Dakota at McDowell Mountain Ranch

I lived here for a year and the complex is beautiful and in a great area. They have four pools which is awesome and they have grills at all of them. I absolutely love the floor plans. The office staff can be slow at times and difficult to get a hold of. I had a horrible older woman as my downstairs neighbor she had tried starting arguments with my boyfriend and I multiple times. She was threatening at times we did call the police once on her. Other than those two things I enjoyed my stay but didn’t renew my lease.

Nice property, but the front office needs some SERIOUS customer service training. I cannot believe that Mark Taylor continues to employ people with such bad attitudes. I don’t even like going to the office to pick up packages because I know it will be a frustrating experience. Also, per the previous reviews, maintenance requests take several days to get addressed.

Cons
Maintenance: Maintenance here leaves a lot to be desired. THEY DO NOT fulfill non-​emergency requests within 24 hours! Try 4 – 5 days. I am a resident who has placed requests. I think in the maybe 6 requests I had one fulfilled within one day, but the rest were 4+ days. Multiple times I had to place a reminder. One guy got attitude because I did not answer the door quick enough. All of my repair work has been poorly done. I am disappointed because when I lived at a previous Mark Taylor property the maintenance was spot on, very timely. I understand the property is large, however, as a current tenant I am suggesting management take a realistic look at the service levels/​stats. Put in more quality work and hire more maintenance to keep your tenants happy and reduce repeat issues/​fixes. God knows you have the revenue incoming to do it. I have an issue with the statement of non-​emergency requests being fulfilled within 24 hours since that is not the reality. They may be what your target it, but please listen to your current tenants.
Valet waste: mandatory $ 25 monthly fee. Non-​essential overhead. I am not disabled/​incapacitated and can dispose of my own waste.
Office staff: Have gotten nicer. Two girls with long blonde hair are still less than thrilled to see you; act terse and bothered when you come in. Other ladies are much more personable.
Pros: Very quiet, despite tons of dogs being here, and beautiful area. Most folks are respectful and clean, despite the neighbor that put fried potato skins on the roof of my car one evening.
Safe.
I am on the second floor and had one scorpion that was just in a light fixture. I imagine living on the first floor may lead to more bugs. This would not bother me even so.
I did not renew my lease (in regard to my previous post).

Living here is like having a really pretty girlfriend with a terrible personality.
I love the location, and the apartment itself is pretty nice. I live upstairs on the end of the building, so I have lots of windows and enjoy all the sunlight.
However, once you are in, there are a lot of problems. I have lived here for 17 months and my water meter has never worked. My contract clearly states that «This charge is based on your actual consumption.» They have no idea how much water I use, because my meter has never worked, so they charge me a «national average» for my apartment size (they couldn’t give me the source of this average when i asked). It does not account for the fact that I live alone in a 2 bedroom and travel for weeks at a time. My neighbors have told me that their water meters do not work either. The manager claims that the owner, I’m assuming Mark-​Taylor, will not approve the work order to have them replaced.
I hope you create a lot of trash, because I typically pay $ 32 a month just for trash. Since I create about a kitchen sized trash bag each week that I am here, that’s between $ 8 — $ 10 per bag of trash that I am paying. They will promote this fee by telling you it is for recycling also, but you can take your recycling to the fire department or library, both within a quarter mile.
If you have a maintenance issue, expect to for it to take some time. Typically it takes between 4 – 7 days for any maintenance request, unless it is an emergency. I have the paper work to show that. The complex has too many units for the maintenance to keep up with. I also had a credit card number stolen the same day maintenance came into my apartment when I was not home. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but hopefully the investigation will find out.
I agree with the review by Becka R. I really want to stay here because it is a nice apartment in a nice location, but it’s just not worth it.

I’m so torn because I honestly absolutely love this property — the location, floor plan, amenities, price/​value, parking… — it’s all ideal. But we have lived in this beautiful 2B/​2B for almost 3 years and I am reluctantly coming to terms that it’s just not worth it. We will be moving at the end of our lease :(
I did my due diligence before we moved in and I read about the scorpion «infestation». I was concerned but thought it (i) was likely an over-​exaggeration and (ii) not a huge concern for us, a young healthy couple without infants/​children/​elderly people or dogs (the most vulnerable to stings). So we chose to move in after falling in love with the property on a site tour.
But as anyone who has lived in a scorpion-​infested home will surely tell you, it impacts your psyche. We live in fear. We have to shake out our shoes and clothes before putting them on. We keep extra shoes in every room so there is always something handy for smashing the yucky creatures. We do not walk around barefoot. And last night, my husband was stung on his back… when he got into bed… because a scorpion was under his pillow!
This issue is not one to ignore or downplay. I know how beautiful the property and community is. I am so sad to leave and move into a smaller apartment in a less ideal location for more money. But it is no longer worth it. Living with a scorpion infestation is no small issue. Trust me. It’s terrifying.
Oh, one last thing for the sake of perspective. My grandparents built one of the first houses in the McDowell Mountain Ranch community. There are scorpions up here, as is only natural. After all, scorpions were here first and we moved into their natural home. But in the roughly 15 years my Grandparents have been up here — less than a mile from the Dakotas — they have had less scorpions than we get every hot season.

