T.O. Questions. (Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Agoura Hills: apartment, lease, neighborhood)

[rgb123]

oh sure you can find them online. You go there and find out the occupancy rates and other factors have upped the daily changing prices. I found plenty in the $1400 range online. That's really nice in theory but different when you are on the ground talking to people about what is actually available and what the price is "today"

Renting a home though should be less changable. And I don't think I publicly told anyone here where I chose to live! But the apartments are not old, and they are certainly not in the most expensive areas I looked!

[user_id]

Originally Posted by rgb123

oh sure you can find them online. You go there and find out the occupancy rates and other factors have upped the daily changing prices. I found plenty in the $1400 range online. That's really nice in theory but different when you are on the ground talking to people about what is actually available and what the price is "today"

You can find them in person as well, but if you're looking at an ad from 2-weeks ago the price has likely changed a bit. Also, its not like prices shift dramatically, usually by just $100 give or take.

Anyhow, you could have gotten a nice 1-bedroom for ~$1,400 in the areas I pointed out.

[Cyanna]

Originally Posted by rgb123

oh sure you can find them online. You go there and find out the occupancy rates and other factors have upped the daily changing prices. I found plenty in the $1400 range online. That's really nice in theory but different when you are on the ground talking to people about what is actually available and what the price is "today"

Renting a home though should be less changable. And I don't think I publicly told anyone here where I chose to live! But the apartments are not old, and they are certainly not in the most expensive areas I looked!

Unfortunately, rent prices on the same unit can fluctuate between $50 to $200 within a short space of a few weeks, depending on the season, how many vacancies a complex has, the reputation of the complex and the location. Beware of any place that offers too many "incentives" or "price-breaks" to get you in. It could be a sign that the area or complex is not as safe or friendly as it seems.

[rgb123]

just want to state here on the forum one more time that my car was broken into within the first 48 hours, inside the 'secure' parking garage in my T.O. apartment complex. I did leave it unlocked overnight (must have forgotten after unloading my last load late last night). I didn't realize my car had been cleared out until returning from lunch today and I could not find my garage opener. My entire glove box had been cleaned out along with the garage door opener and other things I've probably forgotten were in there. I'm only thankful I didn't fall asleep last night before unloading the tv and the rest of my things. It *had* been sitting there unlocked with those things in there. (please no lecture -- I forgot and it is supposedly a SECURE garage).

A very violating feeling, and not a very nice welcome. Even more uncomfortable is the feeling someone may have been watching me unload the car, or some punks have access to our garage and just rummage through there at night.

[OpenSky]

Really, really sorry to hear about that, rgb123.

I know the feeling - the morning we celebrated my son's 1st birthday, our locked car was broken into in one of the "safest" parts of the "safest" communities in the country, Irvine - right in our driveway. The thieves snagged quite a few things, but the hassle and feeling of violation is something I don't wish on anyone.

It is a terrible feeling and I'm sorry you experienced it.

[DowntownVentura]

I too am sorry rgb. Not a very good welcome to the city. Sigh

[Cyanna]

So sorry to hear of your bad experience, rgb123. Not a very nice "Welcome to T.O." gesture. The problem is, no matter how nice a complex or neighborhood is, the landlords are forced by government to set aside a percentage of "low income" units to rent out to those who tend to be less-than-desirable neighbors. Where I live there is no "secured" parking or gates, but I've never yet met anyone who has had their car broken into. We have, however, had a recent issue with laundry being stolen; nothing of mine, but other tenants. Fortunately the culprit was found and evicted. She is probably living happily in yet another "government paid for" apartment or house.

My guess is that you were targeted by another tenant, who most likely has done this before.

Put in a claim and a complaint with the property management company. Did they require you to purchase Renter's Insurance as part of your lease agreement? If so, contact the insurance company as well, but also make sure to at least file a complaint with the police.

[Mr.Bungle]

You could rent in Texas and have 0 rights. We learned about that the hard way.

[user_id]

Originally Posted by rgb123

I did leave it unlocked overnight (must have forgotten after unloading my last load late last night). I didn't realize my car had been cleared out until returning from lunch today and I could not find my garage opener.

Then how do you know it occurred in the apartment parking lot and not when you were out? The latter seems more likely.

Also, I thought you got a place in Agoura Hills? I can't even think of a Thousand oaks complex with a secure parking structure, not really a high priority here.

[rgb123]

No I'm not in Agoura. And yes it was when I was parked overnight, beleive me, I know. I locked my doors when I went to lunch, which is the only place I went between the time it happened and the time everything was fine. Someone had watched me unload which is the really creepy part. I'm super lucky they didn't get everything that was stuffed into my car, the worst part though is they got my important identity documents and most likely my social security number, and of course the garage door opener which the community can't change for at least a week because they have to change and reprogram everyones key codes.

I did fill out a police report, they came over and everything (well, two older gentelmen volunteers).

I had my suspiscions it might be another tenant, the garage is filled with expensive cars (mine, hardly...) and there is one truck across from mine that just doensn't fit in...a beat up pickup with mismatched paint (black door red truck). But that doesn't really mean anything, obviously you get paranoid after being targeted.

The complex is not in the safest spot of Thousand Oaks and my guess is just that someone has a habit of breaking into that garage and intends to do it again. So much for security.

Thank goodness for 30 day move out clauses