Help me w/Newport Apt: Newport Bluffs or Park Newport??!! (Orange: apartments, lease)

[Nj1059]

Visited several apartments this week (Mariner Square, Promontory Pointe, The Bays, Park Newport, Newport Bluffs, etc.)...I'm moving out the first couple weeks of May and would love some insider thoughts on Newport Bluffs vs. Park Newport. I've narrowed it down to these two, but if you have another you recommend let me know that as well! Here is my pro/con list:

Park Newport pros: cheaper, closer to the beach and back bay (I think?), nice market and dry cleaner on site, fitness center is excellent

Park Newport cons: laundry costs money and isn't in the unit, older apartments, I hear the walls are paper thin, I've heard parking is terrible for guests

Newport Bluffs pros: pool is probably better, apartments are newer/nicer, washer/dryer in the unit

Newport Bluffs cons: more expensive, may price other younger single people like me out of the market meaning less chance of meeting people like me

A little about me: just turned 30, great job and an afford either place just fine, single, want to meet young/professional/single people like me as I know no one in Orange County, moving from KY, like to play sports and stay active, important to be a close bikeride to the beach, would like to be near some nightlife.

[DinsdalePirahna]

I lived at the bluffs about 5 years ago and loved it. We checked out Park Newport, and thought the place smelled very musty (but I loved the location).

if you can afford it, make sure you get a townhouse on rivoli. (the apartments units are very noisy). Contrary to what many people say, the staff at the bluffs is very responsive and friendly. If you are a good tenant they always cut breaks at lease renewal time.

The caveat is that there are a lot of over-leveraged wannabees living there (they also tend to live on the apartment side).