I lived in a studio at EmeryBay for four whole years. And the only reason... is probably because I was a student at UC Berkeley, and it was one of the nicest apartments you can find in the area with easy access to the freeway. So when I first moved in, I believe that they had disorganized, irresponsible group of management, who told the renters different things depending on who you spoke with and how nice you were to them. However, I think management changed, which in a way was better since they "seemed" as though they cared about the apartment more. I just do not know in detail how good or bad management could have been at one point or another, since I rarely had problems to report. But when I did put in a work order, they were usually fixed in a day or two. If not, I figured that my work order hadn't gone through and complained again, that usually solved the problem. My apartment was the largest studio they had, and was very roomy, with a HUGE bathroom. In general, the area is easily accessible to most things you need such as grocery, gas, post office, and some shopping.

In summary, here are the several major problems I encountered within the four year time period:
1. The balcony construction project they started at the end of 2002 (not sure'), and since I was on the fourth floor, which is the top floor, they built a scaffolding. I did not have a major problem with the scaffolding and the workers on the balcony for a month or two.... but after that... the scaffolding was left there forever, and the balcony construction was never completed, so I had a horrible looking balcony until the day I moved out!
2. My car was almost broken into at the gated garage. Apparently, the person who tried to break in was too stupid to actually break in, so instead decided to peel off some of the moldings off my car... Although, I think that person successfully broke into some other car in the same garage, because I saw another cop with someone else in the garage while my police report was being taken care of.
3. Very LOUD noise problem I recognized once I graduated college and started working normal work hours. As I mentioned earlier, I was on the top floor, so it was obviously coming from downstairs. I notified the 24 hour security people who do their best to solve noise problems several times, but the noise kept going on and on, sometimes from 1am-4 or 5am. I solved those problems by stomping every night.

In conclusion, I feel that living at Emerybay was fine if you were a student, but not when you have a full-time job and a bad neighbor. Also, I believe that they offer low-income housing at certain units, so you do encounter people with lower income. I did love the fact that they have a mail room where they sign and hold packages for you, and also the ample parking space even when you have guests. However, rent is not the most ideal in the East Bay for what you get.

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