Helpful leasing office, they were understanding about needing financial assistance during covid and helpful through the long, arduous process of adding a new member to the lease. Some issues with privacy from a couple units across the courtyard staring into our unit when the blinds were open, and one instance of attempted violence in the near vicinity that could be overheard all too well when the window was open at night. There is a clothing moth problem, for sure. I threw away a lot of stuff before I really took action to manage the pest in my unit. The walls are also incredibly thin, I could make out clear words from the unit sharing my wall when they had various zoom meetings and was constantly aware of my own noise levels despite just trying to wash dishes, have phone calls with friends, or the desire to sing. No one complained, so maybe it was just me, but still. All in all, I was grateful to spend 2020-2022 at The Sitka after having been on the waitlist for several years. Also super grateful to have moved out of the city entirely.
Great place to live! Safe quiet neighborhood. Both streetcar lines within half-block, 2 parks half-block away, Safeway 2 blocks, coffee every direction , restaurants... Property is kept very clean and landscaped, maintenance requests are often fulfilled within one day.
Very unprofessional, had applied and waited 3 months for a response which never came. To add insult to injury, they told me I was unnalowed on the premise after my denial through my girlfriend. Again never told me personally or had any posted notice. As a result of this I am now homeless as I didn't have another place lined up as they assured me I could just be added to the lease. I work two jobs and have nowhere to go. There's also a resident in I believe 339 with a substantial crystal meth habit who shrieks at residents who walk too close to her and Is constantly shaking and twitching. Update: after posting this review they put pictures of me around the building asking tenants to call the police if I’m spotted. I’ve never experienced this level of harassment before
Thought I'd update my review considering we have been bought by Bridge Housing in 2017. Things started going downhill with new ownership. Previously the building developer owned the Sitka, and we used to have holiday themed breakfasts and summer luau BBQ's, and maintenance and management were great. Now it's not so great, and I'm pretty sure it's because of Bridge Housing. A lot of longtime residents have moved out, and the replacement residents aren't very respectful or classy. Lots of smoking in the building, and just generally loser behavior coming from people. Many times I find dog urine in the elevator which was unheard of previously. Plus there's a clothes moth problem that they won't acknowledge, they are traveling thru the ventilation ducts and under the doors each unit door has a big gap. Many of us can't move because of the high cost of rent. The neighborhood is slowly going downhill with junkies and homeless hanging around, and lots of vacant storefronts because of theft and homeless problems. In the summer, on the NW 11th side the building gets heated up by the Cosmopolitan's mirrored windows rich people condo building and it becomes unsafe to be in your unit without AC. It's like being under a magnifying glass. They only have ceiling fans here, and the little rollaway ACs that they allow will not cool the apartment. I'm lucky that my floor is fairly quiet. But late at night you can hear crazy people ranting outside which is scary. Try to get a courtyard facing unit to get some peace and shade trees, and do not leave valuables in your car since there have been break ins. Even the storage units have been broken into. This area is really meant for people who don't drive, you have everything in walking distance anyway. Lately one of the entrance locks has been malfunctioning leaving the door unlocked and many of us have reported it as a safety issue. Nothing ever gets done about it. I guess for the price you can't complain. But as soon as I can afford it, I'm leaving.
Avoid this place. Do not even bother applying. Not Neurodivergent/disability friendly,the paperwork alone is atrocious and confusing 30+ pages with no clear or specific instructions. Most places take 1 week to let you know if you're approved or not. This place will string you along for two months, imply that you've been accepted before denying at the last moment for more made up issues with the paperwork. The management will gaslight you, withold information and keep you redoing and guessing about the paperwork. You think you're done and more paperwork comes at the last moment.
I lived here for a year and a half and was an excellent renter. Rent was always on time, I was clean, quiet, never complained even when I was inspected 4 times in my first year. Getting in was ridiculous - I literally had to go through six months of bank records and explain every insurance payment made and any money put into my account. It took two months of back and forth before I finally got the keys. But living there was good, no complaints. My issue right now is that I moved out and relocated to Nevada on May 19. I gave my notice and, as requested, provided them a forwarding address. I then received an email from the management company asking for my forwarding information, so again, I provided it. I called two weeks after leaving to inquire about how long it would take for the return of my security deposit, and I was told 30 days after move out. So I wait and the 25th comes and still no check, so I call around 2 pm and am told he'll get back to me tomorrow. He calls me today to tell me they sent my check to my old address the address I just moved out of. THEIR ADDRESS. THEIRS! even though I provided my new address TWICE. Apparently, they just assume you're going to forward your mail, so they don't bother looking at the forwarding address you provide them. I told him I never even changed my address, and have always just had my mail sent to my parents house. So now he has to track down my check and forward it to my address - which I had to give for a third time. Update: I finally got my check 7/18 60 freaking days after I moved out. I had to harass them into sending it to me. Turns out Oscar in the front office lied to me about having the first one cancelled and a new one sent. I had to practically harass Pinnacle the management company for this place into sending me a new check. When I did contact them, they told me the first check was still outstanding and was never cancelled and a new one had never been sent out. I got my check today and there is $273 taken out of it.. but absolutely zero explanation as to why. So I call the manager, Sheri, and I was charged $105 for cleaning and $75 for carpet cleaning. I told her my mom, who owned her own cleaning business for 15 years, cleaned the place for me, the only thing she forgot was the microwave. Of course, Sheri argued with me stating I had left the whole place a mess. I would NEVER leave an apartment a mess. She also tried to defend herself for sending the check to the wrong address, blaming me that she didn't have a forwarding address, even though I provided it before I moved. And not to mention, they have my phone number. I'm beyond disgusted with this place. They're just another sleazy apartment complex in Portland preying on their low income tenants. I'm considering suing them for the 29 day delay in the return of my deposit as well as not providing a written explanation as to where the money went - two things against Oregon law.
After reading some negative reviews I felt it was necessary to shine a positive light on The Sitka. Like most, I waited on a waitlist that lasted over 3 years. Once I was finally contacted by the complex unfortunately for me, the timing was off and I was in-between work and not in a place to accept an offer. I communicated my interest but that I wasn't in the best place financially to consider moving as I had made some major career changes and were pursuing new ventures. I won't get in to too much detail but my experiences has been a really positive one. Janai has been very pleasant to work with. She is great with communication and has been a lot of help with addressing any questions/concerns. While going through the application process I felt compassion to difficult situations I have been going through and at one point the manager named Sheri came out and introduced herself to me and was also very hospitable. She listened to concerns of mine and tried to come up with solutions which were and are greatly appreciated. Very grateful for the service that Janai and Sheri provide and only have positive things to say.
So very grateful to live in the Sitka! To be in such fine affordable housing with the friendly & knowledgeable staff is a blessing. Everything is very well maintained & clean. There's a nice sense of privacy in my cozy apartment. Going on errands or walks from such a perfect location is a gift!
Frightening place to live for minorites The management office of the Sitka is a witch den of sleazy old women that operate with complete disregard to tenants. Some residents regularly get away with murder and routinely get coached, while other tenants are actively pressured to leave. The manager is in complete denial of the values of her staff. Absolutely shocked at how daily interactions are handled. Persistent shocking and rude behavior. They are very confrontational about any little issue that you bring to their attention. They thwarted our efforts to find agreement and closed the doors in our faces countless times. For a low manintence resident, this speaks immensly to their conduct. As minorities, our family moved out feeling intimidated, belittled, and very much coerced to leave.
I'm grateful. Not only of the affordability factor but the management and maintenance teams are wonderful. I enjoy my space. Friendly and polite neighbors who are a diverse group of residents. The Sitka is a community.
