4 years of good apartment value
From:
-Anonymous-
Date posted:
5/3/2007
Years at this apartment:
2003
-
2007
My wife, my daughter (now 5) and I have lived at Cascade Terrace for 4 years and we're moving out after saving enough money to buy a house (finally). We looked at many apartment options in Belltown and Queen Anne. For our money, Cascade Terrace offered the best value- location, space, apartment lay-out, amenities. During our four years, the rent increases have been pretty modest and reasonable, preserving the good value.
Overall, the good things about the complex include:
1. The office managers: Now are not as personable and responsive as Ruby and Shereen were, but definitely better than the managers back in 2003. They address issues and complaints appropriately.
2. The maintenance staff is outstanding. Other than the lingering scent of John's smoking, Eric and John have been nothing but great the entire time we've been here. Fast, efficient, effective. They have fixed all non-emergent problems within 1-2 days, most on the same day.
3. Location: The apartments are a reasonable walk to Seattle Center (about 15 minutes down the hill), and the bus stop for the 3/4 (which takes you straight to 3rd avenue downtown) is just up 2 flights of stairs and across the street. There is a pedestrian bridge down to the Dexter Ave/Westlake area, and the apartments are directly adjacent to the Queen Anne Greenbelt next to Hwy 99. There are several nice little parks within 4 easy blocks walking.
4. Views: From our apartment, we have views of the downtown skyline and the Space Needle, and our windows catch sun all day long. There is a rooftop deck from which there are views of Lake Union and the annual fireworks.
5. The price is still great for the space and amenities you get.
The definite problems that we've experienced include:
1. Parking: The "secure" garages are not secure (one of our cars was broken into and cars are regularly stolen from the garages). However, this is a problem through all of Queen Anne, and all of Seattle. It can be difficult to get assigned parking spaces and they may not be convenient to your apartment. However, the longer you're here, the better it gets. We started out with one carport spot, and within a year, we had both cars in the garages. I agree that the removal of the guest spaces and contractor use of the guest spaces was pretty inappropriate. I also agree that the parking enforcement agency is draconian in their enforcement of the rules- and if they're wrong, they're never "actually" wrong (if you know what I mean).
2. The apartments have been around a while and are showing their age. However, they are clean and functional. Also, they're remodeling the units to a more modern look at the current time.
3. Noise: There is a definite population of college-aged kids who regularly make lots of noise between 2 and 4 am when they get home from the bars. It's only a real problem during the warm months on weekends when you leave your windows open. The apartment-to-apartment noise is very reasonable. You hear high heel clicking and dishwasher/washers, but that's about it. There is also traffic noise from Hwy 99 (and maybe I5), floatplanes which take off from Lake Union, and jets in the landing pattern for SeaTac airport. Once again, with windows closed, it's not a problem, and it's not too bad with windows open.
I would recommend this complex to anyone who is looking for good value, space, and functional living in an in-city/near-downtown environment. Just watch out for the parking enforcement Nazi's, and if you desperately need your parking, get it in writing.
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