The Fillmore Center

asussm

Resident • 2005

Don't move here

For some reason I lived in the Fillmore ctr. for a year. Not only was the neighborhood difficult but the Fillmore Center staff was non-responsive to my issues making it an even worse situation. I had prequent noise issues that they could have solved but chose not to. After not being able to sleep because of construction noise, garbage noise, and street noise at early hours in the morning (they say there is "security" but it is a load of crap) I eventually moved, but needed to honor my lease.<br><br>Seriously, do not move to this complex.

johns7873

Resident • 2000 - 2004

Why don't all residence have special security locks?

After all of the break-ins here more than 60, why is it that management does not provide special security locks for all residence and not just some. I requested the new security lock months ago. I still do not have one and management only give me the run around. They only want to make this place safe for certain people. If you are crazy enough to rent here make sure you request a special security lock on your door, and demand that you receive it before you sign the lease. You don't want to come home and find all of your belongings missing and management doesn't do anything. It's not worth the money they ask for these apartments. Find a better safer place to live.

aqueenint1

Resident • 2002 - 2004

Fake Reviews by Fillmore Center Management/Anti-Gay

The Fillmore Center Management asked a friend of mine who works at the Fillmore Center as a leasing agent to write fake reviews on this web site because people were writing such horiffic reviews. He told me he wrote one and never did it again. I actually live here and I hate it and can't wait to move. It is really as bad as people say it is it looks good from the outside but it's really not. Stay away you will be disappointed. P.S. to all of the people on the T also stay away because the managment is also -----phobic. My friend told me his supervisor made some really anti-gay comments. Take it from a queen.

Current Resident 893477

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Da Projects...it's like Cabrini Green in Chicago

All I can tell anyone who considering moving to Da Fillmore Center is to research and check out the history of Cabrini Projects in Chicago IL, I belive Laramar is also from Chicago no wonder they are so much alike, gun shots, drug use, muggings, prostitution rings it's all here, kinda like Amsterdam in a way. So if you don't regard your safetly and the safety of your children and elderly relatives please move it. It's no joke this place looks wonderful but it's real "new jack city" if you know what I mean.

srdmr

Resident • 2004

Mr. Website is Pathetic

Wow. You really must have far too much time on your hands to create a website (www.the fillmorecenter.4t.com) specifically devoted to complaining about the Fillmore Center. What good samaritan you are, pal. If you're so unhappy there, why don't you just MOVE??<br><br><br>

Current Resident 853580

Resident • 2004

www.thefillmorecenter.4t.com

This place has the worst managment and highest crime rate of any complex in San Francisco. Visit the site above and call the SFPD for current crime statistics.

Current Resident 660946

Resident • 2004

I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE

Ok I wasn't going to waste my time writing this because I am moving out of here like tomorrow anyway but I just couldn't stand this place and thought I really needed to warn ppl abt it. I pay alot of money for a worthless place. The neighborhood is sick, the air outside your window stinks so imagine if you decide to leave your windows open. By night fall do not even consider walking out if you do not want to die because it is not safe at all. The property itself is mismanaged because it is too big. The place actually constructed on an entire block in the middle of the neighborhood to clean up the place but the surrounding atmosphere is still there. The inside of the elevators smell exactly like the trash room and do not be decieved by how nice the place looks before you live in it because you later notice how the recycled bins are never emptied and nothing is ever cleaned. As for the management I wonder if they came from hell. Just because I am Asian one lady speaks to me like I do not speak any English. Hello? This is San Francisco! And the ppl in the office acts all nice before you sign the lease and when you do, forget it. Your leasing agent never returns any calls and there is a good chance you will get a lecture from someone in the security office if you ever need to go in there for a problem, and you will have to because go because they give you this stupid scanner key that never works so you find that you cannot get inside your own building like in the middle of the night or that you cannot get out of the garage when you have to be somewhere early in the morning. One time I had to actually park my car again and sit down and unscrew this metal poll so I could get to school on time since the scanner key was not working. If you want to recieve packages in the mail expect to make alot of trips across town to the actual UPS facility because you get charged $10 per item if the office holds it for you. Excuse me but this service is available for free at almost all other apartment buildings like the one I am moving to. There are also some questionable tenants. I got hit on by this old man the age of my grandfather who lives on my floor several times. He kept telling me I am beautiful and waited while I was unlocking my door for me to say something back to him. My poor roommate also started getting nightmares because of such ppl living in the building. The occupants in the room upstairs has loud disgusting bed shaking sex and I have to sleep through it. They also play the piano and my apartment sounds like a funeral home all evening. There was also this this huge ladder built right beside my window to do construction work without a single notice to my unit and the workers talk and scream to each other and pound away while I try to take a nap. I called the office to complain and the person I spoke to was not even aware of the existance of construction work and I finally gave up, hanged up the phone and went to a spa to sleep in the lounge there instead. You will never get your deposit back either so do not even think abt it. I could have lived in this fancy sky rise apartment building across town for the same price but it was too far away and I regret choosing this place. I am now moving across the street to another place that is super clean and has a swimming pool and free gym and although it is smaller it is not filthy like the gym that is here downstairs, which you have to get a seperate membership. I was only suppose to move next month but I am giving up a month's rent to my roommate so I can actually get out sooner. Save your money there are many places to rent in the city that are either private homes or other apartment buildings if you take the time to look. This place is just not worth it at all, it will make your life terribly inconvinenced and miserable like it has mine.

