I have been a resident of CityWatch apartments for over seven years, and while the location is…read morefantastic--within walking distance of grocery stores and the Alaska Junction, with reasonable rent for the area--the recent decline in the overall quality has prompted us to leave CityWatch and share my experience here.
Unfortunately, the current state of the apartment, under the management of Mario, is no longer suitable for families, especially those with children. One of the significant issues is the decline in air quality due to residents smoking cigarettes and weed indoors, which not only violates the lease agreement but is also against local laws for multifamily rental apartments.
As the manager, Mario has the authority to enforce no-smoking rules, but he seems unwilling or unable to put in the effort to address this issue. Rather than tackling the problem, Mario resorts to placing blame on tenants who raise concerns, going as far as suggesting that multi-family living is not suitable for them and even advising them to consider moving out. This was particularly disheartening, especially given the contrast with the previous manager, Piia. When I reported three separate instances of indoor smoking to her, she responded promptly and handled each case professionally. As a testament to her effectiveness, all three residents ceased smoking indoors immediately and permanently.
Several residents have expressed concerns about Mario's inaction against indoor smoking, and his explanations included not being able to identify the source, not being able to inspect homes, denial of any detectable odor, or simply disregarding the complaints, are unsettling. Despite numerous complaints and even escalation to the management company, he insisted that there was no indoor smoking occurring.
While denying the existence of indoor smoking and attributing the smell to lingering odors on residents' clothes from smoking outdoors, Mario started using air fresheners exclusively in residential hallways. There are no air fresheners in main hallways, staircases, and elevators--areas one must go through before reaching residential hallways. This is a clear indication that the odor is originating from indoor smoking, rather than lingering smells from outdoor smoking.
The decline in cleanliness extends to the common residential areas. Unlike the previous management and maintenance team, Mario and his team neglect to clean residential hallways. The marks and stains from trash and dog waste stay on hallways for months.
Prospective tenants should be aware of the building's age and insulation issues. Cold air and smoke smells can seep in through outlets, expect higher electric bills and no way to block the smell coming to your units. During apartment tours, I recommend checking random floors, as well as the trash rooms and recycling areas in the garage, to get a comprehensive understanding of the living conditions at CityWatch. Ask to visit hallways at different hours of day and on different days of the week.
While CityWatch apartments boast a convenient location and reasonable rent, the decline in quality under the current management, particularly regarding indoor smoking and cleanliness, is a significant drawback for families and long-term residents like myself.