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I've been reading this site for some time for my own housing searches, and I was first surprised, and later amused, at how every complex I've found listed here has gotten absolutely thrashed in the ratings.
No offense to the people running this site, but it is inherently unscientific. A "self-selecting audience" is not scientific. Generally people are going to post here if they've had a bad experience. And if anybody does post a complimentary review, somebody else comments and attacks them as "an imposter from management."
So this site should really be viewed as "FYI only."
Alborada is a good example. The reviews are absolutely atrocious. I lived there for a little over a year, and my experience was altogether extremely positive. Nothing is perfect, of course...
I lived in two units in my time there -- first in a 2bdrm with friends, and later in a 1bdrm by myself. I really liked the 2bdrm: a big walk-in closet in a non-master bedroom is a rarity, and one of the pools was right outside my window, projecting a calming, gentle blue-green glow at night. I miss it.
Otherwise, the 1bdrm was the real gem. I had the Verdi floorplan. It's big, but feels even bigger. Very open, light, airy, and the setting (the complex, and the surrounding Lake Elizabeth/Mission area of Fremont) is very pretty and calming. One complaint about the design: the balconies have wood-slat floors, so unless you're on the top floor, you can count on dirt and other debris coming down between the gaps from your upstairs neighbor's balcony.
As for pricing, well, it's a bit outrageous, but so is pricing everywhere in the bay area. I'm not sure whether to criticize Alborada (and Equity) specifically, or the popular businesslike approach to apartment management as a whole. I paid $1280 in 2005 for my 1bdrm, and I thought that was a lot. Apparently it's gone up even more. It's a scam, for sure, but can you really do much better at another complex in the area' My research would indicate "no," unless you're willing to step down to a crappier facility.
It's the price you pay for living in the bay area, something I'm not entirely sold on as it is.
How about specific complaints'
Well, I don't remember dog doo being a problem, but then again, I don't generally walk on the grass. I use the sidewalks. There are doggie-poo-bag dispensers around the complex, although they were often left empty for a while. Not that this exonerates owners from cleanup responsibilities, but if the complex is going to provide a service, it should be consistent about it.
One of the gates was frequently broken, and left open, for weeks at a time. Granted, a gate is a bit of a token measure to begin with. But if it's there, it shouldn't be out of commission so much.
My service requests were always handled promptly. I had one window tensioner that kept breaking, and I think they started to think I was the hulk or something, but they still helped me out.
I cannot recall any bad experiences with the staff. I've seen Monica mentioned here a few times. Out interactions were always pleasant.
My only real negative experience came upon my departure. I had to leave before the end of my lease, and I had a choice between buying out of it (for some ridiculous sum of money) or putting my unit back on the market, and hoping it got rented out sooner rather than later, which would exonerate me from financial responsibility. I was led to believe the latter would probably not take long, but it ended up dragging out for two months or so.
Having to pay rent to Alborada while renting my new place was rather painful, and I raised enough of a stink that I ultimately got put in touch with a regional Equity representative. She was a customer service saint. I was blown away by her helpfulness. In the end, I even got some of my money back. So a situation that started out ugly turned out well in the end.
If Alborada's location made sense for my life at this point, I would definitely consider living there again.
So, attack me as management if you must, but I honestly wouldn't want their job anyway :)
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User Responses
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From:
Anonymous
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Date:
09/30/2007
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when you left Alborada, and put the unit back on the market, who handled that transaction? Was it the management or you? And where did you rent your other apartment at?
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