There are much better places nearby for the same or less rent…read more At Otavon you will pay well over $2100/month for 50-year-old windows that don't close properly, no insulation and no air conditioning, all of which make heat waves unbearable. Get used to 83F INSIDE at night in summer. Also, you'll know when the garden crew is using their gas-powered tools, because the gas smell will waft through the crappy windows.

I've been living here at Otavon for 2 years now and I have nothing but great things to say about…read moremanagement, my neighbors and the area that the complex is located in. It's conveniently nestled in a very quiet area of the city and close to a very nice shopping center and gym. I'm big on privacy living in an apartment complex and my neighbors are to themselves but at the same time very friendly when we see each other. It's really difficult for me to find a complaint living here but I guess that says a lot about management and how much they care about their tenants. The bonus was meeting the leasing manager and her and I sharing a love for animals- yes, Otovan is pet friendly so I was able to move myself and my pup here. I would highly recommend if your looking for a place to call home that is quiet, friendly and affordable D. H

Hillcrest Townhomes are nice inside! They are spacious, a little outdated, but mostly acceptable…read more When moving in, the paint was fresh, the unit was clean, etc. My biggest gripe about this complex, however, is the fact that it is about 100 ft from US 101 freeway, making the unit unbearably loud if you face it. With the single-pane slider closed, you can hear cars zoom by all day. With the slider open, you cannot talk in the living room--this is not an exaggeration; it is that bad. I would gladly stay here for another year, but the sound has gotten to me. Other than that, the 2br, 1.5 bath layout is nice and efficient. Water and garbage are paid, which helps keep our total utility bill under $50 in the winter, and about $30 in the summer, excluding internet and television. Maintenance is fast to respond and management is very nice. Joey, the apt. manager lives on site and he stays out of your business. I have to say, this apartment offers very private living. Aside from annual fire inspections, maintenance has never entered our apartment without being called. Parking can be a challenge, but not for residents, as they are typically given two spots. Ours are situated in a weird place, but not far from our unit. The laundry room is big and has rarely been at full-capacity--I've only had to wait once to use a washing machine. As far as the neighbors go, most keep to themselves and are quiet. We've had no crime problems at our complex--at least none that we know of. There are move-in bonuses. Ours was $100 off our monthly rent + 1 month free, which was really nice. The manager also let us bring our small dog without charging us a pet deposit. Overall, our stay here at Hillcrest Townhomes was mostly positive. The only thing I dislike about it is the freeway noise, especially during the summer time when we have to keep our slider open for fresh air (there is no AC). Sure, the appliances are outdated, but what do you expect for a LARGE 2 bedroom split level townhouse in MARIN for $1,190/mo?

I've been living here for about a month now and I absolutely love it. Very safe and friendly…read morecommunity, affordable, convenient location.

Hello I'm writing a review on behave of my aunt that currently lives there. DONT MAKE THE MISTAKE…read moreOF LIVING HERE. Hamilton woods is infested with rats, roaches, bed bugs, and termites. These apartments are infested with rats, and so is the parking lot outside. The rats got Into my trunk and chewed up all my personal belongings. There is other tenants that have also mentioned that they have rats in there units. Management doesn't do shit to fix this problem. Tenants are scared that they will get kicked out and have no where to go so. This is not right! I will be leaving this filthy livestock and have found a rat free apartment. DONT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF MOVING INTO HAMILTON SHIT HOLE. RATS, ROACHES, AND BED BUGS, NO PARKING. LOOK ELSEWHERE.

Average place to live. If you have more than one car good luck finding parking. The office lady is…read morepretty nice. The interior of the apartment is alright. It has its flaws but it's a livable space. Cheapest in Marin so if you're looking for a wallet saver. Move here

I lived here for years. When I moved in, it had a horrendous reputation. When the manager…read moreChristopher came in, it was a great thing for the people living there. He turned it around and within a year, it was the go to place in Novato! Some problem, people moved in, but Christopher was always on top of it, and keeping them in line. If you did not like Christopher, you were probably part of the problem. Our work orders were handled quickly, and the follow-through was amazing. Was extremely sad when Christopher left.

Avoid these apartments at all cost. I currently reside here and from the mold to the roaches and…read morethe the staff at PFI it's a joke. They're horrible on fixing things in a timely manner. They will start construction outside your home without notice, and they ignore your problems for weeks in. I'm a single mother with 2 kids I work my ass off, to pay this 2500 a month rent and it's not worth it. I suggest no one moved here unless your ok with Roaches moving in too. Because the whole complex is infested. They honestly need to knock down these apartments and got them, fumigate and rebuild.

