Casa Del Norte

Pros

• The staff is friendly and the neighbors are welcoming.
• The activities director goes all out with diverse, inclusive events.
• Management is efficient and thoughtful, and deposit refunds are handled professionally.
• The pool and hot tub are great and consistently clean.
• Units feature updated appliances and convenient touches like large storage spaces and ceiling fans.
• The building offers ample parking and a walkable location with nearby shops and amenities.

Cons

• The staff is described as rude, insulting, and unprofessional toward residents.
• Management is accused of misrepresenting apartment sizes, noting that most "standard" units are substantially smaller than advertised.
• A veteran alleges he was charged about 2100 in rent and fees to cancel a lease he never moved into.
• It's claimed the lease terms were changed from month-to-month to a year-long commitment without prior notice.
• The amenities and pool hours are criticized as being severely restricted, undermining the "resort style living" claim.
• A reviewer describes management as confrontational and unhelpful, including a rude phone interaction.
• There's an accusation that some five-star reviews were posted by management, calling the overall rating questionable.

Review

Casa Escondida Apartments comes across in these reviews as a community with a strong sense of identity built over many years. Some residents speak with real warmth about the staff, the neighbors, and the activities director who "goes ALL out" to provide diverse events that appeal to a wide range of residents. A longtime resident highlights the place as a neighborhood where people are friendly, the staff is approachable, and the overall atmosphere feels welcoming. The combination of attentive on-site staff, engaged residents, and a focus on activities lends the property a feeling of stability and continuity that many renters seem to value.

Yet the same complex also surfaces serious, concrete concerns from other residents, including a veteran who faced an abrupt disruption to his living plans. He describes moving in to discover that his shower chair would not fit, and despite dealing with VA inspectors to assess accessibility, he ultimately did not move in. He recounts a professional staff response, including a deposit refund, but then details a larger dispute about rent and fees after he learned the arrangement he was promised might not hold. He emphasizes his status as a highly decorated combat veteran and a wheelchair user who could not physically use the shower, and he laments being asked to pay rent and other fees for a lease he never inhabited. This account underscores a disconnect between expectations set at move-in and the realities of the lease and fees, along with a sense of frustration about how to contact ownership and resolve the situation.

Other voices in the mix are consistently positive about daily life on the grounds. Several reviewers describe a quiet, pleasant environment with good security, well-maintained common spaces, and a generally friendly resident community. One reviewer notes the presence of security guards and a large enclosed patio, while another explicitly points out that management is efficient and thoughtful and that the complex is a welcoming place for both dogs and cats. There is also praise for the older, but well-kept, building with functioning elevators and a quiet apartment life where neighbors are not bothersome, along with a laundry room that works well and plentiful parking in a walkable, restaurant-rich area with nearby groceries.

A recurring point of contention, however, concerns the actual size and configuration of the "standard" apartments. A reviewer claims that the advertised standard apartments are listed as 617 square feet but are substantially smaller in practice - around 510 square feet of interior space, with a 25-square-foot unheated storage closet, leaving roughly 485 heated square feet. The note indicates only about six units are larger than standard. This discrepancy between advertised space and real-world measurements appears to frustrate some residents who may be comparing units or assessing value for the price they pay.

There are also notable anecdotes about interactions with staff that tilt toward the negative. One reviewer recounts an incident where moving out resulted in disputes about a storage space during the transition, accusing maintenance of clearing out their unit and leaving a bucket of paint, with a staff member's dismissive attitude about proof of ownership or responsibility. The same review singled out a staff member named Val for particularly insulting and inappropriate comments during a property tour, painting a picture of rude, unprofessional behavior that residents say should be avoided. Taken together, these experiences contribute to a sense that not all interactions with management are positive, and that some residents feel unsupported or disrespected in certain incidents.

There are also memories of more favorable days. A reviewer who says they used to live there years ago notes consistent respect and kindness from management, plus prompt maintenance and a beautiful, clean complex. A family member's recent move-in is described with warmth as well: the pool and hot tub are well-kept, the unit had newly updated appliances and cabinets, and the balcony offers pleasant outdoor space. The sense across these accounts is that the property can be a comfortable, well-appointed home, especially when management is responsive and the facilities are well maintained.

