I just put a deposit down on an apartment today and boy do I feel like I got hoodwinked after reading all of these reviews on this property. I wish that I would have read these reviews before I used up my valuable time on this Saturday to get the ball rolling towards becoming their newest resident. I am thunderstruck to know that I went through all of the paperwork process before I took the time to check this joint out elsewhere; I feel like a complete imbecile. My gut was telling me from the moment that I walked through those leasing office doors that something was not right about the apartment complex. Nonetheless, I got distracted like a kid in the candy store by all of the beautiful architecture and amenities that were so eloquently presented to me during my tour of the grounds. I have to admit that I fell for the beauty of the fountain area, the nice looking small shops, and the San Diego Trolley stop right on the property.

What got my suspicions up first was the number of residents that were filtering into the leasing office to request a PARKING PASS. I have since learned from this website that residents have to request a parking pass if they (the residents) or their visitors are going to be parking in any of the unreserved parking spaces for more than a single hour.

If you are into HDTV forget about it because they have a master satellite dish on the property that is several years old and does not have the capability to receive an HDTV signal. To be fair, if your apartment faces the southern skies and you have a clear view they will allow you to place a satellite dish on your balcony.

I have read many reviews speaking largely about the earsplitting noise that comes from the apartment overhead, including the courtyards, the hallways, and the elevators where people are constantly moving in and out of their apartments. Also, if you are unfortunate enough to have to live below the highest floor level you are in for many sleepless nights according to many residents and I believe them because I myself heard every footstep being employed on the floor of the apartment above me while I was touring three different model units earlier today. Additionally, I have read a lot of words about the poor drainage system, cheap appliances, and moreover the insect infestation that comes crawling up from the San Diego River down below the buildings facing south.

Interestingly enough I got a very bad feeling about this place for the very simple reason that the leasing office employees have seemingly ZERO authority to override the ridiculous corporate rules and regulations that are set in place for me to adhere to. If I want to be considered lucky enough to become a resident then I must dance to the SARES-REGIS corporate drum. Another thing that bears a mention is that I am a guy that clears roughly $5,500 a month salary and I found it disbelieving that my income was just a hair below SARES-REGIS Group acceptable standard which of course meant that I was going to have to place a deposit in the amount equal to one months rent in order to have the privilege of living at the Promenade Rio Vista.

Get this; I missed their minimum personal income standard by $20.00, carrying the consequence of my security deposit going up from a very reasonable $500 due upon move-in to roughly $2000 due upon move-in. The leasing agent told me after I completed by credit application that if I would have put a higher number on the credit application then I would not have had the added deposit imposed upon me. My response to the leasing agent was by doing so I would have given a false inflated income figure and committed perjury on a legal document. Is that not the same reason why our economy is currently in the tank''' The agents response was as follows: "We do not verify your income, we go with whatever numbers that you provide "STATED INCOME" is the buzz word. Now that is scary.

In todays rental market that takes a hell of a lot of nerve. My guess is that they are preying on the ignorance of people who live outside of the San Diego area who are looking for a place to live via the Internet and on the just plain ill-advised locals such as me.

Tomorrow I will be going back to the leasing office to promptly get my deposit refunded to me. This lesson will fortunately only cost me my $30.00 for the application fee. I sincerely feel remorseful for all of you residents that are getting financially soaked and all I can say about that is GLAD IT IS NOT ME!

I want to close with a piece of advice for all of you individuals that do not live in the San Diego area. Take the time to find another place to spend your hard earned money because there are many other places here in SD that are wonderful places for you or your college student children to live for far less the price in rent. A person can find a nice 2 bed, 2 bath for about $1300 per month. Don t let the elegant website pictures with the smooth words make you to believe that this is the only place to consider. I am not going to be suckered into this false paradise nor should you.

User Responses
From: deaffromnoise	Date: 05/17/2009
You are doing the right thing! This place is now WAY overpriced and is a real crap hole, especially now with all the dogs! I wish we had been as smart as you. We're out of here as soon as our lease expires. The worst part is that this could have been a decent place to live (except for the thin walls and ceilings and crappy appliances) but no one who works here cares!
From: fsugrads	Date: 05/17/2009
I believe the experience you have here depends upon the building you are in. My husband and I have lived here since 2002 and have had little issues with the neighbors directly below or to the side of us. Of course we chose a top floor so we wouldn't have to worry about anybody being loud above us. Prior to finding this place, we had a heck of a time finding a decent apartment. While I agree some buildings and employees are not the greatest (which industry doesn't have a poor performing employees in one capacity or another)we have been very happy here and would tell others to try here before any other complex in Mission Valley but to be very picky on which building, floor, and location the unit is located in. We were and it has worked out very well.
From: poisonsivy	Date: 05/18/2009
My husband and I also have lived here for a few months now, I read the reviews here, but took my chances. Were in a pet building, Maybe they are built with thicker walls, But I do not hear a single dog barking, Or people below or above us. We have had MANY maintenance problems, but the maintenance has been here on time for each appoitment we have had. Got everything fixed etc. I think they could of course done a better job, but most apartments are built this way. For what it is worth, I do love living here. plus the location is great.
From: Anonymous	Date: 05/19/2009
People come here as a sounding board if they are unhappy. Of course almost all of the reviews you're going to read are negative. I'm not saying you have a right to be upset, but everyone has their own experience here. I've lived here for over a year and I dont have major complaints that would cause me to move out. Yes, you have neighbor noise. Its an apartment you're living in, not a single family home. Yes, theres some maintenance issues but they're quickly responded to and fixed. If you read other San Diego apartment reviews most hover around/below the 40% approval rate. Like others have said, it varies upon the building location. Some buildings are just louder than others. But either way, the Promenade lets you live in your apartment for a month, and if you don't like it you can change locations. Honestly, I'd give it a try yourself before jumping to conclusions because of what someone has said on this website.
From: photoman2010	Date: 05/20/2009
Dear Anonymous, I'm not unhappy but rather stating the facts objectively. I happen to live in an apartment currently that does not have any of the issues that you have stated in your response. If you are cool with noisy neighbor's and maintenance issues while paying a PREMIUM price for rent than have at it and enjoy. The average rent at Promenade Rio Vista is $1,800 a month. I know people that currently live on site and are paying $2,300 a month for their rent. For that amount of rent, I expect excellence from each and every person that is responsible for ensuring that my living experience is kept to a high standard. BTW, do the math 3 out 4 responses (including yours) are not negative. Finally, don't be a coward or worse yet a HACK for Promenade Rio Vista, come out from behind your dark curtain and let us all see and know who you really are. :-)

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