Tony from maintenance is amazing! Gets things done fast, efficiently and with care. That's a very…read moreimportant thing when you are renting. He always goes above and beyond. Thank you Tony!

he management team at Highlands of Marin consistently demonstrates their readiness to listen to…read moretenant concerns. They excel in effective communication, which plays a crucial role in resolving issues and fostering positive relationships with tenants. Their approach includes active listening, prompt acknowledgment of concerns, and transparency regarding the steps they will take to address any issues. Personally, I always feel welcomed and at ease when I need to engage with a team member. Additionally, during the holiday season, the manager and their team graciously invite tenants to join in a celebration. Furthermore, they prioritize tenant satisfaction by ensuring that our units are equipped with the latest WFI system, as well as maintaining the landscaping to enhance the overall environment. I genuinely appreciate their dedication and commitment to creating a supportive community.

I lived here from 2012-2020, and do not recommend it for anyone. The current manager, Mike, acts…read morelike he is a nice guy; he is not. The owners and management do not care about the health and safety of residents. I had multiple service requests that were ignored during my residency here, one of which lead to a mold infestation in my apartment, #78. I reported an issue with my water heater for several years, and it was not addressed properly. A water heater leak caused toxic mold in my apartment. After reporting the issue to Mike, he had a new water heater put in without getting a permit, but did nothing to address the mold & claimed no further repairs were needed. I had to have a mold inspection done and provide him with the report showing my apartment was infested with toxic black mold (stachybotrys). He then refused to have a mold abatement specialist repair the issue, and instead had the maintenance/handyman address it. They painted over the mold in some areas and did not remove all of it. Mike was uncooperative and entered my unit without providing 24-hours notice. He ignored phone calls and emails and is dishonest. I had to choose between continuing to live in an apartment with toxic black mold or moving. I moved out as a result. Then Mike withheld my security deposit and did not send an accounting for it, which is illegal. I had a walk through inspection with Mike 2 weeks before moving out where he told me I would get my full deposit back, and a written confirmation that I had no remaining balance from him as well. I contacted him 4 weeks after moving out since I had not received my deposit nor an accounting for it, and Mike said I owed unpaid rent and a cleaning fee, despite my paying my balance in full and leaving the apartment clean. When I disputed this, Mike sent me a mutual release to sign stating he would release the deposit if I signed agreeing not to sue. If you're thinking of moving here, don't.

We love it here! 3…read moreyears later and still like our upgraded 2 bedroom apartment. The ground floor apartments all have a fenced in yard - made our dogs love it here too! Super nice wood floors and crown molding (love that). My favorite if the sparkling pool and clean jacuzzi all year round. Never had a problem with any of our neighbors, great laundry rooms, and the manager (the new one the last two years) is super duper! Always helpful and attentive. He's upgraded the apartments , the parking areas, the grounds in such a positive way. Made it a really nice environment. The maintenance chief, Sal, is always timely and he know's what he's doing. Between Dante (manager) and Sal the grounds are green and flowers in the spring and summer make it a wonderful outdoor experience. Private covered parking rocks too. Best we found in all of Marin for the rent, and especially the pet friendly atmosphere. You would want to live here!

Hi, This is Pat, I have lived in three residences so far and…read moreDrake Terrace is decidedly the best! this is mainly because the staff is really caring. You see and feel the relationship[s build between us. The attention paid to preferences and recognition and care of physical conditions. The building isn't the most modern around the edges - But that doesn't really matter, ones former home sometimes was too. However the garden is really lovely - a green and peaceful place where the birds come and drink at the fountain where we can sit with our friends and family and watch entertainment provided by the management. And the FOOD (no small matter) is good! Definitely several cuts above what one expects of an institution of this sort. All in all, by most standards. I would give Drake Terrace High marks! and I'm happy and grateful to be leaving here.

I love living at Drake Terrace: 1- Great location and…read moreLandscaping 2- NO CAR NEEDED - all transportation is provided 3- Delicious meals, alternative choices, and meals offered 7am - 7pm daily. 4- I love my appartement and my balcony garden with a view. 5- All levels of exercise available (class, gym and competitive mental games, such as trivia and brain games). 6- Residents association, with no staff, meets every 3rd Wednesday to discuss clubs, old business and new business, with comments from the floor. Any perceived need for change is then taken to administration to be acted upon. 7- Communication is open, which keeps residents happy and well. 8- Programs and outings are varied, with monthly signe ups if participant participation must be limited. 9- Residents come from all over and bring new experiences to share. 10- Personal ambassadors assist new resident personally. The drake Terrace population is defined by a HAPPY SMILE!!!

