La Terraza Apartments

Pros

• They are happy living in a beautiful, cozy home.
• The staff is amazing in every way.
• There is absolutely nowhere else they would rather live.
• Maintenance fixes issues quickly and efficiently, with Michael singled out for prompt service.
• The staff is very friendly and helpful.
• Mom loves going down for Bingo and other activities, and all team members have done a great job.
• The property manager was really helpful and helped with move-in.
• CarlaDee was outstanding from the first contact through lease signing, being helpful, patient, accommodating, and professional.
• If you're looking for an adult community, one reviewer recommends speaking with CarlaDee.
• The maintenance team, including Michael, is praised for quick and effective repairs.
• The staff is on top of everything that needs to be done.

Cons

• The reviewers say the place has gone downhill due to constant rent hikes and loss of amenities.
• The building is described as very dirty, with filthy floors and carpets.
• The complex lacks basic amenities (no coffee) and had green-hot water for weeks.
• The elevator breaks roughly every month and repairs take days to a week.
• The security gate has been broken for weeks, undermining security.
• Management is hard to contact and unresponsive; security deposit reconciliation has taken months.
• Maintenance is slow, with claims that vendors aren't paid, delaying fixes.
• The property is described as unsafe and not truly a 55+ community.
• A bumper was torn off by a malfunctioning gate and residents received no assistance.
• Some reviewers allege misappropriation of funds by management and taking legal action.
• The premises are dirty, with rugs filthy and floors rarely washed.

Review

La Terraza appears to be a complex mix of comfort and chaos, with long-time residents and newer tenants offering sharply contrasting views that span financial strain, safety concerns, maintenance delays, and moments of genuine appreciation for staff. On one hand, many residents describe a property that has become less of a home and more of a source of stress, especially as rents have climbed and amenities have seemingly vanished. On the other hand, there are heartfelt endorsements of certain staff members and living experiences that some tenants still hold dear. The overall picture is of a community that once offered security and convenience, but now struggles with aging infrastructure, unclear management, and inconsistent upkeep.

The financial footing of La Terraza is a frequent touchpoint in these assessments. Several residents note a substantial increase in monthly rent, moving from around $839 to well over $1,073, with the implication that this rise came with a reduction in what is included as part of the living experience. Complaints go beyond price alone; people report that amenities and basic services have dwindled or disappeared entirely. In addition, a sense that the property's maintenance and cleanliness standards have declined accompanies the higher cost of living, painting a picture of tenants who feel the value they expected is not being delivered. In some cases, the sense of financial strain is tied to administrative concerns - such as unresolved security deposit reconciliations after a family member's passing - that linger for months, with phones often going unanswered.

Cleanliness and upkeep are recurring sources of frustration. Reviewers describe dirty floors, carpets, and common areas, along with filth that appears to persist despite extended timeframes. One account highlights a main entryway floor that has remained dirty and untouched for two weeks, while others point to dirty rugs, messy stairwells, and trash and dog messes that go unrepaired. The combination of litter, stained surfaces, and neglected fixtures contributes to a general impression that daily maintenance tasks are not being completed with the consistency residents expect from a managed property. Some also report problems with more basic utilities - such as hot water turning green for weeks - and a long-standing lack of coffee service and other small comforts that had previously been part of daily life at the property.

Management communication and accountability emerge as particularly fraught themes. Several tenants recount difficulty contacting management or negotiating with them, and there are strong accusations about staff behavior and administrative competence. One exasperated resident mentions a delayed or unresolved security deposit reconciliation following their mother's death, noting that after three months the phones still go unanswered. There are sharper critiques directed at specific managers, including claims of combative behavior and harassment, while others defend certain staff members as professional and helpful. The inconsistency in management tone and responsiveness appears to color much of the tenant experience, amplifying frustrations tied to essential services, security, and dispute resolution.

Safety and security are highlighted concerns in several voices. The building's reputation as a secure place to live is questioned by critics who point to an elevator that breaks roughly every month and remains out of service for days, if not longer. A gate that is supposed to control entry into the property has been problematic for extended periods, with some reviewers describing it as broken for weeks and, in their view, failing to deter would-be intruders. The perception that repairs are delayed due to vendors not being paid or other financial bottlenecks adds to a broader sense of vulnerability. A number of residents also comment on the building's lack of access to certain amenities - such as outdoor spas or preserved walkable spaces - further undermining the impression of a gated community that prioritizes resident safety and comfort.

Against this backdrop of concerns, there are nonetheless positive notes about the people who do make the place livable. Some residents speak warmly of specific staff members who go above and beyond. Comments praise Ashley and Pamela for staying on top of tasks, and a few praise a maintenance technician named Michael for prompt and effective service. A couple of narratives center on Carla Deene (or CarlaDee) and other favorable experiences with the move-in process, noting patient, professional, and accommodating behavior that helped new residents settle in. These affirmations give a counterpoint to the grievances, illustrating that for some tenants, the human element - the reliability, kindness, and professionalism of staff - can still make La Terraza feel like a home.

The stories also touch on broader tensions around who lives at La Terraza and how the property positions itself. Some reviews describe the building as unsafe or not secure, with limited access to common amenities and a sense that the community is not strictly a 55+ environment, even as it markets itself as such. The presence of younger residents or non-lease holders alongside seniors appears to contribute to a sense of mismatch between expectations and reality for some tenants who value a quiet, age-focused atmosphere. A few accounts mention financial disputes and alleged misdeeds, including a claim of misappropriated funds and ensuing court action, underscoring the stakes involved when money, reputation, and residency intersect.

In sum, La Terraza presents a portrait of a property with a rich potential for warmth and community that has, for many, become shadowed by rising costs, declining upkeep, and uneven management. The experiences range from earnest gratitude toward staff and careful, comfortable living to sharp, ongoing critiques of security, maintenance delays, and financial handling. For potential residents or current tenants, the narrative suggests a careful weighing of personal priorities: be prepared to advocate for consistent service and transparent communication, to be mindful of how amenities align with rent, and to seek out staff you trust to help navigate a complex, sometimes turbulent living environment. The community's true strength seems to rest in the hands of the individuals who show up consistently - those who fix a broken elevator, ease a move-in, or greet a resident by name - while the broader governance and maintenance routines appear in need of closer attention to deliver on the promises implied by the address and the price.

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)