I lived at Avalon/Archstone (What name next year' The fire standpipe at the south gate is tagged with yet another community name.) Cupertino for two years-before, during and after- the change to an Archstone community. While under the Avalon name, the community was tolerable. I faced the pool, so I was willing to accept noise in that area. Actually, it was pleasent hearing people having fun in what was otherwise a ghost town. My bad experiences occurred after the transfer of ownership. The following describes three major issues had with Archstone Cupertino:

#1 my first year's rent was $1,200 for a one bedroom apartment. The next year, it was priced at $1,400, but after some complaints that the services offered, and more specifically, the age of the complex did not warrant such an increase in rent. I was told that the company was keeping up with the increase being applied to other "luxury" complexes in the area. It was my contention that to satisfy stockholders was a more likely scenario. (A southern Californian company owns the complex). After some complaining and evidence that other local "luxury" facilities were more "luxurious", I was granted a $50.00/month reprieve. The last straw came when I was told that year three would be $1,500 a month.

#2 In addition to cost issues, noise is terrible. I understand that it is an apartment, but people living there who aware of typical noise issues associated with high-density housing are not using reasonable care. For example, a stairway leading to the third floor ran right past my living room window. Every time the residents above would use the staircase, they would do so heavy-footed while running. The result was massive vibrations reverberating throughout my living area. Second, I had a family with a small boy living above me. He would run constantly, bounce balls, and leap from the staircase onto the floor (my ceiling.) I told the family to be more careful. The problems persisted. The onsite manager to told me that there were things called Renter's Rights. He could not force them to change their lifestyle more could he force them to move to a first floor apartment simply because they had a child. I NEVER implied any of this. I simply asked him to write a letter of concern. When I returned to find the status of my complaint, the manager informed me he forgot to send it! By the way, what about my Renter s Rights''

#3 the gym had no operating treadmills for over two months in 2005. I witnessed a fellow resident question the manager as to why this was so. The response was that they were renovating the gym and would be purchasing new equipment. When asked if the treadmills would be repaired, the manager replied that the cost to fix the old ones was seen as an unreasonable cost and the development opted to wait until new ones were purchased, which, he calmly stated, would be no more than two or three months waiting time. This is completely unacceptable considering the leasing office was already renovated with new leather furniture and decorative items. Thus, perspective renters are enticed with the lap of luxury, while current residents were offered second-rate accommodations.

Please use caution when considering this complex.

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