The Aspens South Coast, Santa Ana CA

Lived there for about 2 years. Felt unsafe at times even though it is a gated community. Every now and then you heard about car break ins.
One of my neighbors was very sus and had a sheriff stop at his door to knock at least once a month and a lot of people stopped by his door that definitely did not live there and would wait until the neighbor got home. One time, a bail bondsman walking near the apartment asked me if I knew who lived in there…they were obviously looking for him. It took the aspens management about 5 months to get rid of that neighbor and I’m pretty sure they only get rid of him because it escalated to a police search for the man. Anyway, did not feel safe there.

Also, don’t expect to get back even 50% of your security deposit. I spent a whole day deep cleaning the apartment before leaving, there was no damage what so ever of the place and I still ended up with only about 23% of it back. The contract says “normal wear and tear is acceptable” but they will still charge you to paint the whole unit, hire the cleaning service, and clean/replace the carpet any little excuse.

Conclusion: It is not safe and you won’t get your security deposit back no matter how responsible and clean you are.

Finally out. This is my final review here.

Get used to a loud motor running outside your window and having gas fumes fill your house. The employees UNLEASH their leaf blowers at max power for 30 mins to an hour outside each window. Obviously leaves have to be gotten up, and dust and particulates have to be blown away. However the employees aren't trained how to handle a leaf blower. Quick bursts, maximum leaf coverage is ideal, but the GAS leaf blowers are often held right next to a first story window, and take the time above to finish even a small crevice.

It's not worth close to 3k to be choked on fumes and not be able to hear your own thoughts constantly.

EDIT: To be concise, whoever blows the leaves doesn't take an hour to finish a job. No that's just how long a leaf blower will run on full blast. Usually one leaf blower here will take 2 hours to clear out a specific corner. Half that time is spent on full blast. Then they move on to do the same for the next window. I also don't blame the employee. An employers job is to show how a task needs to be performed. I only know it's bad because I would develop throat pains from the gas exhaust inside my own apartment.

This place was a love at first sight. It took me no time to make a decision, and now I'm here for half a year now and am still in love with everything just like the first day. I just randomly decided to leave a review because I want to give it a rating it deserves and let happy voice be heard as well.

A bit shout out to the property management office. Everyone is always helpful and in high spirits. I've never seen anyone being unprofessional. All of my requests are addressed in a timely fashion. And the team works well with each other, so whoever I talk to they always know what's going on without having to relay to another person. So thank you to Christian, Natalie, Amy, and Ivy, for your diligent services! I hope management keep up the good work to continue to treat them well because happy staff definitely makes happy tenants.

I'm most satisfied about how the environment is well maintained. It's a lot of investment just because we have so many trees and so much water here, so really appreciate the efforts. Fireplace is lit on winter nights at club house. Maintenance staff is always around. Fall leaves r cleaned timely. And birds r happy and clean in the aviary.

Nothing to complain so far. I'm truly happy about it! Thank u to everyone who makes this happen!

Total disappointment! This rating is based fully on the staff I encountered as I WAS interested in renting here. I first called in but was told someone would reach out to me due to being a busy time and no one available for my call. Did not receive call back and decided to go in person days after. As I walked in with my mother who the apt was for, a lady “IVY” looked at us which a proceeded to ask if she was available to help us. She nodded her head up and down and asked “how could I help you”. I told her my mother is interested in a 1 bedroom apt for my mother. She said there weren’t any available at the moment and told us to try later in the year. I asked how much 1 bedroom is currently running for. She asked again for how many people. I told her once again, 1 person. She asked my mother right after how many people. She also answered 1. Ivy then asked, “do you have dogs? ”
I said no. She said rent was 21-2300. I asked if she could show us the apt model. Her attitude started increasing and said we need to run your credit and show that you earned 2.1 x rent. I said all that to see the apt model? She answered no but are you still interested?
I laughed and yes. She requested ID which was given. She grabbed it and started walking without saying anything. We asked another lady if we follow. She nodded her head up and down. We were already unsure about moving forward because of her attitude and tone but kept walking. Ivy didn’t say anything else until she opened the apt door to say this is it. My mother and I looked around as she kept the door open and asked where we currently live. I answered, we left the apt and saw dogs around. I asked her if the reason she asked about the dogs was because there is a fee? She looked back and asked “do you have a dog? ” I, already highly bothered told her no! I already told you that. She said those dogs are service dogs we only allow cats. She made us fill out a paper since we say the apt took it away before I could finish it then she gave us back the ID, said nothing! Then went back to her desk. She really needs a 1-1 about customer service.

