Is Bluestem Apartments the Right Fit for You? Maybe Not.
Let’s be honest. Finding the right apartment in Houston can be a challenge. Especially if you’re looking for affordable options that still maintain a decent standard of living. Bluestem Apartments, located at 12450 N Lake Houston Pkwy, seems like it might check all the boxes: affordable rent, convenient location, decent amenities. But, as the saying goes, “all that glitters is not gold.” With an overall rating of 3.8 stars, Bluestem is far from terrible—but is it worth your time? Let’s dig deeper into why some renters have left Bluestem feeling frustrated and disappointed.
The Rude Awakening of Poor Management
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the management at Bluestem Apartments has a reputation. And not a good one. Take Rosalinda N.’s experience, for example. She visited the leasing office during business hours, only to be met with a locked door and a rude leasing agent. When she finally interacted with the staff, the service was short and unfriendly. That alone would be enough to raise red flags. First impressions matter, and if the people who run the place aren’t professional or approachable, what does that say about how they treat residents?
“I didn’t get the leasing agent name however she was very rude and very short. She has long hair and hazel color eyes. If you’re not open then put a sign on your door, I went back so I can get her name but doors were locked. Your hours of business states 8:30am-5:30pm. I don’t know if she was in a hurry to leave for a late lunch at 2:07pm but she didn’t have to be rude and short for future residents. I will take my business elsewhere.” -ROSALINDA N.
“ive called over 20 times and came in person 3 times in the past 3 weeks. no answer each time i call, ive left a message w my name and number, haven’t received a call back, the door is locked everytime i come. i even knock but i got nothing. havent talked to or seen anyone AT ALL this is the weirdest experience ive had with and apartment complex EVER. i was really looking forward to leasing an apartment here but with this unprofessionalism id rather not. and to whom ever the leasing agent is if youre reading this, i hope you dont get too comfortable running the office like this, you can and will be replaced enjoy the job while youve got it ms lazy” -ms r.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated case. Multiple reviews point to unprofessionalism, lack of communication, and in some instances, outright neglect from management. Ms. R, another potential tenant, expressed her frustration with the complete lack of response after calling and visiting the office over 20 times. Imagine looking forward to signing a lease, only to be ghosted by the very people who should be eager to help.
This leads to an important question: if management is this hard to deal with before you even sign a lease, what happens once you’re locked into a contract?
Maintenance? What Maintenance?
Living somewhere means more than just paying rent. You expect the basics: a clean environment, working amenities, and maintenance requests being handled promptly. Unfortunately, Kiyana N.’s review paints a picture of a property that neglects all of the above. Trash is left strewn across the parking lot, insects are crawling in through holes left by hurricane damage, and the pool—a supposedly usable amenity—hasn’t been cleaned in over a month. But don’t worry; you’re still paying for it.
“Please don’t waste your time here just because it’s less income doesn’t mean it’s worth it. they actually treat you like crap its been bad since inception of my love in 6/4/24. Since the hurricane there’s hole in my wall from the hurricane damage. There are insects from outside coming in and I’ve had to call them multiple times.
They don’t answer.
They’re only open from 11 to 5 when people are already at work. THERES TRASH ALL OVER THE DAMN PARKING LOT
This is a waste of time. It is not worth the little bit of money that you think you’re gonna sav! dealing with bugs ants roaches you name it. They haven’t cleaned the pool in a month you can’t even use it. But they charge you for the pool amenity I hate that they treat low/middle income people like peasants they should be ashamed. I will never ever refer anyone to live here. It’s August and I regret the choice to live here.” -Kiyana N.
To top it off, maintenance requests seem to go unanswered. Kiyana has been waiting for repairs since June, and it’s now August. Not only is this level of neglect frustrating, but it’s also a health hazard. Bugs, roaches, and ants have become uninvited roommates, and it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere anytime soon.
If you’re expecting prompt maintenance or a clean, well-kept environment, Bluestem might not be the right place for you. Sure, these are “cheap apartments in Houston,” but is that a good enough excuse for such poor standards? Not really.
Limited Office Hours, Limited Access
Here’s another head-scratcher: limited office hours. For a working professional, Bluestem’s office hours make it nearly impossible to get anything done. The leasing office is open from 11 AM to 5 PM, which just so happens to overlap perfectly with the typical 9-to-5 workday. Kiyana N. rightfully points out the absurdity of this—how can tenants report issues or talk to management when they’re at work? And even if you’re lucky enough to get there during business hours, it seems that the doors are often locked or the staff is unavailable.
While this might seem like a minor inconvenience at first glance, it’s indicative of a larger problem: accessibility. Tenants shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get in touch with the people who are supposed to be helping them.
Unfulfilled Promises and Broken Trust
ChicD’s experience with Bluestem is another example of poor management leading to broken trust. After being reassured that units were available to tour, ChicD made not one, not two, but three trips to Bluestem—only to be met with excuses each time. On one occasion, they were asked to wait for hours, only to be told that no one was available to show them an apartment.
“Unprofessional Management at Bluestem Apartments – Beware!
Bluestem Apartments at 12450 N Lake Houston Pkwy, Houston, TX 77044 may look appealing from the outside, but the management inside is anything but. I’ve made three trips here, wasting time and gas, only to be met with constant excuses and unfulfilled promises.
Damar, the apartment manager, repeatedly assured me over the phone that there were units available to view. However, upon arrival, I was told each time that none were ready to show—either they were being cleaned or suddenly unavailable. Today, August 16, 2024, was the last straw. After being asked to wait for nearly felt like three hours, I was finally informed by the assistant manager that the person who was supposed to show me the apartment was in a meeting and that I should come back before 5 PM.
This level of unprofessionalism is unacceptable. It feels as though the management is judging potential residents before even giving them a chance. If this is how they treat prospective tenants, I can only imagine how they treat those who live here.
My advice? Save yourself the frustration and take your business elsewhere. If you’re considering Bluestem Apartments, take this as your cue to RUN!” -ChicD
This type of behavior suggests a lack of respect for potential tenants’ time and energy. And if that’s the treatment you receive as a prospective renter, it’s easy to imagine how poorly current residents might be treated.
Is Bluestem Apartments Worth It?
So, let’s sum it up. Bluestem Apartments may seem like an attractive option at first glance—after all, “cheap apartments in Houston“ can be hard to come by. But as the reviews show, affordability comes with a steep cost. From unprofessional management to poor maintenance and limited access to help, Bluestem has left many renters feeling like they’ve been shortchanged.
And it’s not just about the inconvenience. Poor maintenance and slow response times affect your quality of life. You shouldn’t have to worry about insects crawling into your home because of unpatched hurricane damage, or pay for amenities that you can’t even use.
The Bottom Line: Proceed with Caution
Should you avoid Bluestem Apartments altogether? Not necessarily. Many residents may find the affordability and location to be a good fit for their needs. However, it’s essential to weigh the potential downsides before making a decision. If you’re willing to deal with some of the issues mentioned above, Bluestem might still be an option. But for those who value prompt service, clean facilities, and professional management, it may be worth looking elsewhere.
In the end, you have to do your research. Read reviews, visit the property (and hope the office is open), and talk to current tenants if you can. After all, it’s your time, your money, and your quality of life on the line.
Disclaimer: While there are negative reviews, Bluestem Apartments does have an overall 3.8-star rating. As with any apartment, experiences can vary greatly. It’s important to make your own decision based on what matters most to you.