No, I am not a manager! I am just a resident in Bldg 58 going on my 3rd year here. I can't believe my fellow tenants are complaining about the construction! I see almost no positive reviews so I decided to put some things in perspective. And yes, I have suffered through the noise a little - but it is totally worth it!
Previously, the pools were leaky, chilly at times, plus the wooden fenceposts around the pools were rotting, the bathrooms gross, etc... Clearly a makeover was in order unless they planned on lowering the over-priced rent.
We will now have 4 completely new pools, 4 or 5 hot tubs, and a fitness center that can't be called anything less than 5-star. A cleaning lady practically follows people around wiping the sweat off the machines after you use them. Yes, gross, but come ON this is an apartment-complex fitness center, not the Hilton.
I have been stunned by how beautiful the new clubhouse turned out to be. A basketball court with 7 hoops' New tennis courts.... CABANAS WITH FREE WIFI will be open by the palm-tree laden pool in about a week. New spinning room. New COVERED playgrounds. Give me a break. I feel like I'm on vacation every day.
Yes, there is some paint peeling on the carports, and also definitely the decks of my apartment and several others I visit here are peeling awfully bad - hopefully they will be working on these minor aesthetic things soon. But all in all, maintenance usually responds quickly for the dozen or so times I've had to call.
CAUTION
My only really bad experience was just two months ago. Their billing people can be pricks (AIMCO is the owner, A GIGANTIC worldwide company). I ALWAYS pay my rent on the 1st of the month, automatically from my credit card. This was sweet because I also got 5% cash back from American Express because it somehow fell under the "Utilities" Category.
Suddenly, it became too expensive for them to take credit cards. Grrr.. it's only 2% processing hit for them at MOST! PROBLEM WAS NO ONE TOLD ME THEY WEREN'T TAKING CARDS. If I had known, of course I would have made alternate arrangements.
I didn't figure this out and get them a cashier's check until the 8th, but I mean they still got the full amount and CLEARLY this was a simple unintentional mistake - but they refused to take into account my payment history, refused to let me speak to the manager, and basically told me to go-to-hell but in much nicer terms because as much as "they appreciate me as a resident with an excellent payment history, there was simply nothing she could do for me" and "it was totally out of her hands." But of course, I was not allowed to speak with the person whose hands it was in... Hmm... I smell... corporate bullchips. I truly don't believe there was NOTHING she could do or NO ONE to talk to higher than billing substitute - which is basically what she was while the billing lady was on maternity leave. Oh well.
That was two months ago. I'm happy again after seeing the new renovations wrap up (which they be completely done - supposedly - in 2 weeks). I hear they are jacking up rent again - hope that's not true to pay for these renovations.
Moral to the story: If you anticipate EVER having payment problems, don't live here or you will have nightmares. There are families, students, older people.. a good blend of all I think. Things can always be improved but in terms of "luxury living" I've still gotta argue that this qualifies!

User Responses
From: Sharp11Girl	Date: 03/28/2009
Why did you rate noise so low? Is it noisy there? If so, is it due more to construction noise, poor-quality buildings, or noisy tenants? We're thinking of moving there. Thanks for your review, I appreciate hearing from someone who can see both sides of the issue.
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/29/2009
The management is what is at issue here.. yes, the pool will be great..what you WILL forfeit by moving here is all rights as a tenant. "Their hands are tied" or "It's out of their hands" when you try to communicate with them over any issue. Aimco is the owner in Denver..and they will toss the issue back here..or to their lawyers on retainer in L.A. who will send a bully letter to threat eviction.. unless you get lawyers involved you will get NOWHERE.. so if you come onboard here I hope for your sake you never have any issues. What looks great on the property is what you see near the sales office... Check out the insides of the apartments and the surrounding areas of property. I don't consider vertical blinds "luxury" and the kitchens are NOT gourmet..noise early on from blowers and construction (which they reserve the right to commence without warning when they feel like it ... read the fine print) once again.. nice pool area and fitness center.. but don't be surprised when they jack up the rent on you to pay for it.
From: DisgruntledAtMCA	Date: 03/29/2009
We moved out just as the construction was beginning, and the noise was bad even before then. Our apartment was right ON the pool, and it was nothing but parties non-stop, day and night. Security was a joke, so "quiet hours" were non-existent. Party kids from Pepperdine were like roving gangs in that complex all the time, regardless of the hour, and during the afternoons it was nothing but shrieking kids around the pool. The staff from AIMCO in the Management Office is the absolute worst! Once they have you signed up on your contract, you mean less than garbage too them. You are a statistic, nothing more. Maintenance is half-baked and substandard at best. Rules are not enforced, and leases are broken as a normal part of doing business by these people, as long as they can manufacture documentation to cover their behinds to "prove" their case. Do yourself a favor and go to Archstone or one of the other places nearby. You shouldn't have to put up with the kind of garbage this place puts out just to get a fancy overpriced rec center.
From: ------------	Date: 03/30/2009
I made the username ------------- because I thought it would be funny. I'm definitely not the actual manager ------------- hahahah
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/30/2009
------------- works in the office of MCA. They are straight Jokes. From the manager to the service manager. Jokes
From: Bob80	Date: 04/14/2009
When the apartment renovations were made I was very excited,however,I realized that compared to my last apartment every added luxury was a cheap shot. Examples.. The original doors before AIMCO were stronger and it was not possible to hear people clearly while walking by apts or doors. Now all the new doors are like paper, no privacy and everyone can here you..and you can here them. The carpet is pure crap, it tears easily and it's too cheap to stay clean. The building no longer replaces the carpet when tenants move, only every 5 years. All my closet doors and mirrors have cracked. The washing machines brake down easily, and need repairs every year. The dryers smell like dust and no one comes to clean the ventilation system. All the light covers that were newly replaced have come loose and most have collected roaches in them. ONLY ONE YEAR AFTER REPLACEMENT. My pipes in all my sinks constantly have dripping problems,and they are suppose to be new. As everything here, everything only looks clean and new,but they're cheap through and through.
From: nocomplaints75	Date: 04/19/2009
Glad to see another positive review and I hope people can go look at the property and see for themselves!!
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/22/2009
go to www.malibucanyonapartments.com and you won't have to waste the gas!
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/29/2009
That place is a total crock! I think every single positive review is from an employee!

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates