Martinez Hillside

Pros

• The complex is described as very clean, with residents enjoying a patio and park views, and maintenance is promptly addressed.
• Franklin Jones is praised as an on-point property manager who quickly handles maintenance requests.
• Franklin personally arranged a new fridge for tenants when needed, showing responsive service.
• Residents are happy with Franklin as their manager.
• The manager and maintenance staff are described as respectful and caring toward seniors.
• The apartments are described as affordable, clean, and a nice place to rent.
• Issues reported to the building manager are handled professionally and promptly.

Cons

• There is very little parking in front of the building.
• Street parking is nearly impossible due to how many cars there are.
• The manager is rarely available, and corporate responses are unlikely.
• The A/C doesn't reach the bedroom.
• The sinks leak at random times.
• There is an outrageous maintenance fee.
• The building is old.
• The place is full of rats.
• They charge $100 monthly for water and garbage only.

Review

Residents paint a picture of a complex that some people love for its cleanliness, quiet feel, and on-site attention, while others wrestle with significant practical frustrations. Across multiple vantage points, the recurring thread is that the on-site management, especially Franklin Jones, often makes a real difference in day-to-day living. Several residents highlight a well-kept property, a pleasant little patio with a view of green park space, and a sense that the common areas are kept clean and safe. One person who has lived there for two years emphasizes how promptly both the unit and the exterior are addressed when issues arise, and credits the property maintenance team with being quick to respond to various claims. The same resident notes that, while parking in front of the building is scarce, the overall experience remains positive due to the level of care and the ability to hear but still enjoy the surroundings.

Franklin Jones emerges in multiple accounts as a standout manager who genuinely helps residents get what they need. In a span of months, several tenants describe him as "spot on" for coordinating maintenance and solving problems quickly. One person specifically recounts his role in replacing a broken fridge after a maintenance visit, framing Franklin as an advocate who keeps things moving smoothly. Another resident praises Franklin for giving attention to the needs of tenants and for maintaining a secure, well-kept area around the property, with maintenance staff following through in a timely fashion. The overall impression is that Franklin's hands-on approach, combined with a reliable maintenance crew, creates a sense of trust and appreciation among residents who have ongoing interactions with him.

There are long-tenured residents who speak warmly about their experiences, including seniors who feel seen and cared for. One resident lived in the building for almost ten years, until the passing of a spouse, and recalls respectful, considerate treatment from both the manager and the maintenance team. Another account describes a period of about six to seven months during which the resident appreciated the manager's responsiveness and the maintenance crew's professionalism. This perspective highlights a climate in which management takes senior citizens' needs seriously, helping them feel safe and well-supported in a living environment that remains affordable and clean. For these tenants, the combination of respectful staff and reliable upkeep contributes to a strong sense of belonging and a willingness to continue calling the property home.

Across multiple shorter stays, other residents echo similar positive notes. One reviewer describes a full year of occupancy before a move to be closer to family, but still emphasizes the good experiences with the manager and maintenance staff - polite, helpful, and dedicated to keeping the property in good condition. The consensus in these accounts is that reporting issues to the building manager yields professional and timely responses, which reinforces trust in the property's operations and the likelihood of repeat visits or recommendations to friends and family.

However, not all feedback aligns with the positive picture. A subset of residents paints a starkly different experience, underscoring significant drawbacks that color their overall impression of living there. The most persistent complaint centers on parking: both front-of-building spots and street parking are described as scarce or nearly impossible to secure, creating daily friction for households with multiple vehicles or guests. In these reviews, the frustration extends beyond inconvenience to questions of access and convenience that affect everyday life. The negative comments also touch on perceived gaps in management presence. One reviewer bluntly says that getting a response from the manager or the corporate office is unlikely, which compounds the frustration when problems arise.

