On the outside everything looks great. Once you're on the inside, however, you find out it's all F'd up. In a nutshell, Altamont Summit sucks. I had a terrible experience living there. We can start with the inadequate parking. As a renter at this "luxury" apartment complex, you are provided with one assigned parking spot - regardless if you're renting a one or two-bedroom apartment. This means that if two adults are residing in a unit (which is likely), one person must park in a "guest" spot. Thus, the "guest" parking ends up completely full with RESIDENTS. Where then are your GUESTS supposed to park' When you pay $800 /month to live somewhere, parking should not be an issue. Nor should you have to pay an additional $80 /month to rent a garage, just to guarantee a second parking space. We're talking about SE Portland here - not downtown or NW. Theft was a problem; my bike was stolen the first weekend we moved in, and my boyfriend had work-related items (items with no monetary/pawn value) stolen from the bed of his truck. Do not be fooled into thinking it's a safe complex just because they employ a rent-a-cop to roam the grounds in the evening (no offense intended to that guy). Accessibility to the advertised "amenities" was a problem; the first few months we lived there the spa was on the fritz more often than not. Other problems: broken garbage disposal, broken fireplace (it wouldn't stay lit), lacking hot water (the water heater is small for a two-bath apartment), and smoke detectors that went off every time we cooked above 400 in the oven. I haven't even mentioned yet the unprofessional and unaccomodating apartment manager, who apparently is unable to distinguish the difference between a complaint and a request to get what you pay for.

User Responses
From: marbil04	Date: 08/18/2006
Yes, I agree. I lived there for one year and it was awful! The first week my fiance lived with me he has his truck broken into. The thieves broke the side window, tore the dash up getting a $350. stereo/CD player out and stold some old tools belonging to his deceased father. He was heart sick. When we told the building management all they had to say was "sorry, at least five other cars were broken into laet night." So much for living in a secure area! The office staff, for the most part are air heads who will lie to you and tell you anything to get you out of the office. I amso very glad to be out of there. Hope your lease is up soon.
From: PepsiJazz	Date: 08/31/2006
Well my lease is up and I can't get out of here fast enough. You're right about the manager...she has her head so far up her own ass that she can't distinguish her colon from a leaky faucet. Everyone is friendly and accomodating until you sign the lease. Then forget about it. Also, when they get your notice that you're moving, they don't try to entice you to stay they just say "let us know if we can do anything to change your mind"...riiiiiiiight. I once heard them say that they don't offer "Incentives" because "we don't need to". That might be accurate but I see at least 1-2 moving vans packing up every week. That says a lot. $800 a month should guarantee better living conditions and for SURE a more respectful office staff. They act like we work for them when in reality, they work for us, we pay their salaries. And, they barely make more than minimum wage. If you get right down to it, since they earn a mere fraction of my income, it shouldn't be ME (and fellow residents) that's treated like a peasant.
From: trumpetbelly	Date: 12/16/2006
Um, about the fireplace...mine wasn't even vented to the outside. Is that Legal? I know they're natural gas, but ANYTHING burning still gives off fumes. I agree...there's better than Altamont out there for comparable price.
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/12/2008
I have lived here for two years and I have never had any problems. If you people are so concearned about parking, go live in a walmart parking lot! This community is quiet, well kept and maintenance staff are wonderful! The owners of the company are awesome! Work orders are always done on time, the girls in the office are so professional and considerate - I think if you don't like this community, there's something wrong with YOU not the apartments. thanks.
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/24/2009
I had my car vandalized by a neighbor that was staking claim on a specific guest spot. I reported it to the management, and filed a police report. In actuality, it amounted to my word against theirs. But, the management went after them under other violations and evicted them within a couple months. The management did a fantastic job. Consider she has to follow guidelines and weigh a lot of information.
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/29/2009
First of all, if you want true luxury move to Calabassas/Beverly Hills. Second, if you make "so much money" why are you living in an apartment in SE Portland? Everywhere you turn there's people who are never satisfied with anything and groan and moan then post nasty reviews out of bitterness. And you have those that are satisfied with what they have because we live in America. If you hate where you live go seehow you like a third world country where you have no running water, bugs, no "luxury fireplaces and new carpet" try sleeping on pure dirt then bathe in sewer water. We have it soo good as American citizens. ! Be thankful because there are people who are far worse off and would love to complain about bad parking and noisy neighbors. It's a lot better than drive by's and skin infections due to unclean water .

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