Elán Northwoods Apartments

"For your own health and safety, read this before you decide. Do not move here. The management has not once done their job in 2 years. They allow any range of activity and behavior, to include dumping oil and anti-freeze or letting illegal trucks idle outside your windows. The security patrol is a lie. Call them and ask them yourself. Utilities are split, but the toilets throughout the property run constantly. Maria McGowen has been listed on my 3 leases as the Property Manager, though she will tell you she is from 'the other property'. She will not help you. She has told me various lies. If you are a Spanish speaker: Maria told me that most people here do not speak English or know how to use email. She said this is why they have to make fake emails to register people into the system. Coincidentally, there is a must-opt-out insurance scam they are running with Foxen, so it begs the question - how do people that aren't using email getting the opportunity to opt out of the scam? This would also be worrisome to Spanish speakers as it indicates their tendency to take advantage of you. If you live a normal life, your time spent at home will be about 75% disrupted by noises like squealing children or gun shots, or some very strange smells. One of the most common sounds is horn honking, because people steal parking spaces. With less frequency these days you can hear a screaming fight between a couple with all windows open - screaming, throwing things, slamming doors. I can hear it from 2 buildings away, so I can't imagine if you are put closer. There are some neighborhood kids that like to make very loud sex noises as you walk from the parking lots. There is also a group of kids that will try to aggress your vehicle at night as they walk home. The property is infested with fleas and mosquitos. Treat your pets accordingly. When you do laundry, you must wipe out the inside of the machines, and watch your face, as they are always filled with mosquitos. The lease you sign is only for you, because your neighbors are not required to follow it. If you want to see for yourself, walk around and count the grills. They are forbidden but almost every neighbor has one, I'm so lucky my neighbors have two. This is important because you cannot leave the windows open during hot times else you'll be choked by grills or run down vehicles in the back idling for some reason. If you do not mind the power bill, a/c is an option, though I will say I have used mine less than a total of 40 hours in 2+ years and it has been broken 4+ times. One time it just randomly started dumping water in the hall. People use this place to hide a lot, and that means your parking spot gets taken. We have caught SDGE trucks in our spot using FaceTime. It can be easy to be lulled in by a seemingly peaceful and tree-filled area. My apartment has some incredible shade and if you glance out the windows you always see green. I thought that if I just paid my rent and minded my own business, it would be fine, but I was wrong. Do not get stuck here. Go anywhere else."

"Front office manager Maria is the worst, will not respond to emails and if you raise a concern/issue she will accuse you of doing it even if you have photos from when you moved in. had our garage and car broken into several times, and more. Honestly just the worst apartment I ever lived in. Would not recommend it"

"Sleezy property management company Property West Residential. Do not bother asking for your security deposit back. They will not answer calls. When you do finally get them on a call, theyll say whatever to get you to stop calling them, but will not send you your deposit check. AVOID ALL PROPERTY UNDER THE ELAN BRAND."

"just moved in, be here for about 3 weeks and there is trash all over the bushes, tried calling the office and going more than 5x + no one picking up & having to leave messages. Since I got here people have been parking in my parking spot while my husband’s at work; not appropriate. & besides that so many things were wrong with the apartment i got before I moved in hope not to get charged when I move out."

"We have lived here for about 3 months now. The staff has been relatively prompt with fixing things and I love the open floor plans. Yes there are a lot of children but it makes me happy seeing them play they are not rude or disrespectful even to my dog. The vast majority is Hispanic who are very nice and fun. I think we picked a winner moving here. I love the lighting at night I feel very safe."