I'm on a second floor 2b/2ba.
Security - They have an alarm system in unit and cops that like to camp by the stop signs leading into the neighborhood.
Parking - If you have two cars, make sure you get a parking spot before 7:30pm otherwise you're
parking half a block down the street. Make sure you can park a car in your garage because they check it regularly. During holidays you can kiss your 2nd spot good bye if you leave it during the day.
Upkeep - Trash and dog crap everywhere.
Staff - Leasing agents are like used car salesmen. It's all glits and glam until you sign your lease then they won't give you the time of day.
Maint - My microwave has never worked properly and they refuse to fix it. The door in front of my washer/dryer has fallen off three times.
Unit condition - For ~1900/month you'd think they're wouldn't be cracks everywhere in the building. Ants are EVERYWHERE. I swear the cheap paint they have here gets marks on it if you look at it funny.
Noise level - Hope you like noise! The neighbors make lots of noise, and we hear it all especially the love making noises. God help you if you have a unit with kids above/adjacent to you. Street noise and people talking on their balconies are definitely issues.
Overall - If it's not necessary to live half a mile from a hospital, don't live here. You'd be overpaying for second-rate workmanship. Just because it's 'Irvine' doesn't mean it's good.
I rented from fall '06 through winter '08.
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