Austin Apartment Reviews Guide
Menu
Get a quote Call

The Lantern

Updated 2026-07-17 · 4,853 reviewed · 448 listed · Scored from 253 Google reviews · How we rank ›

3.4(253) 59 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Google-verified
Luxury & High-Rise LivingPet-Friendly CommunitiesApartment ComplexApartment Rental AgencyApartment Building
The Lantern
Services
Luxury & High-Rise Living, Pet-Friendly Communities, Apartment Complex
Reviews
253

The honest read

Recent months show a sharp divide. Residents who joined under the new management team praise responsive staff by name (Zina, Maili, Xena, Jennifer) and weekly landscaping improvements, with move-in handling cited as smooth and mail answered promptly. Older complaints centre on failed maintenance, pest problems, unlocked access enabling squatting, and unresponsive prior leadership that took notes but never followed up.

The turnover matters here. Reviewers explicitly note the management change, with long-term residents saying conditions are visibly improving week to week. However, the 39% one/two-star rate reflects unresolved security and cleanliness gaps that persist in some units even after move-in, and valet trash fees surprise residents who discover service was never delivered.

Recent shift: New management team arrived within the last 3-4 months, driving a clear shift from "unresponsive, do-nothing leadership" (five-month-old reviews) to "responsive, proactive team" (current three-month reviews). Residents explicitly note the contrast and see week-to-week improvements. However, the underlying issues (pest, cleanliness, security) predate this shift and some units still exhibit them on move-in.

Praised for
  • new management team responsive and helpful
  • staff members go above and beyond for residents
  • maintenance requests handled promptly
  • clean and well-maintained grounds
  • improved communication and office accessibility
Watch-outs
  • unresponsive management and poor communication
  • pest infestations and cleanliness issues
  • security problems including squatting and theft
  • maintenance requests not completed
  • hidden or unexpected fees like valet trash
responsive-managementpoor-communicationfast-maintenanceclean-facilitiespest-problemsfriendly-staffwell-maintained-groundsunresponsive-maintenance
Best for: Pet owners willing to move in under the new management after previous problems were acknowledged.
Think twice if: Concerned about unit cleanliness or pest risk; prior management left unaddressed maintenance backlog and security gaps still visible in recent move-ins.

What this place gets right

  • new management team highly praised by name
  • dog park and dog spa for pet owners
  • weekly landscaping and grounds improvements
  • quick response to resident communication

Worth knowing

  • Management team members Zina, Maili, Xena, Jennifer named for going above and beyond
  • Maintenance staff member Leon praised for responsiveness
  • Weekly landscaping service now in place
  • One resident found 12 squatters in vacant units; management said nothing could be done
  • One move-in unit had 8 cockroaches, chewing gum, ear buds, grease on surfaces, non-working heating and locks
  • Valet trash fee $35 monthly with service not delivered

Reviews by category

Pet-Friendly Communities
Dog park and dog spa are appealing amenities for pet owners
Apartment Building
New management shows responsiveness; older units suffered cleanliness and pest issues on move-in
Apartment Complex
Recent improvements visible week-to-week, but security gaps and maintenance backlog remain from prior management

How it stacks up

  • Rated 3.4 against a 4.03 average across the 279 luxury & high-rise living businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 77% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

How We Score
Star rating 0
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
132
4
17
3
6
2
8
1
90

Contact

Address
12403 Mellow Meadow Dr, Austin, TX 78750
Open in Google Maps

Last verified 2026-07-17

Office hours

Monday
08:30-17:30
Tuesday
08:30-17:30
Wednesday
08:30-17:30
Thursday
08:30-17:30
Friday
08:30-17:30
Saturday
10:00-17:00
Sunday
Closed

As listed on Google.

Straight from their site

Services listed
1, 2, and 3-bedroom floor plansSwimming poolDog parkDog spaFire pit with deckClubhouseResident loungePlayground

As published by the business on its own website; not independently verified.

Enquire about The Lantern

Your enquiry goes to the Austin Apartment Reviews Guide team, who will pass it to The Lantern. We only share your details with providers relevant to your request.

Quick answers

Has management improved recently?
Yes. A new management team took over within recent months. Reviewers from the last 3-4 months consistently praise the office staff (Zina, Maili, Xena, Jennifer) for answering phones, responding to emails, and handling maintenance faster. Prior residents report the opposite.
What do I need to bring or buy?
One recent move-in reviewer reported units arrived without washer, dryer, water filter system, or microwave, and required extensive cleaning before move-in.
Are there pet amenities?
Yes. The business lists a dog park and dog spa on their website.

Similar apartment complex nearby

Chesapeake
56

Chesapeake

3.4(75)✓ Google-verified

Chesapeake draws strong praise for leasing staff like Ashley and Diego, who earn consistent five-star ratings for moving families through approvals quickly and transparently. New management has won some residents over with visible improvements. However, serious maintenance failures dominate recent complaints: residents report rats for weeks without pest control response, bed bugs in move-in units, HVAC leaks left unfixed, and a broken gate left unrepaired for years. Office communication drops after lease signing, deposit disputes go unresolved, and work orders close before completion. The split is sharp: those early in their tenure or with minimal service requests praise the leasing experience and laid-back vibe. Longer-term residents and families describe a neglected property where maintenance staff cannot (or will not) solve basic problems, and management rotates too often to build accountability. Pet owners love the community feel, but safety concerns, pest infestations, and unresponded work orders are serious obstacles for anyone seeking reliable upkeep.

Pet-Friendly CommunitiesApartment Rental AgencyApartment Building
View profile
Copperline at Village Oaks Apartments
59

Copperline at Village Oaks Apartments

3.1(561)✓ Google-verified

Leasing staff here earn consistent praise for patience and clarity, with several residents naming individuals like Halina, Adrian, and CJ as genuinely helpful. Maintenance can respond quickly when requests come in. However, serious durability issues plague some units: mold from AC leaks, roach infestations, broken kitchen drawers, and standing water in ceilings. Residents report management becomes defensive when disputes arise. Parking rules shift without warning, leaving tenants facing surprise $400 tow bills. Long-term residents describe a pattern of ownership changes and erosion of tenant goodwill.

Luxury & High-Rise LivingStudent HousingPet-Friendly Communities
View profile
Baxter at Westwood
72

Baxter at Westwood

4.2(377)✓ Google-verified

Staff professionalism and maintenance responsiveness are a real strength here, especially Eddie and office team members like Ulises. Long-term residents who have stayed multiple years often praise the peaceful setting, pools, and the quick resolution of repair requests. However, a detailed 2-month review flags systemic issues: rotting wood frames, mold in HVAC ducts, unsealed entry points, standing water in dishwashers, and inconsistent move-in inspections. Towing policies and security deposit deductions lack clarity. The complex shows its age, and management appears to patch over problems rather than address root causes. This is a place where individual staff members (maintenance, leasing) can save a bad day, but the building itself needs serious attention. Pet owners and families appreciate the amenities and location. Those sensitive to noise, maintenance delays, or building condition should look elsewhere.

Luxury & High-Rise LivingPet-Friendly CommunitiesGated & Secure Communities
View profile

Own this business? Get featured

Own or market a business here? Ask about featured placement and advertising on this directory. Your message goes straight to the directory team.

Last updated 2026-07-17