Avalon Union City

Updating my recent review to 1 star. I’ve had major issues with insanely noisy neighbors since November. I’ve sent multiple emails w soundbites to management and even, embarrassingly, called the police when management here did nothing in response to my emails. After I posted my first review, I had a completely worthless conversation w the leasing office about the noise upstairs. They flat out said there’s nothing they can do about it. No letters to the tenants. No phone calls. Nothing. Thanks so much for the help… I would never recommend anyone become involved with this property. In addition to the problems I listed in my first review, I’ve been left on my own to deal with this HUGE problem… and pay a shit ton of rent for it. Great work, Avalon.

Great location.
Beside BART, across Safeway and RiteAid and close to Gas and Indian groceries (very useful for me!) .
Well maintained apartments and pretty prompt and friendly staff and maintenance people.

Been living here for a little over 2 years now, and this review was prompted by the friendly staff and service here. Namely, we’ve had some minor issues like needing to have the air filter changed, or a small piece of the closet needing to be replaced. Kevin was the gentleman on staff (and I really mean a true gentleman) who came immediately to assist and had the problems fixed quickly and expertly. He was courteous and polite — super friendly and even at 5p in the evening, when most people would be cranky from a long day — he was all smiles and pep as he joyfully helped us with our problems. I know that Kevin’s been the one to help us with our other minor issues previously, but felt compelled to write this review now to express how much we enjoy living here and that’s almost primarily because of the friendly staff. Kevin, Monica, Jenny (and Jenny?) and all the others here are really swell and you really couldn’t ask for a better management staff.

This was a big step for my wife and I. It was the first time we lived together and lived alone.
Avalon has overall been a good thing for us but it wasn’t without its problems. Its a new building with close transport links. Great, but it also attracts people to try and enter during the day or at night just so they can try and relax in the pool, hot tub or fitness area, which of course they don’t pay for.
That’s an unenforced error on behalf of Avalon since its not something they can control.
On top of domestic disputes, car vandalism and in one case an assault — which are rarities in all fairness — its not the perfect place to live.
On top of the noise sometimes, especially of crying babies, it can disrupt your quality of life.
Not cool, obviously.
But the pros are its modern, you have on-​site management who are contactable during working hours, you have a maintenance team who can deal with the majority defects or repairs (such as for us when our sink was blocked), the police and fire dept are a stones throw away, there are shops and places to eat close too — check out Tadamasa ramen, New China, or Curry King.
A note, though, on the contact-​ability of the staff. Yes they are there during working hours but by night they have a security company who monitor the area, though only intermittently — if you have any real concerns you’d better call the cops.
The management also changed over time. This was not an improvement, we felt, since we thought the newer managers were less approachable.
Despite all these faults. If you are looking for a place to live in the lower East Bay and don’t mind the longer BART ride into the city, it is worth a look. Though being a corporation, Avalong eventually forced us out through gentrification — I’m sorry but we were never going to agree to a $ 500 increase over what was already a premium.

I had a short stay here, about 4 months. Love how professional and responsive the staff are. The office staff are awesome, maintenance requests are handled promptly.
The location is excellent — across the street from the BART station, across the street from Safeway and several restaurants.
I had a very good stay here.

I have lived at AVALON Union City for 6 years and I have seen many maintenance workers come and go, I have seen different maintenance supervisors come and go also, but since Kevin Sykes came to this property, I have noticed him going above and beyond his duties to assure a safe, clean and protected place to live. He is always willing and ready to assist you in any way he can enthusiastically, I have observed Mr Sykes after hours monitoring the pool area, garage and the perimeter of the property. Mr Sykes is one maintenance employee who I see bending down on his knees picking up scraps of paper and also using his bucket and paper picker to pick up trash from the property grounds. He is always friendly, helpful, courteous, very respectful, attentive, neatly dressed, clean cut, and very very professional. There are numerous amount of tenants who adore Mr Sykes and look forward to seeing him when he’s on duty or off duty. I have talked to other tenants who STRONGLY believe that Mr Sykes will serve this property or any property at Avalon in the Management position. He’s an exemplary example of what a Manager should look and act like!!! Thank you very very much for your kind attention!!!

Kevin serviced my Apt. today to resolve plumbing issues (Kitchen & Bath). I made an appt. thru the front office and he was on time, worked very clean and was efficient. 5 Star service!

.i never reviewed before this is my first time. Kelvin is the best .he knws evrything how to fix

This review is based solely on Kevin — one of the maintenance workers at Avalon Union City. I have had the pleasure of Kevin visiting my apartment twice (once to snake a drain that was severely plugged, and once to replace the fluorescent lighting in my kitchen). Both times Kevin was prompt, friendly, professional, and fast. He has an incredibly positive attitude and I probably could have spent hours just talking with him — if he hadn’t been on the clock :) Kevin takes pride in what he does, which unfortunately is becoming more and more of a rarity these days, and it shows in the refreshing and tenacious way he approaches his work. Thanks Kevin.

Avalon apartments has the best maintenance guy named Kevin he knows how to fix everything on site thanks again Kevin.

I have lived at these apartments since they were first built. I love it here! But I really have to give as many stars possible to Carrie, the maintenance supervisor! Since she has been at this property, everything just gets done! She has made so many improvements that have really been noticed! The maintenance team definitely goes above and beyond for us residents! The office team is wonderful too– very friendly and attentive to needs. This community is a great place to live, which is why I have signed a lease for my 7^th year!

DO NOT RENT HERE! Unfortunately, we got suckered into this place because of its convenient location to Bart. However, after 2 years we had to be OUT. Listing my reasons below. Please find another place to rent if possible!
1) Nothing going on but the RENT… they will raise your rent a ridiculous amount every year– at least 20%
2) Trashy neighbors with drama and noise late at night
3) Smoke and Marijuana smell so bad that you can’t open your windows
4) Dirty hallway carpets with food littered around with NO maintenance for days
5) They do NOT care about your time– I had to spend multiple HOURS calling about our move-​out invoice– they still got it wrong and now I have to call some other central number to get my refund because of THEIR mistake.

