I lived in two other apartment complexes nearby, besides this one: Kempton Downs, and East Wind. Of the three, I liked Hood Center the best. First, because it is all single bedroom apartments, there aren?t lots of noisy kids running around, and there are virtually no loud parties. So, despite the thin walls, it was usually quieter than either East Wind or Kempton Downs. (Also the 24-hour quiet requirement doesn?t hurt either!)
Also, Hood Center was the cheapest of the three to live, by quite a lot. I paid $535 per month, although it seems to be true that everyone pays a slightly different price. I believe this has to do with differences in the apartments themselves, though; mine had bleach stains on the carpet, so I got bout a $30 per month discount over the regular price for something which was no big deal.
I had Comcast internet at all three complexes and although I found it to be a fairly sporadic connection elsewhere, at Hood Center it was always fast and reliable.
When there were problems in the apartment (broken towel rack, busted ceiling fan, etc.), the repair guy always came within a couple of days and fixed the problem right up.
But what really makes Hood Center shine is the management team there, which is competent, flexible, and understanding. For example, I left with almost all of my deposit (they took $20 for ?nail holes?, which I admit was probably legitimate). Also, on a couple of occasions I was out of town when the rent was due, and had to pay it a day late. But, as long as I went and saw them, and explained my circumstance, they waived the late fee. Once I was gone for about a week when my rent was due, and received a call from the manager (Val) legitimately concerned with what was going on. Heck, she even knew me by my first name.
Also convenient, this place is right around the corner from a Safeway, 2 strip malls, and a bus line, and only maybe half or a quarter mile from the nearest MAX station. Maybe 3 /4 a mile from MHCC. But if you have a car, there is tons of parking, and tons of free guest parking (unlike, say, Kempton Downs where there are like 5 visitor spots in the whole parking lot!)
Although street noise may be somewhat of a problem for someone living in the three buildings facing Hogan (as mine was), the rest are located in a quiet, woodsy area.
Unlike East Wind, the mailboxes and laundry are always available (laundry are quarter-fed machines, and there is usually space for several loads at any given time, although less so on weekends and afternoons).
And no, there is no dishwasher, A/C, or washer/drier hookup in unit. But, as a low-cost apartment in Gresham, I simply don?t think it can be beat. It was plenty spacious for me and my queen-sized bed and large dining room table and sofa. I live in California now, but if I were moving back to Gresham or going to MHCC, I would try hard to get back to Hood Center.
Pros: Cheap, great management, lots of parking, close to bus/MAX
Cons: Thin walls/floors, no dishwasher, no laundry hookup
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