OK, I am usually quite harsh with reviews and I expect service and standards when I pay for it. Occasionally, I like to highlight the good. esp when other reviewers get emotional. This place is a bit expensive compared to places 5 mins south of here. But I want to share a few aspects of my stay over the past year here and I am writing this review as I look for apartments in the DC metro area. I am moving out of Cali to the east coast. The issues in those complexes are far more severe and I am going to miss the nice times i've had here.
People rating this place badly and -not- recommending it based on details like - 'noisy neighbors', 'no cable wiring', 'i pay 20 bucks more for insurance', ' is just lame and defeats the purpose of reviews. There are some things that deserve to be highlighted, but they do not warrant not liking a place completely. Get the a**l itch out and be sensible and not get emotional in reviews. These are issues with the details and does not mean you go about saying one wouldn't want to stay here - I like this place for instance, and i've had 2 other people I know move in here and they love it too. Recommending or not recommending a place is based on your overall experience, and one must review without losing objectivity uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices. Subjectivity plays out in the details.
My good times at Granite point:
--------------------
a) The walls are really good between units. I am not very noisy, but I've had people over and it does get a bit noisy at times. My neighbors have never been a**l about some noise. The one time I was requested to turn down the music was when I lost track of time and had the music louder than usual. I never hear other neighbors either. i occasionally hear footsteps from above, but its not like it can be avoided in apartments - esp when I chose the 1st floor.
b) There is a way to get things done from the office staff. Everyone likes to avoid people who rant and everyone wants to reduce their workload (come on! - we all work and we know how it is). at the same time, if asked properly and given the right nudge, the staff is helpful. For instance- i've had an ant problem and it was addressed twice promptly and both times the solution worked and no ants were seen for 3-4 months. ; I went on a month-to-month after the first lease and then wanted to renew my lease without the 150$ extra. At first I was denied. But I spoke to Rebecca (I think) and she figured that I would still rent in the area and did not want to lose a customer. I was accommodated at the same rent and with a new lease. They even had prepared to put my apartment on specials because I had given a moveout notice at first - they changed plans when I changed mine!
c)You do pay for all utilities yourself, but if you have any unit that's not the top floor, your apt hardly heats up in summer (or cools down too much in winter). I was sensible in avoiding west facing units (afternoon sun in SAC is unforgiving). I've been able to manage a 72 - 78 degree temperature in the house all year without the use of the AC or heater and I save a lot on utilities. Only if it is very hot I turn on the AC. I work in the Real Estate/Construction industry and I can tell you that the units have good insulation and equipment esp the dual walled windows etc. I had a smaller unit in the previous complex I lived in (within Sacramento) and paid twice as much in utilities because of poos insulation and bad equipment.
d) the complex is maintained well and the maintenance folks are very friendly.
e) Gym is neat (small for serious workout). It has free weights which is missing in many apt. complexes.
--------------------
Some issues you may want to consider:
--------------------
a) Lot of people in my building have dogs. However, I've never been bothered by them and I've seen they all clean up after their dogs. I was a bit doubtful about the dog situation, but it has been good all this while.
b) parking is a b**** if you have 2 cars, but my assigned spot has never been bothered and I find it hard to get a spot only after 7PM if I am looking for a free spot.
c) specials are not offered when you renew your lease
d) rental insurance and trash/sewer is an additional 60-65 bucks total. You have to factor that in.
e) traffic during games at Arco Arena
f) I wish the residents honored the '15 mins per group' policy in the jacuzzi. I don't like sausage fests in there and would enjoy some privacy with my girl.
f) A few neo-liberal elitist/smug residents who forget that it is California and a world where all that glitters is not really gold. They look down upon you if you are dressed too casually or bumming around the recreational areas. They also seem to rant a lot at the front desk and I pity the staff that have to deal with them - grow up amigos!
----------------
All in all, I think this is a great place to stay. Till you buy your own home, quit ranting and put up with a few issues. I wish I did not have to hunt for another apartment, but I have to move and I am facing hell trying to decide! Also, Thanks to Vonda from the office. Haven't spoken to her a lot, but shes been great with support over the year I've been here.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates