Ladera Woods

Quality of Apartment:
Well below average. Carpet was frayed with exposed nails. Cupboards don’t stay shut. Lots of spiders come in through the balcony and windows.

Parking:
Zero guest parking. Only one parking spot per apartment. Very limited street parking.

Temperature of Apartment:
Blazing hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. No AC, very limited airflow from only two windows, thin walls that let the outside temperature seep through. Only a wall heater in the living room to keep… things warm in the winter. (I slept with 6 blankets in the winter, and in the summer I was seriously concerned for my dog’s health during the day.)

Noise:
Next to the road, next to the fire station, next to a construction site...so very loud.

Management:
Offsite and nearly impossible to get in touch with.

Pets:
The highest pet rent I have ever seen: $75/month. Plus $500 deposit. It increased during my 3 year stay there.

Deposit:
I am a clean person who takes care of my home, but they kept $950 of my $1000 deposit. The manager missed the final walk through and ignored my attempts to discuss the matter until I contacted the corporate office.

Summary:
I highly encourage you consider every other housing option before this one. I regreted living here every time my friends tried to find a place to park, every time the temperature outside was above 80 or below 60, every morning when the hammers and power tools were thundering next door, and especially when they kept so much of my deposit.

Why did I stay for 3 years? I was too lazy to look for a new apartment, pay a new deposit, move all my stuff, etc. Don’t get stuck in that same trap -- just don’t move in. Read More