Avoid this place -- premium rent, poor living conditions, and unfair management I lived in a so-called premium Apartment E and paid one of the highest rents in the complex, yet the living conditions were terrible. The unit was a heat trap with no fan or proper ventilation, even though other units in the complex do have fans. I often felt suffocated. Management was informed and took no action. The apartment is located near the parking area, and the unit was constantly full of dust no matter how often I cleaned. There was also frequent management and maintenance noise around Apartment E, making the "premium" label misleading. The toilet clogged almost every week, even with very light and normal use. This was a recurring issue that was never properly resolved. Before moving out, I wiped down all furniture surfaces, and the unit was left in good condition. Despite this, I was charged 5.5 hours of "general cleaning" for a studio apartment, which is completely unreasonable. Carpet cleaning was not even counted in that 5.5 hours. I formally requested a pre-move-out inspection, asked to be present, and requested 48-hour notice. None of this was honored. When I went to the office on a weekday before move-out, it was closed without notice, so I was never given a chance to address any concerns in advance. The cleaning was done about 10 days after I moved out, raising concerns that the hours charged reflect dust accumulation over time rather than my move-out condition. When I questioned this, management pushed responsibility onto the cleaning company instead of explaining or correcting the charge. After that, management stopped responding. Even returning the undisputed portion of my security deposit was delayed and required repeated follow-ups. High rent, poor living conditions, constant issues, and unfair deposit practices. Avoid this place and rent elsewhere. read more

This is the best deal to live nearby the UCSB campus. IV maybe noisy but Felipe, the land manager, makes an excellent job at keeping Sutdio Plaza the most quite place in Isla Vista. He is kind but firm, and impartial. Also, if anything in the apartment needs fixing, the Studio Plaza team gets it done very fast. I loved living there also because the natural environment around IV is great. read more

Studio Plaza is the best. Finding a good place in IV can be difficult but I've lived here for over a year and have nothing but great things to say! Felipe the property manager is very friendly and helpful. I feel very safe living here. It is a great community! read more

Overall very good. Management/ Maintenance team is professional. Onsite equipments are all good. The only problem I can think of is that the manager's families always take up the public tv/ living room. It became their space. Tenants feel reluctant and uncomfortable to go sit there and use the tv. read more

I was one month shy of living here for 3 years, and only moved due to new work location. I liked how quick management and the maintenance team responded to concerns and/or maintenance requests, they are always working on something to make the apartment complex look nice or more convenient for the tenants. Isla Vista is known to get a bit loud due to parties and college students (especially on weekends), but living farther from the main party streets and houses definitely made it so that it never became a real issue. I also liked that the complex was gated and there were assigned parking spots being designated for the people living there. read more

I lived here for 2 years and it was really great, thanks to Felipe (manager) and the maintenance staff. Felipe is patient, friendly, organized, and always there to answer your questions/concerns. Maintenance requests are processed quickly and things are usually fixed on the same day I submit a request. Overall, the studio apartments are clean, quiet, fully furnished, and has a bus stop in front of the gate. Rent is month to month which gives you flexibility. If these things are also important to you, then I would definitely recommend living here. From what I remember, the waitlist is long so apply asap. Thanks again Felipe! read more

Sometimes it's nice to reminisce. I can't really expand much more than what Kay N. and Mark D. wrote but I will write this: this complex is one of the hidden treasures of Isla Vista living. It's close enough to campus that you can bike at top speed to your midterm or final without dying from exhaustion. And since quiet study time in I.V. is such a rare commodity, this complex is golden. Lastly, if you're anything like me, having a room of one's own can make life a lot easier. Good times. read more

I've lived here for about 7 months now and everything is great. The manager is very nice. The staffs are lovely and quick and professional. The location is perfect, with a bus stop right in front of the gate, or a 2-minute walk to El Colegio road with more buses. I love that this is a quiet apartment complex and the manager certainly makes sure that all the tenants respect this. read more