I have lived at The Dakota for nearly 5 years and have very much enjoyed it! The location is amazing and the staff has been fantastic… the few maintenance needs that I have had were repaired quickly (including my ac in less than an hour on a Sunday night) The negative experiences being claimed in other reviews have not been my experience at all and I would highly recommend living at The Dakota!

I lived at the Dakota for seven months
I would have stayed longer but the way they maintain the pool is pretty lousy.
The apt. walls are thin and if you get lucky your apartment won’t need to many things fixed.
During my time there I had quite a few maintenance calls because there were several things that were breaking down
The manager at the time actually showed up one time and asked me was I breaking things on purpose! Lol yeah right wtf.
I would have gave a 1 star but the location was beautiful and most of the staff were friendly except for the biatch manager.
Mark Taylor corporation doesn’t give a damn about anybody other than themselves be prepared to have your rent raised every time your lease comes up for renewal.

I was so excited to move in here! My leasing agent was so great! Until it was actually time to move in. Never heard from her again. The model I saw was beyond perfect. Once you get in your actual unit everything is completely different. Super cheap. The cupboards can barely open because they are so sticky. The cheapest paint job ever. Even the outlets and light switches are painted over. There are big pieces missing out of the boarders along the floor. Paint peeling off. Doors that are crooked and can barely open. Closets that have broken tracks. Chipped and stained countertops. The first week we moved in, maintenance didn’t fully seal the bathtub plumbing for the floor above us. So, after moving all the boxes in, there is a leak from the pipes and comes all the way down our walls and ruins everything in our boxes. It was like pulling teeth to communicate with maintenance or anyone in the office. We had a giant industrial blower in the second bedroom for a week and my roommate couldn’t even stay in her new apartment. I finally talk to the manager and she was so «apologetic» and said she would compensate us and fix the things that were wrong in the apartment. She said she would call me back. A month goes by and no word from her. I call again and the ladies in the office say she is there but she will have to call me back (oh great). It’s been yet another week and a half and no word from her. $ 100 doesn’t replace thousands of dollars of vintage items or not using your second bedroom for a week. And if they are painting the parking lots be aware that you will come home one day and not be able to get to your apartment. I came home from a work trip and had groceries and luggage and had to walk a half mile to get home. They also charge you $ 25 a month for «complimentary» valet trash pick up, even if you don’t use it. Can someone please explain to me the definition of «complimentary». And don’t let me forget about the bugs here. No wonder they offer free monthly pest control, this place is infested! Desert or not, in a month I have had ants, roaches, spiders, and mites. This is gong to be a long year. Being in sales and business management, believe me when I say it’s worth paying the extra $ 100/​month and looking else where. Better quality, service, and communication is out there somewhere.

I lived at Mark Taylor, Dakota Apartments for 2 months. It was absolute HELL & they steal money inn whatever form possible. First, they do not allow you to see the apartment you are renting.
I was surrounded by smokers & smoke literally gets into neighbors apartments thru vents, pipes, outlets, &, if u dare leave windows open, they also smoke on patios for it to enter your apartment.
Mark Taylor «proudly» promoted to me that they are a «smoking» community in response to my email.
They required a 60 day notice for me to leave, even tho I had to leave due to respiratory issues from neighbors smoking.
I left the place absolutely spotless, &, even so, &, gave them «excessive» deposits for pet fees, they not only would not return my deposits, they asked me to pay them more money for no reason. If tenants had affordable attorneys, places like Mark Taylor would not be able to get away with the theft they do.
They put themselves in a position of power (exactly like the mortgage companies did), requiring 60 day notice, having you sign a 50 page lease, &, not allowing you to see apartment until day of move in (even tho promised to see it many days before).
Mark Taylor should be PUT OUT OF BUSINESS FOR THEIR THEFT & abuse in this industry.

It is hard to get hold of management and get repair done.

The complex is infested with scorpions. Ask any tenant, they all have them in their apts. and many of them have gotten bitten. Everyone in the area, even the merchants know about this place, it is notarious for scorpion infestation. The management attitude is, well you’re in Arizona, like it should just be accepted and they act like it is normal to have dangerous predators in your apt. I counted 13 in the first 2 months. Their pest control is a joke, it has absolutely no effect on scorpions. Totally disgusting. The grounds are filthy with bird and dog waste. Beware!

I’ve lived at Dakota for several years and I’d say overall it’s a beautiful community and the location is perfect. Staff could be a little more pleasant.

