Park Newport

Current Resident 991792

Resident • 2005 - 2007

Nice place, good management, very noisy

I lived in one of the studios for almost three years. My apartment was in excellent condition, and I had very few maintenance issues. Those that I did have were minor. The maintenance office was always very responsive to my requests and fixed things quickly. I did not get "dinged" on my deposit- I got everything except cleaning costs back- I didn't bother to clean because I knew that it was a waste of my time to clean according to their itemized task list. They were very fair- I didn't get charged for wall scuffs. The people in the management office were really helpful too. I don't feel like anyone was ever rude, discourteous, or lied to me. The former tenants who feel like the leasing staff was not up front with them about the lead paint and asbestos need to re-examne the situation. Under California law, landlords are required to give asbestos and lead paint notification to prospective tenants if the buildings were constructed before a certain date. It makes business sense to require a waiver of these things. This place is very NOISY! Noisy is actually an understatement. The planes, the firetrucks, and the traffic on jamboree was one thing. But worse was the nighttime noise. My apartment looked out on a green space. There was partying out there at all hours of the night every day of the week. The partyers were not very nice when, at 3 AM on a Wednesday morning, I would ask them to be quiet. I was repeatedly told to "---- Off!" Dont' expect courtesy patrol to be much help- you can't really blame them. By the time they get there, the noise has usually stopped. One last item, during my last six months in the apartment, I worked from home. My building was under construction for most of that time. There was a lot of noise. Management did not disclose the extent and the nature of the construction. It was pretty substantial- we should have received discounted rent during that time. Also

Current Resident 765248

Resident • 2008

4 years....It will cost you

I lived in a two bedroom. then moved to a three bedroom town home in hopes that it improved. Blinded by I don't know what, but decided that this was cheap and easy. Here we go: Electric bills by vista are 150 to 275 for a two bed and 300 for a 3 bedroom town home. Tack that on monthly. Renters insurance $18. Extra parking $50. Time Warner sucks here. Don't know why, but everyone else has updated TW and not here. Just wait until you get towed ($180). Maintenance says they will fix stuff but never come by. People randomly are in your house and you have no forewarning. You can hear everything, like the next door neighbor beating his kids or going to the bathroom. Kids are allowed to draw anywhere and they never clean it. Security will tow your car before the time you need to move it. Security does nothing. Had multiple things stolen. Everything is old and breaks. The heating is not a normal heater - the ceilings become hot plates (no joke) with asbestos still attached. They are too cheap to do the removal. The market is overpriced, the gym is smaller than a garage gym. The equipment is from Pumping Iron. The amenities here are just not worth it. Location is really not that central to many things. If that is how you spell it. Wait until you try to do laundry. That is another $25 per month and there a more successful games of russian roulette

Current Resident 416037

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Horrible Horrible place to live!

Two years ago my boyfriend his mother and myself moved to California from Michigan. Park Newport seemed like a nice place at first but once we got here there was problem after problem. Within the first week we were here, the master bathroom toilet got backed up and started coming up through the shower in the second bathroom and eventually overflowed into the carpet making its way towards the front door. The only thing the maintance did was make a cut in the carpet and cleaned it. We were hoping for them to replace it but they didn't. Its just cheap carpet and it stains everywhere and we are clean people. I should also mention that the panit is horrible its peeling everywhere and frankly its gross, and also falling out onto the carpet. Another problem we had recently was some mold growing on the master bathroom ceiling. We called maintance several times.about it before they even did anything about it. We had to threaten to sue in order for them to get anything done. They fixed the celing which was supposedly from a leak upstairs and they replaced our floor in there and the shower doors. I guess thats the only good thing that came out of this place. Also, the parking is terrible. I work at Fashion Island Mall and often come home late from closing the store, and its very troublesome especially on weekends to find a parking spot late at night. One night I forgot to put my parking pass in my car because I took it down for someone who was interested in buying my car, and I got towed. It was ridiculous!!! My car is parked here everyday and the one time I forget the pass my car gets towed. I had to get a cab, go all the way to laguna beach and pay $195.00 cab fare which was about $50.00 just to get my car back. It was a horrible experience. We live on the ground floor and people who say we don't need air conditioning are crazy!! During the summer months we roasted everyday!! Although we have a nice location with only one neighbor next to us they are very noisy. We can hear the doors constanly opening and closing and its very loud. Also our upstairs neighbors are very noisy as well. I even heard a couple arguing on their patio at 4am. It was very disturbing. Also the applaiances are outdated and we hate electric stoves!!! enough said. Also expect a big rent increase. We started at $1795 and we now pay $1990 not including the $20 for the rented fridge and $20 for the two storage units that we have (if you want one of those). All in all Park Newport is a terrible place to live and I would not recomend it to anyone. Its not worth the money!

Current Resident 55848

Resident • 2000 - 2006

Good Location; staff could be better

I lived at Park Newport for about 5 years during college, and really enjoyed it. Sure the windows are very thin and rattle everytime there is the slightest breeze, and the hallways in the buildings look and feel like you are in some freaky neon-lit cheap motel, but it is a pretty good deal all-in-all. I am anti Irvine Company, and P.N. is privately owned by one person so that was a huge plus. Also, it is right on the bay and the main pool and spa are as well. The view is great from there, and there is always a nice breeze so it never feels too hot to lay out. I would recommend Park Newport for those who would like to really use it's ammenities...such as: the gym, which has a large seperate weight room from the cardio room, fitness classes (including water aerobics), quarterly parties in the club house, a movie theatre that is always playing good movies or games for free, seven pools, a market, etc... It is like it's own community and you really don't need to ever leave... I did like during college, but wanted to move on afterwards.

Current Resident 855030

Resident • 2008

Horrible, Horrible, Horrible Place!!!!

I read the reviews and ignored them. I should have listened. I live there for 2 MONTHS ONLY in a townhome with a roomate and had to break my lease. It was SO NOISY, Yes, walls and ceilings ARE paper thin, You can hear your neighbors talking. The smell of cooking, cigarette smoke, and peoples candles permeates the walls. Plus, there's asbestos everywhere, peeling paint. Laundry is a nightmare too. It's expensive and the washer/dryers break down often.

creatinburg

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Don't move in if you value your sleep!!

Everyone is overly friendly when you go to check the place out the first time. The property manager called my roommate a "wonderful person," even thaough she never met him. They really give a great sales pitch for the place. Unfortunately, after a few weeks I began to feel like I had been the gullable victim of a cheesy infomercial. The only problem...I couldn't change the channel!! My roommate and I are both hard-working people who moved out to California for job opportunities. What were we rewarded with? To be situated in the middle of what appeared to be the "projects" of Park Newport. Every weekend, snot-nosed, trust-fund, brats were throwing parties on both sides of our apartments. The "courtesy patrol" was little help. One weekend, one of the drunks tried to fight me at 2am because I asked them to take their party somewhere else. The people upstairs had a newborn baby that could be heard at all hours of the night through the paper-thin ceiling. In the morning, when you are trying to sleep, because the partiers kept you up all night, the real fun begins. At 7:01 the flights out of John Wayne airport begin, and the grounds crew starts shortly after. I will not miss being awakened to the sound of leaf-blowers, lawn-mowers, and the crew yelling ANTONIO, ANTONIO!!!!! at 8am. I swear, Antonio must have been the new guy because it seemed like he couldn't do anything right. When moving out, there is no such thing as normal wear and tear, so don't expect your security deposit back. We are two clean, responsible people. The rug was left in perfect condition, yet needed a steam cleaning that cost $85. We left a couple of scuff marks on the walls from moving stuff, and got nailed for $120 because the whole apartment needed paint. I noticed the Park Newport is offering ridiculous move-in specials, and I see why. That place is hemorrhaging tenants, and they have to do something to stop the bleeding. Don't be another band-aid on their mortally wounded body. Find someplace else, like we did. For another hundred bucks a month, you can live a block from the beach.

Current Resident 615782

Resident • 2000 - 2008

8 great years and counting

Gorgeous grounds ... great community. I met my husband here, we got married in the beautiful Park Newport clubhouse over-looking the Back Bay! Park Newport is a special place and I highly recommend it. The staff is very responsive, if anything should need attention they are on it with propmt, friendly service. I feel very safe here and I love my walks to nearby Fashion Island.

Current Resident 211852

Resident • 1996 - 2008

Rude rude management. Admin treats good renters like dirt.

I have lived there over 10 years, paid Park Newport over $200,000 in rent, never been late on my rent, keep apt. in immaculate condition and am amazed over and over again at how rudely I am treated by the administration office people/manager. I stay because the location is easy for me, but it is clear that they disrespect their renters and do not have any interest in you staying or not, or that you have been a great tenent. The managment is awful, unresponsive and untrustworthy. It can take up to a year of notification and complaints to get something major fixed (for example a water heater that is going out and causing the electric bill to increase by $10-20/month). The people in the admin office treat you like a number (0)and put up a 'wall' to legitimate compliant/concerns. Great location----horrible management.

Current Resident 330311

Resident • 2007

Residents, let's start a petition to bring in new management!!! Unbelievably poor service!

I moved into a Park Newport townhome a few months ago. All was going well, other than the usual small annoyances that come with living in an older apartment. But, when something TRULY HORRIBLE happened (the details of which I will leave out for those with weak constitutions), I expected the management -- specifically ------------- -- to bend over backwards to make it right. Boy, was I wrong...her response was essentially "screw you, it's not my problem." I couldn't believe it. Based on the myriad of rewiews on this site and many websites, I can see that there is a widespread problem with Park Newport management. After I get done talking to ----------- boss (information that ----- wouldn't give me and I had to do a tax assessor search to find out), AND the health department, AND our city council representative, AND whoever else I need to talk to in order to get this problem solved, THEN MAYBE I will give Park Newport a good review. Hello, Gerson Bakar & Associates (the management company), are you listening? You need to seriously reexamine your employment choices.

Current Resident 999208

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Noisy, Noisy, Noisy!

