I lived at The Marc for ~3 years, almost since the beginning. My first major complaint is about the…read morecurrent property management, second complaint is a systemic problem with the overall quality and architecture of the building itself. First, to give credit: The Marc feels modern and everything is new because it was built recently. The view from the 3rd floor shared patio is nice. The maintenance guy Gustavo was always very nice and did a good job. The toilet paper holders are elegant and practical. Complaint 1) I recently moved out, and the current property manager, Arturo Barragan Jr., had told me that if we wanted them to clean the apartment then they would charge $250. I agreed to this, but then our final bill arrived and showed we were charged $320 instead. It wasn't even for additional wear and tear or anything, they just straight up charged a higher amount for "General Cleaning". I figured this might have been forgetfulness by Arturo, but when I contacted them via email he said something very brusque like "yea needed to clean the floors too", which doesn't make any sense since that's obviously part of any general cleaning. I still honestly guessed this was professional negligence (maybe he didn't want to upset his superiors for messing up?), but then I noticed this other review here on Google stating exactly the same problem - he charged someone else $320 after promising $250! What?? Definitely sounds sketchy. Complaint 2) This one is less personal, but probably more relevant to readers. This entire building was clearly built by the cheapest suppliers and architect the original owner could find. Below is an incomplete list of my reasons: - Most dishwashers are mediocre at cleaning, but the one's at The Marc are remarkably bad. Doesn't remove even the simplest soiling, leaves lots of residue. - The dryer destroys clothes more easily than your average dryer, even though it's brand new. - The microwave beeps three long excruciating beeps when it's done, even if you open the door before it's finished. It repeats this long beeping process forever. Literally forever, like until the end of time. Quite annoying. - The bathroom fans basically do not work. You can't turn them on or off. This is deliberate, apparently. They are "moisture sensing" and will not allow you to turn them on otherwise, which means you cannot use the fan to help with smell. The moisture sensing also doesn't work accurately, so it never turns on or off at the right time. - One side of the building straight up doesn't allow entry. They decided not to add a key fob device to enter there, you can only exit. This means you have to walk all the way around whenever you're walking home from the south side. - The middle stairway straight up doesn't connect to the inside of the building. To walk downstairs to the pool or gym area, you have to walk down the stairs, exit the secure area into the public parking lot, then use your key fob again to enter the secure downstairs area just to use amenities "inside your building". - The window blinds in the living room and bedroom are excruciatingly loud (your partner cannot remain sleeping even in a totally different room while you use them), and they let in lots of light even when shut entirely. - The tankless water heater has two huge problems. 1) It takes a solid 3-5 minutes before you get hot enough water to shower, and 2) it's just barely warm enough to shower, definitely not hot enough to wash dishes well, way cooler than the "130 degrees" it was supposed to be generating. - Thermostat does not have a C wire so you can't replace it with most smart thermostats, and their default thermostat only allows cool or heat mode but can't maintain dynamic temperature. - The fire alarms are hyper sensitive. They go off all the time for both us and for neighbors when cooking normal things. - Toilet is barely functional. Normal sized poops with normal toilet paper clog it. Also frequently requires flushing 5 to 10 times. - The heating/cooling system blows a lot of dust into the apartment.

I give 4 stars to this apartment complex because I see they trying to do their best! I know it's…read morenot enough storage space inside of apartment, construction sounds from building Target next door... But as well I think we have a good neighbors, everyone is quite and no loud parties at nights.. We enjoy playing games in game courtyard, and we love to do bbq in garden area as well.

UPDATE May 2018 Pool and hot tub remodel is finally finished…read moreand everything in good working order. Fantastic new pool deck furniture, an outdoor shower, larger bathroom, and a second entry gate were added. ******** UPDATE August 2015 All laundry rooms were recently remodeled and updated with brand new washers and dryers. They are now operated by simply using your credit card in the machine. Prices have gone up slightly to $2.50 per wash and .75 per dry. ******** We really like it at La Colina Gardens. We rent a 3 bedroom end unit with an enclosed back patio area, and have been here 9 months. We have made several requests for minor maintenance with a repair time of less than a day in most cases. The grounds are well kept and the maintenance staff are really friendly. Management has been nothing but nice. They are always available and accessible, and quick to respond to any needs or concerns you may have. They keep a regular maintenance schedule on everything from replanting old landscape and pool cleaning, to changing out appliances and carpets. The complex is very pet friendly and allows a variety of sizes. Dog waste bag stations are strategically placed around the grounds. The complex is also fenced off from the creek bed along the back property which helps to deter unwanted wildlife and coyote attacks. Foothill Vet Hospital is also located across the street on Cieneguitas Rd. There are a lot of families with kids here. It's conveniently located just down the hill from La Colina Jr.High, which can be accessed via a short walking path from the far back corner of the property. There is no playground, but the kids have plenty of green space to play and the swimming pool is popular. The swimming pool is salt water and heated with solar roof tubing. The pool furniture is in good condition, with plenty of loungers, small tables, and decorative planters. Each unit has its own unique front door appeal, with a variety of landscape plants, trees, and flowers; along with a variety of back yard/patio options, which I find adds some character and a little room to personalize. There are 5 separate laundry rooms on site with machines operated by pre-loaded cards. The washing machines are $2 a wash, and .50 for dry. The dryers are fantastic and dry everything the first time. The 3 bedroom unit comes with 2 parking spots in a covered carport area. I think the smaller units may only come with one, but you can request/rent another, or a separate accessible parking spot. Each designated carport unit has a lockable wall cabinet for extra storage. There are guest parking spots throughout the complex, and nearby street parking on Foothill and Cieneguitas. The complex is on or near several city bus routes, and bicycle routes, and easily accesses Hwy.154, upper State St., and the 101. It's really a great location! One of my favorite discoveries is living so close to the San Marcos Foothill Preserve. It can be reached within minutes either driving or walking, and is a lovely place to hike, trail run, walk the dogs, and catch a nice view of the ocean. The closest grocery stores are Smart & Final, Vons, and Whole Foods which are about mile away, with Gelson's and Trader Joe's nearby. The rent is a little higher than what we would have liked to pay, but if you are looking for a place that doesn't suck for the money, is pet friendly, and not too far from everything, this is a good one.

