My husband and I moved to Archstone Seascape from another Archstone property in August of 2006. We rented a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom, first floor unit in the front of the community, facing Seascape road. We chose to move out at the end of August 08, pursuant to a dramatic increase in rent. We came home broke from the exchange rate in Europe to find a notice on our door, which indicated that our rent would be increased by almost $400. As our rent was increased by $150 the year prior, we decided that it was time to move on. We enjoyed the community so much that we probably would have stayed through the increase in rent, but I am in my internship now and am working for free.

I would like to start by noting that the apartment itself was not worth the price paid. We were in one of the few remaining apartments that had not been upgraded. The counters and cabinets were from the 80's at best. The counter-tops throughout the apartment were beige- they were badly stained, cut, chipped, and scratched. Nothing seemed to want to come clean in that place. Though the apartment itself was very spacious, there was no washer and dryer in unit, old torn up appliances, and no a/c. The no a/c issue was only a problem for about 3 weeks a year though.

With that being said...what you are paying for at Archstone Seascape is location...location...location. It is definitely in a park-like setting. South Carlsbad itself is gorgeous, and in this area the availability of rental communities is almost non-existent. I considered myself very lucky to live in that area of Carlsbad. We were also within very short walking distance to the So.Carlsbad State Beach (3/4 mi). The grounds are very meticulously maintained (though the ground maintenance begins very early...daily...which was bothersome at times). My mom visited from the east coast and said that she felt like she was in Hawaii when she woke up every morning. It was a very peaceful neighborhood- with the exception of a single mother and her two horrid children who moved in upstairs after we had been there for a year and a half. They would jump so hard on the floor that they would knock our pictures off of the walls.

I would most like to compliment the maintenance staff who were outstanding. Maintenance requests were usually taken care of within an hour, and always before the close of business day. They were also so friendly. Everyone that worked for Archstone would wave when they saw you outside...it was really nice. The downstairs porches are also huge...you can comfortably fit "deck furniture" out there to enjoy the wonderful landscaping and weather. The pools were also great, and the fitness room was recently renovated.

All in all, I would return to Archstone if given the opportunity after my internship...but I would definitely try to get an upgraded apartment. Though now that I have a washer and dryer in unit, I'm not sure that I could go back to dealing with the public laundry facility thing!

I have yet to see if I will get a deposit back on the apartment, or a bill. I have this feeling we will get a bill, b/c they are most likely going to upgrade that unit- and I know how that works...while it is not supposed to happen, the previous tenant somehow foots the bill. But maybe Archstone will be different :)

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