(See updates at end)

(Originally written in early 2007) I absolutely love living here. The townhomes are spacious and designed so that the stairs to each home are between the homes, so you don't hear your neighbors unless they're running up a flight of stairs. The complex is well cared for, attractive, and if you're in the back, you don't hear the sounds from Delridge. You can walk to the bus which is right outside the complex, and you get to cross the Longfellow creek, listen to the birds, it's really nice for a rental place. We've been very happy here and planned on staying for awhile (unlike the last few places we've fled from).

However, we just got notice this week that our management company changed. It had been a privately owner, and now is Allied Group, a large company that manages different properties in the northwest. Together with this notice was a gazillion new rules and regulations to follow. I've noticed that the maintenance guys - who every morning when I left for work would greet you as they went through the complex picking up garbage and checking for repairs needed - are no longer there. We used to get free cable, but that stopped with the new owners. We also used to get an extra carport spot for free, and now they charge. I have a feeling with the new management will come a lot of changes and not necessarily for the better; it was a change in management that drove us out of our last place. Maybe it'll continue to be great - and I hope so - but be cautious if you're moving in there right now because it's too early to tell what will happen. It meant a lot that the previous manager actually lives here and cares about the place; who knows what will happen now that she's no longer managing.

Also, there has been rumor that the new managers want to turn the place condo. Some sleuthing at the Department of Planning shows that a permit has been applied for to investigate conversion. They have not told anyone this and continue renting. A lot of people will be in for a big surprise if conversion goes through.

If you asked me today if I recommend the place based on my living experience, I'd say wholeheartedly yes. However, it's uncertain what type place you'll actually be moving into due to changes that may occur, or if you'll be asked to leave if they go condo (if you can't afford to buy).

Update 3/6/07: It IS going condo. We'll be getting more info and offers soon. If you live here, go talk to the office if you want more info.

Update 4/1/07: We got our offers, and they are out of their minds. $250k - $300k for these units, and they are doing minimal work. They are structurally unsound. I couldn't imagine anyone actually buying them. Also, only part of the complex is going condo. The part north of Kenyon (no townhouses) is staying rentals for the foreseeable future. We got our offers last week for our apartments, and I'm already seeing tons of moving trucks. Although I love it here and highly recommend it, I'd probably stay away for now, only because it'll be filled with people moving out, construction, and the uncertainty if your apartment will convert or not.

Update 4/26/07: Everyone in the part that isn't going condo just got notices that their rent is going up $100 month (in most cases that's more than 10% increase) if they sign a lease, and $150 a month if they don't. The new management (Allied) is dreadful. They lie to us, continually harrass us with inspections of the units, and don't fix anything. They act all nice to your face and then stab you in the back. They also changed pet restrictions where you can't have an outdoor cat and have size restrictions on dogs. I originally said I'd recommend living here, but I just changed my rating to no. Do not move here. Besides, even if you move into the part that isn't going condo, I bet it will later anyway and you'll be out on your butt soon enough. I'm looking for a new aparmtent now - I'm not signing a lease here.

User Responses
From: Seattle714	Date: 03/05/2007
I am also nervous concerning the changes that are occurring here at WRP Apts. My post (8-18-06) was before ALL these new rules. Since August 18th, my rent went up $100 . This was my 2nd raise in rent within 8 months. It was also mentioned that we lost our free basic cable. One thing that worried me about this new management group was that on 3-4-07 WE had received a 48 hour notice to enter our apartments, but it was written that entry would occur 3-5-07, but it was dated 3-2-07! This seems shady and without regard for the tenants. A company that can't follow their own 48 hour notice rule probably won't have any problem breaking other rules that are in place to safeguard the tenants. One thing I mentioned in my 8-16 review was my concern regarding the extreme lack of extra parking. Now I learn that they're trying to charge people extra for the carports that were part of these tenants lease. Speaking of leases... They have not allowed renewal. Everyone is on a month-to-month now! So, as my neighbor mentions above, it's too bad that the secure feeling of living here for a while cannot be retained due to all the changes. I was content here. So were alot of others. It has a community feel that most people renting in the area never get to experience when living this close to the city. I've grown friendly with my neighbors. I've seen their children grow up. It's been a great experience here! Retention is not a problem for the leasing office. If this place goes "Condo", it will be sad to see everyone start disappearing. Unfortunately, I'll be one of them. I could never afford to BUY anywhere near Seattle. Troubled complexes deserve to be overhauled, not this place. This place was built in 1989-90. The units are a reflection of the people who live here. Everyone takes care of their surroundings. No cars are broken into. No gangs. No drugs. No conflicts. The new management should take notice of these things and invest their money into "cleaning up" a place that can one day be as nice as this. Instead, if it goes to condos, they will only be "cleaning OUT" this fine community. Wish us luck. I think we'll need it!
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/22/2007
Im confused, I called the office this week (3/19/07) to sign a new lease and I was told no because they are going to raise the rents and have a meeting on the 28th about the condo thing and if I'll buy my unit. I also have asked SEVERAL times for a work order and cant get a response and don't know if they are going to fix anything. I also see one of the new employees smoking by their unit and just throwing the ciggarette waste on the ground something that never happened before, and whats with the broken sign and dangerous stake sticking out of the ground by the office, don't they notice it just broken and laying there? I think they want us to go so they can start converting. As for the supposed notice to enter, I never got one nor did my neighbors but people came in anyway, scary! I will say the one girl in the office is nice, I don't blame her., I just get they feeling they really want us to leave now, or buy , how sad.
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/01/2007
Seattle714, I'm the original poster of this review. I also noticed the "48 hour" notice that claims it was left the night of 3/2. Not only was it not left that night, but I came home at 11:30pm on 3/3 and it wasn't there. So either they did it in the middle of the night or the morning of the 4th. At best, we had 24 hours notice. Seemed shady to me too. Good luck!
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/02/2007
I too have been living here for the last year and a half and AM NOT impressed with the change in mgmt. I understand the property now has a new owner and it is their right to convert the units into condos, I don't feel jipped in that respect. HOWEVER, it would be nice if they could uphold the same level of community that the previous mgmt had. The townhouse that I rent will be converted and we would have considered waiting a bit to move (we have not received the required 90 day notice yet) but are moving to a new location where we hope to feel less like a thorn in mgmt's side.
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/29/2007
Stay away, Darlings. It's all gone. All of the sweet community will be gone by July. Don't rent, especially if you have kids. If you pray, pray that these greedy and merciless people may be led to see the error of their ways. But please don't rent.
From: Anonymous	Date: 05/04/2007
I would like to talk with someone who is moving out. I'm a Seattle Times reporter working on a story about Delridge and condo conversions. Today is 5/4, please call me as soon as you can at 464-2714. Bob
From: Anonymous	Date: 06/05/2007
Hey Bob - Same thing is happening over at the Graham St Apts which were previously owned by the same owner and now bought out by Allied. Ridiculous!?!

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates