My school is located in one of the buildings, so I feel obligated to review the Alhambra. So let's get started.
Things I like:
-close proximity to where I live
-close to the 10 freeway
-relatively cheap vistor parking (20 min free, $1 for every hour, max is $3)
-the decorate it really nice around Christmas
-there are several colleges located here: Alliant International University (holla!), a branch of USC Keck School of Medicine, Platt College, and a few others.
-the grounds and landscaping are all very nice and well maintained
-one of the parking attendants is really very nice.
-East Los Angeles Regional Center is here, which was very convenient for me because all my work meetings were held here.
-there is a HUGE new LA fitness facility on the premises
That being said, let's begin reviewing the things I do not like:
-the name. "The Alhambra." It's like saying, "The Bakersfield." Just because you add a 'The' doesn't make it fancy.
-the furniture in the common rooms of the buildings, (i.e. auditoriums, bathrooms/lounges) could SERIOUSLY use some updating. They're frayed, hideous colors and upholsteries that are in dire need of a make over.
-the parking sucks if you have to come here often and pay $50 each semester for a permit. They use automated passes, so you just hold your card up to the sensor and you should be able to drive right in...in theory. Apparently, all of the gates are not synched, and you have to swipe your card in and out, otherwise you won't be able to get in again. But that still doesn't guarantee that you pass will work. *sigh* Parking can be hard to come by on certain days, so much so, that people have to park lining the brick wall surrounding the premises. Tacky.
-I've seen food carts come and go in my three years of frequenting this location, and they even introduced a cafe last year, only to cruelly take it away. Currently, there is no where on the grounds that serves actual food. Now, there is a snack shop and some vending machines, but if you want real food, you'll have to go across the street to Subway, Qdoba, Jamba, Starbucks, and Pick up Stix. Sounds like decent variety, but I assure you, after three years, that stuff gets old. Luckily, there are some other places not too far, but if you're in a rush, you have to make do with those choices or bring your won.
-i feel like security is seriously lacking. I've been on here as late as 9pm, and they keep the lights on in most of the buildings (not environmently friendly!), and the doors are open for the most part.
The Alhambra could use some improvement in the aforementioned areas, however, it's still my graduate school home and will be for one more year. read more