I recently moved out of Hilltop “Luxury” Homes (formerly The Brooke) after living there for nearly seven years, and I would be remiss if I didn’t warn others. This review is lengthy by necessity—I’ve seen more than most, including several years serving as the complex’s courtesy (police) officer.
I moved in July 2019 under an agreement that reduced rent in exchange for responding to on-site incidents. From day one, the unit showed significant wear: embedded pet food in the carpet, weak flooring in the living room and bedroom, damaged cabinetry, missing paint, and pest issues—including a roach nest behind the refrigerator. Management dismissed structural concerns as “good enough,” which became a recurring theme.
Despite frequent disturbances—fights, drug activity, and even shootings—management was consistently unreachable. I documented incidents and attempted to notify them so appropriate action could be taken. Most of the time, they only learned of serious events through Temple PD. After roughly three years, ownership eliminated the courtesy officer position entirely to cut costs, despite ongoing safety issues.
Maintenance was another chronic failure. Work orders would sit for months, then be marked “completed” without any work being done. This wasn’t unique to me—other tenants had far worse experiences. Wildlife infestations were common; raccoons accessed units through attics and walls. After maintenance removed part of an exterior wall near my balcony and left it open post-freeze, a family of raccoons moved in. Management’s proposed solution—boarding up the wall—would have trapped or forced the animals into my unit. Similar incidents affected neighboring apartments.
Basic operations were poorly managed. One of two dumpsters was removed for nearly a year, forcing five buildings to share one, resulting in constant overflow. HVAC failed annually if set to a reasonable temperature. Appliances were replaced only after repeated failed repairs. Parking was poorly implemented and unenforced—reserved spaces were often taken by non-residents, and even the on-site tow driver admitted management instructed him not to act.
Communication with management was routinely arrogant and condescending. While there was a brief improvement after a management change, it didn’t last. The complex also eliminated non-electronic rent payment options, disregarding elderly and disabled tenants.
Hilltop prioritizes cosmetic fixes over structural integrity—fresh paint and flower beds instead of addressing failing buildings. Maintenance regularly used leaf blowers that sent debris onto vehicles, causing scratches. Noise complaints, including barking dogs and disruptive tenants, were met with vague assurances and little follow-through.
Upon move-out, despite thorough documentation and photos, I was still billed for cleaning.
In short: this property puts lipstick on a pig. It is poorly managed, structurally neglected, and dismissive of tenant concerns. I cannot recommend it to anyone, though I understand some may have limited options. If you move here, I hope it’s temporary.
This review is harsh—but it’s truthful. And it’s only the tip of the iceberg.