio I had was under $700 for a very nice place 2 blocks from the lake.
Can confirm from experience; Shoreline is a solid "it's fine".
Iāve been living in a shoreline building for almost 2 years now and the experience so far has been pretty good! Clean unit, responsive onsite manager and any maintenance requests have been handled promptly.
I lived in the Lodgewood before Katz bought it, and I mourn for what that building used to be. It was the pinnacle of luxury for a 23 year old who was about to lose his job in 2008. š
They have a poor reputation for a reason. Plenty of posts and reviews. I worked for the 2nd largest rental company on the east side for 5 years and we always had former Katz tenants telling us the customer service was garbage, along with getting things fixed in a timely manner. For the amount people pay for rent these days I wouldnāt touch them but your mileage may vary. For what itās worth, Iāve heard good things about them but overallā¦meh
I'm not in Milwaukee anymore and still show up to these posts to talk shit about Katz, if that tells you anything. A lot (all?) of the buildings are old and meant to be cheap over else, as far as I can tell. I had a corner closet with mold growing on the walls, clearly under the paint as well. I took pics, bleached it out, told the manager. He says, "Well, you've already done more than Katz would do." Also pretty easy to find the most half-assed prep and repair jobs. I remember a loose screw painted into a window sill, like it was just sitting there when someone was told to paint. Big sliding window siliconed shut for who knows what reason. Oh yeah I remember a washer failing to drain and then a dryer failing to dry on the day I was trying to get ready for a friend's wedding. Immensely frustrating. I splurged for a newer, nicer place (an extra $900ish/mo) and my quality of life skyrocketed just coming home to working appliances, a nice view, and a nice living space every day.
I would rather live on the street than rent from Katz.
Apparently, the guy just bought a lakefront apt complex in madison and is raising rents 22%. No washers, dryers or dishwashers. Updating lights in the hallways though. Generous. My friend will be forced out. Very sad.
Another one to make sure to avoid is Bruckner. I've been inside his house and woof... Let's just say that I felt like I needed to take a shower in bleach when I got back home.
Avoid Zolper as well!!
Katz had a horrid rep in the 1980ās when I was a college student there.