I have lived at Park Newport for just over a year and I wish I would've found another place to live when my lease was up! Noise: Our neighbors are a bunch of partying kids who have loud obnoxious parties every weekend and often during the week. Courtesy patrol is sometimes helpful, but these kids just shut up while they're getting a warning and start right back up again once courtesy patrol is out of sight. I'm in my 20's, so don't think I'm some old biddy who complains. My husband and I get up early and for the rent we're paying, we deserve a good night's sleep. I'm not some trust fund brat who lives on their parent's money and feels entitled to being a nuisance to others. Had I known this was a party environment, I never would've moved in. Of course that wasn't involved in the sales pitch when we looked at the place. We were told it's very quiet and everyone is really nice! Rent: Our rent went up $100 a month when we had to renew our lease. Be prepared for hikes in your rent if you plan on staying more than a year. Considering the housing market, you'd think that rental properties would be dying for you to lease another year. Appearance and Maintanence: Yes the landscaping around the apartment community is very nice, but that comes with the cost of constantly hearing the guys mowing, trimming and edging all week long. At any given time, the water in your apartment will just be shut off...usually during a shower with your hair full of shampoo. When you call maintenance, you regularly get directed to their voicemail and they never call back. If your neigbor below you clogs their kitchen sink, everyone suffers from backed up sinks. Woke up to find my kitchen sink backed up with water to the point that it was almost overflowing. Your electric bill will be outrageous because the appliances are so outdated and because they use a third party biller that slaps you with a service fee just because! Oh, and be prepared for maintanence and cleaning people to just enter your apartment unannounced (usually because they have the wrong unit written down and aren't even supposed to be in your apartment). I had a cleaning lady just enter my apartment while I was sitting in my pj's one morning. It probably wasn't her fault, but it was still really annoying. Laundry facilities: If you plan on living here, don't ever wash anything that you can't afford to replace because the washers will ruin your clothing. No one really knows how to use the machines and I've actually seen a guy adding jugs of water to the soap dispenser because he didn't understand that these are high efficiency washers and use less water. People will open your dryer while it's in use and then won't restart it for you so you end up paying twice to dry your clothes because the timer just runs out! Then, you've got the people who believe they're so privileged that they can use every wash machine in the laundry room and leave their laundry sitting in the washer all day long until they remember that they started their laundry 6 hours ago. It's rude! Clubhouse and community facilities: The clubhouse is a little outdated but still quite nice. Park Newport does have a very nice cardio room, weight room and small theater, but no one ever seems to take advantage of these places. The pool is decent but gets very crowded with partiers on weekends and it's rare to find the hot tub unoccupied. They offer many outings and excursions, however all the outings seem to be geared for the senior population. Being married and in my late 20's, it's been really hard to meet people at these apartments. It seems like there is a very large senior population and a very large 18-23 population. But like all of this, that's just my opinion. Mail delivery, UPS, Fedex: Since they put new mailboxes in every lobby last fall, the mail system has improved. Prior to the new boxes, residents were given notices that they'd have to drive to the post office to get large packages if they weren't home when the mail carrier delivered mail. UPS and FedEx are delivered to the clubhouse and 10% of the time, you'll get a notice from the driver letting you know that you have a package. I've received packages that were delivered to the clubhouse months prior only because I received a notice of another package or tracked it myself online. Many times, the people at the clubhouse cannot find my packages or try to insist that it's not there despite the fact that I have the name of the person who supposedly signed for it. Apartment units: I think the paint peeling everywhere in my apartment is the worst. Apparently, they don't prep the walls for new coats of paint. About 6 months after we moved in, sheets of paint came peeling off our shower since they didn't prime the tub properly before painting it. Why they just don't replace the tub is beyond me! Instead, they painted it again and I couldn't use my shower for 48 hours! The idea of putting white carpeting in rental units seems idiotic to me, but I guess they really want me to stain the carpet so that they can withold my security deposit on the glorious day that I move out of here. Most apartments comes with a sizable balcony or patio. The kitchens and bathrooms are on the outdated side and could use a makeover, but that would involve spending money. They painted the inside of the kitchen cabinets but again, the paint is peeling and unless you put paper or something down, you'll be scraping latex paint off of your dishes. Paint is always flaking off the doors and I'm constantly vaccuming up paint chips. It appears that they're in the process of painting the exteriors and it's making the place a little nicer in appearance. Parking: If you only have one car, you'll be fine. Just don't expect any of your friends to find a parking spot when they come to see you. Second cars are given surface parking cards but it's very hard to find parking after 6 PM and almost impossible on weekends. Don't get me wrong, Park Newport has some nice features, but the overall package is a letdown. Past renters I've talked to have complained to me about the same stuff I am complaining about in this review and eventually everyone realizes that they've done their time at Park Newport and decide that it's time to move on. It's probably one of the most affordable places to rent in Newport Beach, but it's very large and there aren't enough people to maintain the buildings and keep the place running efficiently. This place is ideal if you can sleep through a heavy metal concert and you can afford to have all your laundry done by someone else. But if you can afford that, move to The Bluffs or buy a house!

Current Resident 481107

Resident • 2007

I have lived at Park Newport for four months and have not had one week of enjoyment even though it is a beautiful property. ----- ------- is an outright dishonest manager and lies about anything she can to make you look bad when it comes to getting satisfaction on any issues regarding what you are entitled to as a renter. The last project (one out of many, many, many - at least eight projects needed to have been done on my apartment and they are still unsatisfactory) was not completed and the maintenance guy came back to my apartment after not finishing installing a dishwasher and left my water turned off to ask at 7:45 a.m. the next morning to be let into my apartment to get tools. I had to tell him I was calling the police before he left. He denies being there and I have been told he didn't have a proper name tag on and he definately did not have tools he left or a schedule maintenance call with me. He was not there to pick up tools and I cannot prove it. ----- proceeded to send me a letter claiming that I had been verbally abusive with him and was using profanity. I do not use profanity and could definately prove this in a court. She is outrageous and thinks that she can intimidate you by making up disgusting stories. I would like to start collecting letters (at least five different people in my building alone are willing to write letters) to get some action. She has not been fair and I feel that Park Newport owes alot of people compensation for allowing certain homes to not be kept in decent ready-to-move in order. Just today I tried to go home with 3 bags of groceries and could not take the elevator and could not take the stairway. A couch had been left there in the evening totally blocking the stairway and the elevator was out of order.

