La Casa Novato Apartments

Pros

• The apartments are very nice, private and clean.
• The new management is awesome, and residents have had an excellent experience over three years.
• They keep the place neat and the surroundings clean.
• Residents love the place.
• They had a great manager and were living well for many years.

Cons

• The manager is very bad.
• The racist manager is terrible; he is rude and has no manners toward paying renters.
• The place is now ruled by a horrible person.
• The abrupt appointment of a new manager has worsened conditions.
• Everything is falling apart: cheap materials, roof leaks, backup toilets, and stolen items.

Review

The collection of opinions about these apartments paints a picture of a community with strong highs and lows, depending largely on who is in charge and how well the property is kept up. A number of residents praise the place as private, clean, and well-run, with a sense that life there is pleasant when tenants respect the rules laid out in their contracts. Several comments emphasize that the apartments themselves are attractive: private spaces, neat surroundings, and a general culture of cleanliness. There's a sense that the environment is orderly and that following the terms and conditions of the lease is part of what makes living there smooth and workable. In this view, the issues that do arise are not so much about the physical space itself but about how well the management enforces standards and maintains the property.

Some residents share a very positive experience with management, especially after a transition to new leadership. One reviewer highlights that new management has been awesome and notes an excellent experience over three years. This account suggests a steadier, more reliable level of service, with responsive administration and a lasting impression of reliability and quality in handling tenants' needs. The sentiment here is that, when managed well, the community can be comfortable, well-maintained, and predictable, contributing to a long-term, satisfying tenancy.

Not everyone shares that upbeat outlook, however. A different voice explicitly warns potential renters not to recommend the place because of the current manager. This perspective centers on a manager who is described as "very bad" and unworthy of recommending La Casa to others. The implication is that management quality can vary dramatically - and in this case, it has a palpable negative impact on the experience of living there. The tone is firm and cautionary, signaling that the person's experience with the manager colors their view of the entire community.

Another very strong critique focuses on racism and poor interpersonal conduct by a manager. According to that account, what used to be a recommended apartment complex became the province of a "terrible racist manager" who is hard to talk to, rude, and lacking in basic manners toward paying renters. The writer describes a once-beautiful place that has been "ruled" by this person, to the point of urging potential tenants to run away and not to consider moving in. This testimony emphasizes a breakdown in trust and respect, suggesting that the attitude and behavior of the manager can dramatically alter the feel of the entire community.

A separate review adds a stark maintenance and quality-control angle to the concerns about management. After a change in leadership, the writer notes a sharp decline: everything feels as though it's falling apart, with cheap materials, widespread roof leaks, backup toilets, and even the loss of items. This account focuses on tangible, ongoing problems that erode the living experience beyond interpersonal conflicts with staff. It presents a vision of aging infrastructure and insufficient upkeep that undermines residents' comfort, security, and confidence in their investment.

Taken together, these comments reveal a complex, real-world landscape: apartments that can be highly desirable under solid, attentive management, yet capable of deteriorating quickly when leadership falters or when the management approach shifts dramatically. Cleanliness and privacy are repeatedly highlighted as strong points when rules are followed and maintenance is kept up, but experiences can quickly turn negative if residents encounter disrespectful treatment, racism, or noticeable declines in construction quality and upkeep. The overarching message is that management quality, continuity, and responsiveness appear to be pivotal determinants of whether tenants view the property as a best-in-class home or a place to avoid.

For anyone considering moving here, the takeaway is clear but nuanced. Verify who is currently managing the property and what their track record looks like, especially over the past few years. Ask about maintenance response times, the state of common areas, and recent renovations or repairs. Inquire about the policy enforcement and how managers handle disputes, complaints, and requests for repairs. Because the experience seems to hinge as much on who is at the helm as on the physical space itself, doing your due diligence about current management practices could be the difference between a highly satisfactory residence and a disappointing one.

Physicians

• Schmidt Susan B PhD (0.1 miles)
• California Advanced Imaging (0.3 miles)
• Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics (0.6 miles)
• Institute for Health and Healing: Novato Community Hospital (2.2 miles)
• Sonia Sadarangani, MD (2.2 miles)
• Marin Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (2.6 miles)
• Gail Altschuler (2.7 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• Wild Fox Mesquite Fired Kitchen (1.3 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.6 miles)
• Moylan's Brewery & Restaurant (1.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.9 miles)
• Mi Pueblo (3 miles)
• Italian Delite Submarine Sandwiches (3 miles)

Transportation

• Smart Train Station Hamilton (1.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Novato Community Hospital (2.3 miles)
• Chaplain's Office: Novato Community Hospital: Sutter Health Affiliate (2.3 miles)
• Caremeridian (5.9 miles)
• Tamalpais Shambhala Meditation Group (6.8 miles)
• Marin General Hospital (8.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Red Whale Coffee (3.5 miles)
• Split Rock Tap & Wheel (6.2 miles)
• Fairfax Coffee Roastery (6.3 miles)
• M.H.Bread and Butter (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)
• Rustic Bakery (8.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)
• Longs Drugs (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.2 miles)

Parks

• Lucas Valley Park (3.7 miles)
• Pioneer Park (4.1 miles)
• Miwok Park (4.6 miles)
• Lagoon Park (4.8 miles)
• China Camp State Park (5.1 miles)
• Sun Valley Park (6 miles)
• Victor Jones Park (6.4 miles)

Theaters

• Century Theaters (4.6 miles)
• Century Larkspur (8.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Valley Baptist Church (5.3 miles)