Feels like Home!
From:
-Anonymous-
Date posted:
3/25/2002
Years at this apartment:
1997
-
2002
I moved here with the intent to stay just a year or two and start looking for a condo. It's now been nearly 5 years! This place felt like home the minute I stepped onto the grounds. I was greeted warmly and welcomed by the office staff and they took great care to ensure everything was up to par when I got moved in. And that relationship didn't stop after I moved in.
The grounds are immaculate. This ain't no concrete jungle - rather there are 70 acres of grassy hills, ponds and walking trails on the property, a protected greenbelt down the street, and it's just a short walk or jog (1 mile) to Lake Washington and Juanita Bay Park. And downtown Kirkland is just a short drive away! It's a great combination of being near all the conveniences (grocery, drug store, freeway, dry cleaning), yet tucked away in a quiet spot.
There are 3 pools (1 indoor for year round swimming and a hot tub!), a racquetball court, gym, exercise studio, tanning booths plus lockers and showers. Plus free aerobics classes! I tell you it saves a bundle not needing to join a health club. The exercise equipment was upgraded recently and yes it gets a lot of use, but more often than not you can get on a treadmill or stair climber pretty quick, even during peak times. The aerobics instructors are certified and do periodic surveys of the tenant community to review and gauge if the types of classes and days/times are in synch with what people want.
In one of these reviews about The Park, I read a complaint about the noise from the fountains. I am rather close to one and I actually found it to be fabulous 'white noise' that helps me just drift off to sleep!
The maintenance service is always very cooperative and responsive. Even weekends! I had to page someone once early in the morning (outside of office hours) and they showed up within 10 minutes.
One covered parking spot is included with rent. There is adequate additional uncovered parking for guests which you do not see too much of anymore. The mail and dumpsters are just a short walk from the unit as well.
Living alone in a ground unit was something I was a little unsure of doing, especially after living near downtown Seattle for so many years. But safety has never been an issue here. And there is no walkway in front of my windows, so it is relatively private for apartment living.
Well I have gone on and on about what I love about this place. Things not so great' Despite the immaculate, gorgeous green lawns and hills everywhere, there is no way to enjoy them in the warm weather for sunbathing, picnicking or just walking around barefoot. There are a ton of geese and ducks, and the droppings are just obnoxious. It's a real shame.
We started getting billed for water useage a few months ago. This seems to be the trend with apartments these days, so this is not a dig against the Park specifically. However it is ridiculous to be billed for water useage without having meters installed!! They gave us some BS about how useage is 'estimated' given the number of occupants per unit. Again, this is not a unique situation unfortunately.
The interior paint is, well, apartment grade, and while it touches up great it also shows EVERY little scratch and bump.
I will agree with the noise concern to a point, for it can be irritating to hear people running up and down stairs, stomping, slamming doors, etc. Welcome to apartment life! Really, it's not so bad. I hardly ever hear the people above me or next door.
Cell phone coverage stinks. We are definitely in a 'hole' here no matter who your provider is. I can get a signal MAYBE if I go walk over by the dumpsters. But that's no fun in the cold of winter.
Cable: If you sign up for the service The Park uses, you will find the channel listings do not match up with any of the TV listings. Keep the cheat sheet the installers leave for you :-)
The main offices have an area with a living room and dining room which you can reserve for parties or other events. However it is not a detatched private area, so you will still be in sight and earshot of the office staff and everyone walking back and forth to the gym and pool.
I hope this gives you a fair overall look at life at The Park. Believe me, the pros FAR outshine any cons, so come check it out!
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