Current Resident 593025

Resident • 1995 - 2007

Don't Rent At Park Newport

I stayed at Park Newport for just shy of 15 years - 15 YEARS - from 1992 to 2007 (the "years at this apartment" field on this site wouldn't let me mark earlier than 1995, so that's why it looks like that's when I moved in). I saved them at least two total re-do's of that apartment. I cleaned the entire place when I left, but 15 years of living had its effects. They deducted a CLEANING FEE for that apartment, when I'd bet my bottom dollar they were going to simply replace the FULLY DEPRECIATED appliances in that apartment. These people are completely unethical and beneath contempt. By the way, they told me nobody could have dogs or cats, but I often saw dogs and cats on the premises. Plus they were so inconsistent in the creation and application of "policies" that most of us were often annoyed at the outcomes.

Current Resident 540300

Resident • 2003 - 2007

Parking

Overpriced units that don't have central air or washer and dryer in complex. Management doesn't mind towing your car regardless of how long you've been parking there and will tell you there is nothing they can do. The high turnover and the popularity of living in Newport Beach allows management to turn a blind eye whenever it suits them.<br><br>Just like anything in life, you get what you pay for. Spend the extra $300 to live in a irvine company apartment in the same vicinity, it will be worth not having the headaches.

sliquidator

Resident • 2003 - 2007

They enter when ever they feel like it!

Maint. has entered me apt unannounced 3 times and twice caught my daughter coming out of the shower and they don't f/n care. ------------- is an A-Hole. They shut off the water daily unannounced, so you could be taking a shower when it goes off, they then tell you it was an emergency and will be back on in fifteen min. That's 15 min from whenever you call and it's really off for hours. We have had to go to work with shampoo in our hair or with no shower at all. The apartments are mold and termite infested,they run lawn mowers and leaf blowers from 8am to 2pm daily and they are very loud. The security is a super joke. They have no one is the shack at the gate until 10pm daily, so anyone can come and go as they please. You don't need a key to get in any lobby because maint. always props the door open. Don't get you car cleaner because the sprinklers will wipe out you car daily. Water is also leaking from the parking garage ceilings daily on your car. If you have a motorcycle chances are it will be stolen according to NPB Police at least one per month. I have had my fedx and UPS shipment stolen from my front door and from the lobby. If they leave you package at the club house the people don't log them in and most times can't even find them. They have given me my packages with just the UPS or FedX notice that anyone could have taken from the Lobby area, they never ask for ID. Last month some took a box that was 6ft long by 3ft wide. Makes you wonder when all maint. people drive pickup trucks. I could go one forever. This place relly sucks and no matter what maint and mgmt. are always right and if you don't like it you can move, because they will never give an inch.

eddie142

Resident • 2008 - 2009

Seriously, do not move here

Park Newport is in a good location and looks great on the outside. But the Management is the worst and god forbid you need an maintenance on your unit. I had a minor clogged drain and they tried to blame me for it. Then when I pointed out a stain on the carpet that the plumber left from his equipment, they also blamed me for it. The walls are thin and the noise level is always high.

unhappyrenter205

Resident • 2006

Don't expect your deposit back.

