Reviews
Overpriced for the Location/Bad Management
I've spent a year at Mosso. It's a very convenient location, they have washer/dryer in unit, and it's a pretty nice new building overall (the rooftop areas provide spectacular views). With their going rate for a studio at nearly $3200 a month, it's not remotely worth the cost. I have friends who work there and are great people, but unfortunately the overall experience and neighborhood is not.
Essex, first of all is a terrible property management company. They'll sweet talk you to get you in, but after that, all they care about is the money. Standard practice in the bay area, but even so, they're very exploitative of the market conditions. Also, you'll never get your deposit back. I just had my apartment walkthrough done and even though I spent hundreds professionally having the place cleaned, the inspection report says they're going to nickel and dime me to death because their standard is impossible (like it's never been lived in).
Here's what you'll get for your extremely overpriced apartment:
Homeless camps, trash, and human excrement all over the block. Clementina past the property line is terrible and 6th St is completely nasty. The sidewalks all along the property are maintained, but it's futile given the surroundings.
Crazy people screaming at the top of their lungs outside your window all day (and night) every day. It's also next to the fire station, so enjoy the sirens. Shady characters all over the place, especially around the bus stops. The neighborhood is surrounded by SRO's.
Millennial neighbors who are loud in the hallways in the middle of the night, don't clean up after themselves in any of the common areas, and don't clean up after their dogs. A lot of the dogs in the building are spoiled, poorly trained, and aggressive towards other dogs.
The front door and the elevators break down frequently enough to be noticeable.
If you need an extra key, they'll charge you $150 per key (not a deposit, but a fee) for a piece of plastic that they program. If you need a dog walker, they won't let you leave your key with the concierge.
Your rent will be jacked up at the end of your lease term, only giving you 12 and 13 month renewal options. They'll charge you 150% to go month to month ($4755 in my case) and are completely inflexible in the matter. I tried to negotiate this down just a bit to extend for a single month while I was trying to buy a condo and they didn't budge an inch. Glad I didn't, because I'm going to use that money towards my new condo purchase and moving costs.
Your monthly trash/water will double in the middle of your lease term, presumably because your neighbors don't know how to use trash chutes and leave their boxes in the trash hall instead of the trash room downstairs. Be prepared to spend around $80 a month for that (more if you're in anything bigger than a studio).
Essex fails in trying to price out the apartments anticipating gentrification, but the neighborhood isn't up to par yet. Avoid this property. It's not worth the cost, and frankly I'd avoid other Essex properties because of their management and business practices. The turnover should tell you something.
Do yourself a favor and find a rent controlled apartment with perhaps a few less amenities. If you don't mind having not having washer and dryer in unit, there are plenty of other properties in Nob Hill and other great neighborhoods at hundreds less per month. If you want the amenities and more space, then look in Oakland.
Essex, first of all is a terrible property management company. They'll sweet talk you to get you in, but after that, all they care about is the money. Standard practice in the bay area, but even so, they're very exploitative of the market conditions. Also, you'll never get your deposit back. I just had my apartment walkthrough done and even though I spent hundreds professionally having the place cleaned, the inspection report says they're going to nickel and dime me to death because their standard is impossible (like it's never been lived in).
Here's what you'll get for your extremely overpriced apartment:
Homeless camps, trash, and human excrement all over the block. Clementina past the property line is terrible and 6th St is completely nasty. The sidewalks all along the property are maintained, but it's futile given the surroundings.
Crazy people screaming at the top of their lungs outside your window all day (and night) every day. It's also next to the fire station, so enjoy the sirens. Shady characters all over the place, especially around the bus stops. The neighborhood is surrounded by SRO's.
Millennial neighbors who are loud in the hallways in the middle of the night, don't clean up after themselves in any of the common areas, and don't clean up after their dogs. A lot of the dogs in the building are spoiled, poorly trained, and aggressive towards other dogs.
The front door and the elevators break down frequently enough to be noticeable.
If you need an extra key, they'll charge you $150 per key (not a deposit, but a fee) for a piece of plastic that they program. If you need a dog walker, they won't let you leave your key with the concierge.
Your rent will be jacked up at the end of your lease term, only giving you 12 and 13 month renewal options. They'll charge you 150% to go month to month ($4755 in my case) and are completely inflexible in the matter. I tried to negotiate this down just a bit to extend for a single month while I was trying to buy a condo and they didn't budge an inch. Glad I didn't, because I'm going to use that money towards my new condo purchase and moving costs.
Your monthly trash/water will double in the middle of your lease term, presumably because your neighbors don't know how to use trash chutes and leave their boxes in the trash hall instead of the trash room downstairs. Be prepared to spend around $80 a month for that (more if you're in anything bigger than a studio).
Essex fails in trying to price out the apartments anticipating gentrification, but the neighborhood isn't up to par yet. Avoid this property. It's not worth the cost, and frankly I'd avoid other Essex properties because of their management and business practices. The turnover should tell you something.
Do yourself a favor and find a rent controlled apartment with perhaps a few less amenities. If you don't mind having not having washer and dryer in unit, there are plenty of other properties in Nob Hill and other great neighborhoods at hundreds less per month. If you want the amenities and more space, then look in Oakland.