curiousgal

Resident • 2004

Is the Fillmore Center for sale?

I heard a rumor that the Fillmore Center was being sold by a couple of friends who live there. I asked someone in the rental office if it was true and they told me they didn't know anything about it. Does anyone here know anything?

wondering

Resident • 2004

wondering about current safety and staff

I have not yet leased an apartment at the center, but am wondering whether I should or not. How would your rate the current staff with regards to helpfulness, and the building with regards to safety?

Current Resident 96684

Resident • 2003 - 2004

If You Value Your Life - Stay Away from Fillmore Center

Management here actually facilitates crime. Yes, the geniuses who manage Fillmore Center leave notices of all sorts on your apartment door, wedged in between the doornobs. So guess what happens when you're away for a weekend? The burglars (who crawl around here like cockroaches) know exactly when you're not home.<br><br>And if you're female, you'll just love getting harrased as you walk up 3 flights of a dark, remote hallway (often filled with people engaged in drug commerce) because the elevators often break down and they take 4 weeks (yes, 4 weeks!) to fix.<br><br>If you're a male, you'll love the opportunities to flex your muscle as there will be plenty of drunken or drug-induced challengers who'll confront your for money or a fight. Ever have someone with a "shank" ask you for your wallet? It's a sweet adrenaline rush you can only get at the Fillmore Center - but then again, that's why the rents are so high. Where else can you get your car broken into as well as your apartment and have to be fearful of your own safety? And did I mention the mold problems?<br><br>Come on down - the Fillmore center has a lease application (that's near impossible to get out of) waiting just for you!

Current Resident 987130

Resident • 2003 - 2004

S.F. Examiner "Filches at Fillmore" 9/10/04

Filches at Fillmore<br>Burglary epidemic hits famous complex.<br>By Alison Soltau | Staff Writer<br>Published on Friday, September 10, 2004<br>URL: http://www.examiner.com/article/index.cfm/i/091004n_fillmor this story | Print this page<br>The Fillmore Center, an attractive apartment complex in the heart of the Western Addition, is battling a burglary epidemic that has forced residents to flee the landmark high-rise.<br><br>Fifty-nine break-ins have occurred since February, according to residents, prompting at least 16 residents to abandon the complex that aims to be a seven-acre oasis of luxury and calm in a gentrified stretch of Japantown. The gated campus is marked with lap pools and waterfalls and offers high-speed Internet access and parking.<br><br>Faced with a burglary once every four days, the center's management has written to Mayor Gavin Newsom and Police Chief Heather Fong, appealing for more cops and accusing police of being slow to respond to the problem.<br><br>Residents at the well-appointed complex -- which fetches $1,400 a month for a one-bedroom apartment and $2,500 a month for a two-bedroom townhouse -- are seeing their doors pried open and personal possessions plundered. <br><br>"Many of our residents have lost high-value and irreplaceable sentimental items," said general manager Steve Boyack, in the letter to Newsom. "A police officer responds after great delay, takes a quick report and leaves. Little or no investigation takes place at all."<br><br>The center's management, which provides its own security patrols of the complex, did not return calls seeking comment.<br><br>Police have not been lax investigating the case and have two suspects they believe are responsible for many of the crimes Sgt. Neville Gittens said.<br><br>Cops planned to set up a meeting with residents and building management to discuss the problem and to advise residents of safety precautions, such as locks and landscaping, which can discourage burglaries, Gittens said.<br><br>"There is concern. We are working on it and we are trying to work with the management, residents, everybody involved, to put a stop to it."<br><br>Boyack said The Fillmore Center faced lawsuits from residents over the burglaries and suffered the costs of damaged doors and locks.<br><br>The crime along Fillmore Street and how it's affected life in the Fillmore Center is a sore point among many of the residents, if a perusal of anonymous postings on a city apartment-finder Web site is any judge.<br><br>Tenants bemoan chronic violence in the surrounding neighborhood, such as the killing of Chris Johnson in the Safeway opposite the complex in May.<br><br>

gladtobegone6

Resident • 2003 - 2004

The examiner

Hi everyone, there's an article in the Examiner about crime at the Fillmore Center.<br><br>http://www.examiner.com/article/index.cfm/i/ think this may be useful.