Worst management company I have ever dealt with. They have an excuse for everything and deliver nothing. They are not truthful people to deal with. I have lived here for year and half and have yet to have good encounter with management.
Do not move here!

Just moved my girlfriend in today and I cannot tell you how disappointing this place is. The whole process has been somewhat of a nightmare for her. To make a long story short, the leasing director Beth, seemed to go out our her way to just be difficult and unpleasant. After a unnecessarily long discussion on move in date and unit, my girlfriend was told she could have a unit that was EXACTLY like the original she had planned to lease, which was EXACTLY like the model that was shown. The only problem is that it isn’t. The model had an enclosed patio, a storage closet on the patio, and the water heater is in that outside closet. The apartment she received has a open patio (not walled in), the water heater is in the laundry room, and there is no patio storage. All of these things are important when you are looking to maximize the space you live in. Its just a shame that it appears that Beth just didn’t want to make sure that the right thing was done for a long time Mark Taylor resident. In addition to all of this, there were several (about 8 or 9) piles of dog poop laying about that caused the outlying area in front by the car ports to smell very bad.
Update!
After speaking with property manager, Jennifer Swisher, all of our problems were fixed. She was the most helpful person ever! Beth could learn a lot from Jennifer. Jennifer was the answer to my girlfriend’s prayers!

Great views, quiet neighborhood. However weird unknown fees that bother me. Been here only a couple of months but I love it, it is a little away from downtown Scottsdale.

I’ve lived here for 1.5 years and am surprised to see anything less than stellar reviews — especially ones posting outlandish claims. For purposes of this review, I’ll focus on my experience since becoming a tenant. As others have stated, the complex itself is fantastic — great grounds, pools, apartments and location. However, it is the staff which necessitated I leave a five-​star review. I have been a serial renter and have found the staff at The Dakota to be top notch and 2^nd to none. I have leaned on them heavily and admittedly, have been demanding at times. Whether it is picking up my weekly deliveries or setting high expectations in terms or my service requests, they have always gone out of their way to accommodate me, show proper urgency and handled with professionalism and a welcoming demeanor. If you’re in the market for a new place and want to know more than what brochures and websites convey, have confidence in the team here. Cheers —

At first glance, this is a great community. The dog parks and pools are the best part of this place. And thats where the greatness ends.
THE STAFF IS HORRIBLE!!! They do not return phone calls, and basically have their heads up their butts, because there is no communication between the corporate office and all their residences…
I heard good things about Mark Taylor Residences, which is why we looked at this place, but after living with them for over a year,
I WILL NEVER, EVER RECOMMEND LIVING HERE.
They overcharge for rent, and dont tell you when your rent is being raised. They also require a 60 day to-​vacate notice, not a 30 day, and they dont tell you that either. READ THE FINE PRINT. Otherwise, you will get screwed. Oh, and make sure that you look at an apartment that you would actually be getting, because they show you the better one of the two. We got all old appliances and old carpet, but they showed us a nicer place, saying it was the same rent. When we went to move in, they said «oh you have to pay more for that one you looked at.» Freaking idiots. Come to find out, our neighbor paid the same rent and had all those new things that we were excited about in the beginning. When we brought it up to a manager, we didn’t receive a call back. Figures…
Even after moving out, we are still getting screwed. We had our address changed with the office, and even after going to the office a second time to make sure it was changed, they still didn’t do it. My fiancé’s mail for the last month and a half has been being sent back to the post office, bills included.
SO THANK YOU VERY LITTLE MARK TAYLOR RESIDENCES, FOR SCREWING OVER YOUR RESIDENTS!
DO NOT MOVE IN HERE!!!

Have you ever had an apartment or landlord steal packages from you?
Have you ever had an apartment or landlord steal your checking account number?
Have you ever had an apartment or landlord refuse to acknowledge your move-​out notice?
Have you ever had an apartment or landlord continue to charge you for rent months after you have moved out?
Have you ever had an apartment of landlord harass you over the phone for rent that you do not owe?
If you answered no to any of these questions Dakota can make sure you experience them all.
I have never experienced worse treatment as a tenant.

I don’t like renting and this place is the best if you cannot buy right now. Management is always positive and supportive and available. Any kind of maintenance issue — fixed asap. I had an AC problem and a roof leak — fixed asap. I have no complaints at all with the grounds always kept nice; neighbors are great; walls are insulated very well and many units are upgraded in a very nice fashion.
Central to everything and not a bad commute either down the 51.
Nice place to live and I have renewed my lease so it will be a year for me.

I have lived here for two and a half years… and I have very few complaints.
I love that the community is very dog friendly… there are two dog parks.
There are 4 pools… each with multiple bar-​b-​ques for the residents to use. Two work out facilities.
The grounds are kept nice, and the whole complex is generally very quiet.
It’s a good place to call home… very central to shopping and many restaurants. And it has a great «zip code»!