I lived at studio for about 10 months. Felipe is very helpful and kind and his staff are also great. If you're looking for a quiet, spacious studio apartment at a reasonable price relative to the area, Studio is the best it gets. If you get an apartment here, consider yourself lucky. If you get an apartment garden-side like I did...wow, thank your lucky stars and more importantly, thank Felipe. I'm so grateful he helped me get a spot. Also, there are some reviews complaining about things like barbecue smoke...if this sort of thing bothers you, please don't live in Isla Vista. Studio is a breath of fresh air compared to the slumlike conditions in most apartments. read more

I lived here for two years and honestly can't recommend it enough. Studio Plaza is an oasis within Isla Vista, with studios that give much more bang for the buck than any other living situation around. The facilities are surprisingly good--I often used the gym, lounge area, and laundry--and are very well maintained. Service requests were always prompt and friendly, a reflection of the wonderful on-site manager Felipe. All that being said, if you're a party person this place is not for you. The complex is known for being quiet and the residents prefer it that way. This place is best for people who want to be within walking distance of campus but who want the space and quiet to think and get work done. read more

I really like the studio plaza. The environment is very good and quiet. The garden is beautiful. The manager is very nice and warmhearted. And the maintenance team always quickly solve the problem. read more

As a student at UCSB I lived at the Studio Plaza for about two years and absolutely loved it!!! Living in Isla Vista can often be an inconvenience with parties, loud neighbors, and difficulty finding parking... but ladies and gentlemen I have found the solution.... the Studio Plaza Apartments!!! The Studio Plaza Apartments, or as I like to call it, The Plaza, provides a SAFE, quiet and affordable living space for students, professionals and families alike. With laundry facilities, a fitness room and game room, a computer room with printers on site, The Plaza has everything that you could ever imagine and more. The management is incredibly friendly and responds to any questions or concerns at an unbelievably timely manner. Did I mention the month-to-month contracts??? Well, yup, you guessed it... The Plaza has those too (: 11/10 WOULD RECOMMEND LIVING AT THE PLAZA!!!!!! read more

I lived in this apartment complex in my Senior year at UCSB ('06). Mark D. pretty much hit the nail on the head. - privacy (fairly quiet.) - decent parking (gated. pay monthly.) - rent (reasonable.) - property management (friendly and helpful.) - swimming pool looked better than others I've seen (but I never personally swam in it.) - compact kitchen (fridge and esp. freezer are a bit small, but stove burners and oven are quite usable. cabinet/pantry space is so-so.) - walk-in closet is roomy enough. - interior furnishings (I'm always hesistant to use old upholstered chairs and used mattresses 'cause you never know what's been on them, but I guess it's okay if you vacuum and put coverings over them!) Also, I'm not sure I cared for the wall partition between the bedroom and the living room/desk area. I could've done without that b/c it would've opened up the whole space, but it's fine. The studio apartments -are- a bit old, but the management keeps everything pretty clean and functional. I felt safe and enjoyed my stay here. read more

Studio Plaza Apartments is a gem in IV. The property manager, Felipe, cares deeply about maintaining a quiet, peaceful environment where the tenants can thrive. read more

noisy all the time residents of the outer side are especially living out of rules you can hear and feel the high base music all the time No one cares as long as they pay the rent If you wanna rent here make sure you buy a high quality earplugs container read more

Since no one is saying anything for years, I'll add something. It's a great place. Safe and quiet community. Felipe really does a good job shutting IV scene out. Room is not big but enough for one people (maybe I got used to it?). Super fast maintenance. Friendly staff who's constantly trying to make the garden look nicer. The lease goes from month to month so it's nice. The waiting list is quite long so if you are applying, do so early! read more

I lived here for 2.5 years and its the most affordable studio you can find close to the university. Being a gated community is a huge plus in IV. The manager, Felipe really takes care of you and takes regular steps to ensure that the place is quiet and peaceful after hours; maintenance is always very timely and appropriate. If you are a grad student / postdoc / work at UCSB, this is one of the best places to live in IV. read more