On the outside this development might seem like a nice place to live and the grounds were quite…read morebeautiful. However, looks can be deceiving. On the inside these units are poorly maintained. We were embarrassed to invite guests over. Those that did come over would say that we lived in a real dump. A friend of mine worked extensively in the home health field and has seen many section 8 apartments nicer than this. One of the worst issues we dealt with here was the carpet. It was in absolutely decrepit condition with holes, mold and dust mites. It was making my family extremely sick with chronic sinus congestion and other health issues. Management refused to replace it for us. Then there was the situation with the toilets.... Many of the neighbors complained of a terrible smell originating from the old toilets in the units. We found out that the urine was crystalizing with the hard water to create this terrible smell. The management claimed was that there was nothing wrong with the toilets so they refused to replace them. The development was experiencing some major plumbing issues because our toilets kept on clogging and overflowing despite the fact that we would use the cheapest thinnest toilet paper from Costco so I kept on having to clean up sewage water from our bathroom floors. They have virtually eliminated all of the guest parking spots so good luck when you invite guests over. The complex was not very safe. My car was broken into and the pool was vandalized. I recently toured the new Marc apartments on State Street they are brand new and much nicer!!!

Pablo (maintenance guy) is the best! The building is old and has some plumbing issues but anytime…read morethere is a problem he is responsive and gets it fixed right away. I just had a plumbing issue with my shower at 6pm on a Sunday evening and Pablo had a plumber here within 30 min and the issue was solved within 2 hours.

Made an 8 month pit stop here while my husband and I looked for a home to buy in the area. We chose…read morethis complex because they accept pets - a HUGE benefit for SB. There's also off-street parking. Pablo who manages maintenance at the complex is super kind and helpful. The grounds are well kept. The street/area is pretty dense and busy, but I felt safe in our complex. Would def recommend for those with pets!

The Ultimate Off Grid Travel Trailer…read more If you're looking for the ultimate off grid travel trailer, don't even look elsewhere... why? Read on! It's always been a dream of mine to drive around the country visiting the National Parks and remote locations with my dog. My father and I used to hike to remote locations where no else was around for miles, so my #1 requirement was a trailer I could take off the beaten path and survive as long as possible without needing to go back into civilization. I knew I didn't want to be in campgrounds, parking lots or KOA's. Sometime in 2018 I started searching the web for "off grid travel trailers" and I remember Living Vehicle popping up in my search results. This looked like the ultimate dream trailer, but I made myself click away when I saw configurations pricing out as much as a real home. I looked at Earth Roamer - they looked cool, but didn't have the tank capacities or maneuverability, and many said they spent more time being repaired than being used. Then I came across the Black Series HQ19, a compact off road travel trailer at a decent price. I took the plunge to see if I really would like this 'off grid' camping experience enough to invest further. After a few trips I was hooked. I was able to last a few days with short showers and a generator... but it soon became apparent I wanted to stay off grid longer than this fun trailer could last... it didn't have the tank or power capacities needed, and even though it was just me and Logan, it felt cramped and uncomfortable to 'live in' for a long period of time I found myself staring at the Living Vehicle website again, and decided to reach out to Matthew and Joanna to see about finally getting my dream. I don't have much patience for ordering and waiting, but as luck would have it, a pre-ordered vehicle was coming available. It's been the best purchase of my life. Everyone who steps inside is in awe. Every little detail has been thought out. The moment it was delivered I took it on a 6 week journey through the Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, into Canada through Banff, and then back. Not once during those 6 weeks did I feel cramped or uncomfortable. It's like living in a small apartment (some friends have commented it's more spacious than their New York apartment!). I had a dishwasher, washer and dryer, and a spa bathroom. Instead of feeling the need to get home, I actually felt the opposite, I didn't want to go home, I wanted to stay driving around with my Living Vehicle even longer. I opted for the "Mobile Office" configuration because I wanted to be able to work off grid and feel like I had my full office with me. I have two monitors, speakers, and Starlink with internet as fast as home. I can work in the morning, hike in the afternoon, and chill with Logan on the bed at night watching movies in the home theater. Since a kid I've been fascinated with campers, trailers, and RV's, always wanting one... I've had the opportunity to consider and look at RV's and motorhomes, trailers - you name it. I'm convinced the Living Vehicle is the perfect balance of size, portability, and versatility. With a motor home you're stuck in one big huge vehicle you can't take a lot of places. I can pull my Living Vehicle almost anywhere, detach, and run an errand if I need to in the truck I'm happy to report that the very few times I've needed assistance with something (there is always going to be a part that breaks or comes loose in pulling a trailer miles around the country), the team at Living Vehicle has answered every call on the first ring and even sent parts overnight with no questions asked. Their service department is second to none with feature requests and repairs. In my year owning the Living Vehicle we've come to feel like we're part of a family. I can even see myself retiring in the future, selling my home, and living full time travelling around the country in my Living Vehicle - really LIVING in a VEHICLE. I can't recommend it enough!