TL: DR Great, spacious place to live if you don’t mind some noise or if you live on the highest floor.
Pros:
Very Spacious Units with TONS of closet space. There’s so much closet space, it makes you want to go buy more things just to fill space.
Great Management/​Maintenance. Management is very helpful and nice. Maintenance responds very quickly and efficiently.
Gym. The gym is pretty nice with lots of cardio equipment along with weights and weight equipment.
Pool and Grills. Pool and grill area are really nice and can be reserved.
Parking. Each apartment has an assigned parking space in the garage.
BART proximity. The BART station is literally next door. No more than a 5 minute walk.
CONS:
Noise. If you are a light sleeper or are easily offended by noise. This may not be the place for you. The amount of impact noise is ridiculously high. If the people above you are heavy steppers, you will hear EVERY SINGLE STEP. Not kidding. Sometimes you’ll also hear people/​kids running down the halls. The way the apartments are built (with many courtyards) sound echos up through the courtyards making things 10x noisier than they should be.
Rent Prices/​Finishes. The rent is pricey (as it is everywhere in the area); however, for the price, I would expect higher end finishes instead of the peel and stick bath flooring and laminate counters.

Very nice property, very nice people, mediocre apartments. What I mean by that is you’re paying for the property and the people, but you can find far more spacious apartments with more amenities elsewhere. Neighbors are pretty awesome, mostly quiet. Hot tub is nice, gym is amazing, but the pool is too cold to use most of the time — making it more for looks. It’s great if you take BART (literally next door) although the noise takes a little getting used to.
Really the only downside is expect your rent to increase 20−25% year over year (roughly$ 500/​yr for a basic 1 bedroom). I’ve heard numerous complaints from other residents, and have watched my rent jump by about 45% in the two years I’ve been here. In comparison, other complexes say they raise rent less than 10% YOY. Something that is starting to add up.
To summarize, lots of good things, a few great things, but not enough to justify the rent increases.

I’ve lived here for 5+ years & I couldn’t call a better place home. Everyday is like a vacation wth beautifully manicured grounds, large gorgeous pool & amazing lush amenities! Not only that but the management & staff are kind, courteous & easily accessible. THERES NO PLACE LIKE HOME (Avalon Uniin City) !

I just wanted to say that there are new faces in the leasing office that have made a huge difference in our stay here. (Oh! And Jenny is back!) Communication has improved a lot!
… Our neighbors upstairs are still baby elephants — but, oh well.

Lived here 3 years! It’s a clean place, But in spite of being good tenants.,
Rent is raised $ 600 every year.
Spoke to Monica, who makes small talk pretending to be interested, its meaningless… the point? Apparently our apartment can be rented out really quickly, not that I even mentioned anything about that.
Its all business decisions, nothing personal she told me. So much for that personal touch.
She told me they just rented out 6 apartments that week. How inappropriate to tell me that when I’m asking why my rent just went up $ 600.
People are constantly moving out of this place… #1 reason? rent went up too high.
I guess they like having a revolving door with tenants.
While living here, our daughters car was broken into, grandsons bike stolen, the commuter traffic from BART is crazy morning and evening, its a very noisy area.
Its still not worth $ 3,000 a month for a 2 bdrm. even though thats the going rate I’m told.
We aren’t staying long…

Monica and Jean are awesome.
They are dedicated 100% to customer service and are very responsive to all emails and calls.
This complex is really nice and very quiet, with the exception of a very yappy Dogs a ways away from us.
Because of the office staff, that is why I am keeping this at a 5 star.
— — -
5÷4÷15: Went down to the parking garage to leave and as I was walking up to the Car, I saw someone had ripped my dash apart, stole my radio, broke the plastic steering column. (Those were just some of the items).
Word of advice, Union City Police don’t respond to calls when there’s only one vehicle with damage.
We are working with Management to see if we can get camera footage.
We continuously Park in a well lit area 1^st level of the parking garage.
I will post updates.
— — —
5÷13÷15:
Management has been great at working with me on this ordeal.
Found out there is a camera nearby where we park BUT… The camera only faces the bike Room closet.
So they were not able to pull any footage.
Will post more as they happen.

I’ve been here about 4 years. This apartment is one of the best apartment in this area. My unit is located in fifth floor with mountain view, it gives us beautiful view. Even though there is some noise issue cause of Bart railway, but acceptable. Bart station is only 1 minutes walking distance, so really convenience to taking Bart. I know some cars broken at parking lot, but after that incident more often patrol is coming and checking the property.
Good: Great Staff (especially Monica is the best. She is thoughtful and kind), beautiful swimming pool and Gym.
Maintainance Staff is gorgeous. Convenience location. New building.
Bad: Some kind of noise issue, Rent rate is increase too much and fast. I need pay more than $ 400/​month or leave at this renewal time.

I’ve stayed in this apartment for about 8 month, and I feel this is one of my favorite apartments. I didn’t write a review earlier becuz I wanted to wait to see if everything good actually lasts (yes, they do!).
–The apartment is quiet and you will barely hear your neighbors.
–The management is very helpful and friendly. I had especially wonderful experience with Mary, Monica, who is always very friendly and helpful. Every time I report anything needs to be fixed, it gets fixed promptly. .
–The complex is next to the BART station, and it takes less than 1 min for me to walk from my apartment to the train!
I love the layout of 1bd — huge rooms, spacious living area and kitchen, there’s also full sized washer/​driers…
Overall, I would strongly recommend this place to anyone!