We've lived here for over 4 years. When we first moved in our living experience was exceptional. Management staff very helpful and friendly, grounds wonderfully kept, community just a fantastic place to live. However, management has changed hands several times and service and communication has suffered, but nothing can compare to our last year of residency. The management staff is incompetent and NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. They only care about getting future residents in the door. Once you are in, they could careless about you and are not sincere or helpful at all. Over the years, our rent would increase by $50 per month each time we renewed our lease, but this past year, it has increased by $250 per month! Simply outrageous - Management cites that they get these lease numbers by the way the market is, but cannot give you specifically, how they are getting their numbers, or what they are comparing it to. Used to only let cats in the community, but have let dogs onto the property too (I love animals, and don't mind that they allow pets), but the grounds have now become soiled with dog poop, that you are literally dodging them when you walk from your apartment to the mailbox. I will not let my kids play in the courtyard anymore because there is dog poop everywhere. It's unbelievable to me that this community can charge so much, but not offer the quality tenants should expect from paying crazy rental prices. Sure it's convenient with the BART next door and easy access to the freeway, but paying $1,900 - $2,500 for a 2-bedroom apartment, with uncaring management staff, dog pooped grounds, and parking nightmares, I would advise anyone to think twice before making Archstone your next home. There are two heated pools and a workout room, but I can't tell you how many times equipment have failed or are simply not working, and the room is not air conditioned, so in the summer it's a beast to be in there. The parking is a huge challenge. Spaces are not sized consistently throughout the community. Some small, some large, some really small. Our space is really small. You can forget about inviting guest over because guest parking spaces are scarce. We've had to literally climb out the back of our mini van to get out because doors could not open wide enough when cars are parked next to you. We took photographs to management and asked that they move us to a different space. Even was willing to walk further from car to apartment if needed be, they were unwilling to assist. We even offered to pay extra for a bigger space (not even a covered one) and management wouldn't work with us, so now our cars are dinged frequently because of the tight quarters. Rent is due on the 1st of each month no exceptions, and regardless if the 1st falls on the weekend or holiday. No grace period tolerated - if you are one day late, you pay a late fee and need to bring your entire payment in via a money order or cashier's check. Management hours used to be convenient for residents 9-7, now it's 10-6, which makes picking up parcels hard if you work until 5 and commute home. And if you don't pick up your parcels within 3 days, they send it back to the sender. Who needs all this drama' If you are thinking about moving in here, please reconsider - trust us! Qlkxv6lfLuuXn3BrtpO7

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/27/2007
HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They raise tenants rents by about 200 bucks after you have been a good tenant, paying your rent on time for a year. Don't get me wrong, raising the rent is their right. However, they then take your $1250 apartment and want you to pay $1450 after being a good tenant for a year. And yet Archstone offers apartments--virtually the same apartment(check Craig's List) to new tenants for $1250 or less. It just doesn't make sense to me. A lot of people are moving after a year due to the rent increase. They are bringing new tenants in only to pay the same amount you were paying for a year--instead of just letting current tenants pay the 1250 and stay at their apartment without the rent increase. My point is, if you are going to increase rent, then be consistent and increase it across the board. I swear I hate these people!!

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