Felipe is an exceptional Manager. Being in Studio Apartments was a peaceful totally pleasant experience. Maintenance guys were so kind, professional and efficient! Thanks Mario and Gabriel and so many others I don't remember their names. Tenants are not partying most of the time, they are actually studying or working. As they have a monthly lease, Felipe ensures that every resident respects the peaceful environment of studio plaza. Without a doubt this property is the best deal someone can find in ALL IV. The price, amenities and Felipe's great customer service make you feel like home. Everything works and as soon as something needs to be fixed their 24/7 maintenance crew is there to help. Felipe also lives in the property with his family. HE CARES. Studioplaza is his HOME and that's how his Team makes you feel. From the grounds to the smallest maintenance detail he is on top of everything. Also! What a nice Entertainment new room they have! and the cozy gym which they keep clean... So many great feelings. The only reason I left this place is because I moved to a bigger one, after that, I wish I could have a "Felipe" as the Manager of any future property I live in. If you want to be part of a Community, feel safe, and truly enjoy your time in IV, go and visit Studioplaza Apts. I assure you, it will be the best decision you make. Plus! The price is unbelievable for the privacy and services you get, BEST DEAL IN IV. read more

Very clean and nice apartment. Very relaxing and spacey rooms and atmosphere. There are several things you can do here; workout, play pool, watch movies at a theatre, and so on. Tenants are friendly and so is Felipe, the landlord! Highly recommend. 以前ここに住んでいたものです。とても綺麗な部屋で一人にしては贅沢なくらい広くて暮らしやすい部屋でした。ロビーには運動ができるジムや、ビリヤード、ミニシアターなど、友達を呼んでも楽しめるアパートでした。管理人もいい人であり、とてもお勧めできる物件です。 read more

My son lived in Studio Plaza and he was very comfortable there. There was always plenty of parking and the monthly parking fee is very reasonable. The grounds are kept nicely maintained and the complex is quiet and safe. The best part about the complex is the manager Felipe. He is very responsive, flexible, professional, and kind. He usually answers the phone right away or returns calls immediately. He keeps things running very smoothly! read more

I just want to know why always have two dogs in this apartment office. The manger didn't allow us to have dogs in the apartment. But he breaks the rule too. Can you explain why this manger still works for this apartment? By the way, I really like dogs, but I don't like the manger breaks the apartment rules and still requests others to follow the rules.( The manger is Selobe Gargia) read more

The best place to live in IV. Felipe and his staff are AMAZING!! It's a really nice gated community to live in with study rooms, laundry, movie room, and even a gym!!! By far the best housing experience I have been in. I only encountered a minor issue with the toilet while living here and it was fixed right way!! 100/10 recommend. read more

Let me start off by saying that i lived at the Studio Plaza Apartments since 2011 (other than moving out for 1 summer back in 2013 and moving away for 1 year in 2016. This is by far the best place to live in Isla Vista and that is largely because of Felipe and his staff. As previous reviewers have stated, Felipe does a great job keeping the Isla Vista party scene out of Studio Plaza. If you want to live in a quiet place where you can actually concentrate on your work or studying, this is the perfect place to live! Felipe is a great guy too! Very friendly and very knowledgable about the property management industry! He does a great job enforcing the rules of the property which keeps everything quiet and under control. Despite the limited amount of parking spots (just like all of IV), the parking lot is rarely completely full as Felipe and his staff are always making sure that people without permits aren't taking away the spots from paying tenants. The units and the complex are always kept clean. The units are fully furnished and are a great size for a single person! You have everything you need! This isn't like most rental properties where they will constantly raise the rent but make no improvements to the property. Although they do typically raise the rent every year, it is never by that much and it is always justified in my opinion. Just in the 8 years I have been at this property there have been drastic improvements to the complex with minimal rent increases. The whole lobby was transformed into a bigger lobby with a theater with theater style seating, a game room, multiple tvs to watch sports or whatever you want, a gym, and a study area. Gates were added to complex with an awesome front gate where you can buzz in guests using your phone. And many more improvements, and I'm sure there are more to come! The maintenance staff are all super friendly and are very good at getting things fixed very fast. Most of the time I entered a request they had it fixed that same day (thank you Studio Plaza maintenance staff!). Finding a fully furnished apartment in Isla Vista for this great of a deal including all utilities and off-street parking is not easy to do. The month to month rent also adds a ton of value to this place. Felipe is a great person and you can tell he genuinely cares about his tenants which is a rarity these days for other properties. I consider Felipe a friend and I appreciate all that he did for me while I was at Studio Plaza and you will too if you live here! Thank you Felipe! read more

