Carlsbad Coast Apartments — Local services in Carlsbad

UPDATE after being here for 3-4 months:

Below is a summary of my wife and I's experience living here. But first I want to make sure anyone that is looking to rent here should know they will not receive their security deposit back and can expect random charges on their move-out bill where you could potentially end up paying. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to find a different place to live because this apartment complex is overpriced on the rent by $300-$500/month, utilities and move-out expenses.

Our final move-out bill had expected items such as our lease break fee, cleaning fee ($210 even though we cleaned the place properly they still charged us this), and minor fixes such as the front window screen (~$110). But the new manager, Daniel, refused to remove a $450 paint charge to paint the baseboards, closets and cabinets which just didn't make sense since we only lived in the "remodeled" apartment for 3 months. And we never used the closets since this was a temporary move for us and always cleaned the apartment 2-3 times per week. The only paint that was needed was where I hung up a surfboard rack in the living room (8 small holes).

SUMMARY

Before Teresa unexpectedly left recently, she told us the 2br we were moving into was completely re-modeled, and would have a washer and dryer in the unit. Turns out there were several things wrong with the apartment, and some even a downgrade from the 1br we were in. Not to mention we never received a washer and dryer as promised:

No microwave. *The doors didn't close easily, got stuck and made noises. *Front door had issues to lock the deadbolt and had to be fixed twice. *All the appliances did not look new and the kitchen was not renovated as Teresa said; the oven had to be replaced and the refrigerator had to be serviced once it stopped cooling our food. *The drawers in the kitchen got stuck when opening and closing because were no sliding guides. And also when you opened them, they almost always fell on your feet. *The kitchen cabinets slammed close unlike the 1br apt where the cabinets closed slowly after you let them go. *The refrigerator didn't even have an ice maker like we had at the other apartment, since the water line did not exist in this "renovated" unit. *One drawer inside of the refrigerator didn't fully open. *The master shower was hard to turn on and off. *The floor had marks of glue, paint and peeling all throughout the apartment. The bathroom in the main hallway needed a fixture to be replaced because the water kept running. The kitchen light broke.

We feel like everything was old, but it was painted to make it look nicer. And Teresa talked nicely and confidently about delivering on the apartment quality. But it seems she was just trying to rent the apartment out and collect rent.

One thing in particular that I noticed is that the utility bill is roughly x3 from last month, which includes weird charges like $52 for trash, $26 for utility billing fee, and some others that don't make sense. I have requested for copies of the provider bills and how the calculation is made with Carlsbad Coast's "formula" that divides the charges to each tenant based on # of occupants and sq footage. Seems very fishy though, especially since these charges were not there last month and the property got new dumpsters recently so I am thinking they overcharge the tenants to pay for expenses by listing generic line items on the bill.

My personal opinion is that this place is the most expensive apartment complex you can find near the beach, approaching almost a mortgage payment for a 2br (~$3500/month) plus all these extra utility fees. This place is simply not worth the cost when you can rent comparable apartments in the area for +$500/month cheaper.

I have lived in North San Diego since 2016 and this was by the worst apartment complex I have...

Updated Review: Do not move here! I lived here for almost 4 years and was a great tenant. My prior review was from prior management with Teresa as manager and this property was an enjoyable place. Teresa left in 2022 and the place has gone down hill since. I had to move out of property due to uninhabitable conditions, mold and bad plumbing. My kitchen plumbing was the main line for the building and would clog with food debris from neighbors frequently. It was absolutely foul and never resolved from management after over 30 requests. I would clean up black water and neighbors food remnants almost weekly. It would make my whole apartment smell. I immediately felt sick when occupying my apartment from the mold. The list of grievances continue, my utility bill was around $400, for a single occupant with no HVAC system/ or laundry machines in unit! How is that possible? When I asked for a breakdown they wouldn’t respond with a breakdown of my usage or audit my submeter. I am convinced that as my apartment was adjacent to the shared laundry room, they were charging me for the laundry utilities. Also, My car was broken into in June 2024, and management was no help to the police or myself with my claim. They had a camera in front of my parking space but would not turnover the footage. The amount of transient people walking through the property and squatting on the sundeck/ gym I believe is a result of my car being broken into.

I truly loved Carlsbad coast up until 2022, for the neighbors and location and would’ve loved to continue living in Carlsbad Coast. Scroll through the reviews and you will see that the great reviews were from that time period and not since new management started. In October 2024 I had to move as I was concerned for my health. I have a long list of neighbors I was friends with who also moved due to mold concerns and lack of maintenance/ communication. Before I moved and since I have moved I have made an exhausting amount of attempts to contact them to bring a resolution to my plumbing/utility bill audit and have never received a response. I am completely ignored. This is not a good place to live and I would hate for someone to be treated and experience the same issues I did. It is illegal how this place is now operated. Shame on you Carlsbad Coast and Wonderdog Management.

Review from June 2021: I love Carlsbad Coast apartments, it feels like a tropical oasis! Teresa treats everyone like family and is quick to respond and is very kind. Every time i see her she check to make sure everything is well. She is amazing and so helpful. Even my dog loves her! She spoils him with treats. ;) Gustavo is wonderful, very kind and quick to make repairs. He keeps the grounds looking well kept and always has a smile on his face. The neighbors are all very friendly and feels very safe! Great place to live! Keep up the good work...

I just moved in with my boyfriend, and so far we love living here! The pool, the gym, the common ares, and our apartment are all in great condition and kept up beautifully by Teresa, our community manager! The area is very quiet, it is near a train but we barely hear it from our apartment. We love the neighborhood - so close to the ocean and walking distance to the village.

UPDATE as of 8/14/23 Changing my review to be 2 stars. Theresa was fired from the management company that took over this complex, she was an amazing rental manager and they let her go after they raised everyone in the complex's rent the full legal limit upon taking ownership of the complex. The only good part of this complex is the maintenance man, Martin. He was always so helpful and kind. The complex raised our rent, over 2 years, from the starting rate of $2600 for a 2bed 2bath, to over $3400 at the time of our third lease renewal. For a run down old apartment building that was falling apart and had MICE. No improvements were made when Wonder Dog management took control of this complex, they installed "security cameras" in the parking lot that no one needed, and hired 2 people to work in the management office to replace Theresa, both of which never left the office or spoke to anyone directly, only over email. None of their communications were very helpful. Also, the water in this complex is shut off WEEKLY, sometimes more often, for long stretches of the day - so you have no ability to cook, clean, shower, drink water, wash your hands, etc. for hours at seemingly random. Do not move here. Do not waste your time and money. Also, the new people they had move in have what seems to be no understanding of how to live in a complex or respect your neighbors - letting their pets roam the common spaces alone, blasting music at all hours of the day and night, screaming at each other at all hours of the day and night, using the shared doorway entrance as a private balcony, and smoking pot/cigarettes/etc. in their apartments for hours, making your apartment also smell and fill with smoke. Please do not give Wonder Dog...