I moved into Avignon after the first phase of the project had completed. I moved here because the kitchens are massive and each bedroom had its own bathroom, making it ideal for roommates (especially since the rent here is very high - you need roommates!). There is, however, 1.5 Megabit SDSL service here, offered through Pacific Crest Communications. We really like our connectivity, but we have a lot of severe dislikes about this place:

The construction is TERRIBLE.

The walls have odd-looking bulges in them, the steps on the stairs easily break, the banisters on the stairs easily pull out of the drywall (they aren?t anchored to studs), the linoleum in the kitchen peels up and the unit?s walls are thin. The parking is the worst I?ve seen anywhere - you essentially get 1.5 spots per unit (yes, 1.5, not two), unless you pay $2100 for a unit that has a 2-car garage. The kitchen, however, is awesome and was the primary reason we took this unit - Another very nice feature when sharing the rent roomates. The management here is sometimes overly aggressive and often doesn?t exercise basic common sense when dealing with their tennants. When they want to enter your apartment for some reason, they often times don?t give anymore than a day?s worth of notice. Recently, they decided that they would pressure wash everyone?s deck. The notice they provided 2 days before they actually started the work stated that if you didn?t take everything off of your deck, they "could not and would not be held responsible for any damage to your property." They also change leasing agents weekly, and just since I?ve been here, they?ve had 3 property managers. Every time I renew my lease, they renew it for current Market Value minus $5.00 (big savings), and then try and justify the increase by showing you statistics on "what the market value is and what the market will bear." The renewal letter tells you that "since you are a valued customer, we?ll offer you a special rate of $2040/mo. The market value for your unit is $2045/mo." I?m THAT valued, huh' Anyway, the location is pretty nice, but they know that and they definitely make you pay for it.

The pool and sauna were once nice before they became overrun with adolescents, and it only took the management 1 1/2 years to fix the pump jet in the sauna.

The walls in these units are thin. One of my roommates routinely awakens to the sound of our neighbors next door and we always know when our neighbors come home because their garage-door opener resonates throughout our entire three-story unit - loud enough to wake us up! If you don?t have an end unit here, you?re just asking for trouble. The $20/mo. AT&T cable is mediocre at best and several units don?t offer southern exposure for satellite service. The Management also has a tight policy in the lease about using satellite dishes and where they can be located -- Make sure you ask about this BEFORE you sign your lease!

While Avignon?s location is very nice (next to the Burke-Gillman trail, easy access to 520 and 405), the kitchen is awesome and the connectivity is great, there?s so many other irritating things that detract from Avignon that I honestly can?t recommend it to anyone - especially since the units are so poorly constructed, and yet Trammel-Crow still seems to think that these LEMONS are worth $1900 PLUS each. If I bought a house built like this, I?d sue the manufacturer. You can definately do better elsewhere.

FACT: This so-called "Gated Community" has had an operational main gate since it opened for a total of LESS THAN 3 months (in 2 years). The other two gates on the complex seem to work OK, but break frequently. Ask a leasing rep if the main gate?s currently working, and how long it?s actually been functioning. Then ask them how many times it?s been broken and how many times they?ve asked ALL Avignon residents to bring in their gate remote controls so they can "Re-program" them. Also ask them if that remote control operates the other 2 gates on the complex, and when they say "No, it doesn?t" ask them why and what you're supposed to do when the gate breaks at 8pm and you need to get in after the management?s gone home. Finally, ask them about their parking situation, then drive out here in the evening and SEE IT FOR YOURSELF. Don?t believe these reviews if you don?t want to - check it out, and the facts will prove themselves.

Renter Beware - Look elsewhere first.

You?ll save yourself a lot of stress and irritation looking for a parking space when you come home from work.

I honestly can NOT recommend Avignon to ANYONE!

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