Annette22

Resident • 2004

HELP! HOW DO I GET OUT OF LEASE BEFORE MOVE IN TO THE FILLMORE CENTER?

Reading about the reviews of the crime has me frightened and desperate to break the lease. Has anyone been through this, broke lease and got out under such frightening conditions? People getting shot and other things--I value my life and that of my significant other. <br><br>We are due to move in the middle of September. After reading the reviews about the crime and noise problems in the building, I do NOT want to live there!!<br><br>

Current Resident 803362

Resident • 2002 - 2004

Awful & we're finally moving

I can only agree with anybody whose experience with the Fillmore Center was awful, horrible, and terrible. I'm so glad because we are finally moving out after 2 years of frustration, changes in management, gun shots at night, and being fearful of going to Safeway -- we're finally getting out of the projects. Enough said! Bye-bye for good!

Current Resident 786653

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Awful

The apartments are beautiful. <br>However the ambiance of the neighborhood is horrible and disgusting my car did get broken into four times!<br> Even worse the staff is rude, impatient, inattentive, not professional and make this apartment building a living hell. <br>Oh yeah, they will screw you out of a lot of money when you decide to move out!<br> <br>

Current Resident 737766

Resident • 2002 - 2004

An honest review

I'm willing to accept that there are people who live here who actually enjoy it, but why they should come to this site to defend the place is beyond me. If you are happy where you live, why bother telling anyone? Why defend it? To people who are wondering whether they should live here, just keep this reasoning in mind when you see the "YES" reviews.<br><br>Realistically speaking, this complex is too big for a single management company, but this is the least of the Fillmore Center's problems. The FC contains several buildings on three separate blocks, smack dab in the middle of the Western Addition, which is only slightly less seedy than Hunter's Point. You might even call it Tenderloin West. The fact is that this is a very dangerous, noisy, and violent neighborhood, even with the presence of the police station. At any time of the day you can see drug dealing on Laguna, Webster, or Fillmore. This is not a good neighborhood, understand? You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, so no matter how clean, modern, and spacious the apartments are, the criminal element tends to trickle into the buildings because it's surrounded by projects as far as the eye can see. From our window we can see many projects stretching into the distance. Gunshots, sirens, yelling, screaming, homicides, rapes, burglary, all of these things go on in this neighborhood, and that's a FACT. <br><br>To be fair, the management of FC have nothing to do with neighborhood crime, so I think the vitriol directed at them from some of the reviews is a little uncalled for. But at the same time, I think people should make an informed decision when they choose where they want to live in SF. Yes the apartments in FC are nice, clean, and modern, and yes they are spacious, but this neighborhood is horrible. Is the tradeoff worth it? Well, you have to decide that for yourself, crime is everywhere that is true, but there is a much higher proportion of it in the Western Addition, where the FC is located. <br><br>Putting aside the crime issue, I'm very happy with my apartment itself, it is just right for the two of us, has two bathrooms, two bedrooms, and it is bright and sunny. The maintenance people always fix things right away. They put in new carpet before we moved in, and we have a fireplace, which is heavenly on cold nights, our kitty really loves it. I'm not happy with the parking, I have to walk through several buildings to get to my space, and in the morning it takes up to 10 minutes to get to my car and the garage door is sometimes broken for weeks. The grounds are pretty nice, there are trees and waterfalls, and even barbecue grills. If they had built this complex out at the beach or some other non-high-crime area, it would have been really nice.<br><br>Security is fair, one reviewer compared them to the keystone cops, and I'm surprised that anyone even knows who they are. Well, the keystone cops have become metaphors for bumbling idiots, and that is largely true of the security. They look like they're working, but they spend most of their time hiding in their office. I can't say I blame them, the crime in this neighborhood is terrible and they aren't cops. Some of the buildings have low-income housing, I think it's called section eight. For those of you who don't know, these are the kind of people who feed their kids chips and soda for breakfast. You will share an elevator with them, and if you're lucky they will fling insults (and only insults) at you. Word to the wise: don't leave your laundry for a second, if you know what I mean. I lost two sets of bathroom towels.<br><br>Okay, the management. The one reviewer who said her leasing agent was -------- was spot-on. They're very friendly and charming, even funny, when they're buttering you up to sign the lease, but once you do, you are treated like ----. I'm serious, they never return your phone calls, it's mad I tell you. My SO and I took bets on how many messages we left for the LA before they returned our call; we finally gave up after two months. Can you imagine that? We called the LA every day for two months, never mind that we already solved our problem in the meantime, we just wanted to see if the LA would respond and they never did. Not one call. Nada. Zip. But they sure become friendly again when your lease needs to be renewed, they fall all over themselves, slobbering like obsequious mutts to get their commission. I'm serious, it's the most pathetic thing I've ever seen. They get up and dance when they see your checkbook. I'm convinced that within their chests beat black little hearts the size of peas. The management doesn't return calls either, I guess it must be an office policy or something. If you need to talk to them about something, it's best to go down there in person because they will never return your messages. And don't expect to get all of your deposit back, no matter how clean your apartment is when you leave. We've known several other people who live here, and they never got their full deposits back either. The decision to keep part of the deposit is solely at the discretion of the management, so I strongly advise you to videotape the apartment as you leave, or to do a walkthrough with management, so that you can address any outstanding concerns BEFORE you move out. We plan on doing this, and if we don't get our full deposit back we will take legal action against the management.<br><br>So there you have it, if you want to be treated like you don't exist and you like high-crime areas where your car will be broken into and you face a strong probability of getting mugged or worse, then you can happily believe the slick brochures and friendly smiles of the pea-heart FC leasing agents. <br><br>If you want to be treated like a human being instead of a cash machine, and you want to live to the end of your life with a decreased possibility of suffering bullet wounds, you'll have a greater chance at practically any other apartment building in the city, except for maybe Park Merced. <br><br>We're moving out at the end of our lease, and soon the sirens, rap music, and gunshots at 2:00 am will be nothing more than a distant, unpleasant memory.

