Civic Square

I have not yet moved in, but will be in a few weeks! My experience thus far with the leasing office and management has been very positive. I am very much looking forward to moving into Civic Square Apartments!

I love the location of this complex and that’s about it. The apartment itself is run down and outdated. The leasing office are bunch of liars. «Miscommunication» seems to be they’re favorite word. For the future renters please be careful they will tell you one thing «all great and dandy» and lie to your face whatever it takes to get your dollars into their pocket. When it’s time to move out, make sure you get out of there as fast as you can and NOT a day late. They will tell you «it’s ok… you still have these many days left…» Don’t fall into that trap. They will over charge you for it!
There are lots of apartment complex in San Ramon or even around the area 100% nicer than this dump and very professional.

Great place to live in !
Management responds in less than 24hrs.
In love with this place. It’s very close to downtown.
Perfect location for anybody !

Lived here for a year. Worst management facility I’ve ever lived in. Filthy, run down, disgusting place. Washer/​dryer smelled of urine. Appliances are old and barely functional. The carpets were filthy when we moved in. To the point where we shampooed them the first day and the rinse was BLACK. They still had the nerve to charge us for carpet cleaning after we moved out. This is just a short example of a long list of awful experiences through the course of dealing with this dump. Just stay away from this slum.

I am a new tenant, I moved in about 1 month ago. I thought I wait to write a review about my process from the application to experiences in the unit. I was looking for temporarily living until my new home is being built, I wanted to be closer to work and near downtown, therefore I took interest in this place. I didn’t visit the unit before I applied for application on line. I reviewed a floor plan for 1 br/​1 bath (Plan B) initially which picture showed W/​D. I worked with Margarita via phone via after submitting my application online. I had the deposit and application fee (in personal check) to drop it off, to find out that they don’t accept personal check, they only accept cashier check or pay over their renter’s portal on
. I wasted a trip there from SJ to Pleasanton. Then I went online to pay the deposit and application fee. I had to also sign a holding agreement and drop it off, I went by on the weekends (Friday & Saturday) to find out that on one was there and there is no drop box. I had a friend drop it off on Monday.
I called on Monday to confirm that there is W/​D in the unit and I spoke with Joey, and that conversation was not a pleasant because I called to confirm and he told me that the floor plan you looked at didn’t have W/​D, his tone with me was like «you are stupid and get your facts straight, as I know what I am talking about». This tone got my blood pressure boiling. When I told me I wanted to cancel my holding and refund of my deposit, he said they couldn’t because I had only 24 hours. Mind you, it was the weekend and I tried to call multiple time and no one picked up the phone. So I am not sure how I could have done. Joey said that he was actually working on Sunday, and if you had left VM I would have returned your call. He also suggested he couldn’t do any because I originally worked with Margarita therefore I had to work with her to sort this issue out.
At these point, I was at a loss so I decided to look for a apt with W/​D. The reason I am so set to unit with W/​D is convenience, plus they give you card to load your W/​D but its in increment of $ 20 and if you have any balance left over when you move out, they don’t refund that back to you. Plus they say it is locked facility, and my current unit I live in is right next to the W/​D facility and the door is always open.
Long story short, I ended up going with 2br/​1bath with W/​D. I did pre-​move in walk through, I had pointed lot of things out, but nothing was written on the paper. The units are quiet old, cabinets doesn’t close very well. There is no microwave in the units for people who are looking to rent this place. I restroom is outdated, and shower heads are for really short people. I had found stains on the carpet (supposedly) cleaned, and patio doors are extremely hard to close and open. Washer squeaks even after I had maintenance look at it. I have nail hole everywhere in the house. Stains and stretches all around the wall of the house. Base boards had scratches. The list goes on. Bath tub had cracks and bathroom cabinet porcelain counters had cracks. Just to name few. I know this is old complex so I knew what I was getting my self into. I just hope that they don’t charge me for any of this when I move out.
First few days, the bathroom sink was leaking water and it flooded my bathroom, called the maintenance, no one was available until next day. So ended up using the kitchen sink to clean and wash. By the way, I had ant issue in my kitchen and maintenance came and sprayed around but yet again I still have ant issue, and I need to go buy ant killer myself or spray house cleaning product around the kitchen to control it.

Don’t rent here ever
They put a ridiculous charge of 250 for carpet work and another 200 dollars for paint work, besides a 120 dollars charge for cleanup after we moved out. We had done a pre-​move out inspection where none of these issues were brought up.
The units which are close to Bernal Ave get of road noise which doesn’t die down even in the night or on the weekends. When I complained to the property manager about it, his solution was just be patient — you will get used to it!
Beware they will nickel and dime you when you move out

I’m a new tenant, and during my first week there were some issues that arose… BUT, management (special thanks to Joie) has been wonderful in trying to take care of my every need and so far all of my issues with the apartment have been resolved.
Now time for all the positives. I love the location of the apartments. They are directly across the street from amazing schools (elementary & middle schools)! Both my kids were able to get in last minute right before the end of the school year with no problem. Its also right at the foot of Main Street, right near the library, Alameda County Fairgrounds, ACE train station and near a ton of places to grab a bite to eat. Sadly, I haven’t done much cooking since moving here due to all the restaurants nearby. And basically I haven’t had a boring moment since moving here due to all the things to do within walking or biking distance of my new home.
There are things of course, that aren’t ideal but I don’t believe management has any control of. For instance the dog poo that happens to be everywhere. Yes, its somewhat of an issue but that’s not managements fault, its the irresponsible pet owners.
At the end of the day, I’m happy I moved to Pleasanton, and glad I moved to my current location of Civic Square Apartments.

