I consider myself a decent writer, but I cannot find the right words to express how dreadful, awful and terrible this place is. I had the displeasure of moving into Emerald Ridge in March 2002. From the first day there were problems. The sink often backs up and you can wait a day or more to get it fixed. The place is poorly constructed. The walls are paper thin and
you can literally make out the words while your neighbors speak at a normal tone. I lived underneath a couple who decided that running room to room all night was the right thing to do. They also decided that walking to the weight room was the too far for a work out and added a full gym in their living room. Their favorite time to work out was routinely 2am to 6am. Loud thuds could be heard all night long. I lost several full nights of sleep because of it. When I finally complained to management they told me it was "a large cat jumping off the window ledge." Despite how ridulous this sounded, I took it on face value. They noise stopped for a few days, then the neighbors came back with revenge. For months I listened all night as they repeatedly slammed the closet door over my bedroom. I do not exaggerate, they did this for literally hours. All varied sorts of noises came from the apartment at all hours of the night. I wrote letters to management, called repeatedly, wrote their corporate offices. Nothing was ever done. I was offered a new apartment on top floor. I thought this was a generous offer, but due to cancer and a recent heart attack I could not move, even if movers were paid for by the apartment. I asked that the upstairs neighbors be given an opportunity to move. That request was denied. I was given about three weeks to decide if I would move, then I had to stay.

I signed what a thought was a renewal of the lease for 12 months in March, 2003. Trust me, I would have moved out if I had the money for moving costs and deposits on a new place. I was also told the upstair neighbors were moving very soon. Believing this, I signed the lease. The upstairs neighbors didn't move out for another five months. The noise problem only got worse, especially a night after I complained to management.

As I stated I signed what I thought was a 12 month lease in March, 2003. I saved money for the year afterward because I literally hated this apartment. I am disabled and depend on $1400/mo in Social Security. Nevertheless, over the next year I saved almost $1800 and was able to move out in March, 2004 to an 1300 sq ft townhouse in Renton for only $25/mo more in rent. I told the apartment management I was moving out March 1, 2004...one year after I signed the 12 month lease. I was told my lease was 13 months and did not expire until April 1, 2004. I was livid. They pulled a fast one on me. I believed them when they told me I was signing a 12 month lease. I should have known better. At move out they charged me for 13 months rent on a 12 month lease.

The move out was a nightmare. A literal nightmare. They charged me $180 to better clean the water heater. They charged me $25 to carry out to the dumpster two EMPTY bags of charcoal I forgot on the balcony. They charged me $1400 to replace carpet for an 800 sq foot apartment. They charge me $195 to clean the bath tub. They charged me $180 to clean the kitchen (which I thorougly cleaned prior to move out). They charged me $165 to paint the apartment, even though then routinely paint EVERY apartment at move out.

I've written too long. I could spend another hour writing about the lack of parking and visitors have to park several blocks away on the street. How I was locked in the clubhouse at 6pm because a new office assistant thought she had to lock up the place at 6pm instead of the real time of 10pm. I had to break a window in the basement and crawl out. No apologies, offers of free rent. Nada. In fact the manager had the nerve to tell me I was lucky I didn't damage the window permanently or I WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED!! I could write about the entire year I was overcharged for water/sewer. Despite letters and conversations it took that long to rectify my bill. I could spend time writing about lots of things, but if you haven't gotten the point by now, I doubt you will. Every person I met moving out at Emerald Rigde was thrilled to be getting the hell out.

Stay away, far far away from Emerald Ridge.




Overall recommended: No

Years at this apartment: 2002 - 2004

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