The practical day-to-day realities - like applying for a unit, moving in from a distant city, or navigating the amenities - also surface in a positive light. One reviewer describes an easy application process, quick approval, and smooth move-in arrangements, with staff who were friendly and attentive. There's praise for the building's age and charm, as well as for functional conveniences such as elevators, reliable laundry facilities, ample parking, a highly walkable neighborhood, and nearby dining and shopping options. Another reviewer highlights how the kitchen, though small, is suitable for the occupant and explains practical details like a half-oven that saves counter space, along with a surprisingly large closet outside the unit that provides additional storage.

A final, critical voice focuses on the management's handling of amenity hours and the broader corporate communications around re-opening after a period of restrictions. In this lengthy critique, the reviewer describes a frustrating sequence of phone calls and encounters with different management personnel - John King, Tammy Bailey, and a regional manager identified as RA Snyder - culminating in a perception of blunt, unhelpful, and sometimes hostile responses. Claims of scripted answers, liability-driven restrictions, and a bench of resentment over a perceived shift away from "resort style living" compound the sense that this resident feels unheard and overruled. The reviewer even alleges that some five-star ratings on the property's page originated from the company itself, calling for stronger customer service training.

Taken together, the range of experiences at Casa Escondida Apartments reflects a community with many positive attributes and a subset of challenging, sometimes conflicting, interactions. There are deep wells of appreciation for staff kindness, resident camaraderie, convenient location, and well-maintained amenities. At the same time, there are serious concerns about miscommunications around lease terms, unexpected fees, discrepancies between advertised and actual apartment sizes, and episodes of staff behavior that feel disrespectful or unprofessional to residents. For anyone considering moving in, the stories suggest the value of talking directly to current residents, verifying the exact terms of any lease, inspecting a specific unit for size and features, and assessing how responsive the management team can be in both routine and exceptional situations. The overall portrait is nuanced: Casa Escondida can be a solid, comfortable home for many, but it also carries risks of miscommunication and personal experiences that hinge on individual interactions with management and staff.

This part of Escondido, California, offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for convenience and entertainment. With multiple dining options such as Chick-Fil-A, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, and Filippi's Pizza Grotto Escondido nearby, residents can enjoy a diverse selection of cuisine. In addition, there are several pharmacies within close proximity, including CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens, providing easy access to medication and healthcare needs. For medical care, there are several physicians' offices and hospitals nearby, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services. The area also features cafes like Starbucks for socializing or relaxing with a cup of coffee. Furthermore, there are several parks for outdoor recreation and green spaces to enjoy nature walks. With transportation options like MTS Del Lago Station available, getting around the area is convenient. Overall, this part of Escondido offers a blend of practicality and leisure activities that could make it an attractive option for seniors looking for a comfortable living environment.

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.7 miles)
• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (0.8 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Filippi's Pizza Grotto Escondido (1 miles)
• Plan 9 Alehouse (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Vons Pharmacy (3.3 miles)

Physicians

• Sarina Adhikary Sharma, MD (1.1 miles)
• Brano Cizmar, MD (1.4 miles)
• Paul W Hinshaw DO (1.4 miles)
• Dermatology Specialists (1.4 miles)
• Valley Parkway Medical Building (1.4 miles)
• Allergy & Asthma Med Group (1.4 miles)
• Graybill Medical Group - Escondido Grand Office (1.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Palomar Medical Center Escondido (2 miles)
• Premiere Surgery Center (2.7 miles)
• Pomerado Hospital (8 miles)
• Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo (8.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Okavango Outpost (5.4 miles)
• Mostra Coffee 4S (6.3 miles)
• Starbucks (6.4 miles)
• Starbucks (8.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (8.6 miles)

Parks

• Kit Carson Park (2.7 miles)
• Woodland Park (3.7 miles)
• Rancho Bernardo Community Park (4.3 miles)
• Montiel Dog Park (5.1 miles)
• Liberty Park (5.2 miles)
• Pioneer Park (5.7 miles)
• Santa Fe Hills Park (6.4 miles)

Transportation

• MTS Del Lago Station (2.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Mission Hills Church (4.4 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Edwards San Marcos (6.2 miles)