The worst place to live in Pleasanton! Apartments are so old and moldy. In 1 bedroom apartment live 3 families, no place where to park way to many cars, some neighbors smoke in every corner making impossible to open your windows to air out your moldy apartment, cigarette butts all over the place. completely over priced for what you get. Dogs poop every where owners don’t care when it rains the poop smell is so disgusting,

Management changed hands circa 2009 and I haven’t been satisfied since. The immediate staff is friendly and they try to be helpful, but there is an obvious greedy wickedness at the top. I will never forget how horrible the construction/​makeover was! They removed the spa, basketball court, park/​picnic area, and half the parking, only to build more units, and demand a 10% rent increase every year. Gripes about parking limitations, overflowing garbage bins, faulty appliances, water-​main breakages, and maximum rent-​raising practices are all valid and true. Furthermore, they present your lease renewal to you the same day that you would need to give them a 30-​day notice if you were to leave. I’m leaving forever next month after ten years.

We just moved out of Civic Square Apts after living there for about 7 months. We had a very good time there. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Thanks to Margarita, Marasila and Joie. Also their maintenance crew is exceptional.
The inside of our apartment was very spacious and had been recently updated. If I had to rent an apartment again in the area I would definitely come back.
It was a very nice apartment complex overall.

Excellent location, nice apartments and great staff. They are nice, fun and always work with you to resolve issues that you may have. Aside from a few hiccups we are very happy here. :)
@Bruce H.
I am a resident not the Joei C. who works in the leasing office. Just wanted to point that out.

First off, Joey D. works for Civic Square. He shouldn’t get to «rate» his employer.
Now the water problem. Yes stuff happens, and happens, and happens. Instead of inconveniencing hundreds of people when a water main breaks and needs to be replaced try a by-​pass instead of just shutting down the water for hours.
And the toilet problem? We did call maintenance and they are the ones who came, flushed (a toilet that had not been used) and told me to just hold the handle down until all the waste disappeared.
A Missy Castaneda emailed me about problems we have had; twenty days later I replied (I needed time to compose myself). That was almost a month ago and we still haven’t heard back from her. Here’s what I wrote her:
Missy,
I have waited to answer your email in hope that I would have a better attitude but that isn’t going to happen.
When we came to Civic Square to look at apartments, we were shown a model unit that looked very nice. The kitchen had new counter tops and we were told they were replacing all the counter tops as the units became vacant as well as new flooring.
When we got to see the unit we would be moving into it was no where as nice as the model unit. We complained and we did get new appliances — too bad no one bothered to level the stove.
When we were first looking at the apartment we should have known something was wrong — a water main burst and the city had to come and tell the management to turn off the water. (California is in a drought after all.) After we moved in, sometime in October I think, another water main broke and we were without water for a day and a half. When we complained because we wanted to shower we were told to use the clubhouse or model unit! (We got a notice today that the water will be off tomorrow, 12−23−14, from 9 – 3 for an «emergency repair». Perfect timing, just when we have family staying with us for the holidays. Management’s response? Fill some jugs with water. Four people showering and eating, that’s a lot of jugs.) It is ironic that we got the water bill today, the same day we got the notice the water will be turned off. When my wife went to the office she said we should get an adjustment on the water bill; she was told that is impossible.
After we moved in one of the maintenance men unlocked the door and just walked in. When he realized someone was home he apologized and said he was in the wrong unit. I installed a safety chain on the door. The toilet often comes close to overflowing; when we complained we were told to just hold the flush handle down until it flushed completely. I’m 65 years old and have lived in many, many homes and owned five; when a toilet constantly comes close to overflowing it means there is a problem.
At night there are groups of kids or teens hanging out in dark corners of the parking lot. Who knows what they are doing there? Are they from the apartment or is the complex becoming a «gang hangout». I will not let my wife go out alone after dark.
The management here seems more interested in filling the vacant units than in resolving issues. There does seem to be a pretty high turnover here and now I understand why. The rents are not cheap but the service is.

Very bad customer service or they don’t have it at all. they will never treat you as a customer. they rule this place. Location is very nice. you have to be prepared for not getting water once in every month. they will tell you «water pipe has broken and it will take few hours to be fixed», but its never few hours, at least 7 – 8 hours or whole day without water … leasing office people are not friendly. only person who will help you in there is «Margarita». she is very nice Mexican lady.

I had an appointment with the leasing office last january to look at the place. I called half an hour before the meeting time to confirm. Got to the office on time but the door was locked. Tried to call the same number multiple times but nobody answered. Waited for 20 minutes then left. I figured if they’re that unprofessional to potential tenants, that’s not good news for current ones.

