I have lived in this overrated complex for nearly a year and a half. Already within the first few months of living there, i became quite dissatisfied with what the Essex has to offer. Sure the lakeside view apartment tower is beautiful to look at inside and out, however, don?t be deceived by its first impression. Looks aren?t everything! If you are expecting a real sense of community, especially with the staff, forget about it. For the amount of money that is spent, you would expect to have a respectable degree of service, but not here. For goodness sakes, I don?t expect to be treated like royalty or require special attention, all I ask is to be treated like a tenant, and possibly with a side of friendliness.




Being a sucker for the showroom model display. Don?t expect yours to look the same, because it won?t come remotely close to those standards or quality. Considering this place is one of the newly structured apartment buildings in Oakland, it maintenance is very poor. Since this place prides itself in its appeal, wouldn?t you think they would spend the extra time or cost to maintain its upkeep. At this rate, I don?t think the Essex will be able to live up to its name a few more years down the line. Already the hallways are stained, and the decor and fixtures are falling apart. Don?t expect anyone to do anything about it, because you will simply be "another tenant with another problem." Don?t expect the management?s sympathy.




But I am not alone here. My neighbor has shared with me his complaint with the garage alarm constantly going off beneath his room. He has brought it to the attention to the leasing officials on a numerous occasions, yet no immediate action was taken. This goes to show how much care will be taken to accomodate their tenants or even to remedy the problem. So at the management?s mercy, my neighbor had to wait. You can already imagine the daily agony he must go through considering the severity of the problem is proportional the amount of tenants entering and exiting the garage.




This bring up the next issue. If you plan to have more than one car for your apartment. You will have no luck here. Parking on the side streets are nearly impossible and restricted if you ever do find one. The garage is packed due to its unregulated system. Tenants who have one bedroom apartments park 3 cars in the garage, and those with only one bedroom are forced onto the streets although their contract allows them one. Therefore, expect frustration when it comes to parking. You would expect the place to have atleast enough parking spaces to accomodate the amount of people living there. What kind of business are they running'




Banners are often hung outside for vancancy, and flyers are often posted on the elevators to invite friends to live in the Essex. But who would want to' And what kind of friend would I be to put a friend through this uncomfortableness.


Honestly, the list of headaches for this place seems neverending, and for the amount of money you would have to pay, live somewhere else and get what you deserve!

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