When I moved out, I followed the instructions to the "letter", so I would get my deposit back for cleaning. I had my furniture moved out and had a walk-through done, so I had all weekend to clean. The place was spotless, however I made the mistake of leaving a bag of apples (I had planned on taking with me) in the VERY CLEAN REFRIGATOR, so that was counted at leaving "garbage" behind and I had to pay the $115 cleaning fee. They told me it was because they had to repaint some wall areas that were smudged, however I had already talking to the front desk about that and they assured me that was part of the regular things that were done when someone moves out. There was absolutely nothing for anyone to clean, when I left. They apartments are very old and difficult to keep clean (don't put nails in the wall or you will end up with a huge hole). I'm very disappointed that they would be so greedy as to keep the $115 for cleaning. In addition my rent was raised approx. and extra $200 after six months, because I wouldn't sign a lease for six more months. I tried to reason with someone in their office, but had no luck. I would never recommend anyone renting from them!!!!

tonngo0

Resident • 2006

When I first moved in, it took the maintenant four months and countless phone calls to fix the moded ceiling that was cause by the leaking water pipe upstair. Now there are mices problem in the apartment. The last three months, three mice were caught, and I still seeing mouse's dropping around the apartment. I told the apartment manager about the mice outside the building and the apartment did nothing about it. Now the elevator handrail fell off three months ago and it still hasn't been fix yet.<br>The parking around here is a nightmare too. The apartment allowed guest to park till 1 AM in the morning, and the resident has no where to park, so you come home around 9-10 PM at night good luck finding a parking space, unless you want to park on the street outside the apartment. Now the apartment reduced the staffs too, so everything takes longer. The manager here show no courtesey, she even mocked me. Too bad they have this apartment comples run down.

damaranicole

Resident • 2005 - 2006

Never again will I do apartment living

1.) If you have children, don't live here because there aren't many that live in this complex. This complex is either made of us the VERY old or the college aged/just out of college types that can't afford to live anywhere else in Newport Beach. 2.) If you don't live in the right location, it is blazing during the summer time. There is absolutely no cross breeze. 3.) If you live near a smoker, your house will stink really badly. We live in the corner of smokers. It's disgusting. 4.) Our place was advertised as a canyon view. Sure it would be if they cut down the trees more then once a year 4.) The washers and dryers are always breaking 5.) Be prepared to call the police on drunken idiots that fight in the parking lot at 3 AM. 5.) After your first year lease is up, be prepared for a huge hike in rent. 6.) Plumbing is bad on the top floor. Not sure how it is on all of the other floors, but it's bad in ours. The only thing good about this place is the other facilities that they offer - aerobics classes, lots of pools and the gym and weight room, as well as the convenience of a market (although, as is expected, the rates are jacked). We have lived here almost a year and have had three fire alarms in the middle of the night.

jflow

Resident • 2006

Live here if you don't like to sleep

Park Newport strictly enforces its parking rules by towing vehicles that do not have parking permits. This is great but it only applies between the hours of 0100 - 0500. This means if you are living in an apartment facing the parking areas, expect to wake up in the middle of the night to a lot of tow trucks below your window. You even get to enjoy drunks arguing with the tow truck drivers throughout the night. This is especially great when your apartment is over 90 degrees so you have to sleep with your window open. Did I mention there is no AC? Like I said, this place is great if you don't like to sleep. Everything else is OK but it seems too expensive for what you are getting.

TNS1878

Resident • 2003 - 2004

It's a shame...

This may seem like I just can't let go of the past, but for all of you considering or currently living at Park Newport, listen up! I was a resident from March of '03 to March of '04 and my roommates and I were so unfairly treated I feel it my duty to let everyone know. I was recently on the premises with a friend and it brought up alot of bad memories. Before I get started, here's the good:<br>1. Impeccably kept grounds<br>2. Big units<br>3. Nice location<br>4. Cheaper than almost any other apartment complex in Newport.<br><br>I wanted to be fair, because Park Newport isn't all bad, but the bad definately outweighs the good. First of all, THEY CHARGED US OVER $2000 FOR MOVE OUT COSTS!!!! Unless we destroyed the place, this figure is completely inappropriate. My roommates and I ended up paying because one thing Park Newport has on its side is time. We just didn't have the time to drag them to court, although we did consult lawyers on the matter, and we didn't have the money to hire a lawyer and fight this ridiculous bill. BE VERY WEARY OF THE STAFF, especially the head of the apartment complex, who's name I have purposefully forgotten. They are arrogant, terse, and have no problem charging 3 individuals struggling to just make ends meet, $2000 in move out costs. <br><br>The bottom line is karma is a ----- and she doesn't like being screwed with. I realize I can do nothing, but warn others about Park Newport's shady business practices, but I know eventually, and you do too Linda (I remembered her name), that treating people this poorly will lead to nothing but heartache for you.

