Avalon Towers on the Peninsula

Continuing malfunction everywhere, very frequent rotation in the leasing office.

My wife and I are living in Avalon for over a year. At first, we're surprised by their rates and unit availabilities. All the apartment complexes around them were full or with very limited availability.
Avalon has lots of empty units with low rates and beautiful entrance, pool and BBQ area. We signed the lease but now regret everyday for making this decision. Below are few reasons;
1- They increase our lease by 20% in 2nd year which is very high in Bay Area.
2- They wanted to deduct most of our… deposit for random reasons
3- Management changed recently and they're not responsive and friendly at all.
4- Avalon is not safe. Why?
- A lot of homeless people are leaving behind the building in their cars
- Some random people knocked our door late night for charity
- There are no security guards or surveillance cameras anywhere
- Lots of accessories and our bikes were stolen in gated parking
- After reporting an incident and asking for security measures, the only answer was, call the police and let your insurance know about your loss.

Home is where I feel safe and respected, Avalon is not home for me. Read More

Pros

- The only apartment that's high-rise
- the only apartment that has a gigantic 3 level underground parking with unlimited parking space of your choice
- Sound proof resistance is excellent! Due to this property is steel-concrete construction high-rise. Unlike others, wooden frame base foundation.
- Overall biggest and wider one bedroom apartment, larger than Domus, Carmel the Village etc.

The price is high, but you're paying for luxury... not so much as the quality...

- The newly… remodeled kitchen and flooring are not as durable as the previous one (gosh it's peeling already!)
- Laminated wood-like flooring is already peeling.
- Harden glue during construction left unattended and it's now staining the floor and countertop.

As I've obtained from one of our sources. the resident have documented this and sent to the person-in-charge, also letting them know there isn't really anything they can do as it's already been installed and such tenant is planning to move into another apartment within this tower so don't bother to fix it, the staff can submit a repair request after she moved out so they can take their time to really re-touching up and re-finish what's left behind.

So far, as I can see, after 11 years they still have not taken care the flies that circling around the entry to the garage and front entry, be prepared to have someone else than the staff "greeting" you and welcomes you home! :) with those little thing flying around the front door, especially during summer times.

One thing that we will miss is the spa, they took it away after 15 years during renovation, very bad decision, as the corporate claim it's for safety reason and health hazard, but telling the truth it's the cost of maintaining it, some newly build apartment complex not just having one, but two spas! But thinking about how much you are going to pay for rent, they can't afford to maintain a spa after 15 years? Come 'on...

Now seeing the newly renovated property, there will be more maintenance needed as the material of the hardware and furniture around the pool, especially after several days of rains, the glass wall panel won't be this clean, the outdoor sofa, pillow will be dirty and after a year will need to be changed out due to stains and discoloration, (as the tenant have the exact same outdoor furniture in their newly purchased single-family home in Mountain View for rental purpose), so the tenant know it's an on-going effort for them as well... Read More

I have lived there for over two years. One of the better looking apartment complexes in the area, a visit will convince you it is a nice place to live. What is more difficult to appreciate is the boldness of the owners. Complete renovations while you are living inside? Yes, you are made to pack everything, move into a neighboring apartment and move back in after renovations, while paying FULL rent! Construction is a never ending process, be ready for power, elevator, water interruptions, not to… mention dust and noise (delay having napping children until after you've lived here). What will you be asked to put up with while living there, without complaining or hitting their bottom line? Rent to find out. Yearly rent increases in the double digits certainly add up. Be aware. Read More