Current Resident 574086

Resident • 2003 - 2004

I wouldn't recommend this place!

We have lived here for a year and I can hardly wait for our lease to be up. We are definitely moving. If we had known what this neighborhood was like, we would never have moved here! The location is really convenient and there are lots of shops everywhere but that is the only good thing about the Fillmore Center. We are almost in the projects (well in the middle of 3 housing projects) and I don't appreciate being woken up at 4am but junkies, alcoholics and inconsiderate people yelling and screaming!Our pizza guy was mugged when he trying to deliver our pizza and now they won't delive to our neighborhood anymore! Even though there is a police station right round the corner, I don't feel like this place is safe at all! I wish people had told us that they accepted section 8 here! We pay so much but I feel that we are barely tolerated by the staff here. I don't feel like they do all that much for me. I have lived at other places and the staff there were great. The staff here fail miserably in comparison. Its so hard for you to break your lease... nobody can afford to pay 2 months rent to leave! We live in a nicer part of the center but after all that's happened lately, people getting held up, people get shot outside the Foot Locker and down on Buchanan... no thank you! And when we moved in, we had to install DSL because it wasn't cable ready. But I had problems with that since my DSL connection was even slower than dial up. And the DSL people told me it was most likely because of the wiring in the apartment! Before you move in here, please try to find other places that are probably safer and cheaper! Good luck apartment hunting!!!<br><br>PS. I have noticed recently on craigslist that TFC lists their location as lower pacific heights. To all prospective tenants, please note that the Fillmore Center is in the Western Addition and is second only to Bayview in crime rates. Crime is undoubtedly everywhere in the city, but why put yourself in harm's way? For the amount you'll be paying to live here, you will be able to find somewhere nice and much safer elsewhere.

Current Resident 483008

Resident • 2000 - 2003

Mold?

I am former tenant in Fillmore center and a plaintiff in a lawsuit against them about MOLD. I am claiming that myself and my infant daughter were made sick by the mold and that we had property damage. <br> <br>If you have any information concerning MOLD or WATER problems at the Fillmore Center that you would be willing to share to help us in our investigation, please email me at my boyfriend's email address, carmst3876@aol.com. Thanks in advance.

NewFC

Resident • 2004

Pretty Good So Far

I just moved into The Fillmore Center and before I did i read all these reviews and was feaked out thinking what the heck did i get myself into, i'm just a little white, blonde hair girl! But things have been good. I feel very safe because I think about what I do. Like I read in another post; do not even think about walking down Fillmore, not the best of ideas, however walking up is just fine. If you are smart, things are fine here. But, I do have to say that the Leasing Agent I had to deal with is a ------. She was very rude, not helpful at all, and messed up my move in date and I had to move in while they were still working on my apartment. We will see what happens.

Current Resident 322769

Resident • 2004

I was held up at gun point in front of the apartment!!

I've lived here for three months, I should have never moved in! But the leasing staff said it was safe. Don't mind the crack smokers, the drunks, the whores and the homeless. I was an idiot. Don't make the same mistake.

Current Resident 86084

Resident • 2000 - 2004

We got robbed!!!!!!