newportliving99

Resident • 2006

18.5% Rent Increase at Park Newport

Can you believe it. My first year at Park Newport is almost up. I received the lease renewal and almost died - 18.5% increase. Needless to say, I'm out of here. Maybe that's a tactic, they get you in and then hit you with a huge increase. Look somewhere else.

movedtosc

Resident • 2005 - 2006

Listen to the whiners

Having lived in PN, just about everything I read in them is correct, it just depends on what your tolerance level is.<br><br>The most obnoxious thing I found there was the inflexibility. Rules are generally good, but blind adherence to rules is not. I moved from the mid-west and had my apartment in tow (literally). I arrived a bit early but they were in no way going to let me in early (one day, which I offered to pay for; the excuse was liability reasons, but being an attorney I knew they were full of ---- on that one and just went to a hotel).<br><br>The leasing process is true salesmanship, which was new to me. Be prepared to walk away if you don't like what they say (I'm not saying they will come after you with a better deal, but don't let them hard-sell you into anything). Irvine company employs a similar practice, though their people do come off a bit better (they are a little more willing to be open with you--I stress "a little").<br><br>The apartments are older, no question about that. I had a "partial view" studio with a view looking down the bay; I liked it and it worked well for me (single, not a lot of guests, not a lot of stuff). I would say that you really need to inspect and make sure and fill out every little thing on the inspection form. I just moved, so I have yet to see what will happen with my deposit, but I suspect I won't get much back even though I am pretty clean and made sure the place was spotless on my way out. The carpet is cheap apartment carpet and the wierd filmy paint is still stuck to my kitchenware. One odd thing--a fridge comes with the studios but not with the one bedrooms, something to think about when pricing them out. I was very hesitant about studios and had signed for a one bedroom, then called back (on the same day) to change to a studio. As it turns out, and I noted above, the studio was perfect and I saved some money.<br><br>I never had issues with the heat; my apartment always had some breeze, which is probably not tru of lower levels, especially if you aren't on the bay. In the winter I never recall the heat coming on and I always kept it at the lowest setting.<br><br>I never had issues with parking. All of my (few) guests were there during the day or flew in to the very close by John Wayne Airport. No one ever took my assigned garage spot, but if they had, I'm sure I would have been extremely pissed, especially if the complex would not have it towed for me. I did see the tow trucks prowling the lots though, so make sure you get a pass for your guests.<br><br>As noted, John Wayne Airport is close by, which is great for travelling, but not so great for phone conversations, watching television, etc. It didn't bother me all that much, and I actually found the weekday morning flights to be a good wake-up, as I tend to hit snooze otherwise. The commenter who said they start at 7:00 is correct; I don't know why the leasing agent would make such a bold misrepresentation. They are usually done by 10:30, with the occasional late arrival.<br><br>I didn't participate in the events--I'm not a fan of structured socialization--but they're there for those interested. The clubhouse does have a decent gym and cardio set-up, so you don't have to pay for another membership. People do do laps in the main pool, but it looks pretty short to me (if it's 25 yards I would be suprised).<br><br>The area has some perks. The bay is nice for jogging and has the bike trail (though the heat does makes the funk pretty tough to take for long periods of time); you can rent kayaks at the Newport Aquatic Cnter on the other side of the bay. Balboa (Island) is within walking distance, as is Fashion Island (if you like that sort of thing). Balboa (Penninsula) and Corona Del Mar are short bike trips away. Laguna is nice to visit.<br><br>The residents are really a mix. I noticed the UCI students and geriatrics more than anything, but there were a good number of us late-20s professionals too, and even a few families. You can hear people in the courtyard as if they were talking to you directly, but my area was quiet at night (except the occasional moans of pleasure from the couple down one level to the right of my apartment, which I found amusing and was tempted to yell down and ask if they wanted a cigarette after the obvious climax). Walking around the grounds on some evenings, I can see the UCI students as possible problems, but I didn't have to deal with it.<br><br>My studio was $1335. The cheapest I heard about was $1175 for a studio facing a parking lot. I just went with a 7-month lease and feared an increase in rent, but when it came, it was only $10. I didn't renew because I knew I was getting a new job in D.C., so I went month-to-month, which added an additional $100 to the base rent of $1345. If you go inland, you can find cheaper places. As for the utilities, I think my usual bill was around $35-40. It was small enough that I didn't care much about it.<br><br>Looking back, I can't say it was a bad place. The asbestos thing is a bit unsettling and the "robotic" adherance to rules really isn't necessary (from a legal standpoint, which is their excuse). I liked the apartment itself; a newer place would have been nice, but for the same view I would have paid more. Laundry was tough on Sundays, but I was able to get it done (you have to be flexible); they installed new washers in my building before I left, so the days of 2 or 3 out of 10 machines being out of order are hopefully behind.<br><br>That's about it. I probably would have stayed there had I not moved to D.C.; the annoyances were not great enough to get me to do what I hate more than anything--moving. One more thing--I wouldn't "recommend" the place, but I would suggest it as an option; the two are different in my mind.

