I moved to The Crossings of Bellevue about 6 months ago. Thus far, I’ve had a positive experience here. This review may be lengthy, but I’m hoping to help those who are trying to find an apartment which is both nice and affordable. Maybe it’s just me, but these review sites are not helpful because they have SUCH negative reviews that never even mention any positives. Unfortunately, as a renter, you’re never going to have a perfect apartment. This is a business industry and the focus is profit, not seeing to the every need of tenants (although that would be nice!).
The good:
My apartment is very spacious. I live in the one bedroom town home, have a large dog and a cat, and it doesn’t feel crowded. The bedroom is huge, though storage is at a minimum with this floor plan. There are two closets at the top of the stairs (presumably for linens and small storage because the doors are small and do not easily accommodate large items). The apartment is well insulated and my utility bill has consistently gone down from the first month. Noise is just not an issue. I’ve never been bothered by anyone I share common walls with. The apartment itself is a bit creaky (if I’m sitting downstairs and my cat runs across the bedroom above me, I can hear it) but its something you notice less with time.
The bathroom might seem small to some, but on the upside I have NEVER run out of hot water, even if showering after taking a bath or doing laundry while showering. Multiple people can shower right after one another and the water doesn’t go cold on you. Huge plus! The water pressure is also good.
The kitchen is galley style and has a fair amount of cabinet space with a good sized pantry. The appliances appear dated, but are still fully functional. Its odd having your washer and dryer in the kitchen, and the stackable unit doesn’t accommodate large loads, but I have been extremely happy to have even a small unit in my apartment. The aesthetic appeal isn’t really there because it does look aged, but that’s just a fact of rental life. I’m content with the fact that everything works.
The grounds as a whole are well kept and welcoming. I’m a 25 year old female who lives alone and have felt quite safe and secure living here. I have not heard of any break ins in apartments or cars since I’ve lived here. The complex is well lit and, while I generally avoid going out too late at night by myself, I have been able to when needed. The pool is great, the gym is well equipped, and the parking has never been a problem. The maintenance staff is wonderful and responds quickly to requests and are very friendly when out and about in the complex.
Because I have had some issue with communication in the office, I would like to share a positive experience before a complaint. The day I moved in, I was running behind to drop off my check to get the keys and move in. I did not have a lock for my U Haul truck and would have been completely screwed without being able to get the keys that day. My best friend drove ahead of me and arrived 30 minutes after the office had closed, but one of the girls stayed behind to give me the keys with the promise that I would drop my check off in the overnight box THAT NIGHT (I arrived about 30 minutes behind my friend due to traffic). I’m sure that isn’t something they do every day, but I was so thankful that they were understanding of my situation and worked with me.
The bad:
The office staff, while polite and helpful, lack good communication with one another and with tenants (I was supposed to give my move out or stay notice about 2 weeks ago and have yet to get a rent quote for a lease renewal). The rent situation seems to be a bit of a numbers game (though I think this is the case with many complexes). By numbers game, I mean the rent WILL go up from the time that you view the apartment to the time you sign your lease, even if it is the next day, so be prepared to sign the day you tour if at all possible. They do not offer any kind of quote freeze to give you time to think about it. The deposit is reasonable though the pet deposit is actually a pet fee and not refundable, even if there is no damage caused. It is always smart to keep records of any payments you make to a landlord or rental office, so that would be something I would recommend, though I have never needed to dispute any charges with the office.
I have had some problems with bugs in my apartment which is frustrating because I keep my space clean. I have killed 4 roaches in my apartment and have had the occasional issue with gnats, but in all honesty, it does not make the apartment unlivable (the place is hardly crawling with them, there is just the occasional unwanted guest). If it becomes an issue, they spray weekly for bugs if you put in a request at the front office.
While I have never had a problem with noise in my building, there were a few instances in the warmer months where a few of my neighbors had late night gatherings in the parking lot (we’re talking 4am, but they were acting like it was the middle of the day). For the most part, though, I think it’s a pretty quiet complex.
I think that about covers it. I would recommend this complex to a friend or family member. It isn’t like living in a home that has been built to your specs nor does it contain completely modern upgrades, but its nice and comfortable for a rental. The only reason I would consider moving is to save money (its slightly pricier than nearby complexes) or if I find a comparably priced unit with more amenities.
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