If you want the real breakdown of what it's like for a NORMAL person at Riverfront, here it goes:

First, a little context. I'm a law student. I'm 27. I've moved at least 9 times in the last 9 years as a result of being a student. I've never really gotten to know many of my neighbors because everyplace I lived was fairly impersonal. I'm not the loudest person out there, but also not the quietest. Since I moved in last July, I have had 0 problems. In fact, it's easy to say that I like it here. I have no intention of moving before I finish law school.

When living in an apartment complex, there are obviously certain "group living" considerations which need to be taken into consideration. The rules and regulations in place here are no different than any other apartment complex. The lease is entirely typical in that regard.

The residents and staff here have always been friendly. Tenants who I don't even know smile and say hi. One of my neighbors has brought me fresh baked cookies on two occasions. Jennifer (on-site management) always waves/says hi to me when we see each other (which is quite regularly since our parking spaces are close together). James (on-site management) has always been helpful and willing to engage in some friendly chit-chat when I stop in the office.

The management puts on various Riverfront gatherings throughout the year (silent auction, chili cook-off, etc). I went to the silent auction at which there was a variety of wonderful food and refreshments to enjoy in addition to some nice auction items. I also got the chance to meet more of my neighbors, all of whom seemed friendly and amicable. It was a diverse crowd including singles, families, professionals, retirees, students, and more.

I've had a few maintenance problems since I moved in, all minor, most caused by neighboring tenants, all of which where fixed quickly. On one occasion, which happened to fall on a Sunday, my garbage disposal was backed up. It was fixed within about 30 minutes from the time I placed the phone call, which was wonderful since I was about to leave for the gym when I noticed the problem. Did the maintenance guy seem pissed or cranky' To my surprise, no. And all the maintenance and cleaning staff have always seemed nice as well. Not expected, not even necessary in my mind, but a pleasant and welcome surprise.

The grounds look pretty much exactly like the pictures on this site. I'm surprised at how quickly they clean up downed palm tree branches every time it gets windy. The grass is nice and green, the circular pool (the one closest to me) is crisp looking and clean. I used it extensively at the end of last summer.

At the end of the day, I'm pretty satisfied with this place. As with any situation involving community living, you really GET WHAT YOU GIVE. If you are courteous to your neighbors and aren't creating a nuisance, you won't have a problem most of the time. The positive reviews of this place are the accurate ones.

As a final example to show that the owner, staff and management actually are concerned about the quality of the complex, they just remodeled the fitness room. They put real ceramic tile down on the floor. The equipment (mostly cardio) is really nice. And I believe I overhead someone saying they are going to put in a flat panel tv instead of the previous old school cathode ray tube tvs that used to be in there. It really looks nicer in there. If they are making cosmetic improvements in rough economic times, they've gotta care about their tenants.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/15/2009
A lot of these posts are extremely accurate. Just because you have had a good experience doesn't mean that others have. I lived at riverfront about 2 years ago and I believe the owner has some serious mental issues. Oh what a minute, are you a left wing wack job Berkeley liberal like the owners are. Thats why you get along with them. Don't presume to know about others experiences. You are in a small minority and I knew EVERYONE when I lived there.
From: erin_at_riverfront	Date: 04/15/2009
I'm usually only referred to as a "left wing wack job Berkeley liberal" by right wing, non-wack job, Southern conservatives AND my mom. Although one time I did have a soccer mom shout at me "YOU COMMUNIST LEFT WING WACK JOB BERKELEY LIBERAL!" Turned out she had a rare case of Turrets called Political Insult Turrets, so I let it slide. But really I was born and raised in Iowa by working class parents and also did my undergraduate work there. I'd like to think I'm pretty normal. But I admit it is possible I am a wack job of some sort or another.
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/17/2009
Alright, Here's a few comments (both pros & cons) from a tenant who lived there about 18 months ago: Riverfront is basically a pretty good place to live. However: Your car is ALWAYS at risk for being vandalized/broken into (this is a big however, I know.) It's probably something that could be worked on between RF mngmt & Sac PD, I would think which reminds me, this includes some of the shiftless river ppl that can congregate right there near RF, at that particular bend in the road. They can bring A LOT of litter and trash and broken down vehicles. The visitor parking doesn't exist except for on the street (which is so inconvenient and not much of it.) And, that's where the first line of break-ins occur. There are two different sides to this complex, each built at very different times. You choose which you like best. A monthly newsletter was mentioned in another review. I actually liked the newsletters-they were professionally done, a step above and beyond. There were no intrusive admonishments, please. IF there were admonishments it was because ppl needed them! How about: Please don't take your dog for a walk on the common grassy areas and then leave it's ---- behind!! Please don't trash the pool area! Etc. etc. Some ppl really are just unclassy and gross. The newsletters were simply, an open letter, friendly reminders and easy-reading, seasonal articles from owner to tenants. Because of the set up of the apartments, loud noises can easily bounce around in the interior of the apartment structure- where the circle pool is located (which yes, was always clean and refreshing). I had an apt that looked out into the "gardens" (which are quite lovely and well-maintained) but if there are loud neighbors, their noise may reverberate through the common areas and straight into your apt, no matter how far or how close your apt is. Or, if there's loud ppl at the pool - its like they're in your living room. Or, if young, self-absorbed college partiers want to party until 3am - you hear ALL of it. It's ANNOYING if not totally aggravating. RF is not a place for young kids like that and staff need to screen better. You end up having to put in a hundred noise complaints while losing alot of sleep until the problem FINALLY gets kicked out. At least I can say, the owner does take noise control seriously and he will kick out problem tenants. It's a minor few who can make it unbearable for the majority. The staff who live there tend to occupy the apt located the farthest away from the rest and so sometimes, are clueless to the noise levels. Great holiday decor during Christmas - always looked forward to that! The elevators broke down too much. Sac Fire Dept were called out a number of times because ppl were stuck inside. I usually took the stairs unless it was unavoidable. Re: office staff: I saw a lot of rotation in that office while I lived there (about 4 years). Once upon a time there were some wonderful, customer-service oriented, warm & professional ppl in that office. Unfortunately, the owner lost a good thing with them and he suffered for it. The rotation of staff in that office... . James is the one and only nice, accommodating and helpful staff in the office. The maintenance staff are outstanding, definitely. I learned a lot about living in close-quarters with strangers. I learned a lot about ppl and about myself. It was a fairly good place to live for a while, but I'm glad I don't live there anymore, I had grown weary of the apartment lifestyle.

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