2/7/22
Don't Let the Motel-like Exterior Fool You! This Is a Diamond in the Rough.
I get it. You drive into the parking lot for the first time and think "I must have the address wrong because this is clearly a motel." If you frequently have friends over you will have to get used to jokes about "living at the Howard Johnson's." But if you can get past that, this place offers "bang-for-your-buck" value that I haven't seen anywhere else in Mar Vista.
Before moving in a year ago, I looked at about 20 apartments in and around Mar Vista. The unit I'm in at the Mar Vista Palms was... the second-largest I found in my price range; the largest was a basement unit with no light that felt like a cave. Other than the less-than-glamorous exterior, I didn't have to make any trade-offs for the extra space.
The unit had been newly renovated and amenities include a pool, barbecue grills, picnic area, on-site laundry, and the peace of mind that comes with actually knowing some of your neighbors. That last bit is courtesy of the fantastic property manager, Faye, who makes sure all new tenants feel welcome and get introduced to other residents.
I don't want to give the wrong impression that this is some super tight-knit community and that people will be all up in your business. But if I'm out when a package gets delivered, 4 times out of 5 someone will have picked it up for me and let me know they have it, so that it doesn't "walk off" before I get home. I appreciate that. (A single look at Patch or NextDoor will confirm that stolen packages are the only crime that happens regularly in this neighborhood.)
If you are looking to move to Mar Vista and there is an opening at the Mar Vista-Palms, you owe it to yourself to get over the rough-around-the-edges exterior and take a look inside.
Review from Apartments.com