If you are a sadistic person who gets off on getting their things taken from them, go ahead and live here. It's really sad because the apartment, grounds, and neighbors are nice and the fitness center is right below in our building. However, after we found out that we got robbed as did other people in the building, we decided that moving out of here as fast as we can to be safe would be the best plan of action. The security here sucks and sometimes, we see kids (bad kids) try out each doorknob to see if they can get in. In our case, our locks were undone! Also, a few weeks ago, there were gang shootings across the street from our building at the Safeway parking lot. One time, while we were in the apartment, a couple of kids were banging on my door and yelling "open the #@$#@ing door!". Please do not live here for safety's sake! We are currently looking for another place and are sad at the same time to say goodbye to this place because it was close to a lot of things. Fillmore Center is not in a safe place and that's the bottomline.

Current Resident 75668

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Apt's are fine, it's the neighborhood that sucks.

I'm moving out at the end of July, but if I were staying in San Francisco, I would renew my lease. <br> <br>My roommate and I live in Tower 3, on Turk St. in one of the penthouses. I have to say, for what we're paying (2K/Mo)it's a pretty nice apt. Full kitchen, individual bathrooms, nice views. The three balconies are nice, but not really usable cause it's so ------- windy and cold all the time. Keep that in mind if you are looking at a penthouse--the balconies are only good in the mornings, cause when the fog rolls in it's temperature drop in downtown winterland, baby. <br> <br>I have no complaints about the FC staff--they leave you alone. Never had any mold problems. Can't complain about cable cause I don't sit on my --- all day and watch TV (and have no sympathy for those that do). <br> <br>What I would like to complain about is the neighborhood, which is kinda ------. Two recent homicides, a rash of burglaries, the very occassional smash and grab. There's a police station on my block but they have ZERO presence: Their building is frequently tagged by graffittiists and drug dealers operate openly on the opposite corner--I mean directly across the street from the police station. <br> <br>So if you can deal with all the crack addicts wandering around on the street (they don't bother me), the mothers who talk on cell phones with one breath and scream at their kids with the next, and all the trash in the street, then you should be fine. <br> <br>Really, the apartments are nice, particularly the upper floors of the towers. I never ever hear my neighbors. It's the neighborhood that sucks so bad. <br> <br>And to all the people saying, oh, but there's a Starbucks a block away! WTF you idiots? Like that's a good thing? Support your local coffee stand, not those corporate ----s. Starbucks is the McDonald's of the coffee world.

Current Resident 43149

Resident • 2004

Attempt to be Fair - Part II

I wrote a review here a while back and thought I should update it. For what it's worth, I'm moving as soon as I can find a place to go. One shooting across the street, another a week later a few blocks away, apts being broken into, and my girlfriend witnessed a robbery at the Safeway a couple weeks ago. It's ridiculous - I'm paranoid walking around here at night.<br><br>Parking is terrible and I can't pay the $170 a month they want for a garage space. It's almost worth it though since I've been ticketed twice and towed once (for one of the street parties they had). <br><br>I was assured the apt was DSL ready, but had to pay SBC to send a technician to wire the apt before it would work. <br><br>On the good side, you're close to the 38 bus, a short walk to Pacific Heights, and a movie theater close by. But for me, it's just not worth what I'm paying for this place.

Current Resident 999129

Resident • 2003 - 2004

What do I have to do to prove I'm not an FC employee?