Very nice complex to live in, i love the design and enjoy it! Seems like you live in a tropical forest, from the moment you walk out of your door till you get to the gate you are walking on an alley between trees and green bushes also on and on both side of the walking pathways within the apartment there's water streams and multiple small lakes. Everytime I needed help the leasing office helped and assisted me, very friendly and professional.

There are 2 club houses with 2 big pools, and 3 other small pools. I would say there's a pool for every personality. The Hot tubs are always clean and working
One Star is missing for the following reasons:

Half Star for: Security and safety, in my personal experience I have a bicycle that was $600 and got stolen from the back porch of my apartment (I'm on the first level). But the porch is behind the apartment.
Although the location is on MacArthur and bear, a lot of tweakers stumble around that area and I suspect that's how my bicycle got stolen.

Quarter star for: laundry room: the washing machines are not very efficient, I never felt like my clothes really get washed and become 100% clean, so I have to take them somewhere else to wash sometimes

Quarter star for: Parking.
It gets hard to find Parking at night in the visitor parking because a lot of the residents decide to park there for some reason.

I have been living here for over 6 years. At one time it was a great place to live. They recently changed the management team and things went down hill fast!

Problem #1 we are a couple living in a one bedroom apartment, with one assigned garage and two cars. Parking is HORRIBLE! I get home from work at 11 PM and can never find a parking space! All the guest parking has reserved signs and the parking is limited. Almost every night I have to walk a mile after finding alternative parking. Please don't even consider having guests over, there is no place to park.

Problem #2 Recently they started to allow pets here, there are dogs barking all night long, and pit bulls wondering around.

This is not the place you want to live, I am looking fast and hard to get out of here,

Don't let the trees, and waterfalls fool you! The interior of the apartments are old and outdated. For the amount of rent we pay, it is NOT worth the money. Do yourself a favor LOOK ELSEWHERE, unless you want to walk a mile to park your car, and put up with barking dogs all night long.

We were viewing a few apartments here yesterday shortly before close. Tammy took us around and showed us 3 possibilities getting lost until I took the time to look at the map and show her where we needed to go. After viewing the units we went in to discuss leasing options. We told her we wanted to view a few other places and would have a decision by the next day. She told us that would be fine and talked about possible ways to sign the lease. We called the next morning as soon as the office opened and they informed us that the apartments have been rented out WHILE WE WERE LOOKING AT THE UNITS! So we couldn't have even leased the units we were being shown anyway. There is obviously a very major problem with the communication of the staff here.

I have been living at the Aspens South Coast over 8 years. The main reason for such long stay has been the green forest-like peaceful surroundings, club houses, gym, and the central location next to South Coast Plaza. This used to be a place worth of 4 star review, however, since then things have changed a lot. In the past two years beautiful trees in the property have been obsessively trimmed down and this has made the apartments exposed to heavy traffic noises of both Bear and extremely busy MacArthur. The apartments are very outdated, kitchen and bathroom need a desperate update. Years of paint comes off when you try to clean the bathroom/kitchen cabinet doors, and using carpet as a floor material is not a practical choice even for rentals in this day and age. About the parking - each resident gets a garage to store a motor vehicle which is a big plus in SoCal, however, a big part of the lack of parking space especially during evenings and nights is that the leasing office staff / Far west management company does not enforce the residents to use their garages for the purpose these exist. This is a gated community, however this brings no security to your belongings - There are car brake ins weekly basis reported outside at the guest parking and inside of the property. The management company has shown no interest of addressing the issue by changing the gate key codes or adding some security cameras at the entrance points. This has been a long term problem going on and on even before the pandemic. The last big reason for a one star review; We used to have functional and respectful communications between the leasing office and residents until recently. The Aspens changed the whole leasing office staff and it has been a steep downhill since. Several long term residents including us feel very unhappy and disappointed that Natalie's crew and the Far West management company seem neither care about the quality in their customer service nor keeping paying residents around. Whole SoCal has been opening the restaurants for indoor dining, gyms etc. As full rent-paying residents we still have no access to the outdoor pools, club houses, or gyms during normal open hours 9AM-10PM. A person working at the office has told that the limited outdoor pool hours (10am-6.30pm) are not because of covid-19 but the noise complaints from few residents living at the apartments near the pool - Excuse me? The quiet hours start after 10pm. This decision discriminates anyone with a full time job Mon-Fri what comes to enjoying the amenities we pay for.