...for writing these reviews!

My boyfriend and I are currently condo-hunting as our lease in Normal Heights is getting ready to expire. My boyfriend viewed the model units at the Promenade and was sold. He was super excited about the amenities and was using the in-house wine bar as a means of coercing me. I was pretty reluctant, simply for the fact that it is in Mission Valley. (I mean, seriously, who actually lives in Mission Valley). But, he was so convinced that I was ready to go along with it.

Then we started looking for reviews, and we found this. Site after site ripping on this place for bugs, quality of craftsmanship, and especially noise. We specifically asked the not-so-friendly rental agent if noise was an issue, because we prefer condos built with concrete construction. He told us that this is what the 'resident services' is for.

Needless to say, after reading the reviews, the promenade is 'no longer an option' according to my boyfriend (who was ready to choose a unit and sign the paperwork prior to this morning).

Thanks again for saving me from 6 months to a year of sure frustration.

Although, the wine bar would have come in handy.

User Responses
From: deaffromnoise	Date: 07/28/2009
First, you made the right choice not moving here. Resident Services doesn't give a rat's nose of concern over noise complaints (even when the police are called in) or the lack of security from the "security' detail. And whoever told you to take a corner apartment in building 4, 5 or 6 is on crack. Since they let dogs into buildings 5 and 6 all you hear are dogs barking, screeching and fighting all night long and dog crap everywhere. We won't let our young one near the grass in the Promenade because every dog pees and craps there! And the appliances are the worst junk money can buy. So much for "luxury." We can't wait for our lease to expire. We've been here over 3 years and the only reason we've stayed is because we've been saving every penny to buy a condo and the prices have finally hit our pocketbook level. Its also interesting to see the response from the person who has been here over seven years since the complex didn't open until 2004. Once again management posting a phony positive response as they do all the time. Must be a newbie though. Anyone who has worked here for awhile would know construction completed in 2003 and rents started in 2004. So the longest anyone could have lived here is about 5 1/2 years.
From: photoman2010	Date: 07/28/2009
Roger that! At first sight I was overwhelmed by the coolness and sophistication of the Promenade Rio Vista too. But when I looked a bit closer I saw what it really looked like behind all of the smoke and mirrors. I got my deposit money back because I changed my mind within the 72 hour period in which the law in California allows me to walk away with zero penalty.
From: fsugrads	Date: 07/28/2009
We've lived here for over 7 years and are ready to renew our lease yet again. The experience you have is much depended upon which building you live in. Prior to moving to this complex, we bounced around other apartment communities never wanting to renew our lease. This is the first complex where we feel at "home". We are lucky to have great neighbors surrounding us which makes this place feel more like a condo setting rather than just renting. Anyway, good luck in your search and hopefully you find a place that works for you.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/28/2009
I just heard my neighbor get cussed out by the women that lives above him about the "noise." In all honesty it doesnt matter how loud or quiet you are, the walls are paper thin and Ive recieved plenty of noise complaints saying that me and my roommates need to "tread more lightly" DO NOT MOVE HERE! I cant wait to get out of here and I've talked to plenty of people who live here and feel the same
From: poisonsivy	Date: 07/28/2009
I've lived here for about 7 months. I love it, And have referred countless others to live here and got nice rewards. There are many things they do each week, They are very involved and very concerned with their tenants. Noise is not an issue, I have only heard one person above us...1 time. I read all these reviews too, But who's going to take the time and come write all the great things about it when they are so happy. However A person scorned... They will. Read reviews on all the other apartments, no one has a good score. This apartment has A LOT of reviews and it varies from person to person. I love living here- and the ammenities are great for my husband And I. If you change your mind.. Chose a corner Apartment- and Go for the newer buildings, I'd say apartment 4 5 or 6 buildings.. I have friends in all of them, and we all love to live here.
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/28/2009
Thanks everyone. It seems that overwhelmingly most people have had the same compliant: paper-thin walls which transmit every noise, whether it's people walking, TVs, or kids partying. A question for fsugrads: which building would you recommend, and why is this building better? Are younger kids or families herded into the other buildings? And have you honestly not heard of similar complaints from people you've encountered in the last 7 years? Thanks
From: berkeleytransplat	Date: 08/14/2009
If the in-house wine bar looked like a big deal to you guys, let me burst that bubble for you: IT'S NEVER OPEN!!! I have no clue how these people make enough money to pay the rent for their business with that bar being closed pretty much all the time. Let me also burst the bubble with dogs only being allowed in 4,5 and 6: they're everywhere, in every building, as per the security guy who doesn't even bother anymore to record the after-hours phone calls about the insane dog barking. I'm sick and tired of this place, the disgusting linoleum in the kitchen, bathroom and the entry way, the overflowing washer hose from people upstairs that use SOAP DISH!! to wash their clothes, the backing of the sink and having to deal with disgusting guck all over my kitchen, the backing bath tub, the dirty jaccuzzi...etc. It started out as a good place to live, in 2005, but since then our rent has gone up and the quality has gone down. This is it for us, when this lease expires, we're out, we've given this place way too many chances.
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/23/2009
So I heard there's not HD channels and barely reception. I don't know what directv lite is, but can you use att or time warner cable? Me and my husband were first sold on this place too but after reading all comments I'm not so sure. We had a miserable time at La Mirage down the street and this place is starting to sound just as bad. Are there any apartments worth the time?

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