I have lived at Alexan for nine months. While I agree with many of the other residents about the train noise, I acknowledge that I knew the train tracks were located very close to the complex and that they would most likely create noise and vibration. However, the leasing agent told me the windows were triple or double paned depending on location and that the walls had added insulation that would protect against noise. You can take a look at the windows to see that they are not triple paned. The walls are also not as well insulated as I was led to believe since I can clearly hear conversations coming from outside my closed front door while I?m sitting in my living room with the TV on. I can also hear almost every footstep of my neighbors living above me and can only imagine that the neighbors below me can hear every step I make as well.

I also didn?t realize at the time I signed the lease that the apartments faced what can be at times a very busy street. My unit faces the street and I cannot leave my windows open or the apartment quickly fills with car exhaust and the noise from the traffic can be worse than the train. Again, I admit I could have avoided this mistake by spending a little more time checking out the area before I moved in.

Prospective tenants should realize that no matter where the apartment is located within the complex you will get noise, vibration, and pollution from both trains and autos.

I was told by the leasing agent that the unit had central air conditioning. Unless the management defines central air as being one vent centrally located within the apartment, then that was a lie. The air conditioning vent is ONLY located in the living room. I have a two bedroom unit, so both bedrooms are without air conditioning and the ceiling fans provided little relief from hot summer nights. Also, despite service to the ceiling fan in the master bedroom it is off-balance and clanks horribly at high speed. The only benefit to the lack of air circulation in the apartment is that now that it is winter, I have not had to turn the heater on because the temperature in my apartment has not dipped below 68 degrees.

The apartments are all wired with a security system. But at the time I rented my apartment I could not get any information about the system from the leasing agent and was told that the agent herself did not have any idea how to operate or even activate the security system. The apartment complex also has a gated garage and gated pedestrian entrance from the street. The garage doors in the West Wing have been broken and left open several times since I moved in and the entry gate from the street has been broken as well.

The elevator in the West Wing has malfunctioned on multiple occasions too. And despite managements efforts to screen tenants they have apparently rented to a pyromaniac since the elevator buttons, along with other items, have been scorched and the fire alarms have been activated a few times either by accident or as a result of the pyromaniac?s vandalism. There also is constant vandalism to the elevator signs and the call box.

As for the appliances, they are definitely new, but of very poor quality. The dishwashers are definitely not energy or water efficient; the clothes washers are very rough on clothing; and the toilets seats and handles are made of such poor quality plastic that the handles have splintered and broken in places on both toilets in my apartment. The showers look like they are straight out of a motel room and the material the tub and shower units are made of is difficult to clean. Especially since my tub is coated with paint from work done prior to my moving in. Comparably priced apartments in other complexes I?ve seen have better quality appliances.

I do however really like the look of the apartment (walls, trim, etc.) and I especially like the flooring, so not everything is bad. Also the units have good sized rooms and are a little more spacious than other apartments in complexes in the same price range, which is what led me to rent from Alexan.

If you?re looking for an apartment close to Caltrain and you can live with the noise then by all means check the place out. However, considering the number of people I?ve seen come and go within the nine months I?ve been here and the neighbors I?ve spoken with, I would have to say most people are unhappy here. I would renew my lease here only if they reduce the rent or offered me concessions.

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