Catalina Crest is a renovation project. They've done a pretty good job of giving the place a facelift. It has a great list of amenities and chances are appliances, fixtures, paint, and carpeting will only be a year old or newer. Apartment includes electric deadbolt locks, built-in nightlights, full-length mirror closet doors, fans, central heating, separate AC, pool, on-site laundry, 1 assigned covered parking space, extra storage outside, grocery store across street.

However, this is only a refacing and so even though the outside is new, the inside is still old. Instead of gutting out the asbestos insulation they chose to seal it. They disclose this information at the lease signing, and warn you not to drill into the walls and ceilings. You're reminded of this fact with all the California health warnings posted around the property. Furthermore, pipes are old as well so get yourself a water filter. I did this after finding some particulates in the water. Since asbestos is a longterm cancer causing material, beware of making this place a longterm residence.

The management is very quick to respond to the needs of the tenants. Most maintenance requests are completed less than a week, sometimes with a one day turnaround. However, I would not praise them on quality of the work though -- adequate to get the job done.

The biggest problem is the inflexibility of the lease terms which is dictated by the property management company. 6 month lease terms only. New roommates cannot be added to the lease without renewing the lease.

I wouldn't whole heartedly recommend this place but I wouldn't take it off the consideration list either.

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