Current Resident 524669

Resident • 2001 - 2006

I love it, don't listen to the whiners

Iv'e lived here with my girlfriend for 5 years, we love it. Amazing view for not that much money, big apartment, tons of amenities, we've made lots of friends here, it's convenient to walk down the hall and have people to watch the game with, drink a beer, or bug in the morning to go for a surf. Yeah, it's old, and the parking sucks. They tell you upfront what the rules about parking are , I've never had a problem. Noise is an issue depending on where you are. We're in the back of the complex facing the ocean, and I rarely hear anyone, except the lady upstairs, whose exercise regiment seems to consist of picking up bowling balls and dropping them on the floor. Luckily, she's barely ever there. The management can be a hassle if you have to deal with them a lot, I just avoid them as much as possible. In summation, if you like to complain about petty things, don't live here. I don't like whiny neighbors anyway. But if you see what a killer place it is and can deal with an old building and tight parking, it's a pretty kick back place to live.

Current Resident 87910

Resident • 2006

Nice location, abysmal management.

I just moved in here because of the nice bayside location - a mistake I'm going to have to live with for another 10 months.<br><br>Apartments are not climate controlled, walls are paper thin, parking is impossible, and management is comically obnoxious - they don't even pretend to be nice.<br><br>Don't even bother to apply if you have children, they actively discriminate against families and do their best to make your life uncomfortable.<br><br>This place would be adequate for a single person who never has visitors, doesn't mind shivering in the winter or sweating in the summer, is hard of hearing, and likes being treated like a prison inmate by management.<br><br>All others, look elsewhere - you have been warned.<br>

Current Resident 942644

Resident • 2006

Nice community with nice people!

I moved into this place a couple of months ago on a recommendation from a freind that used to live here and have enjoyed living here thus far! I actually read some of these reviews and even got a copy of the leae which was offered to me before I signed everything.<br><br>The lease is long, but when it comes to housing (as I know because I'm in the mortgage business) you have to disclose every detail. Believe me, they do! It seems restrictive, but I'm glad there are quiet hours, and that my neighbor has to have renter's insurance, and that kids aren't running around without their parents. It makes since because otherwise the whole place would be a mess!<br><br>Honestly, Park Newport is one of the nicest communities in the area for the price and you don't have snobby Newport Beach people living next to you. The people here are real! All in all, I recommend it, regardless of what the petty reviews say! Those people are all a bunch of whiners.