Eilan vs. Belleza at Cresta Bella (San Antonio, Center: apartment complex, rentals, countertops)

[Balltobe]

My husband and I are relocating back to San Antonio next summer. We might not be able to visit properties before we move. My husband will be in a residency program at the Medical Center and I will either be working downtown or near the airport. Both the Eilan and Belleza at Cresta Bella look like good options for high end apartment living. Has anyone visited these properties? If so, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

[Bo]

There are some existing threads on each, which may be helpful.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...ing-large.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...n-antonio.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...lanned-la.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...sta-bella.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...-dominion.html

[BenjaminNicholas]

Just from looking at the two, I'd say that Eilan is a better option if you want high-end. They cost more, but the finish-out is simply better.

To me, and I've lived in nice rentals in major cities, Belleza looks run-of-the-mill. Nothing interesting in their design, appliance package, features, etc. It just looks like another new apartment complex.

Eilan has more sizzle... Albeit, it's a very VERY quiet property right now. They're Grouponing/LivingSocial/TravelZooing to death just to keep people at the hotel and at Sustineo.



BN

[Noratraube1]

I am a realtor here in San Antonio and just sold my personal home. I'm downsizing from a 500k, 3200 sq ft home. Being a realtor, I see many properties and know the price points especially for high end properties. I chose to lease at Belleza. The amenities and features are great and for the money, they're spot on. They have varying packages too so you can elect the quartz countertops and bamboo floors. They're very modern. Love them!

Nora Traube

[shirubav]

After an extensive canvassing of san antonio for high-end apartments, we also ended up looking at Eilan and Belleza, in addition to the Artessa.

We ultimately settled on the Belleza.
It has better and larger floor plans. (We got the 2 bedroom, 3 story town home with 2 attached garages)
It has an excellent view, because it is on a high hill with nothing immediately around it. Our apartment will have a full corner balcony.
You can select many upgrades, like the bamboo flooring and different countertops, and appliances.
The place is brand new. We're moving in next week, and the building is being finished now.
Cons: the place is brand new. So some kinks are still being worked out. Also, the location isn't super close to anything.

It's a given that the Artessa and Eilan are more conveniently located. But driving out of the Artessa is a real pain because it is down town.

And the Eilan is a ghost town. We walked around looking at different apartments for at least 2 hours around 3 or 4pm, because they have almost 140 floorplans (very small variations on the same basic plans inflates the number). We didn't see anybody at all. The place is pretty, the gym is great, and the concept was neat. However, a big selling point for this place was supposed to be that it was a little town unto itself. There are no stores there yet except a restaurant.
The apartments are boxes. They are tiny and they -feel- tiny. Also, half the apartments put the kitchen in a tiny closed off box in the center of the apartment. It's quite awkward. And good luck getting a balcony.
Anyways, for the price you won't get much at the Eilan. If the shops were set up, and the place catered to socializing it may've been worth it. But a few thousand for a shoebox apartment, no fireplace, no balcony, and a ghost town? Not really worth it for us.

[iliveinsa]

Originally Posted by shirubav

It's a given that the Artessa and Eilan are more conveniently located. But driving out of the Artessa is a real pain because it is down town.

Do you mean Artessa at the Quarry? Is downtown? It is right next to 281, how is that hard to get out of there?

[samvp]

Belleza looks really nice.

[GloriaUpson]

They're PR shots: Of course they look nice. It's called Photoshopping perfect light.

It's still an apartment. You overpay and gain no equity. For these prices, most of you could own.

[Readerfeeder]

Some of us don't want to own after this last housing debacle. Now that the current administration wants financing eased up again, it means you can't depend that the person next door will actually pay the mortgage. I'd rather be mobile.
Belleza costs what is does for a reason. We looked at them and would rent a 3 bedroom if we were staying here.

[GloriaUpson]

You rent to 'stick it to the man' eh? That's pipe-dream and owning is still a better deal in the long run if you can buy within your means and invest wisely.

The housing issue took two to tango: Too many folks buying more house than they could ever afford and they knew it. I don't feel bad for those people.