Creekwood Apartments in Hayward, CA

Pros

• The complex offers numerous amenities and the staff are consistently friendly.
• The maintenance team is quick to respond and fixes issues efficiently, with Mark singled out for prompt service.
• The office staff are professional and friendly, and the grounds are well kept.
• The location is beautiful and conveniently located near downtown Hayward with easy access to BART.
• Jonathan is a friendly, knowledgeable leasing agent who provides helpful tours.
• Christina is welcoming, thorough, and helpful during tours.
• Mai, Em, Angelica, Thou, and Christina are praised for being accommodating and supportive during move-in.
• The Creekwood community is described as beautiful, clean, and well organized with responsive staff.

Cons

• The management is completely unprofessional and the property is a horrible example of an apartment complex.
• They had the worst experience living there for a year.
• They were charged nonsensical fees despite leaving the unit spotless.
• They were charged $390 for sink damage, which they consider ridiculous.
• They caution others not to apply to live there.
• They do not recommend this place.
• Maintenance requests have gone undone for months, and rent checks were misplaced, leading to eviction notices.
• The complex feels unsafe due to security issues and car break-ins.
• The pool and gym amenities are poorly maintained or frequently unusable.
• The staff are rude, incompetent, and unprofessional; the front office is unresponsive.
• Cockroaches persist for months with no effective action from management.
• Deposit refunds and holding deposits take weeks or months to be returned, with poor communication.
• The assistant manager and/or property manager are accused of stealing from residents, with corporate not intervening.

Review

Creekwood Apartments in Hayward is best suited for value-driven renters who want solid space, convenient access to downtown Hayward and Bay Area transit, and a robust set of amenities. The community delivers on livability features: roomy floor plans, quiet interiors, two dog parks, a well-equipped gym, a pool, and clubhouse spaces that frequently host events. It works for families and roommates who can engage with management to resolve issues and who place a premium on location and recreational options over flawless service. For tenants with dogs or those who value communal amenities, Creekwood offers tangible benefits that can support long-term residency, even amid administrative frictions.

That said, Creekwood should not be the first pick for households that require consistently proactive management, reliable maintenance, and transparent billing. A pattern of slow or inconsistent maintenance responses, misplaced or disputed payments, and fees that feel opaque pervades many reviews. Shifts in ownership and management, most recently a transition to GreyStar, have contributed to hiccups in communication and service continuity. Prospective residents who cannot tolerate recurring concerns about safety, gate reliability, or lingering maintenance backlogs should actively compare other Hayward options before committing.

On balance, the property’s strongest selling points remain tangible and well-executed when staff are engaged. Several residents praise the grounds and amenities as genuine draws, with reliable gym access, clean common areas, and dog-friendly spaces that accommodate active households. Maintenance can be exemplary when particular team members are on-site and responsive, and a number of reviews commend on-site staff such as Angelica, Christina, or Jonathan for their courtesy and helpfulness. These positive experiences illustrate that Creekwood has the operational potential to deliver a solid living environment, especially for tenants who cultivate clear lines of communication and report needs promptly.

The counterweight to the positives is substantial and recurring: management effectiveness and daily operations. Residents report slow or missed maintenance requests, difficulties in obtaining timely responses by phone or in person, and disputes over utilities, refunds, and lease-related charges. Security concerns appear in several accounts, including incidents of package theft, gate malfunctions, and intermittent safety worries tied to homeless activity in or near the property. Some facilities, elevators, gates, and gym equipment, are described as dated or frequently out of service, which adds friction to everyday life. The frequency of management turnover compounds these issues, eroding continuity and credibility in management promises.

Given this landscape, Creekwood makes sense for buyers who can invest in due diligence. A focused tour with emphasis on unit condition, entry security, and the operability of gates and elevators is essential. Prospective renters should speak candidly with current residents about response times, maintenance reliability, and any recent improvements following the management transition. Those who prize proximity to downtown Hayward, easy freeway access, and the social advantages of a large, amenity-rich community may find Creekwood a reasonable trade-off, so long as willingness to navigate administrative bumps is present and the lease terms are thoroughly clarified upfront.

Bottom line: Creekwood is a mixed bag with compelling amenities and a favorable location, but a history of uneven management and safety concerns that cannot be ignored. For families and individuals who can tolerate the bumps and still value a value-forward option near transit, Creekwood remains a viable choice. For households that demand consistent, courteous service, transparent finances, and airtight security, exploring alternatives with a proven track record of steady operation is prudent. The smartest path is a disciplined on-site tour, frank conversations with current residents, and a clear read on how recent leadership is stabilizing daily operations before signing.

This part of Hayward, California offers a wide range of healthcare options with several physicians offices, pharmacies, and hospitals in close proximity. There are multiple transportation options nearby including BART stations and the Oakland International Airport for easy travel. Residents can enjoy a variety of dining choices from fast food to more upscale restaurants, as well as cafes for coffee lovers. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby parks and outdoor spaces for leisurely strolls. Additionally, there are places of worship within the community for spiritual support and connection. Overall, this area provides convenient amenities and services that cater to senior living needs in a vibrant and diverse neighborhood.

Physicians

• Dr Mark Mandel M.D. - Optima Medical Assoc (0.4 miles)
• Kaiser Medical Offices (3.4 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Pediatrics (3.4 miles)
• Reproductive Science Center (8.1 miles)
• Luxor Dental Prosthodontics & Implant Surgery (8.7 miles)
• Golden State Dermatology (9.4 miles)
• Foothill Optometric Group (9.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)

Transportation

• Castro Valley BART Station (0.8 miles)
• South Hayward BART Station (3.5 miles)
• Union City BART Station (7.1 miles)
• Terminal 2 (7.5 miles)
• Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter (7.5 miles)
• JSX (7.5 miles)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK) (7.5 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (0.9 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.8 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (4.9 miles)
• Top Hatters Kitchen & Bar (5.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Boba Bliss (8.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (8.5 miles)
• Philz Coffee (8.7 miles)
• Joe & The Juice (8.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Eden Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Post-Acute Care Center (1.6 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Labor & Delivery (4.9 miles)
• Washington Hospital Heliport (10.2 miles)

Parks

• Castro Valley Park and Community Center (2 miles)
• Bay Trees Park (2.1 miles)
• Lake Chabot Regional Park (2.6 miles)
• Parsons Park (2.6 miles)
• Eden Landing Ecological Reserve (4.5 miles)
• Chabot Park (4.5 miles)
• Beard Staging Area, Alameda Creek Regional Trail (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church Of Castro Valley (2.1 miles)
• Bethel Presbyterian Church Of San Leandro (3.8 miles)
• Wat Buddhanusorn (8.3 miles)
• Bay Area Chinese Bible Church (9.2 miles)