I was haunted by lookee looks in here for 10 years and people haunted my apartment blowing smoke…read moreinto my air filter. It caused me to relocate when I complained to Sheryl and Gordon. I was given no explanation and had no resolution if the traumatic experience had an I'll effect on my heart and lungs.

I lived here for three years, first in a studio and then one of the large townhouses in the back…read more My ground floor studio fronted the creek and I could hear choruses of frogs in the spring, see deer rambling through the creek bed, and wild turkeys everywhere. The first neighbor I had living above me was so quiet I didn't know when she was home. Unfortunately the next person who moved in was not quiet, and I could heard him yawning in bed. I seldom had to use the heater or air conditioner, because except for one sliding glass door onto the patio all the other walls were shared. The townhouse in the back was twice the size and very quiet. Overall the property managers Gordon and Sheryl were very friendly and responsive. My new job required a move to Burlingame, where I am paying exactly twice the amount of rent. The Cowbarn Apartment complex has four times the number of units, but the maintenance was far superior to where I am living in Burlingame. Both the studio and the townhouse were squeaky clean when I moved in, and the grounds and carports were very well maintained. I would not hesitate to move back to this complex.

Bridgecreek looks peaceful at first -- mature trees, quiet pathways, a pretty name -- but living…read morehere tells another story. The real issue isn't the property itself; it's the management behind it. I've lived here long enough to see how little accountability exists at the top. Communication with the office is inconsistent, dismissive, and often downright unhelpful. Requests are brushed off, follow-ups are ignored, and there's a sense that management just doesn't care once you've signed your lease. You'll get polite words when it's time to renew, but not much support when there's an actual problem. To be clear, maintenance is not the issue. Alex, in particular, is responsive, kind, and genuinely cares about residents -- he's the one bright spot here. He shows up, follows through, and actually listens. It's unfortunate that management doesn't match his professionalism or reliability. Another frustration: the pricing is completely backward. My unit is not renovated -- older flooring, original cabinetry, dated fixtures -- yet I'm paying more than residents in newer, updated units. There's no logical explanation for it, and management won't give one. You're essentially paying premium rent for below-average conditions. Noise levels vary depending on your building, parking is tight, and guest spaces are scarce. But the bigger problem is the lack of fairness, communication, and consistency from the leasing office. It's not just an occasional oversight -- it's a pattern. Bridgecreek could easily be a great place to live. The property has charm, and the maintenance staff do their best. But until management learns how to communicate with residents and treat people with respect, the experience here will continue to fall short of what it should be -- especially for what they charge in Novato. If you're looking for a well-managed community where your rent actually matches the quality of your apartment, keep looking. Bridgecreek has potential, but management makes it an exhausting place to call home.

The Maintenance team is amazing and fast. When I put in a work order it's handled hastily. The…read moreneighborhood is quiet and safe. I've been here 2 years and I do like how all shopping is conveniently located within a 5 minute drive.

I lived here for 5 years. I would have lived here for as long as I was in Marin, but they only have…read more2 bedrooms and our family out grew our place. The staff, Jodi and Randy, are the very best. They are really reachable and friendly. Randy is quite possibly the speediest maintenance person ever. The company that owns Crooked Oak is also quite good, as they have set up a great online presence that allows you to pay rent online, as well as maintenance requests. The property gets better all the time too, with small but important renovations that make it just a nicer place to live. They accept cats and dogs, and fortunately the people with dogs do a great job of cleaning up after them. The neighbors are nice and generally quiet. I really can't recommend them enough. They are quite possibly the best apartment complex in Marin. (I have personal experience with three of them, and through friends 4 more. Of that sample, they are by far the best.) Each unit is quite nice and has a washer and dryer in unit. The only thing they could do to improve the units is to make them bigger, and add ac, neither of which is really feasible without just building a new complex.

I lived in this apartment for 2.5 years and had a good experience overall--well-maintained…read moreproperty, friendly neighbors, and no issues during my lease. Unfortunately, the move-out process was a major disappointment. I didn't receive any update on my security deposit within the required 21 days and had to follow up myself. After 28 days, I was told not only was my full deposit being withheld, but I was also being charged for carpet replacement, cleaning, and even an extra day of rent--despite leaving the unit in excellent condition. They also charged for normal wear and tear, which is not allowed by law. Over 45 days later, the issue remains unresolved. The office manager has been unhelpful, and I haven't been able to speak to anyone with the ability to resolve this. Final advice: If you rent here, document everything and take photos when moving out. Don't expect your deposit back without a fight--management is unresponsive and disregards tenant rights laws.