I've had a couple of friends stay here, and this is the place if you're tired of having roommates and want your own pad. Parking is plentiful and secure (rare in IV, and you don't have to worry about replacing your side mirror), decent rent, studios are actually bigger than you expect, and they come furnished. Very nice pool area, good management, and relatively quiet. Only con is the tiny kitchen, and like most apartments in IV, it's beginning to show its age. read more

I'm so happy Studio Plaza was my home for almost two years. The location is far enough from the Saturday night rowdiness to not have to worry about it, but close enough that you can easily be apart of it. Felipe is the man: once my toilet was leaking water and her personally came to check it out at 10 PM. Maintenance was always very friendly and always responded to my requests within 24 hours, usually only 12. The rooms are a little small but easily livable for one person and was all I ever really needed. If you're looking to live alone in IV, Studio Plaza is fantastic. read more

Absolutely fantastic. Felipe, the manager, is wonderful. He will make sure everything is running accordingly. I lived here senior year of college and I could not have asked for a better studio. I had my own space, everyone is super friendly, no complaints on my end. read more

A belated review, but this is easily one of the best places to live in IV. I lived here for my last 6 months at UCSB and it was very pleasant thanks to Felipe and the Studio Plaza team. The area is very well kept and most importantly CLEAN. That's pretty rare in IV. This place is truly a breath of fresh air from the nasty streets of IV where the landlords and housing companies will totally stomp over your rights as a tenant. Felipe is absolutely wonderful, he's a really great guy and really makes you feel comfortable. A lot of landlords in IV are absolutely the worst but Felipe is the absolute best. He really keeps the area very well maintained and most importantly, he always makes sure his residents are happy. I remember I was so persistent and most importantly desperate to find a place to live that he really helped me out and got me a great unit! No joke, I came to his office so many times, he probably got sick of seeing me. All jokes aside, Felipe makes you feel very cared for, always listening to any concerns and following through on his word. He keeps a tight leash around the property, he's a zero-tolerance type of guy for partying, loud music, and illegal activity and he always keeps the happiness of his tenants in mind. He really makes an effort to keep the peace and it definitely shows as Studio Plaza is one of the quietest areas in IV. If you're facing the Sweeps, be prepared to have noisy and annoying neighbors across the fence who play loud music all night.. Aside from that little inconvenience, the studios are also pretty sound proof! Once the door is shut, you can't hear much! Maintenance is super quick also. Put in a request and expect to have repairs made not too much later. The guys are super friendly and super respectful of your space and time. Parking here is absolutely amazing as well!! Gated parking, evenly spaced spots, and there's always plenty of parking available. The clubhouse is hands down a pretty awesome place to be. There's three TV's in the main lounge, a movie theatre-esque viewing room (although I could never figure out how to use the TV...), pool table, ping pong tables, foosball table, a tiny but very clean gym (with cable TV right at your disposal), and a study area that is not only very quiet but also very clean. Plus the clubhouse is air-conditioned so when it's super hot in the apartments you can sneak away to the clubhouse till you cool down. The main garden area is super nice, there's tables and a water fountain and an itty bitty charcoal grill. It was the best to sit there on a cool summer night, listening to the water fountain, and looking up at the stars while waiting for my laundry :) Living here was perfect for a peaceful last few months in SB after experiencing all the worst that IV has had to offer. They have month-to-month leases available so if you want to live in a tidy, properly maintained area, for an odd amount of time, this is a perfect place for you! These units come fully furnished as an option and if you pay a little extra you can have brand new furniture placed in your room :) Hands down the best living situation IV has to offer! read more

It has been so wonderful living here these past three years. The maintenance crew is great, and I've been so impressed by their quick response to repair, courtesy, and professionalism. The facilities are exceptional, the grounds are kept up so beautifully, and I will truly miss listening to the fountains on my daily walks through the complex. Felipe is by far the best apartment manager ever! He has gone above and beyond to make sure the environment is a great living experience for all the tenants. I feel so fortunate to have had the privilege and pleasure of living in the Studio Apartments. I will miss my perfect studio in IV!!! read more

