UPDATE May 2018 Pool and hot tub remodel is finally finished…read moreand everything in good working order. Fantastic new pool deck furniture, an outdoor shower, larger bathroom, and a second entry gate were added. ******** UPDATE August 2015 All laundry rooms were recently remodeled and updated with brand new washers and dryers. They are now operated by simply using your credit card in the machine. Prices have gone up slightly to $2.50 per wash and .75 per dry. ******** We really like it at La Colina Gardens. We rent a 3 bedroom end unit with an enclosed back patio area, and have been here 9 months. We have made several requests for minor maintenance with a repair time of less than a day in most cases. The grounds are well kept and the maintenance staff are really friendly. Management has been nothing but nice. They are always available and accessible, and quick to respond to any needs or concerns you may have. They keep a regular maintenance schedule on everything from replanting old landscape and pool cleaning, to changing out appliances and carpets. The complex is very pet friendly and allows a variety of sizes. Dog waste bag stations are strategically placed around the grounds. The complex is also fenced off from the creek bed along the back property which helps to deter unwanted wildlife and coyote attacks. Foothill Vet Hospital is also located across the street on Cieneguitas Rd. There are a lot of families with kids here. It's conveniently located just down the hill from La Colina Jr.High, which can be accessed via a short walking path from the far back corner of the property. There is no playground, but the kids have plenty of green space to play and the swimming pool is popular. The swimming pool is salt water and heated with solar roof tubing. The pool furniture is in good condition, with plenty of loungers, small tables, and decorative planters. Each unit has its own unique front door appeal, with a variety of landscape plants, trees, and flowers; along with a variety of back yard/patio options, which I find adds some character and a little room to personalize. There are 5 separate laundry rooms on site with machines operated by pre-loaded cards. The washing machines are $2 a wash, and .50 for dry. The dryers are fantastic and dry everything the first time. The 3 bedroom unit comes with 2 parking spots in a covered carport area. I think the smaller units may only come with one, but you can request/rent another, or a separate accessible parking spot. Each designated carport unit has a lockable wall cabinet for extra storage. There are guest parking spots throughout the complex, and nearby street parking on Foothill and Cieneguitas. The complex is on or near several city bus routes, and bicycle routes, and easily accesses Hwy.154, upper State St., and the 101. It's really a great location! One of my favorite discoveries is living so close to the San Marcos Foothill Preserve. It can be reached within minutes either driving or walking, and is a lovely place to hike, trail run, walk the dogs, and catch a nice view of the ocean. The closest grocery stores are Smart & Final, Vons, and Whole Foods which are about mile away, with Gelson's and Trader Joe's nearby. The rent is a little higher than what we would have liked to pay, but if you are looking for a place that doesn't suck for the money, is pet friendly, and not too far from everything, this is a good one.

On the outside this development might seem like a nice place to live and the grounds were quite…read morebeautiful. However, looks can be deceiving. On the inside these units are poorly maintained. We were embarrassed to invite guests over. Those that did come over would say that we lived in a real dump. A friend of mine worked extensively in the home health field and has seen many section 8 apartments nicer than this. One of the worst issues we dealt with here was the carpet. It was in absolutely decrepit condition with holes, mold and dust mites. It was making my family extremely sick with chronic sinus congestion and other health issues. Management refused to replace it for us. Then there was the situation with the toilets.... Many of the neighbors complained of a terrible smell originating from the old toilets in the units. We found out that the urine was crystalizing with the hard water to create this terrible smell. The management claimed was that there was nothing wrong with the toilets so they refused to replace them. The development was experiencing some major plumbing issues because our toilets kept on clogging and overflowing despite the fact that we would use the cheapest thinnest toilet paper from Costco so I kept on having to clean up sewage water from our bathroom floors. They have virtually eliminated all of the guest parking spots so good luck when you invite guests over. The complex was not very safe. My car was broken into and the pool was vandalized. I recently toured the new Marc apartments on State Street they are brand new and much nicer!!!

We had a great experience staying here. In particular, Pablo, the Maintenance Manager, responded to…read moreour requests very quickly and he was especially thorough, kind and easy to talk to. He even gave us some great suggestions for where to eat in SB!

Made an 8 month pit stop here while my husband and I looked for a home to buy in the area. We chose…read morethis complex because they accept pets - a HUGE benefit for SB. There's also off-street parking. Pablo who manages maintenance at the complex is super kind and helpful. The grounds are well kept. The street/area is pretty dense and busy, but I felt safe in our complex. Would def recommend for those with pets!

Renting made easy! I have lived at the Ivy At Carrillo. location for the past year now and I have…read morenothing but positive things to say about this company. Customer service is amazing. Olivia and Matt are very helpful, accommodating and responsive anytime I'm in need of anything. The maintenance team is very polite and my request for services are taken care of immediately. The apartments themselves are very clean and all the appliances are brand new. The landscape is beautiful.

