Pine Wild Apartments

Pros: This apartment complex is wonderfully located in Rincon Valley across the street from Oliver’s market shopping center. It’s a short drive to several community parks, regional parks, and nearby shopping centers. The schools district (Rincon Valley) is one of the best districts in Sonoma County.

These units are very affordable for the size. The living room and bedroom in the 1br units are a good size, and have a good sized walk-in closet. The upper units have big triangle windows, which... let in a lot of light, and they also have vaulted ceilings in the living room. There is on site laundry (4 washers and 4 dryers) with very affordable rates, and a gated parking area. There is also a central grassy courtyard where kids can run and play. The residents are friendly.

Cons: Montecito Blvd is a very busy street. It is generally noisy and can be dangerous turning out of the parking area and to park on the street. There is minimal unassigned parking in the gated area, so it can be challenging to find parking if you have a two car household. This area is in a high wildfire danger zone, so residents will likely be evacuated when a nearby fire is burning.

There are many units that have yet to be updated. Old cabinets with chipping paint, old 70’s countertops in kitchen and bathroom, and brass light fixtures. The painting in the older units was done quickly and sloppily. You can see where old staples with paper we’re painted over, and massive drop marks on cabinets. Some of the patios need to be replaced due to rot. There is no AC, and the exhaust fans in the living rooms no longer work, so the units get uncomfortably hot during the summer. The sliding glass door and windows are old, likely the originals, so the units get warm in the day and cold at night. During the rainy season, some areas flood, because the pump system isn’t great. A few of the lower level apartments usually need sand bags to keep the water out and stepping stones to get into their apartment.

Note: The complex is under new management and things that needed attention are now being addressed. It also appears that the old units are being remodeled when people move out. Read More