I have been living here for 4 months now and have been completely satisfied with the apt and the staff at Civic Square Apts. The staff has been nothing but helpful every time I’ve gone in with a question or to pay the rent.
The unit I’m in is a great 1 bedroom that has a nice balcony. Everything was clean when I moved in and I haven’t had any trouble with things being broken or breaking.
The grounds are kept up well and I haven’t noticed anything excessively dirty.
The laundry has enough washers and dryers for my needs. No one ever seems to be washing clothes when I am which means I haven’t had to wait once for a washer or dryer to open up.
The apt complex is a 10 min walk from downtown Pleasanton which is very quant and busy in the evenings.
I have enjoyed my apt completely since I moved it

I’ve lived here for almost 2 years. I don’t really see why there are so many negative reviews. While the appliances in my apartment are dated, they work well. Guest parking is limited in the complex, but my guests have always been able to find parking across the street by the school or in the lot. The staff at the office have always been nice to me. The only negative thing I have to say is that rent does go up every year, but that happens everywhere. I love the location of this complex too! Being able to walk to the fairgrounds or downtown is awesome!

As I have lived there for 5 years, it was great because library was near by middle school was near by, police station, downtown and many other things, but where it comes to the manager she is a disaster. She does not know how to talk very rude person. other than that rest of the staff is very helpful and willing to work with you. except Marriala.

If you want to move to a dump than this is the right place for you! The staff are IGNORANT and do NOT know the meaning of professionalism or customer service! I had an issue and when I called the office to inform them of it so it can be taken care of, because that’s what leasing offices do for their tenants!, I was told by Mariella, who is VERY rude (and needs to find another profession cuz this ain’t working for her) that it was MY fault!!! REALLY? There is NO SUCH thing as Guest parking at this place! Next time you go visit this place just take a look around and see what’s covered parking and what’s not? You can clearly see there is NO guest parking! Maybe a few here and there in the entire complex! We always had to park on the street or a mile away! Also, the garbage area’s in the complex are so bad I can’t even talk about it without getting sick to my stomach! People throw their garbage on the floor when clearly there are bins! Duh! And some trash has holes and some spill out… Oh and people love throwing their GIGANTIC furniture in there and there is literally NO room to throw your trash bags there! UGH! WOW! Lived there for exactly 2weeks and literally spoke to the regional or corporate or whoever the idiot manager was and broke our lease just to leave this hell hole and they gave us pretty much all of our money back THANK GOD!!! …If I could I would give this place –5 for everything we have experienced in the 2weeks of living there! So I say once again, if you want to move to a dump this place is the right choice! I mean come on read all the other reviews on this place and issues! And the ONLY good review comes from the person who works there! LMAO! We should have done our homework on this place before moving, but we saw the location and the price for a 2bd/​2bath and were just amazed at how good of a deal it was… That goes to show you to always do research before moving forward with something. We learned our lesson the hard way! The only reason this is getting a one-​star is because its located right across the street from Downtown Pleasanton
Ps-​I have seen cockroaches here and they are nasty! With neighbors complaining about it too! And When I spoke to the health department about these people, even the guy told me about the cockroaches! That should tell you something right?

As an employee: I understand how the office team works! I understand that for the staff that we have we try to address the issues we can such as the parking issues for example… There are parking issues no matter where you go to live. (With the exception of owning a home with a garage), the laundry facilities being outdated has been fixed (for the most part), the pet policy states that all dogs must be on a leash at all times and while that is a continual effort on not only the office staff by providing pet stations and educating residents about how to properly care for pets while living in an apartment, people see that as us breathing down their neck… I don’t think that’s very fair, policy’s change and people don’t quite get that the staff is following what is in the best interest for the company as a whole… There are some people that can and will find everything about a company that they don’t care for for example people said that we were dated and not keeping up with the times, we added several new apartments and then those same people moved out stating that they loved the charm of the place when they moved in and they didn’t like the new changes!!! It’s not for everyone by all means but at the same time pick your battles.
As a resident: I have had a great experience with the professionalism of the office and maintenance staff, I have always understood that there is only so much the office and maintenance staff can do, they have always bent over backwards to be accommodating to me as a resident. I obviously liked it so much I took on a position working for the company! They have always been good to me and I have made some of my best friends there! My neighbors were always friendly to me and the location is awesome!
I gave this place a 4 out of 5 stars because I feel that no place is perfect for everyone but it definitely deserves better reviews than people are giving credit for!

The rent rates here are some of the least expensive in the area, however, you get what you pay for in regards to the management and overall staff. I had very poor experiences with the leasing staff, and only moderately acceptable experiences with the management, both of which offer very poor communication and completely unorganized follow-​through. It was unprofessional, to say the least.
If you do not mind fending for yourself when it comes to management support, then otherwise the property is very pretty, well kept (aside from everyone having bicycles stored all over the front areas of their apartments) and with charming landscaping. The location to downtown Pleasanton, grocery stores, shopping and beautiful parks is a very big plus.
The interior of the units aren’t terrible, but all of the appliances and cabinets are very old in the basic 1 and 2 br models.