Bella Del Mar Apartments — Attraction in San Diego

Pros: Beautiful property Dog friendly (for those who love dogs as I do) Friendly staff (Derek in particular is amazing-maintenance guy) Pleasant tenants

Cons: Rental Rates: HIGH Lease Increase: HIGH Cheap lanolin floors (you can see & feel where it buckles) &...popcorn ceilings (ugh). Termite infestation: There's termite damage on my balcony & around the trim outside of my door. (I was informed by a couple of tenants that the termites are pretty bad as the weather gets warmer.) Pool area: pleasant but basic Gym: tiny (3 elliptical's & 1 weight bench)

More on the high rates... Universal tenant complaint-regular,significant, rental increases (one of the tenants described the property mgmt as being "greedy"-many current tenants have mentioned that the rental rates are outrageous but they don't want to be bothered w/moving so deal with it).

I've been living @ the property for 5 mths (on a 6 mth lease). They're raising my rent $175...giving me 4 days to make a decision. I've been told this is due to the current market rates. I obviously understand the methodology behind that. However, there have been a consistent minimum of 3-4 1 BR's vacant so I can't justify the significant increase. I really don't want to deal w/the hassle of packing up & moving again so soon but I feel uncomfortable staying @ this property @ the rate they want to charge me (especially when the property doesn't warrant the rates they charge). Some larger property management companies tend to take advantage of their tenants. HG Fenton unfortunately is one that falls under this category.

Overall, I feel you can get a lot more for your money...even in Del Mar as there are a ton of complexes...

This complex is beautiful and in a great location - but buyer beware!, After living there only six months they attempted to raise my rent by close to $250 a month. I had not prepared to move, so I signed the lease. Then when my lease expired a second time...baam! Another huge rental increase. During my year and half I saw apartments turn over and over for the same reason. Everyone living there talks about their unjust rent hikes. They have no loyalty to renters, some who have lived there years and continue to endure the crazy unjustified increases in rent. There are only like 3 people who have stayed over 3 years - the rest move out quickly due to treatment by the front office.

Recently, just before my move, BDM re-did the windows in all units. It was a nightmare for the guests as they gave little notice and treated renters like numbers not people. They gave my neighbor only 24 hours notice, and then when he had to reschedule they were disgruntled and were forceful with their time period, stating they only HAVE to give 24 hours notice and next time they would just go in. This is a corporation and they treat the renters as such. They are very rigid and could care less about the people who live there.

The only good aspect is Sam who is a great team member and goes above and beyond to help renters. I think he is secretly afraid of the corporation mentality too, but does a great job because he is a decent...

I’ve lived in 7 different apartments over my adult life, in both Seattle and San Diego, and I can safety say Bella Del Mar is the best experience I have ever had. It has treated us with greater respect and professionalism than any apartment complex I have ever had the pleasure of living in.

Special mention should be made on two accounts. Isaac, manages the facility with the decorum and aptitude one typically never encounters outside of an UN Embassy or Fortune 500 boardroom, we have never had an issue that isn’t met with the ultimate in responsiveness. This guy’s efforts go above and beyond.

The grounds are immaculate, with topiary and flowers always in the forefront and positioned as if by an artist or something. Flowers bloom year round by the pool and hot tub. The units are ultra modern and spacious, particularly generous in the outdoor patios on the ground floor (during summer it feels like a second living room)

When a maintenance issue does arise, which happens infrequently, I almost look forward to it, because my friend Jose always comes to the rescue, like immediately.

I can’t recommend this place enough. Also very close to shopping and some of the best beaches in the entire...