I have lived in my apartment with my roommate for almost 8 months now and have had a really good experience. My roommate lived here for a year before I moved in and she always says that this apartment has been the best one she has ever lived in. Personally, this is the first apartment I've lived in but I'd imagine there are pros and cons to any apartment life.
A few things I've really enjoyed about Garden Place is they keep their grounds looking really nice. It IS older and with that comes older appliances for the apartments that haven't been renovated, like mine - but still work great, and a few dings in the walls here and there, but overall I think the apartments themselves are kept up well. The gym and pool area are also usually clean and inviting - my roommate and I enjoy going down to the pool and working out in the gym. Every time I've gone into the office, the employees are responsive, helpful and nice. Whenever we place a work order (which has been for a leaky faucet and shower head that they replaced, a light that's out - which they also replaced, and a burner that has stopped working that they fixed) the maintenance guys usually come within a week to fix it.
Another thing I like, being a single woman, is how nicely lit the parking areas and walkways are at night; I usually feel pretty safe if I'm walking from my car to my apartment alone. As far as pets go, the complex has provided convenient pet waste bags and designated trash areas around the complex for people to pick up after their pets, which I think is a nice touch! Also, the bedrooms are huge with a nice walk in closet and REALLY well lit bathrooms. I personally love the balcony - its so nice to just sit out there when the weather isn't scorching you.
Downside would be the small kitchen area and old appliances. They usually work great, but it would be nice to have some updating. Also, with so many pets around it can sometimes smell like poo - the apartment complex does it's best trying to tell people to pick up after their pets and puts the waste bags and trash cans everywhere, but I guess you can't make people be responsible.