Hill Crest Apartment Homes

I loved this place when I first moved in, we had a great manager that cared about the people in the building. He was fired for giving our maintenance man extra time off. The man they hired to replace him is as corporate feeling as they come. Aside from how uncomfortable it became to live here and the numerous complaints I have about the man, the biggest injustice about living here is the unlawful withholding of our deposit and extra charges for cleaning and painting a unit that was only lived in for a year. We also hired someone who cleaned for 3 hours. There was nothing beyond normal wear and tear and it was spotless. Also, our "estimated" final utility bill was twice what it normally was and we were only in the apartment 1 of the last 4 weeks. I now have to contact a lawyer. Save yourself the trouble, live somewhere else.

I have been a resident of Hillcrest in West Seattle for slightly over two years. The building itself is in a good location on the bus line and there are a few restaurants within walking distance, and apartments are decent size. It is especially good if you have pets, since it is by two medium sized parks perfect for fetch - Myrtle Reservoir and EC Hughes. The building tends to be very quiet and premises are kept clean. There are multiple w/d on each floor and a laundromat conveniently across the street if you need quarters in a pinch, and I have never experienced any of the machines in the building to have been out of order. Trash/Recycling are in the back away from view and seem to be kept orderly and it's very rare that there's a build up. The water pressure has been great and hot water has never been an issue. Since we have moved in, the building manager Jay was always very friendly and extraordinarily helpful with any of our needs and questions or maintenance concerns, and always made the building seem like home. Having a great manager on site was really a blessing and it will definitely be an essential criteria when selecting our next apartment. One thing to note, rent was an awesome deal when we signed two years ago but since has increased about $120 a year.

I have been in Hill Crest Apartments for three years now, and I feel very lucky to have found such a great place to live. The super-friendly, live-in manager, Jay, is one of the reasons that I continue to stay here. His service commitment to residents and the larger Hill Crest community is impressive, and he’s remarkably flexible and supportive when you’re experiencing temporary difficulties. Jay prefers to try to find ways to keep good tenants in the building, and will work with you as much as he can to help you find a solution that is optimal for both parties. I’ve seen him recommend charities that provide emergency financial assistance to tenants in distress, and when he hears about job opportunities, he passes them along to tenants he knows are looking for work. The neighborhood, like the building, is quiet. I feel safe knowing that only residents can enter the controlled-access building, and that every exterior door is monitored by video cameras. I like that the building is smoke-free, and that Jay enforces the building’s no-drugs policy. Maintenance requests are completed quickly and cheerfully. Every month, Jay puts out a table filled with free Top Pot donuts and coffee for residents. Every October we have a pumpkin-carving event, with free refreshments. This location is *very* convenient. I like that I can hop on a Metro #21 just outside the building to get downtown in 15-20 minutes. The immediate neighborhood includes cafes, pubs, a wine bar, a sports bar, salons, a gas station w/ minimart, a laundromat and a dry cleaner/tailor, all within 1-2 blocks. The public library, Walgreens, U-Haul storage and Pizza Hut delivery are just a mile away on the bus route. Home Depot is a mile downhill, next to the police station. I frequently take the bus 1.5 miles to Westwood Village shopping center, which has a Target, QFC, Staples, Barnes & Noble, Rite Aid, Bed Bath & Beyond, Big 5, a McDonald’s & a fantastic Toshi’s Teriyaki, along with salons, a fitness center, restaurants, post office and banks. The rents here are no more expensive than the average 2-bedroom in Seattle, but the best thing about Hill Crest is that it accepts pets. I couldn’t live without my two cats for company. Most places in Seattle don’t accept pets. Jay keeps dog treats in his office for regular visitors, and always has free coffee for everyone. I’ve been very happy here, and nothing—short of an extremely high rent hike—could get me to leave.

I moved in almost 2 years ago and have loved every minute of it. The office staff is very friendly and attentive without being "in your business"; Mile', the maintenance technician, is very dependable and helpful; and the other tenants that I've met are very respectful and welcoming. I have a courtyard apartment, which is a great space to do container gardening or catch a few rays in the summer. Security is a high priority for the management, so I feel very safe here. My apartment is very spacious with lots of closets, and almost everyone here has a dog. As long as the rents don't go sky high like everywhere else, I plan to be here for many years to come.

I can't express how much we love living here. From day one, the staff has been nothing but awesome. Issues are resolvedoing quickly and efficiently and always with a smile. The units are comfortable, well laid-out and all have a patio or balcony. Since it's at the top of West Seattle, the views are great, even from the 2nd floor (not so much the first). Jay, Jocline and Mile really work to make it feel like a community, not just a bunch of people living in the same building. Generally, the neighbors are friendly and noise is not a big issue. The location is great, right next to a route 21 stop, with easy access to Westwood, and a 10 minute drive to downtown. There are several restaurants in walking distance and a corner shop in case you don't feel like going out. We never want to move.