Apartment Review for The View At Encino Commons - San Antonio, TX

I guess after having spent a lot of time in different apartments over the years, I've come to accept certain things as just a way of living in apartments. The View is nice looking, and I happen to live in a building with quiet neighbors, which is nice. The surrounding area is under construction as hotels and new businesses are popping up everywhere. I work nights and daytime sleeping is difficult with the constant construction going on. With the construction and constant traffic on Hwy 281, the noise can become irritating, mainly due to the fact that they don't have double insulated windows, so the sound travels right into the apartment. The electric bill suffers as well during the summer months if you have an apartment, like mine, that catches the direct sun from noon until sundown. I would suggest an east-facing apartment because the morning heat is shorter and less intense, which will equate to a lower electric bill than that of a west-facing apartment. The rent stayed the same as new management took over last year, but they tacked on a mandatory fee for trash service (picked up at your door daily). I didn't appreciate that since I have 1 bag a week that I don't mind carrying to the dumpster at the front of the property. When I asked, I was told it was not a negotiable item. The one time I've attempted to use the on-site car wash, it was not working, but this was a single instance, and I haven't attempted to use it since. Aside from that, any other complaints would probably be standard for any apartment complex and more to do with living in close proximity to others than the ability of the management. Maintenance has been responsive to my needs. And pest control is on the property weekly if you need them. I had an issue with the A/C for a few months (slow coolant leak) and the maintenance crew was diligent and persistent in making sure my system was charged and, eventually, fixed. When I first moved in there was a problem with ants, but the pest control service was there within a couple of days and did a thorough job. Traffic is the main issue with the location. Evans/281 is a nightmare and you can expect to add 30 minutes to your morning commute just getting onto a major highway from the apartment. I work nights, so this isn't such an issue for me until the weekends. As always, you should check with the San Antonio Police Department for a list of the calls or burglaries at any location you are considering as your next move. Since I've lived here, there has been only one incident of burglary that I'm aware of, but that would be typical of any apartment complex. The office staff are not as friendly and engaging as those of the previous management group.