Moved in about a month ago. Wanted to post for those considering moving in so you have a full picture and no surprises. I do recommend living here, but like all places, it has pluses and minuses.
1) Many of the utilities are communal (sewer, trash, water), and the cost per month ranges from $65-$82 depending on the time of year, etc. Electricity is a separate bill via PG&E. There's also a city tax of $9 every three months for emergency services.
2) The deposit is very low-cost (!). $800 for a $1500/month one bedroom apartment. However, they do a very thorough credit check and call your employer, etc.
3) They only give you one of each type of building key (for two people!) and then charge $25-50 for copies. You are not reimbursed this cost when keys are returned. I was denied permission to make my own copies of DO NOT DUPLICATE keys (key card for front door, exterior building keys, pool key). It makes accessibility difficult unless you're willing to spend $50 per key.
4) Inside the complex, there's very little reception for T-mobile or Google Fi. Per neighbors' recommendation, I just got AT&T cell phone service. I get okay reception now.
5) Xfinity internet service is quite fast in this location. :)
6) Regarding repairs - sometimes things are fixed quickly, and sometimes not so much. A light switch that needed repair? Same day. Shower doors that needed a repair? Same day. A burner on the stove that doesn't work? 1 month. Maintenance workers are very personable and around M-F full-time.
7) There's a manager on site, and she's in an office at the front of the unit part time. She's nice, but can be hard to track down at times. She receives packages from mail carriers, and so theft has never been a problem. You can deposit rent checks into a mail slot into her office (safe).
8) The complex is well-maintained, and communal spaces are kept clean. On the ground level, however, you'll find dog poop once in a while, and there is the smell of dog urine.
9) Laundry rooms are kept clean, and machines are often available. $1.25 -1.75 per wash, and $1.25 per dry. You can do laundry between 8 am and 10 pm.
10) Quiet hours are 10 pm to 8 am, and although you do hear noise through the walls, I haven't had a problem with folks being noisy (no parties, extra loud music). The pool is popular, and honestly, there are frequently children (happily) screaming outside. During the daytime, it's not super quiet. Although pet cats and dogs are not allowed, several therapy dogs are on site (the small, yippy kind, unfortunately). BART station is within walking distance and complex is right next to tracks - but noise from trains isn't a problem.
11) Smoking is allowed in the complex, so second-hand smoke comes wafting into your apartment through the windows, etc. The lease says nothing about smoking, so it appears the management company has no plans to transition into a smoke-free complex.
12) There is an elevator, but the complex is not set up for people with limited mobility or large bodies (there's no ramp - only stairs, and stairwells and elevator are very cramped).
13) Street parking is easy to find across Jackson (if you're willing to walk 2 blocks), otherwise it's a little tight.
14) Re: tenants. I've found neighbors to be very friendly. It's a very diverse complex in terms of ethnicities, religions and age groups - which is actually pretty impressive, as housing providers tend to (illegally) discriminate unconsciously /behind closed. read more
