Well I'm about to move onwards and upwards to my own home soon--but I have honestly enjoyed the 4 years I've lived at University Hills. I'm not sure it would be for everyone, though--so I decided to just list pros and cons and you can decide for yourself!

PROS:
Cheap Rent (2B/1.5B for $950/month)
Considerably larger kitchen and living room than I've had in other apartments (also open and airy feeling)
Allows pets--quite a few people have a dog, cat, etc. (but pets that are loud or not picked up after are not tolerated)
Grocery store, liquor store, movie store, pizza place, etc. all right across the street (UBE, too!)--very convenient, I never have to get in my car for quick errands or food!
Trails for running, walking/hiking, or mountain biking are a block up the street--so much better than living below the university (where I lived for a couple of years before moving up here) where it's just sidewalks and smelly shrubs!
Pools in every building (These were being redone when I moved in, back in '04 but since then I have seen them cleaned regularly and professionally.)
Vigilant on-site staff--they deal with problems and disturbances 24/7. Just when I'm about to run outside and scream at someone for bumping music at 1:00 am I hear the staff take care of it.
The complex keeps improving! From the pools being redone, to the entire exterior being painted, to the rec room in the middle building being remodeled, I've seen a lot change for the better during the past four years. I assume this will continue long after I'm gone.

CONS:
Old plumbing--water leaks and backups can happen. We have had two "major" issues in our apartment in the past 4 years. They were both dealt with swiftly by calling in "Roto Rooter" and having it handled professionally.
For minor problems--definitely a "do it yourself" place. If you approach the management about minor, nonessential sorts of issues, you will wait (perhaps even be forgotten)--so grab a tool, ask them for the part, and do it yourself! I actually prefer this--I can easily fix little things and would rather not have to let someone in to do small chores.
Management may not be to everyone's liking. Personally, I think Laura and the other staff are fabulous and interesting folks. That being said, I wouldn't want to be on her bad side! I don't envy her her job--it is absolutely unbelievable what tenants will do to their dwellings (not just here--anywhere)--I think she acts to protect the complex.
Parking is "hidden"--parked my car back there and ended up with two busted windows and a missing stereo. I know a lot of people that park in the back all the time and that's never happened. Of course, any street near UCR is littered with glass from break-ins, so you're really not safe from this sort of thing in many surrounding areas.
Street parking can be hard to find.
Maintenance is a crapshoot sometimes--we've had to "repair the repair" a couple times--but other times it's been great.

In summary, it's all about what you can live with. I love it here, I'm a bit sad to go! It's certainly not perfect, but it's been a great home for me. I've had a number of friends come and go here in the past four years--and I know some people who have been here considerably longer than I have! It's a great place to stay for years--but it may take awhile to warm up to for some (and, yes, there will be some for whom it is just not a good fit). If you do move here, I hope you find it as enjoyable as I have! aLKeoXpj3s4OSgrp1trb

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