Housing your student in a college town is challenging and it's even more so when your student…read moreattends a school with no dorms. We have rented from Ivy for going on our 4th year now. Our student was at their Carrillo location for 2 years and is now renting a 2nd Ivy managed property at their Ladera site. The key to good management is good communication. Most students and parents end up feeling their experience with a management company was challenging; in reality, most of the issues come down to miscommunication or poor communication and roommate issues. My advice - no matter where you rent - READ THE LEASE thoroughly and ask questions prior to signing, then there are no surprises. Also, thoroughly vet your potential roommates. I am in real estate and Ivy's leases are very forthright. They were willing to make some adjustments based on boilerplate verbiage in the lease/addenda that didn't apply to our property. When we moved our student to the 2nd location, it was easy because our student was already pre-approved and had a track record with them. They keep their properties tidy and are quick to respond to repair requests. The properties themselves are usually a mix of students and young professionals, so they tend to be quiet and courteous communities. As with most apartment complexes, some issues come with the age of the property, but Ivy does their best to keep things upgraded. Their management is easy to get ahold of and they accommodate quickly. It's a professional management operation, not just some guy that happens to own an apartment building and gets to things when he can. Prices in SB can be shocking if you are new to the area. It comes with the territory when you live in a sought after beach community where demand is high and supply is low. They were very fair this year, halting any annual rent increases due to Covid pressures on tenants.

The Ultimate Off Grid Travel Trailer…read more If you're looking for the ultimate off grid travel trailer, don't even look elsewhere... why? Read on! It's always been a dream of mine to drive around the country visiting the National Parks and remote locations with my dog. My father and I used to hike to remote locations where no else was around for miles, so my #1 requirement was a trailer I could take off the beaten path and survive as long as possible without needing to go back into civilization. I knew I didn't want to be in campgrounds, parking lots or KOA's. Sometime in 2018 I started searching the web for "off grid travel trailers" and I remember Living Vehicle popping up in my search results. This looked like the ultimate dream trailer, but I made myself click away when I saw configurations pricing out as much as a real home. I looked at Earth Roamer - they looked cool, but didn't have the tank capacities or maneuverability, and many said they spent more time being repaired than being used. Then I came across the Black Series HQ19, a compact off road travel trailer at a decent price. I took the plunge to see if I really would like this 'off grid' camping experience enough to invest further. After a few trips I was hooked. I was able to last a few days with short showers and a generator... but it soon became apparent I wanted to stay off grid longer than this fun trailer could last... it didn't have the tank or power capacities needed, and even though it was just me and Logan, it felt cramped and uncomfortable to 'live in' for a long period of time I found myself staring at the Living Vehicle website again, and decided to reach out to Matthew and Joanna to see about finally getting my dream. I don't have much patience for ordering and waiting, but as luck would have it, a pre-ordered vehicle was coming available. It's been the best purchase of my life. Everyone who steps inside is in awe. Every little detail has been thought out. The moment it was delivered I took it on a 6 week journey through the Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, into Canada through Banff, and then back. Not once during those 6 weeks did I feel cramped or uncomfortable. It's like living in a small apartment (some friends have commented it's more spacious than their New York apartment!). I had a dishwasher, washer and dryer, and a spa bathroom. Instead of feeling the need to get home, I actually felt the opposite, I didn't want to go home, I wanted to stay driving around with my Living Vehicle even longer. I opted for the "Mobile Office" configuration because I wanted to be able to work off grid and feel like I had my full office with me. I have two monitors, speakers, and Starlink with internet as fast as home. I can work in the morning, hike in the afternoon, and chill with Logan on the bed at night watching movies in the home theater. Since a kid I've been fascinated with campers, trailers, and RV's, always wanting one... I've had the opportunity to consider and look at RV's and motorhomes, trailers - you name it. I'm convinced the Living Vehicle is the perfect balance of size, portability, and versatility. With a motor home you're stuck in one big huge vehicle you can't take a lot of places. I can pull my Living Vehicle almost anywhere, detach, and run an errand if I need to in the truck I'm happy to report that the very few times I've needed assistance with something (there is always going to be a part that breaks or comes loose in pulling a trailer miles around the country), the team at Living Vehicle has answered every call on the first ring and even sent parts overnight with no questions asked. Their service department is second to none with feature requests and repairs. In my year owning the Living Vehicle we've come to feel like we're part of a family. I can even see myself retiring in the future, selling my home, and living full time travelling around the country in my Living Vehicle - really LIVING in a VEHICLE. I can't recommend it enough!

We purchased a Living Vehicle HD24 PRO in 2023 after extensive discussions and reliance on an…read moreestimated delivery timeline provided at the time of contract. While the design concept is compelling, our experience was marked by prolonged delays, incomplete delivery, and communication issues that prospective buyers should be aware of. Despite making all required payments on time, delivery extended well beyond the original estimate. We later learned--only after contacting third-party manufacturers ourselves--that some of the delays were caused by internal payment and coordination issues that were not disclosed to us during the process. The unit was ultimately delivered incomplete, requiring substantial third-party work at our own expense to finish essential systems. Additional delays occurred even after Living Vehicle agreed to assist with resale. We are currently pursuing resolution through the contract's mediation and arbitration process. We are sharing this experience so other consumers can make informed decisions, ask detailed questions up front, and plan carefully for timelines and completion responsibilities. We recommend that prospective buyers document all representations in writing, clarify how subcontractors are paid, and budget for delays beyond initial estimates.