Easily the best apartment in IV. Once you walk through the gates, you'll forget that you are still in IV. These apartments are clean, quiet and most importantly safe. The resident manager is absolutely fantastic, very nice and helpful. If you want a trouble free place to live, this is it. I did not have any complain or trouble while living here. read more

Great place to live! I lived here my last year at UCSB and it was a great experience! Felipe, the resident manager, is very helpful and friendly. The newly renovated lobby and recreation areas are also very nice! read more

I have lived here about 2 years and i was really happy about it! Manager and staff there are always responsible and easy to communicate. Here would be the best choice if you are looking for somewhere safe and quiet in IV. I just moved to San Francisco..Miss studio plaza and Santa Barbara a lot... read more

A nice and safe place to stay in California. I lived there for 10 months and it was amazing. Studio Plaza offers a very good structure to rent and a quiet and beautiful place to spend time. Besides, there are many interesting and nice people to build relationships with. As Ryo K. said: Tenants are friendly and so is Felipe, the landlord! Highly recommend. read more

Great place to live. Maintenance, groundskeeping, and management were always efficient and friendly. Impressive sound insulation between units! Securely gated and relatively quiet especially by I.V. standards. Parking is plentiful. Never regretted living here during my 3+ year stay. read more

Very sad to write this review because I thought the property manager was a nice guy. But I took my daughter here to tour the place months ago to find her a place of her own for her second year of college. We filled out an application for 2 different months in case she didn't get in the first month of the school year. She was on the wait list but he led us to believe he was confident she'd get in. Since they don't let you know until a month in advance (being month to month contracts), I called them to check in and see if they were getting lots of applicants and their voicemail said they were booked through May of next year (2018) and there was no way to leave a message so I emailed them to make sure they still had her info but no response. Finally, about a month before her first quarter started, we drove an hour from home to pay them a visit to make sure and he checked her paperwork and noted that she was high up on both wait lists for Oct and Nov and that he was 95% -99% sure she'd get in. The first week of Sept passed and no phone call. We had to scramble to get her a place and we felt so confident based on our conversations in person that we felt we were misled and it was a bummer. If Felipe had just communicated with us to let us know it was filled up, we could've made other arrangements instead of scrambling like crazy last minute wasting lots of time driving back and forth. He knew we were obviously counting on it. Not responsive and turned out to not be courteous, which are a big deal to want in an apartment manager so it's for the best. Just disappointed. Looked like a cute place. A bit run down and dark but decent. read more

This place is like an oasis in IV. The apartments are clean, quiet and well priced. The property is beautiful with landscaped gardens and lawns. Felipe is the best property manager - all maintainance requests are resolved within one day. The speed and quality of service is surprising, in a good way! Definitely recommend staying here. read more

Felipe and his family are one of the best people I've met. They make Studio Plazas a safe and peaceful place to live. The lobby is amazing with a gym, movie theatre, lots of t.v's, pool table, study room, air condition! read more

I only stayed 10 weeks but was completely satisfied with the accommodations. Good Value. Safe, Clean, facility. Close to campus but quiet. Residents are mature and respectful. Laundry room, computer room, fitness room, and entertainment room were all well maintained. management was friendly, helpful and responsive to repair requests. read more

Wonderful place to live, especially if you are looking for a quiet apartment at the heart of IV. Felipe, the manager is very friendly and extremely helpful. The complex got everything you need plenty of parking, gym, entertainment center with games & even cinema. You will not want to leave home. read more

I couldn't be happier with my decision to live here my last year at UCSB. I was far enough away from the DP rowdiness where I could escape, study, and especially not deal with the craziness of holidays/out of towners etc., but also close enough to walk there when I wanted to. The room and complex was by far the cleanest I encountered throughout my stay in Isla Vista. Parking both for my car and bike was easy and assessable. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Felipe is awesome and is always willing to help or answer any questions you have. I think the entire time I only needed a lightbulb change and requesting a repair was simple and quick. The computer/study room is great and definitely helped during finals when the library or coffee shops were packed. Whenever my friends visited they were jealous they hadn't chosen to live there also, and like the other comment said, it really is a hidden treasure in IV. read more