To "Summary: It Sucks.": I'm "I'm renewing my lease." You just accused me of posting a fake review. What can I do, aside from posting my name and exact address, to prove that I'm a tenant? It ought to be obvious to anybody why anyone posting would want to post anonymously to a public website, so please don't demand that I do otherwise. Did you even read my whole (long) review? <br> <br>I agree with you (and others) that there *are* obvious fake "positive" reviews here. But they're pretty easy to spot; the language used is a big tip-off. I would love it if more FC staff posted here, as themselves, in an effort to address problems, as well as legitimately inform people about the benefits of living here. I don't condone a member of management pretending to be a tenant -- I never said there were no bad apples. I posted last year ("Now I´m kind of freaked out {previous M1 poster}"), in fact, and closed with a request that FC employees step up. <br> <br>But I *am* a tenant. And my reviews are honest narratives about my experience here. I'd be happy to prove that fact if I could think of a way to do it without being an idiot (disclosing personal information). <br> <br>A big part of my motivation to post the info I've posted is that if anything I say manages to attract people like me (responsible, honest, fair-minded, friendly, etc.), then I'll have neighbors I like. <br> <br>I've taken a look around this site, at pages not just about apartments in SF, but in the whole state of CA, and other cities in other states, too, and I'm amazed at how many people have posted negative reviews -- not just negative, but rabid, seethingly negative. People RANT here. There are some angry---- people on this website! <br> <br>And my favorite is when people have lived in a building or complex for like eight or ten years, and they're like, "I HATE IT HERE. IT'S THE WORST PLACE EVER. IF YOU MOVE HERE YOU'RE TOTALLY TOTALLY --------!!!" What is that about? Why did they stay, if they hate it so much? <br> <br>Anyway, if you're thinking about renting an apartment here, I think you'll be ok, like I said, as long as you generally don't hate living in a major metropolis. I've never met a group of managers that were 100% perfect, and the managers here are no exception. But for me, so far, they've been ok -- really. <br> <br>Also, this whole thing about security. I have to talk more about that. All you guys who are complaining that the Courtesy Patrol is a bunch of "fake cops" -- um, yeah. They're *not* cops. They're not even "security." That's why they're not called the "Security Patrol." They open doors and stuff. They go and get a key to let you in when you've locked yourself out. They tidy up the joint. They watch out for suspicious characters. I don't know about you, but the apartment I lived in before this one didn't even have a Courtesy Patrol, and the rent for that place was the same as it was here. <br> <br>This security patrol we have here? I'll tell you what they do. I had to move most of my furniture by myself last year, when I first moved in, because I did it in the middle of the day on a weekday, and all my friends with muscles were at work. I couldn't afford to hire a moving crew, so I moved everything myself using the truck I had then. It worked out ok except for some of the larger things, which were hard to carry or drag up the long hallway to my apt. The security patrol guys who happened to be in the lobby TOTALLY HELPED ME MOVE ---- INTO MY STUDIO. I did not ask for this, they just did it. <br> <br>Whatever. If you think I'm lying, then nothing I say is going to matter. But alot of you guys posting such viciously negative reviews are just as bad as the fakers. I think people want information just as much as they want opinions, and if you don't post your reviews with that in mind, you're just wasting everybody's time. <br> <br>That's what I think, anyway.

Current Resident 967261

Resident • 2004

I'm renewing my lease.