We purchased a Living Vehicle HD24 PRO in 2023 after extensive discussions and reliance on an…read moreestimated delivery timeline provided at the time of contract. While the design concept is compelling, our experience was marked by prolonged delays, incomplete delivery, and communication issues that prospective buyers should be aware of. Despite making all required payments on time, delivery extended well beyond the original estimate. We later learned--only after contacting third-party manufacturers ourselves--that some of the delays were caused by internal payment and coordination issues that were not disclosed to us during the process. The unit was ultimately delivered incomplete, requiring substantial third-party work at our own expense to finish essential systems. Additional delays occurred even after Living Vehicle agreed to assist with resale. We are currently pursuing resolution through the contract's mediation and arbitration process. We are sharing this experience so other consumers can make informed decisions, ask detailed questions up front, and plan carefully for timelines and completion responsibilities. We recommend that prospective buyers document all representations in writing, clarify how subcontractors are paid, and budget for delays beyond initial estimates.

I've been a tenant with 101 Property Mgmt for several years now, and I've had nothing but positive…read moreexperiences. Their customer service is top-notch--they're always responsive, professional, and genuinely helpful whenever I have questions or need assistance. Maintenance requests are handled promptly, and the staff always treats residents with respect and kindness. What I appreciate most is that they make living here a positive experience. They care about their tenants and work hard to keep the property well-managed and comfortable. It's one of the reasons I've chosen to stay for so long. I would definitely recommend 101 Property Mgmt to anyone looking for a property management company that values its residents.

Absolutely a joke company , all they do us collect rent…read more They never check or upkeep their properties. They also never fix reported issues. Stay away unless you are a slumlord, then you are suited well.

Been living here for 6 months now and my family and I love it. My neighbors are nice. The staff is…read morefriendly. And the price is right. Love that we have a spacious back patio and a nice roomy front porch big enough for a couple chairs--perfectly shaded by some big magnolia trees. Perfect in summer! Each apartment comes with a covered carport with storage! The storage is HUGE. Have a few dozen boxes, fans, seasonal items with room to spare. If you're looking for a place that is centrally located next to shopping and easy access to the 101, Hope Gardens is the place to be! Highly recommend.

I have always had my eye on hope garden apartments due to its beautiful grassy areas and the…read moreconvenience of shopping centers being near by. The location couldn't get any better. Mary Ellen and her assistant have been beyond helpful with the moving process and my husband and I are looking forward to living here. So far we are extremely happy with the renovation. The apartment is very spacious and we completely feel at home. Well see how the rest of the year goes. but so far so good these past few days. :)

I've lived here for 2 yrs. The administrators, Oscar and…read moreArmando are exceptional at what they do. They are always ready, willing and able to help in any way necessary regarding my apartment . They do their best in helping the residents, and making this complex the best it can be. I appreciate their hard work and kindness.... Also, Travis is new to our property, and he is definitely an asset! He always has a smile and he is ready to lend a helping hand!

Just a comment on the maintenance staff. Armando is on it. Immediate response and fixes the…read moreproblem. He really seems to care about getting it right.

I just recently moved and Melissa truly made this experience stress free! I am so thankful she…read morewalked us through the entire process! Always answered when I needed her help or had a question. She is a good onsite manage.

Moved into my new unit here recently. Very happy with the process and how attentive the property…read moremanager was during this stressful transition. 10/10 recommend. -Tommy Heard

lots of water shut off and loud gardening in the morning. Also very hard to get into contact with…read moremaintenance.

The entire place is old, dingy and apartments are overpriced for what you get. The managers are…read morerude and don't respond. You would think a flood in the kitchen from the really, really old dishwasher would be cause for concern but no! No surprise when I didn't get all of my security deposit back. It's how the Landlord makes extra money. He knows most people won't follow through with going to court especially if they attended UCSB or SBCC from another country. I left the apartment in better condition than when I moved in. The refrigerator was old and loud, dishwasher constantly leaked, carpet and window coverings are the cheapest one can buy. Believe it or not...popcorn ceilings that get painted over and over again then chunks of paint fall to the floor. I moved to a much nicer apartment that has been totally renovated for the same amount of money.