FRONTDESK Portal Place Apts Oakland Pittsburgh

I knew I wanted to lease here after touring with Kim. She’s genuinely sweet and accommodating, and I never had a problem with the staff or property during my two years as a graduate student. The apartments are roomy and well cared for. Mine was very clean when I moved in, and the hallways and elevators were kept clean regularly. When I reported a maintenance issue through the portal, the team fixed it quickly. The location worked well, with a bus stop right in front. There’s a parking lot outside and a garage, both with plenty of spaces. I’m glad I lived here and would recommend the complex to students or families looking in Oakland.

Our neighbors have always been friendly in the hallways, though we don’t see much of them, and the building is quiet. We’ve enjoyed living here with our family for several years. The apartments have plenty of space, and the common areas and hallways are consistently clean. Maintenance responds promptly. It’s also one of the few places in South Oakland with covered parking at a reasonable price.

The main frustration was trying to reach whoever manages the building. The text number on the apartment portal gets no response, and Kim is never in the office during the stated hours. Calling sometimes works, but emails come from an automated system that can’t be replied to, and I’m surprised there’s no tenant email address posted. Inside the apartment, there’s plenty of room, with large bedrooms, bathrooms, and lots of kitchen space. The back half of the building is quiet, and indoor parking is really useful in Oakland. My roommate and I pay $2000 for a two bedroom. In-unit laundry is convenient, though the small washer only fits about four shirts. The first-floor machines can handle bedding, but they take coins and there’s no change machine. Maintenance was excellent for almost all of the nearly two years I lived here. I did have one low-priority request recently that went unanswered for over two weeks. It’s an expensive building, though the location is always costly, and I think you get your money’s worth if you can afford it. My roommate and I encouraged a friend to lease here, and she loves it too.

I was renting for the first time, so I should have read the lease more carefully before signing. Still, I had clearly said before leasing that I could stay only until May, and they confirmed that by email. The lease they sent ran through July. When I pointed out the mismatch, they wouldn’t send one that reflected what we’d discussed and said I should have checked the document in depth. I felt the agreement wasn’t respected and the handling seemed manipulative. The manager came across as exploitative, and the greed felt deeply rooted. The rent is also ridiculous given the lack of amenities. My car was broken into twice, and they charge $50 a month for parking without even having a camera in the lot. I wouldn’t recommend this as a suitable place for a college student.