EDIT: Here's a photo of the local wildlife. And yes, they can and will get into your apartment. Management poisoned them all before - no regard for people's pets, by the way - but they came back.

Also, I have noticed that our water bill IS increasing now that there are washers and dryers in renovated units in my building. Not only do I still have to pay to do my own laundry, but I get to subsidize my wealthy neighbors laundry (and they are the ones with enough money to pay the astronomical rent). Yeah, how is THAT fair'

Oh, and let's talk about the shoddy bookkeeping. I've received 2 three day notices for the same PAID BALANCE now, and I've had to go around and around with them to get them to do the research and see that the balance was paid several months ago - before we even renewed our lease.

Rent was raised over $200. Re-signed my lease after being given false hope by management that they'd do what they could to resolve the several issues I brought to the table. Laundry facilities are woefully inadequate. The single-pane windows and glass doors mildew in the winter. The linoleum in our kitchen and bathroom are clearly old. The carpet has little padding or pile. It took MONTHS to get a hole in my ceiling patched. There's wood rot everywhere outside, along with peeling paint.

The new renovated units have washer/dryers in them, but are so expensive it's laughable. They are gorgeous - the kitchens are to die for - but the price is prohibitive, so if you're a current resident there's no way you can get into one. They truly seem to be "raising the level" of the complex, but they are doing so in a way as to run out average renters and get only your stereotypical wealthy Marinite. RIDICULOUS. Your choices are "luxury apartment" that you have to sell a body part for, or a shoddy, falling-apart piece of 70s architecture, faux wood grain cabinets, and cracking sinks.

Your money is better spent elsewhere.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/26/2008
That's what they do. PREDATORY EQUITY. In San Francisco, City Apartments got in hot water for it. A large company buys up the properties in an area, then makes living there unbearable through high rents, bad maintenance, construction, etc so that the existing tenants will leave. Unfortunately, Marin county doesn't have the same consumer protection laws as San Francisco. NOTE TO ALL RENTERS: Drive around Larkspur, Kentfield, Corte Madera, Strawberry and Tiburon BEFORE you make a decision to rent. There are many locally-owned apartment communities that DO CARE ABOUT RESIDENTS and don't OVERCHARGE them. They don't advertise as much so the best way to find them is just drive around. This is also a great way to survey the beautiful neighborhoods in the are that you often wouldn't see otherwise. I found a WONDERFUL 3-bedroom in the area with superb maintenance, NO WATER, OR GARBAGE FEES for $2200. The construction of my place is way better than Larkspur Shores. I asked current residents about the place and they all LOVED it. Many had lived here over 10 years. You won't hear that very much as the Shores. Read this article and see if it sounds familiar: http://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=6354&catid=&volume_i

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