I wish someone had written this review when I was apartment hunting, so hopefully this helps…read moresomeone make a more informed decision.
I chose Broadstone Edition for its location, modern design, and especially the walk-in shower. Sam was also wonderful during my tour. She was friendly, helpful, and much easier to communicate with than leasing staff at other apartments I visited. She made a big impact and one of the reasons why I signed my lease. S/O to her. Also, everyone else is very respectful and professional. Even the cleaning crew/ladies. They always say hi to me when I walk by. Love them for keeping this community clean and I always see them working hard.
Overall, I really like my apartment. But the noise from upstairs has been a major disappointment.
Pros
* Great location: about 10 minutes from SNA and close to Costa Mesa and Santa Ana.
* Whole Foods, Costco, H Mart, Target, and other shopping within a short drive.
* Modern, artistic interior design with great appliances.
* Walk-in shower and kitchen island in my unit. The shower and bathroom floor has this unique pad where it soaks in water, so you don't have to worry about walking around wet.
* Diverse and generally respectful community.
* Bus stop conveniently located downstairs.
I specifically chose a courtyard-facing unit away from the street and pool because I'm an introvert and value peace and quiet. Although, I do hear once in a while people would be playing the big jenga blocks. I figured this view would be way better than the pool and street view. Also, I dont get a lot of natural sun / lighting in, but I'm totally okay with that.
Biggest Con: Extremely Noticeable Footstep Noise
If you're sensitive to noise, live alone, or work from home, PLEASE consider a top-floor unit.
I live on a floor below the top floor, and the sound insulation has been one of the biggest issues I've experienced. I've had two different families move into the apartment above me during my lease, and both times, I could regularly hear heavy footsteps throughout the day and evening.
I've lived in other apartments before, including buildings without carpet, so I understand that some noise is part of apartment living. But the footstep noise here has been significantly worse than what I've experienced elsewhere.
I contacted the leasing office within my first month to ask about transferring to a top-floor unit. I was curious how much the penalty would be. I was told I would need to break my lease and pay a substantial amount, making the move financially unrealistic. However, there were times I was considering it, but keep telling myself to bite the bullet and just a couple more months until my lease ends.
The staff offered to contact my upstairs neighbors about being mindful of noise during quiet hours and suggested calling security if noise continued after 10 p.m. I appreciate their efforts, but the underlying issue remains: the building's sound insulation. I do want to note that my upstairs neighbor probably isn't doing anything wrong or on purpose. It's their normal walking habit and I'm not going to tell somebody to change their behavior. That's why I thought the best solution for me was to transfer to the top unit.
The frustrating part is paying over $3,000 a month and feeling like my sleep schedule depends on when my upstairs neighbors go to bed and wake up. I've even started wearing earplugs while I sleep and house slippers and walking more carefully in my own apartment because I don't want my downstairs neighbor to experience the same thing. I talked to another resident one time about this topic and they said they're experiencing the same issue in their unit, so it was reassuring I'm not crazy because I dont see a lot of people posting this issue. I wasn't sure if I'm the only one who is bothered by this lol.
Other Things to Know
* Trash valet comes Sunday-Thursday around 8 p.m., and there's an additional monthly fee, which is enforced.
* Parking isn't assigned, and spaces can fill up around 8-9 p.m. You may need to park on the rooftop.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely like my unit, the location, and the overall design. But if peace and quiet are important to you, I strongly recommend spending the extra money on a top-floor unit.
I wish I had known about the footstep noise before signing my lease. It would have significantly influenced my decision.
I'm counting down until my lease ends. I'm definitely scarred, and this is a learning lesson. I'm going to do top floor going forward. And note, this is my honest review and experience. Nothing to do with staffing or the community.
Do yourself a favor: Visit the property during the evening, ask about sound insulation, and don't assume a modern, expensive apartment means a quiet living experience. Or just take a chance on the bottom floors and hope that your upstairs doesn't walk too hard.