Ok people, get ready: this is a positive review. <br> <br>I've lived here for 13 months and I'm renewing my lease. I'm in a studio in M1 that's about 530 square feet. My old rent was $999 and the new rent is $1100. Considering everything, including the fact that my original deposit was less than $100, I decided not to look for another place. The truth is, I'm mostly happy here. This board is for reviews, and I'm worried about how many bad ones there still are. If I'd looked at these reviews before I moved in, I probably wouldn't have done it; fortunately I didn't see this site until after I signed the lease the first time. <br> <br>Here's some info about my apartment, and in general: <br> <br>Rent: Large studio $999 (they were running a special) <br> <br>Deposit: $99 (again with the special) <br> <br>I had a dog, and they didn't require extra rent, or an extra deposit, once they'd met my dog. I took my dog everywhere with me, including work almost every day, and I was happy to bring her along when I first came to look at the apartment. I strongly encourage anybody with a well-behaved dog to bring the dog to meet prospective landlords -- it goes a long way toward making everybody feel comfortable. Unfortunately my dog got very sick in February and had to be put down, but it makes me glad to know that I could eventually get another dog as long as I live here, and not have to worry. <br> <br>Location is great -- seriously. It's not the fanciest neighborhood in SF, but it's not as sketchy as the Mission (for example). If you live in a city, you're going to have some kind of sketch element. Be smart, don't walk around drunk at 2 a.m., don't deal drugs, don't mouth off, and for the love of God if you're bothered by crazy people, or homeless people wheeling everything they own in a grocery cart, ------- volunteer your time at a shelter or a hospital, instead of bitching about how much they stink up the bus. <br> <br>Oh, the bus(es): The 38 Geary is a block away; you can get downtown in about 15 minutes, if you get the Limited, which runs during rush hour in the morning and evening. Yes, it is often crowded -- put a lid on your coffee and your wallet in your front pocket, not your hip. <br>The 22 Fillmore is across the street from me -- it runs through the Haight, down to the Mission and to Potrero Hill. Yes, this one's often filled with crazies. It's the bus -- it's not your private limo. <br> <br>If you do want a private limo, though, you're in luck, since there's a free shuttle to/from the Financial District every weekday. Did I say free? Cause I meant to say FREE. That's right. It costs $0. I live in M1 and the stop is DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY BUILDING. It's very quiet, and never crowded. I've never had to stand. And did I mention it's free? Goddammit -- you're either saving $540/year (if you get a Fast Pass every month), or $650/year if you don't. If I were a FC employee, would I be saying you're a ------- idiot if you don't like a free shuttle? If Willie sees you running down California street downtown, because you're late and you missed him when he stopped, he'll pull over so you can jump on. <br> <br>Safeway is across the street. No, it's not very fancy, but it is big. I used to live out in Excelsior, and the Safeway over there was smaller and I didn't like it. It's not as good as The Gay Safeway (Market & Church), but I'm disappointed by the Safeway situation in SF on the whole -- it's not the FC's fault. <br> <br>Japan Town. It's a block away. It's neat -- there's a little Japanese grocery store over there where you can get all your Asian groceries. I am a sucker for toiletries from other lands, and my bathroom is filled with soaps and shampoos that have labels I can't read. The buildings over there are Japanese-shaped; if you sort of halfway close your eyes and blur them out of focus, it's like you're in Japan! Especially if you've never been there -- you can totally pretend. Japan Town! <br> <br>Fillmore Street, toward Pacific Heights: a block away it starts getting fancy. When your parents come to visit, an overpriced dinner you can make them pay for is a five minute walk away. <br> <br>Laundry in the building. It's big; it's clean; it's open 24/7. Yes, you might get your laundry stolen, if you leave it. There are signs in there saying, "Don't leave your laundry!" I leave my laundry all the time, because I get bored in there. But if my laundry got stolen (which it never has, in a 13 months of doing laundry), it would be my fault, for leaving it. Yes that's right. <br> <br>Elevator. Yes, sometimes one of them is broken, or gets used for move-ins/outs. Yes, sometimes people spit in there, or throw trash on the floor. It's a big building, and the jackass quotient rises in direct proportion to population, wherever you are. I know I never spit in there, and if you lived here, I'd be one neighbor you'd like. And let's remember one thing: if there is a problem with the elevators, there's this whole other invention that I understand people have been using every since they could pile up rocks: it's called "stairs." However, I must say that, since my boyfriend's in a wheelchair, I totally dig the fact that there are elevators, so he can come and visit. And we can GET IT ON in my own apartment. Oh yeah! He can get it on! Believe it! <br> <br>Enclosed back yard. I could walk my dog late at night without having to leave the property. And I always picked up her poop. <br> <br>I'm on the 5th floor, in the corner, and I have four big windows that look west. Good view; sunsets every night. True. <br> <br>Dishwasher. Regular-sized (as opposed to "minis" so many studios have) refrigerator & stove. Disposal. Microwave. <br> <br>Giant bathroom. Hot water never ends (perk of living in a giant building -- giant hot water tank). People, did you hear me??? HOT WATER DOES NOT END. Once I took a 45 minute shower, just to see if I could. Stick that in your pipe. <br> <br>The layout of the apartment is nice. It's still just a studio, which is one room, essentially, but the layout is good. The front door opens onto a hallway which gives the illusion of more space. While the kitchen is your typical galley-style kitchen, it's split from the living area by a breakfast bar, so it feels open. There's a nook for the bed -- the main area isn't just a big square. It's hard to describe, but the bed is about half tucked back into this nook, so you don't feel like you're in a hotel room with the bed being the main focus. <br> <br>The overall storage situation is kind of crappy -- there's only one closet in the hallway but at least it's a double-wide. Not a walk-in, but I think some other units have walk-ins. For me it was more important to have living space than storage space. <br> <br>Yes, there is some section 8 housing here. I don't know the details and I don't know much about section 8, but I think a company who provides a percentage of their rental units for section 8 use gets a tax right-off. How can you blame them? Let's not get into the whole debate about subsidized housing, except to point out that A. in theory, it's a great idea. B. In actual practice, it's sometimes problematic -- mostly because people who are likely to qualify have probably not had many reasons to be house-proud. Most