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I have lived at 3400 (The Lakes) for 7 years!
From:
catpaldin
Date posted:
4/4/2008
Years at this apartment:
2001
-
2008
2 responses
For what it s worth: In 2001, I moved in under the bond program that recently ended. It was a 20 year arrangement with the City of Costa Mesa. There have been three different management companies running this place over the 7 years that I've been here. In my opinion, AIMCO, the current management company is, by far, the best. I want to address some of the complaints thus far posted this year, rather than just reply to the posts. I've been reading them for awhile, and some of the more recent ones -- baffle me.
Construction: Complaint "nothing done for 10-15 years."
New complaint "construction."
How silly does that sound' I think that the bond program limited the amount of money that could be reasonably spent to upgrade this place. The bond program limited the amount of rent that could be charged and thus the return on investment. The plumbing is being replaced and at least in my building, the leaks in the parking area (another complaint) have ceased.
Bugs: The old plants had a problem with bugs, mostly white fly. Who knows, maybe the new landscaping will too. Bugs like plants. AIMCO is a large enough company to likely keep the bugs in the environment under control. The only bugs I have ever had in my apt were silverfish (before I even moved my stuff in) and a few spiders. I've never seen roaches or other beetles. The complex has FREE pest control and since I haven't seen a silver fish in ages, I suspect AIMCO management has a handle on that too. Try living in a house or any apartment and keeping all of nature out. As an aside... since the IAC is building on old farmland behind these units, I suspect there will be some fun with mice, ants, and whatnot. In the past, I've lived in apartments built on old farmland and the ants never quit -- they even invaded my freezer, daily. I LOVE that I haven't had to deal with ants here. Google and then read about the huge underground cities of ants and then be glad if you don't have to deal with them. I was nearly traumatized out of my youthful renting experience dealing with them. Roaches would absolutely freak me... I'm thrilled to have NEVER seen a roach in 7 years!
Thin walls: This has NOT been my experience the entire 7 years here. This doesn't mean that another location may not be different. Sometimes, I hear the base of someone's surround sound system in an annoying way -- like when I'm trying to sleep... I call security -- it's quiet within a few minutes. No problem.
I am also aware that the management has had no problem with eviction, if appropriate. So, if you have a valid problem with someone you may not have it too long.
I have never experienced a parking problem here. There are plenty of visitor spaces -- especially on the lower parking levels.
I've never experienced a problem with my washer and dryer (as reported by another poster... I commented on that post.)
My dishwasher broke down with water overflowing onto the floor. Maintenance was here within 10 min and disabled it. They came back, at MY convenience, and worked until they could replace the dishwasher with one that worked. (It took 2 times as the 1st replacement was DOA and the guy stayed, at my request, until it was complete.)
I have been VERY happy with ALL maintenance people who are currently here (many who've been here longer than I), and with the way I've been treated by management since AIMCO took over. It was hit/miss before. If there is a problem, the manager responds quickly, and the fixes happen rather quickly. I've been surprised and delighted by the easy access to the "right" people who can get things done. Several of the team actually live on the property and have worked afterhours to assist me. There is a sense of give and take at this complex. The management impresses me in how far they will go to give what they can.
I have a rather low threshold for BS and I am, by nature or nurture, somewhat distrusting when it comes to business. I have also struggled with a low tolerance for unnecessarily poor service (which of course is by my definition). 3400 has been consistently the only place I've wanted to live for a long while.
I renewed my lease after the bond expiry because of MY experience here over the past 7 years. There are people who've been here 20 years - I wonder why they would continue to live "ghetto" (as one poster termed it).
While the increase in rent is not welcomed by me, I will work to stay here -- even through the construction, as long as a company as professional, respectful, and apparently well run, as AIMCO is connected to this complex.
Look, the place is not perfect, but it's perfect enough for me! I feel respected here, long after I sign each years lease. I like that security knows me and is friendly. I like that the maintenance folks come up to assist me with something and look around to see what else they can fix while they're here -- and then they fix that too -- including replacing one of my kitchen lights -- which they didn't have to do -- I didn't even notice that it was dimmed. I like that AIMCO did a great job choosing a quality construction company(s) that respects the folks that live here during their major renovation. (The only issues have really been with subcontractors -- and that seems to clear up quickly due to a quick response from management.) The construction will not go on forever.