Absolutely a joke company , all they do us collect rent…read more They never check or upkeep their properties. They also never fix reported issues. Stay away unless you are a slumlord, then you are suited well.

We just moved into one of their properties!! The place is super nice, professionally cleaned and…read morepainted. They were extremely helpful during our application, leasing, and moving in process! I'd highly recommend renting through this company :) we've never had an easier transition moving!

Been living here for 6 months now and my family and I love it. My neighbors are nice. The staff is…read morefriendly. And the price is right. Love that we have a spacious back patio and a nice roomy front porch big enough for a couple chairs--perfectly shaded by some big magnolia trees. Perfect in summer! Each apartment comes with a covered carport with storage! The storage is HUGE. Have a few dozen boxes, fans, seasonal items with room to spare. If you're looking for a place that is centrally located next to shopping and easy access to the 101, Hope Gardens is the place to be! Highly recommend.

I have always had my eye on hope garden apartments due to its beautiful grassy areas and the…read moreconvenience of shopping centers being near by. The location couldn't get any better. Mary Ellen and her assistant have been beyond helpful with the moving process and my husband and I are looking forward to living here. So far we are extremely happy with the renovation. The apartment is very spacious and we completely feel at home. Well see how the rest of the year goes. but so far so good these past few days. :)

I've lived here for 2 yrs. The administrators, Oscar and…read moreArmando are exceptional at what they do. They are always ready, willing and able to help in any way necessary regarding my apartment . They do their best in helping the residents, and making this complex the best it can be. I appreciate their hard work and kindness.... Also, Travis is new to our property, and he is definitely an asset! He always has a smile and he is ready to lend a helping hand!

I've lived at Rancho Fransican for three years. I cannot speak highly enough of Oscar, the manager,…read moreand Armando, the overall 'get things fixed' person. Annette, the assistant manager is a perfect addition. They are, over-all, an excellent team. Whenever I request assistance with a problem I can tell any one of them and get the help needed. Not only do they do a job well, but with a pleasant attitude. They are much appreciated!

Moved into my new unit here recently. Very happy with the process and how attentive the property…read moremanager was during this stressful transition. 10/10 recommend. -Tommy Heard

A word of thanks to Brenda and Oasis Apartments Clogged Sink…read more On a Tuesday morning I was washing dishes after lunch and ended up with a clogged sink. I had a medical appointment early afternoon so thought I would work on the sink after my appt. I tried everything but nothing worked. It was now late in the afternoon so I decided I would contact the Oasis apartment manager, Brenda, the following morning. Wednesday morning Brenda informed me the apartment maintenance technician was on vacation all week, and it was very doubtful to get a plumber to fix my sink until Friday. I was so disappointed. I went back to my apartment and soon afterwards I got a phone call from Brenda. She had called a local plumber that she knew, Keith Bailey from Bailey Plumbing, for help. Keith was already on a job so he contacted another plumber that works for him named David. David informed Brenda he could be at the apartment complex in 30 minutes! I was relieved to hear the great news but doubted help would be here in such a short time. Well, exactly 30 minutes later I heard a knock on the door and it was David and his son David Jr. Both were very friendly and got right to work. After a couple of hours, the clog was fixed - one hour earlier than estimated. I would like to send a big thank you to our very busy apartment manager, Brenda, for dropping everything she was doing to get a plumber to my apartment as soon as possible! Brenda has been the Oasis apartment manager for 10 years now. In the past we have usually had one full time manager and a part-time manager. For the last couple of years Brenda has been managing the property by herself. Being a long-time Oasis resident of almost 35 years, originally called Valli-Hi until June 1999, I can safely say Brenda is the best manager we have ever had. She is always friendly and keeps a keen eye on the Oasis apartment complex. She periodically sends texts to all of the residents as a friendly reminder of the house rules when needed. Also want to send a big shout out to Keith Bailey and to both David Sr. and David Jr. for coming to the rescue in such a short time!

lots of water shut off and loud gardening in the morning. Also very hard to get into contact with…read moremaintenance.

The entire place is old, dingy and apartments are overpriced for what you get. The managers are…read morerude and don't respond. You would think a flood in the kitchen from the really, really old dishwasher would be cause for concern but no! No surprise when I didn't get all of my security deposit back. It's how the Landlord makes extra money. He knows most people won't follow through with going to court especially if they attended UCSB or SBCC from another country. I left the apartment in better condition than when I moved in. The refrigerator was old and loud, dishwasher constantly leaked, carpet and window coverings are the cheapest one can buy. Believe it or not...popcorn ceilings that get painted over and over again then chunks of paint fall to the floor. I moved to a much nicer apartment that has been totally renovated for the same amount of money.