Nov 07:
One of my friends chose to live here in 2001 when she had a temporary job. She lived in a furnished apartment, and the furniture was simple, clean, and functional. She lived in the smallest unit, and it was perfect for her.

When my temp job turned into a permanent one, I looked around for apartments in the Mission Valley area because I enjoyed the convenience of a central location. I have worked at different navy locations this past year, so that was important.

Secondly, having a washer and dryer was a necessity--and Promenade supplies large capacity GE washers and dryers in the larger units. True, the appliances are not the top of the line, but they function well, and I am very happy with them. I love the cabinetry, and don't mind the fake tile/linoleum in the bathroom/kitchen.

I live on the top floor, and so, I don't get the noise from neighbors from above. I have never heard a peep from my adjacent neighbors, including their radios and tvs.

When I first moved here in September 2004, I did notice the occasional shouts or loud conversations on Station Village Way, but that has been curtailed.

The trolley stop is really convenient to take, especially if you want to do some shopping, go to downtown, or just avoid traffic. I've gone to Costco, IKEA, Lowe's, and the library at the Fenton Parkway Station; over to the Hazard Center to the Barnes & Nobles and Starbucks; and also to Santa Fe Depot to catch the Amtrak to L.A. instead of paying $10/day to park my car there. The Green Line opened a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't taken it east to Santee yet.

The second gym opened in late November or December, and two levels of free weights stretch along the back wall! They have four ellipticals, four or five treadmills, and weight/resistance machines, a stretching rack, a ball, and a couple of mats. There are no showers or sauna in the new gym, but they are available at the first gym. I should cancel my 24 hour fitness membership!

Belle Ada Salon is mostly a hair salon, and they do have a room for a few spa amenities such as facials and massage.
I haven't been to the cleaners yet, but I will try them out soon. They opened a coffee shop near the gym which opens early for the a.m. crowd. The wine bar appears to have an upscale crowd, and is a good place for networking, I've been told. Wahoo's Fish Tacos have delivery service, but not during lunch 11am-3pm.

The movie theater adjacent to the new club room has eleven huge leather brown seats. I hope to reserve is sometime in the spring for a movie night($100 to use, with $500 refundable deposit). They have a second computer room with five computers and two printers.

If you have visitors, make sure to get the parking pass during office hours before they come, so their cars don't get towed.

The security has been friendly, and they responded promptly to my call one night. I have always found the staff and property manager to be courteous, professional, and helpful. Maintenance usually responds to requests the next day.

The water fountain is the crown of the Promenade. The people who show you the complex will proudly let you know that it was designed by the same architect as the Bellagio, a hotel in Las Vegas. My cousin and his new wife were photographed for their engagement pictures by that romantic fountain a couple months ago.

The rent is high but it is San Diego, and there are college students here. Some are actually studying though! There are ants in the apartments on the riverview side, but not as much as at Archstone.

Overall, very happy here, and am renewing my lease this September.

Update: Saw one broken beer bottle in the elevator, and second floor had some vandalism a few months ago (smoking sign taken down). The friend I mentioned, some immature person pooped on her welcome mat and smeared the feces on her adjacent wall.
The maintenance people cleaned the floor and wall, but not her mat, which she tossed. Also, her roof/ceiling is cracked, and they are working on it.

The parking gate keeps breaking--it either doesn't open when you want to get out, or you come home, and it is not secured--in other words, it's open because it broke down again.

Second Update: I've read a few of the poor reviews about this apartment complex from the past year or so. It depends on which building you live in, as to the types of concerns people have.

The dry cleaners, Simply Cleaner, do the environmentally friendly cleaning, and they are reasonably priced. They do laundry for $1.25 a pound or something like that. I dry cleaned a sweater jacket, two skirts, two dresses, and a blouse for $32.

Salon Bell Ada has a new owner, so I don't know what it is like now. The Curves is still there; and the health food store has turned into a convenience store. There is a Scottrade also in the plaza.

My car got stolen from the parking garage in December 2006, and it was recovered 3 1/2 months later, 3 days after I got a new car. It had a broken ignition, but it cost <$200 to repair.

Update: 13 Jan 09

The property management were desperate for renters so they have allowed owners with small dogs to rent here. It's quite a mess now, with the poop and urine on the grass/sidewalks and although it's generally cleaned up the next day, it's not a bonus I like. I don't know why they keep changing the security company with whom they contract. I don't know if it is a matter of budget, or the occupants that keep them busy.

A few months ago, they reinforced the 10pm "curfew"; no loud noises, or warnings would be given, and I assume on second chance, if not followed, they would get kicked out. It's been quieter since.

My iPod got stolen over a year ago from my car in the parking garage. It wasn't visible, but don't keep anything in sight or visible in your car.

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