La Terraza Apartments in Albuquerque, NM

Pros

• The staff is amazing in every way.
• The staff is very friendly and helpful.
• All staff deserve five gold stars.
• Ashley and Pamela are on top of everything that needs to be done; they are both kind and courteous to all.
• The property manager Carly D was really helpful.
• CarlaDee was outstanding from first contact through the lease signing.

Cons

• The property has gone downhill with constant rent hikes and amenities that are no longer available.
• The place is dirty, with filthy floors, carpets, and trash.
• There are many sick elderly residents on oxygen living there.
• Maintenance is severely lacking: computers have been broken for years, there is no coffee, and the hot water was green for weeks.
• Management is hard to contact and unhelpful; the security deposit reconciliation has not been resolved for months.
• The elevator breaks about monthly and the main gate remains broken for weeks, undermining security.
• The gate has caused damage to vehicles and was never repaired, leaving residents to cope on their own.
• There are serious allegations of misappropriated funds and questionable management practices, and the property is described as unsafe and not a true 55+ community.

Review

La Terraza Apartments in Albuquerque is best suited for seniors who want a socially active, community-minded living environment and can tolerate uneven maintenance reliability and security concerns. The strongest appeal for these residents is the sense of connection: accessible staff, engaging activities like bingo, and a handful of peers who treat the building as a manageable, lived-in home. In the right moment, when management is responsive, the atmosphere can feel warm, and residents who value daily interaction with staff and neighbors may view the place as a practical choice in a market where affordability matters.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are residents who prioritize rock-solid security, predictable upkeep, and transparent financial practices. If a strict 55+ environment is non-negotiable, if the property must consistently deliver spotless common areas and reliable use of amenities, or if deposits, refunds, and lease terms must be crystal clear and promptly handled, other options may reduce ongoing stress. Families and prospective residents who rely on dependable elevator service, reliable gate access, and a management team that communicates in a timely, professional way should explore competing communities with stronger reputations for stability and proactive issue resolution.

The core advantages - seasoned staff who can be genuinely helpful, prompt maintenance when it's available, and a community that encourages social engagement - do carry real weight. Several residents praise specific team members for going above and beyond, and maintenance personnel are recognized for swift, effective work when called upon. For families seeking a setting where an aging parent or relative can participate in organized activities and feel that someone is paying attention to daily needs, these strengths can translate into meaningful quality-of-life benefits. The upside is real, but it's unevenly distributed and highly contingent on the day-to-day management tone.

The counterweight is substantive and recurring: recurring rent increases, reported cleanliness lapses, and maintenance gaps that can linger - sometimes for weeks. Elevators that break regularly, gates that malfunction and leave the property less secure, and floors or carpets that fail to be consistently maintained create friction points for anyone who requires dependable access and a consistently tidy environment. A pattern of slow or unreliable communication from management compounds the frustration, especially for families who must coordinate move-ins, deposits, and ongoing care. In short, the positives feel tangible when operations run smoothly, but the negatives threaten daily comfort and peace of mind.

From a decision-making perspective, prospective residents should verify several operational realities before committing. Ask for a current, itemized rent with all included services and amenities, and demand a written maintenance response timeline. Request a recent security deposit accounting and a clear policy on refunds or reconciliations. Confirm the true status of the 55+ designation, and obtain a copy of the last six months of service records and incident reports to gauge consistency. Take tours with multiple staff members, and speak directly with a range of residents to learn how often issues arise and how promptly they are addressed.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on risk tolerance. If reliability, security, and financial transparency are paramount, La Terraza demands careful comparison against other Albuquerque options that promise steadier management and more predictable upkeep. For a certain cohort - those who prize social connectedness, tolerable cost, and a willingness to navigate occasional service gaps - the community can still offer a viable, even preferable, living arrangement. The prudent path is to weigh the value of ongoing human contact against the likelihood of recurring maintenance headaches, then choose a setting that aligns with the family's priorities for safety, clarity, and daily lived experience.

This part of Albuquerque, New Mexico, offers a convenient and accessible location with a variety of amenities nearby. There are several dining options such as Chick-Fil-A, McDonald's, and Flix Brewhouse within a short distance. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and Medicine Chest for easy access to medication and healthcare needs. Residents can also find quality medical care from physicians like Keith Basham, PA and Women's Specialists of New Mexico, as well as hospitals like Lovelace Medical Center and Presbyterian Hospital in the vicinity. For recreation, there are parks like Petroglyph National Monument and Montecito Estates Park for outdoor activities. Transportation is easily accessible with the Alvarado Transportation Center and Amtrak & Greyhound Station nearby. Overall, this area provides a convenient and comfortable living environment for seniors with a range of amenities within close proximity.

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Flix Brewhouse (2.8 miles)
• Campo (2.9 miles)
• Golden Pride BBQ Chicken & Ribs (3 miles)
• Wendy's (3.2 miles)
• Dog House Drive In (3.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Medicine Chest (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)

Physicians

• Keith Basham, PA (0.7 miles)
• Women's Specialists of New Mexico (2.7 miles)
• Medicine At Downtown (4.1 miles)
• Duke City Recovery Toolbox (4.2 miles)
• Smiles For Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics Westside (4.3 miles)
• Lovelace Neurosciences Center (4.7 miles)
• Dogwood Therapy Service (4.7 miles)

Parks

• Petroglyph National Monument (1 miles)
• Montecito Estates Park (3 miles)
• Graves Park (3.4 miles)
• Roosevelt Park (5.5 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Olympia Cafe (5.8 miles)
• Satellite Coffee (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Comadre A Comadre (3.2 miles)
• Lovelace Medical Center - Downtown (4.7 miles)
• Heart Hospital of New Mexico (4.8 miles)
• UNM Cancer Reseach and Treatment Center (5 miles)
• Carrie Tingley Childrens Hospital (5.1 miles)
• Presbyterian (5.2 miles)
• UNM Hospital Hope Building (5.7 miles)

Transportation

• Alvarado Transportation Center (4.5 miles)
• Amtrak & Greyhound Station (4.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint George Greek Orthodox Church (5 miles)
• Faith Chapel (5.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Cinema UA Cottonwood Stadium 16 (5.9 miles)