This review is written from my perspective of the complex and ground-floor, one-bedroom apartment. Other units may vary.

Positives: I have no complaints with management; they are extremely pleasant, friendly, and responsive. The complex is walking distance to downtown Walnut Creek, and located in a relatively secluded area next to a park and a bike/fitness trail. A small, heated swimming pool is provided. Bicycle racks are provided underneath the stairwells leading to apartment grounds. Heat (gas) is presently free. Unfortunately, the "Jewel of the East Bay" (in reality an overpriced, overcrowded assortment of snobs) carries a huge premium.

Negatives: The quality of the apartments at Carmel House does not justify the price charged, which has climbed to nearly $1300/month for a one-bedroom lease (8-month minimum; month-month contract is an extra $150!). I speak as an experienced resident who has lived in Bay Area apartments the past 11 years. The units overall are very basic and confined in a layout similar to a motel. Size-wise, the one-bedroom flats are small (mine is only 526 ft^2). The living room has substantial limitations in how furniture can be arranged due to the locations of the heater and air conditioner. The kitchen barely has enough room for a single individual, but I suppose cooking defeats the purpose of living in Walnut Creek. The bathroom was designed to have a "retro" appearance, which may appeal to some, but I prefer practicality to a pedestal sink lacking a cupboard. No personal patio or balconies are provided, a serious negative in such a high-priced establishment, and neither are any extra facilities (e.g. clubhouse and/or fitness room) aside from the pool. Sound and thermal insulation is generally poor in most apartment complexes but essentially nonexistent in Carmel House. This is the first complex I've lived in where I not only can hear upstairs activity clearly, but also that in the unit adjacent to my bedroom. Several times I've been woken out of a sound sleep due to a neighboring domestic dispute, or a loud TV/stereo. During the winter/rain season I have to max the heater out (which inexplicably faces AWAY from the bedroom), so when I wake it might be 65 degrees in the bedroom depending on how cold it is outside (and the winter temperature often drops into the 20s overnight here). As aforementioned, I'm glad heat is free. Finally, parking facilities are lousy. The parking spaces are covered, but their compact size makes it nearly impossible to pull into the slot on the first attempt. The complex provides around 6 guest spots which are almost always occupied, and finding an available spot on the local street is a trick. If you own more than one vehicle, you might want to consider elsewhere.

Other facilities & required utilities: Washer and dryer facilities are provided in a dedicated room, and the cost was recently raised to $1.25 each. You now get 60 minutes of drying time whether or not you want it, instead of 48. I consequently boycotted the facilities out of principle and respect for the clothes I wear. Utilities tenants are required to pay are presently rated sewer/water/gas (circa $40 a month) and electricity.

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