projects are ------, and if that's what you're used to, it's hard to change your ways. Instead of bitching about welfare moms throwing trash on their doorsteps, let's try to make sure public schools get enough money, and there's lots of birth control counseling available for everybody, rich and poor. Let's try to see that everybody gets at least a chance to go to college. OK? People who are educated don't generally spray-paint elevators. That's just science. <br> <br>Parking on the street is terrible, but not because of the Fillmore Center. Basically, SF shares two problems with almost every other major metropolis in which I've lived: Tickets, and break-ins. There's lots of crazy-scheduled street cleaning, and if you park on the street you have to remember to move your car all the time or you'll get an insanely high ticket. Also, some of the streets have 2 hour limits (which you can get out of by getting a neighborhood sticker from the DMV or whatever). And yes, people do bust windows. There is parking in the building, for a high monthly fee. But the thing is, everybody, why you have a car in the city? Why? I ask you: why? I had a car for 6 months when I first moved here, but I got rid of it because I didn't need it. It's easy to get around on the buses, it really is. And way cheaper overall, considering the gas and insurance. Don't get me wrong: I grew up on the East Coast and have had a car all my life until I moved here -- I'm a driving freak! Love to drive! But it's just stupid unless you're rich, or have a garage, to have one here. But that's just one girl's opinion. <br> <br>As far as the management or staff goes, I haven't had to deal with them much. I met them when I moved in -- the people I saw were friendly & professional. I like that I can call somebody to let me in my apt. if I've locked myself out. I don't know why more people don't rave about this alone: locking yourself out is a pain in the ---. In the past, I've always left an extra key with a a friend, or a neighbor I knew well, but friends don't usually live next door and if you don't know your neighbors very well, you're screwed. I'm just saying. There's somebody around who will let you in at 2 in the morning. That's pretty sweet. <br> <br>I have read about the graffiti and bullet holes in other buildings. I don't know about the other buildings, but M1 is ok, considering how many people live in it. No graffiti, not even in the elevator. One time somebody peeled off the "emergency exit" sign on my floor, but in about a week there was a new one. Thank God there was no emergency that week, is all I can say about that. <br> <br>And the murders and the shootings: Yes, there are guns in SF. There are murders. I can say that the one that happened here (in front of the FootLocker in broad daylight, a couple of weeks ago) was, according to the news, a "hit." Meaning they shot the guy in his car because they meant to shoot that one guy in his car. I'm not saying it's ok! But I am saying that, in that one instance, it wasn't like some crazy maniac criminal (or police officer) was running around shooting off shotgun shells willy nilly in the farmer's market. I'm not squeamish myself about city living; but I'm not an idiot, and I will say I feel, overall, safer here than in the Mission. And I spend alot of time in the Mission, and would live there if I found an apartment I liked there. <br> <br>What else? I know you still probably think I'm a mole, and I am signing this thing "anonymous," so how do you really know? I can't sign my name or my address, because this is a public forum and I'm not --------. But would someone this funny and articulate be working for a rental company? I think not. But I've deliberately done a lot of cussing here, which I doubt my employer would condone, were my employer the Fillmore Center. Have I mentioned enough bad stuff? Probably not to make everybody happy; but as I said, this is a positive review. If I didn't like living in the city, I'd be an --- to live in the city if I had any other choice. Living in a city can be gross, crowded, uncomfortable and expensive -- I cannot argue that this isn't true. I *have* lived in both the suburbs, and the outright country, and I can say that, at least in my opionion, the sacrifices are worth the benefits, at least for me, right now. I don't have kids, or a lot of money, I'm in reasonably good health, and I do like a population that is (drum roll please) DIVERSE. It's stimulating and inspiring. I'm not in my 20s anymore, so don't go thinking I'm just talking about a wide selection of bars and restaurants. I'm talking about them, sure, but I'm also talking about the Asians in my building who I don't know very well, but who cook things in the evenings that sometimes smell weird, but mostly smell mysterious and delicious, and I wish I knew them better so I could totally eat dinner with them. Also I love the beauty-supply store across the street which sells an unbelievable variety of hairpieces, wigs, and toiletries for the African-American population. You can't find wigs in the Marina!! I don't wear a wig, but I know where to find one if I need one. I'm talking about the Brazilians who make the pizza around the corner, and it's weird how good the pizza is. Brazil. Who knew? I'm also talking about the elderly Russian couple who live on my floor: The husband can't walk very well, or speak English much, but he always holds the door for his wife, and for me; if he sees me coming, he will wait for me to get to the door even though you can tell the door is sort of heavy for him to hold. We can't talk alot because I don't speak Russian, but they smile at me like they just invented the smile, every time they see me. <br> <br>Sometimes, if it's hot outside, the sidewalks in San Francisco smell like pee. But isn't it lucky that it hardly ever is hot in San Francisco? Let's count our blessings. <br> <br>Oh, and last, but not least: Comcast is moving in and they're replacing the totally ------ cable. Yes, the cable is terrible. I'm looking forward to rotting my brain with way better cable than what we've got now. And I'll be happy to have a cable internet connection, so I can totally post more huge, useless reviews on this website, as necessary. <br> <br>Yours, <br> <br>--You Can't Have Everything, But At Least I Don't Live Under a Highway Overpass <br> <br>(P.S.: All of you folks who wish the general community were of a better "caliber," doesn't it make sense to recommend the FC to people you like? People you'd like to have as neighbors? I suggest that you word your reviews as objectively as possible, and make sure you assign blame for problems appropriately, so that wise viewers can reasonably judge for themselves. Most of the reviews on this site seem to be more about the neighborhood than the "apartment community" -- which is ok, since mentioning the neighborhood is reasonable, but it's not fair to blame the Fillmore Center for street noise, for example. If you have difficulties with management, I'd love to see specific details, instead of random name-calling. I'd like to know more about people's backgrounds: for example, if you've never lived in a city this size, say so, so people can take that into consideration. <br> <br>Jesus, I *should* get paid for this. <br> <br> <br>