Other critical points revolve around the condition of the building and its systems. Complaints include an AC system that does not adequately cool bedrooms, leaks in sinks, and ongoing maintenance fees that some residents deem excessive. A particularly harsh review labels the property as the worst place to rent, citing chronic parking issues, poor responsiveness from the manager, and an unresponsive corporate office. The sentiment conveyed in these statements is that the combination of aged infrastructure and insufficient attention to resident concerns leads to a deteriorating experience for some tenants.

A separate negative report further emphasizes a deteriorating environment: an old building with no parking options, an infestation problem described as rats, malfunctioning air conditioning, and charges for water and garbage that feel disproportionate to the value received. Taken together, these remarks outline a reality where some residents feel unsafe, underserved, or unfairly billed, and they contrast sharply with the more favorable experiences described by others.

In summary, the complex appears to offer a largely positive living experience for many tenants who value a clean, well-kept environment, a dedicated and responsive on-site manager (notably Franklin Jones), and a maintenance team that acts quickly to resolve problems. For others, the combination of limited parking, aging infrastructure, occasional service gaps, and concerns about communication with management and corporate offices creates a fundamentally different experience - one that ranges from merely inconvenient to outright frustrating. For potential residents weighing this place, the prevailing message is clear: you may find a well-run, resident-focused eviction of care in certain areas and strong personal relationships with staff, but you should also be prepared for significant parking challenges and a few persistent issues tied to the age of the property and the responsiveness of management and corporate channels.

Located in Martinez, California, this neighborhood offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors. With multiple pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, accessing medication and healthcare essentials is convenient. The presence of healthcare facilities like the Martinez Outpatient Clinic and Community Living Center ensures easy access to medical care. Additionally, there are several parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation, including Waterfront Park and Ellis Lake Park. For dining options, there are popular restaurants like Benihana and Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar within a short driving distance. The area also provides opportunities for socialization with places of worship like Queen of All Saints nearby. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of convenience, healthcare services, recreational activities, and dining options that make it a suitable choice for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (4.7 miles)
• Walgreens (5.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (5.6 miles)

Transportation

• Martinez Station (MTZ) (1.2 miles)
• North Concord/Martinez BART Station (6.1 miles)
• U-Haul of Concord (6.2 miles)
• Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART Station (6.7 miles)
• Walnut Creek BART Station (7.6 miles)

Physicians

• Martinez Outpatient Clinic and Community Living Center - US Department of Veterans Affairs (1.3 miles)
• Martin Family Chiropractic (4.6 miles)
• STAT MED Urgent Care (4.9 miles)
• John Muir Physician Network (5.5 miles)
• Diablo Valley Primary Care (5.6 miles)
• Communication Across Barriers Speech Clinics (5.6 miles)
• California Center for Sleep Disorders (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Waterfront Park (1.4 miles)
• Southampton Park (5.3 miles)
• Ellis Lake Park (5.7 miles)
• Lime Ridge Open Space (7.3 miles)
• Heather Farm Dog Park (7.3 miles)
• Heather Farm Park (7.6 miles)
• Heather Farm All Abilities Playground (7.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)
• Bondadoso Coffee & Tea Collective Add to Favorites (7.5 miles)
• Philz Coffee (7.6 miles)
• Sideboard Neighborhood Kitchen and Coffee Bar (7.6 miles)
• Starbucks (7.8 miles)

Restaurants

• In-N-Out Burger (4.2 miles)
• Benihana (4.8 miles)
• Yard House (4.8 miles)
• Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar (5 miles)
• McDonald's (5.3 miles)
• Jack's Restaurant & Bar (5.6 miles)
• Ej Phair Brewing Co & Ail House (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• Solano Drive In (4.6 miles)
• Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill and XD (5.6 miles)
• Century Walnut Creek 14 and XD (8.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Queen of All Saints (5.7 miles)
• St Patrick's Youth Ministry (7.1 miles)
• Trinity Faith Baptist Church (7.4 miles)
• Bridge Ministry (8.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center (8.6 miles)