In my building, the water has only been scheduled to be off from 10AM until 2 or 3PM which allows me to easily schedule my life around that. It was only off while they were replacing old pipes with new and larger pipes to remedy old problems. It was always back on a little after noon.
Oh, and the complaint about the refrigerator' Mine has been replaced once. Replaced quickly when the old one died. It was replaced at my convenience. The freezing fridge compartment complaint' SET the DIALS correctly and food won't freeze on the top shelf.
The washer/dryer complaint' Don't put HAND washables in the washer without first putting them in an appropriate wash bag made especially for HAND washables! Better yet' HAND wash them!
Complaint: Car break-ins and stuff stolen from the gym' Don't present a crime of opportunity. You might as well post a flashing neon sign that says "free." Take your valuables out of your car and don't bring your purse to the gym. The only place I've had my car broken into was at work. Silly me... I left my cell phone and other valuables on the front seat.
Complaint: Air conditioning / heating. I have NO problems with my units. My unit also seems well insulated.
I don't know how many units are in this complex (700-950'). Living here does require some common/uncommon sense. Living anywhere else would require that same type of sensibility. It also requires some reasonable awareness that the employees are not Superman or Wonderwoman.
Are there things I wish would improve even more' Yes. And the manager is willing to talk about that. This manager also gets a lot of stuff done.
If you understand business, this company has to make a decent return on investment -- or this place would surely be "ghetto." The guards cost money and the renovation costs money. They did away with the waterfalls in the complex because the upkeep was too costly -- especially when the bubble bath had to be dealt with at least once/month. (Anyone notice that Mimi's fountain on NP Blvd gets "bathed" on a regular basis') While saddened to loose the waterfalls, I am happy that the upkeep on them won t be increasing my rent. Security is something I WILL pay for.
I don't know if in the future I will feel that my rent is high because of greed on the part of a management company (another complaint). But, for now, I feel like I'm getting a fair return on MY investment and I am thankful that a competent company such as AIMCO is behind it. I truly hope that once the renovations are complete that I don't get completely priced out of this complex, but if that happens, I will deal with it.
I hope this post is helpful for someone. I just couldn t keep reading the posts that were SO contrary to my experience even if it increases my rent because too many folks move here. :)
My star postings are for the complex as it currently is... well within the renovation cycle. I've balanced the completed with the "still in progress." I've balanced the excellence of the manager (5 stars) with the (3-5 stars of the front line staff over the past few months. In my opinion, the staff continues to improve.)
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User Responses
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From:
catpaldin
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Date:
04/09/2008
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gemmanager -- I've responded to your posts because they are recent. Past posts are moot because this place is changing quickly. I'm curious as to how the post I responded to was removed. Can we delete our own posts? Anyway, I agree that the construction is a pain to deal with and said so in my post. Yes, I feel the new rents are pricy, too -- and posted that. I am asked by colleagues about renting here... several of our traveling nurses have rented here. I always tell them about the construction and the increasing prices so that they can decide. Free speech is, indeed, a right. That is why I also posted. I do hope you can find a place to buy for the rent. I've been looking as well. I don't think that the bottom is in for SoCal for awhile. It's probably a decent idea to run the numbers rent vs buy on a monthly basis. Remember, that the govt is hurting with deficits and has been known to raise taxes on property and the terminator has floated the idea of eliminating the mortgage write offs. Trend carefully in the next year vis a vis buying a property. In the meantime... get those FICO scores up! If you have 20% to put down -- you have a better chance of getting that loan. May we all, again, own our shelter in a way we can afford and find pleasure in. :)
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From:
Anonymous
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Date:
09/19/2008
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For the 7 year resident. I would like to meet you, in fact. I will pay you $20.
Email me realitypill@hotmail.com, but I know you're an aimco employee so it really doesn't matter.
If not, quick 20 bucks, I'm still here on the property. I am a polite intelligent male, not quite as mean as I am toward aimco, so really.. I just want to see that one person (one note, be under 70 years old where you're so senile you can't see the truth) and 20$ in your hand. I want to come to your apartment, I want to see your initial contract.. something.. prove it.
20$. Trust me... I'm not an -------, I'm just a very disgruntled customer who knows that there are tons of them around me..and I plan to unite EVERY ONE OF THEM.
Who knows, maybe you'll be the one to change MY mind.
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