When my husband and I were first looking for an apartment, we were quickly overwhelmed with all of the options. Some apartments were cheaper but the amenities were less than impressive. Other apartments had nice amenities but cost a hand and a foot per month. Each salesperson had a pitch for why their apartment complex was the best.
I've looked up tons and tons of reviews and have been horrified by all the things I've seen about different complexes.
However, my biggest revelation in apartment
...searching is that you really have to see the positives. Nothing is perfect and there will inevitably be things that you don't like but it's about what you're going to focus on. Are you going to focus on that one annoying time the fridge stopped working or the countless times its been perfect?
North Park, more specifically, the Oaks has been a great place for us to live so far. Sure, there are noises here and there or voices of people talking outside our window but nothing overwhelming.
I've personally enjoyed how welcoming the community feels. There's a nice big grassy park in the middle of the complex where families, young couples, and pets can roam freely. I love taking a walk after dinner and seeing all of the different people hanging out and enjoying themselves. North Park also offers community events that my friends who don't live here will even mention.
Parking here can be a challenge at later hours but never impossible. You may need to park a bit further away but it's a safe community so taking a walk to get to your car or leaving it around another complex doesn't feel too daunting.
Rent is a bit steep but it's a nice area near a lot of different high-tech businesses. The VTA is right on the street and the complex is 15 minutes from the airport.
We've had no troubles so far and have chosen to focus on the things that we like. We feel safe here. We enjoy the trees, park, pools, fitness facilities, etc. We don't have any rowdy neighbors and if we did, quiet hours start at 10.
So, wherever you might choose, it's important to find the bright side of things other than feeling miserable all the time about your choice. The reviews you read are from angry and bitter tenants that are probably being overdramatic. If you think about how many tenants there really have been in a complex as compared to the amount of reviews you read, it's safe to say that a majority of people didn't feel the need to review the complex. It's about perspective!
