The Milano Apartments

I lived in this apartment complex for 4 months before I had to move to Seattle WA and I loved it! Megan the leasing manager was awesome! She was always sending emails out to update us on new events and always giving my dog treats :). She was supper helpful when we had to leave. And this is the only apartment complex I have ever given a 5 star. The apartment was great for the price. We had a balcony and huge wide windows. It was really hot because of all the sunlight that would come in but one of our neighbors told us that you can rent an AC with the leasing office for $ 25 a month. There was a waiting list and we were about to get it but then we had to move. I think if we would have had the AC that whole time, it would have been the best apartment ever! Everyone was sooooo friendly and nice and only 5 minutes from downtown Portland. Parking is the only thing that sucks! But once you rent your parking spot for $ 160 a month then you are set

The. Worst. Apartment. Experience. Of my Life.
I moved here from Southern California in 2014 without ever seeing the apartment except for pictures online. Despite a promise of a dishwasher in the unit, there was no dishwasher in ANY APARTMENT in the complex. Just the start of a deceitful and crooked stay in Portland. (And I love Portland to death, for the record).
With the heat Portland had in 2015, summers in units facing the city get unbearably hot. My car also got broken into just 30 feet from the building in the cul de sac where everyone parks (and pays to park 6 out of 7 days a week). $ 250 well spent.
And the icing on the cake! When I initially informed the community manager I wanted a 10-​month lease (which was advertised on their website too by the way), he went ahead and decided a full 12 month lease was what I was signing away for. And when I try to move out after 10 months? Oh, sorry sir, that will be a $ 1500 broken lease fee. Are you serious??? I was physically sick to my stomach stressing out about the sneaky and downright lousy customer service they treat their own residents with.
If you want a Moda Center adjacent apartment with public transport access, this place works. If you want to be treated like a real human being, go anywhere else.

The main reason i moved out was because the rent is so high and they were going to raise it even more. I wasn’t happy with the fact there’s no AC so in the summer the indoor temperature could reach to the high 90’s even with the window shade down and not really any amenities aside from the washer dryer and there’s no one in the office more than a few times a week so packages just lay in the lobby for anyone to take. But the main reason I decided to write a review is because the Milano kept $ 150 from my deposit after moving out because they needed to resurface the shower and the floors. I only lived in my unit for 6 months, I have no pets and I travel for work so I’m only home 2 – 3 times a week so there’s no way i could have made enough wear in 6 months to cause that much damage. If you want your deposit to be used to update Milanos units you should move here.

This is a great building in an up-​and-​coming part of town. Great access to the entire city, without the noise and commotion you would expect from being so close to the Rose Quarter TC. Practically brand new units, W/​D in each, quiet neighbors, giant windows, feels very upscale for a fair price. Totally cool bike facilities — if you’re into that. Very modern vibe.
ALSO: The manager, Kevin, has been a wonderful asset to our stay at the Milano, always working to improve the community and nip problems in the bud, through clear and timely communication. He is, hands down, the best apartment manager either of us has had! That really makes all of the difference in an apartment building: a great building with a crappy manager is going to round down to terrible, but a great building with a great manager — why haven’t you applied already?!

I love it here! I just moved from LA and it’s been an amazing experience so far! The neighbors are really nice and I love that it’s pet friendly. We’re very close to the Rose Garden plus, if it’s a nice day you can walk over the Steel Bridge into downtown. It’s also one of the quieter places to live in downtown if you don’t feel like being too close to the bar scene. I can’t wait to renew my lease!

I moved into the Milano a year ago and just renewed my lease for another 12 months.
Pros: Great location (accessible to Max line, waterfront, downtown, highways, local bars, etc.), brand-​spanking new modern furnishings, and high security of the property. I feel VERY safe given the neighborhood. My neighbors are respectful and kind. Perfect for single people like myself or couples who don’t mind living in tiny living quarters. My studio is my safe haven and the view from my studio is spectacular. The floor to ceiling windows give the space a lot of light… much needed for living in Portland. Bike storage is an A+.
Cons: Parking, coffee in the lounge is not always stocked, and utilities can get pricey. It can also get noisy after games let out at the Moda Center, but the rowdiness dies out quickly.
The property management is always responsive to inquiries, questions and concerns. While they might not always give you the answer you want, they are doing what is best for you given their limitations.
The Milano is winner in my book.

I moved in here a year ago, when the Milano first opened, and I just resigned another 12 month lease. I love the location, the building is beautiful, the staff is very friendly and fixes any problems or issues within 24 hours.
The neighborhood isn’t that great late at night, but given it’s right next to the max line, it’s understandable. One of the things that I love about this complex is the fact that it doesn’t feel like you are living in a normal apartment complex with a manager who is always down your throat and making rules. It’s very laid back, everyone who lives here is very friendly and LOVES animals!
It’s a perfect location for single people who work from home or commute downtown for work.
I wouldn’t live anywhere else on the east side. I love it here!

I have lived here for about 4 months now, and I felt it was time to leave a review.
Pros:
~One block from the Rose Quarter Max Transit center; easy access to max lines, buses, etc. Street car is just a few blocks away.
~GORGEOUS views of downtown.
~Amazingly quiet apartment complex. We literally have never heard our neighbors from our apartment. When I first moved in, my partner and I joked about living alone in the building.
~Friendly neighbors (when you meet in the hallway.) Are always pleasant and helpful if you need anything.
~Locked/​secured building, nice lobby with coffee and wifi.
~Accept pets
Cons:
~THERE IS NO PARKING. If you want to drive, just don’t live here. There is a parking garage, but spaces are an extra $ 160 a month on top of $ 1200 rent. Also, the last time I checked, the wait list was a year out to even get a space.
Street parking nearby is expensive, constantly monitored, and hard to find. Not a good option.
Basically, get rid of your car if you want to live here. Not joking. I had to.
~Fairly expensive for a small apartment, but it’s comparable (or cheaper) than other apartments in the area. Also a newer building than others nearby.
~Office management is helpful. Limited but steady hours. (edited for change in staff)
~No AC, so you will need to spend an extra $ 400 to buy an AC for the summer. I’m not joking. You will bake without it.
~No dishwasher or fan in the bathroom. BUT there is a washer/​dryer in apartment.
Basically:
Commuter friendly, hell for drivers, expensive, quiet, friendly, and secure. The apartments are also new and look very nice.
Like any apartment, there is good and bad, and it’s up to you to pick your priorities. Good luck!

I do not recommend living here. You can tell the builders cut corners in every way possible. There’s no AC even though this is a brand new building with six stories and floor-​to-​ceiling windows (that only open two inches unless you remove a little lever). In the summer, it feels like you’re in a greenhouse.
There is also no dishwasher. This would normally be fine, but there’s only about two feet of counter space. Once you have your dish drying rack and toaster on the counter, you have no space to work with.
The flooring is incredibly cheap. It warps every time you get even a little bit of moisture on it. This building is poorly designed and absolutely not worth the rent price ($$$$).
The management represented to us when we moved in that there would be an office open until at least 6pm on the weekdays and on the weekends. They have since cut back hours drastically – the office is only open 1−5pm on the weekdays, making it impossible to visit the office and grab your packages if you work a 9 – 5 job.
I’m very unhappy here and am moving out ASAP. Stay away!