I went here Monday, April 1 2019 since their Yelp page had no pictures. FULL DISCLOUSRE: I have not…read morelived or stayed here. I only visited here today and interacted with the apartment manager.
The first thing I noticed was there was tons of handicapped parking, as well as lots of vacant regular parking. My last apartment complex in California had none whatsoever for 110 units, although each unit had one assigned space in a carport. Here there was some visitor parking, but the rest of the area was marked as parking for tenants only.
The next thing I noticed is that the entrance to the rental office in not on the main thoroughfare of East Long Street, but on Russell Way. When I found the office, there appeared to be a gender-neutral restroom across from it, I guess for the staff. There was also a playground behind it. The window was barred, which is kind of low class. I wonder if it is needed? I also saw one laundry room as I entered, though there are probably one or two more elsewhere.
This was a large complex of two-story buildings, with apartments of 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms. Maybe 75 units? The office is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday.
I learned from my visit with the manager, who was very nice and professional, this is also a low-income property, where each tenant gets a project-based Housing Choice Voucher from HUD (informally called "Section 8"). Under this arrangement, each tenant pays 30% of his or her adjusted income for rent and allowed utilities. The unit size you qualify for depends on your family size. Families of 1 or 2 qualify for 1-bedroom apartment; families of 3 or 4 qualify for a 2-bedroom apartment, and families of 5 or 6 qualify for a 3-bedroom apartment. There are some exceptions. If you hold a tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher, you may not use this at this complex and most likely have to relinquish it if you want to move in here.
There are currently vacancies. There seemed to be quite a few actually, judging from the lack of many cars here.
I also noticed each apartment had one built-in air conditioner in the wall, similar to what hotels have (not central air). These are located either in the living room or bedroom, depending on the size of the unit. You are not allowed to bring your own window air conditioner for safety reasons,but can bring a portable one (which are much more expensive and less efficient).
They also allow you to have only Charter/Spectrum as your cable and/or internet provider. A dish is not allowed, though this may be in violation of the Federal law according to Dish Network and DIRECTV, as you are allowed to install a dish in your apartment as long as you have a porch or balcony to install it on.
The manager told me the tenant is responsible for electricity and gas.
As I was leaving, I saw a sheriff's car come through the parking lot. I am not sure if he was on routine patrol or answering a call. I also saw some older, beat-up cars in this complex.
I am going to give this complex three stars. I like the attitude and helpfulness of the manager, and that there were vacancies, and also lots of parking. But I do not like the restricting and perhaps unlawful policies regarding cable/internet and air conditioners. I was not here long enough to judge the tenants.
