The review might be a tad long so I'll just open it with: If you are looking for a great place to live in the Bay Area, seriously consider this. I've lived many places in my life across different countries and continents and this was the absolute best experience I've had to date.
Lived here for nearly three years in multiple apartments in the complex, both a studio and a one bedroom unit. If it was up to me I would still be there, but I needed to move to a different city for work.
Without any doubt, if I move back to anywhere in the Bay, I'll be calling here first.
Management:
Starting with this because its the most important in my opinion, the management are amazing. Onsite management and maintenance. Kimberly who runs the office is incredibly helpful and friendly and it's rare that you would consider your apartment management a friend! Carlos who does a lot of the handy-work around the place is great too. Very friendly. Definitely miss chatting with both of them.
Aside from the friendliness though, I never had to wait for any repairs or answers to any concerns. Everything is always very prompt and professional.
Location:
The location is amazing. You are literally across the street from the Safeway, and don't let this cause concern. I know traditionally this means higher crime rates, but not here.
Transport is great too, if you have a car you are a stones throw away from 101, don't have a car? Caltrain is around 10 minutes walk. It is totally feasible to have a job in SF and live here, with no car. 10 minute walk to Caltrain, 50 minute Caltrain to 4th and King in the city.
Units:
They offer both furnished and unfurnished. Furnished when I was there included all utilities which was great. Comes with a cleaning service also, which I opted out of, but its there weekly if you need it.
The apartments were built in the 60s, and a keen eye might be able to tell this from the exterior, but they are incredibly well maintained and also updated. Management updates and renovates regularly.
I've lived in both a studio and a one bedroom and both of them were great. The studios are big for studios. If you are considering it, definitely go and look at them, I was surprised at the space.
The one bedroom was *awesome* all units have a patio, kitchen and dining area, main lounge room, vanity area separate to the bathroom, bathroom (shower and tub like the studio) and a decent sized bedroom.
I *highly* recommend getting a ground floor one bedroom, not the upstairs for two main reasons - 1. Ground floor patios are bigger, lots of space to play with kids, or just stretch out. The up stairs patios are good, but more of a balcony. 2. Pantry!! The ground floor apartments have a HUGE pantry in the back of the kitchen, as someone who loves to cook, this was great. Months worth of food and also storage for kitchen appliances too. If you get a chance to check out a ground floor do it, the pantry alone was enough for me to say "I'll take it!"
Amenities/Facilities:
Pool and BBQ Area - This is fenced off so its safe for kids, but importantly it's also locked and all residents have a key to it. The pool is generally closed for the colder months, but is heated and open when its warmer. It's kept very clean.
Gym - There is a room with treadmill and elliptical machines with TV so you don't get bored and towels provided. Like the pool, this is locked and residents get their own key. In the 3 years I was here there were never any issues with conflicting time schedules with my neighbors, I could always get a spot!
Laundry - There are two big laundry rooms onsite, with plenty of machines (washers and dryers), they are big industrial machines that are a joy to use, they were recently completely replaced with new models too, not because they weren't working, but I believe to help conserve water which was great of management. They machines are coin op (no annoying cards that you need to top up), quarters for the machines are super easy to get from Safeway across the street.
Parking - Each unit has their own covered parking spot, and there is room for off-street guest parking as well. Well lit at night too.
AC - Every unit has AC
Internet - The two main providers in here are Comcast and ATT. I've had both, ATT gets their full 24mb/s DSL, and Comcast will go up to 250mb/s. Comcast business also services here, so if you want a guaranteed connection thats possible too.
Neighbors:
Surprisingly no annoying neighbors at all. Everyone is generally quiet, hard working. No loud parties or anything. It's easy to strike up a conversation, no one was "weird". Definitely left some friends behind when I moved!
I looked at a lot of places in the area, cost-wise they are all pretty much the same, so its a no brainer when you get great management and great apartments for the same price.
So stop delaying and just move in! read more