Been living here since 2012 and would have given it at least four stars before the ownership changed. The manager, as others have said, is awesome, but she unfortunately has no say in business decisions. In that regard, things have taken a nose-dive. I intend to move out as soon as I find another place I like.
First, the management change meant a Property LLC took over. If you've been fortunate enough never to deal with one, they treat tenants about as well as a cable company with faceless representation via an on-site manager with no power to do anything but make minor repairs, making changes no one asked for or wanted then upping rent to cover it, and generally taking one of the few pleasures a person should have--a home--and turning it into a business to milk every last penny they can out of tenants.
People choose to live here for a few key reasons:
1. They allow medium-sized dogs (which some people take advantage of by having two or three big dogs, but that's for another discussion)
2. They're in a nice neighborhood as close to the beach as any middle-class renter can afford to be
3. They're simple, fairly spacious (most 2br/1.5ba, which is awesome) units with minimal upkeep and basic necessities on-site
And here are the changes that have been made by ownership since 2013:
1. Pet rent continues to climb, per pet, with increasing restrictions on the size and breed. The pet latrine area has been reduced to a small sand pit in the middle of the complex. The trashcan for pet waste was moved and the bags are never supplied anymore. Oh yeah, and the once free storage the management let me use after my bike was stolen right out of the parking lot where it was chained up now costs. A lot.
2. Rent has gone up about 30% overall in less than two years. This is consistent with rent in the area; I get that. However, I just got a 30-day notice (the minimum by law) that my rent is going to jump significantly, and I'm guessing it'll go up again around the holidays. Again.
3. The owning company keeps making changes no one wants: proprietary laundry cards replaced coin-op washers and dryers and, surprise surprise--the price for laundry using the cards you have to buy has doubled. The courtyard was redone to take out the simple wooden benches people used to actually use while keeping the pool no one ever swims in immaculate (see the pictures on Yelp!) with rent increased to cover it. All units are now refurbished whenever a tenant moves out (I've seen several now) so the new tenants can pay a higher rate while being responsible for more things that will inevitably wear and break down so they don't get their deposit back.
I was excited to move in when I did a few years ago and really enjoyed it for the first year. The price matched the unit and services you were getting that you actually wanted, but that's completely out of whack now and it really feels like I'm being ripped off. Now I can't wait to find somewhere else. I'll miss the beach but it's just not worth it anymore. I couldn't afford it even if it were.
Update, June 17, 2015: The complex no longer allows any pets for new tenants and only accepts year-long leases. Also, the 30-day notice from #2 wasn't legal (they have to give 60 days notice for a 10% or more increase); the owner just hoped I wouldn't notice. My criticisms stand. read more