Elm Row

Elm Row is a dangerous place for us to live. Last Friday, at 11:30 pm, three scruffy-looking men were doing drugs in the lobby of Elm Row when my wife came from work. It happens every day from the early morning until late at night. We feel threatened and unsafe. The lobby space often smelled of urine and other unpleasant odor. The promise to install a lock on the entrance from outside has never materialized.

When the new owners took over, they cut a deal with the trash hauler (Republic) to pickup at 3:30AM every night. It sounds like a bomb going off and makes it miserable to sleep. We therefore chose not to renew our lease.

Friendly and knowledgeable agent, had all the answers to our questions. Property location. Nice pool and community area.

For the value of the amenities, location, and community--I would say this is one of the best apartments in Portland. I just wish that the Leasing Office facilitated more events for holydays/cultural celebrations to bring residents together (i.e monthly brunch, fourth of July BBQ, Oscars viewing party)

It was extremely nice. The structure of the building was great, noise from neighbors was extremely rare. Everything was amazing. If I had to be BEYOND nit-picky, I would say that the lighting was a downside. But a very small and work-around-able problem. Thanks for everything !

It?s quite and fancy. Near to PSU, downtown, safe way, the max and street car. Perfect location

So far it has been a great community, just a little more expensive than other options we looked at.

Only reason I would give a ?9? is because downtown living is not for everyone.

The dogs are a problem?too much dog hair, dirt, pooping and peeing in stairwell and not cleaned up, and howling when left alone.

I would recommend this to others because I feel safe which is extremely important to me. The main office is extremely responsive to any problems I have (which thankfully are few). My apartment is very nicely set-up and for the most part, two years into my lease, nothing is broken.

The repair was done quickly and to my satisfaction. If the new door would have the correct color, the experience would have been perfect.

I have brought several people to the community over the years. It has convenience of place first of all, then the amenities and the apartments are superior to many new buildings going up now.

It was a great space and affordable for the area. I did feel the age range became skewed

Great place to live overall. I never hear my neighbors, the building is clean and beautiful, has all the amenities. Only complaint would be that the one of the elevators frequently is down, which can cause high traffic in the other.

In the 20 days I have lived here, the only problem I encountered was handled very well. Nothing but positive things to say.

The office staff is so helpful and make me feel that I am valued as a resident of this community. I love the view and all the common areas are well kept and attractive. Of course, the location is very convenient.

I actually had a friend over a few days before Thanksgiving, and she absolutely loved the apartment! She loved it so much that we're actually talking about renting a two bedroom together here next year.

I wanted to select "would not" but only because I don't want to live in that close proximity to people I know, but it's a great complex. Staff is responsive, maintenance is prompt.

It is a tad expensive; but its downtown, close to PSU, and everything we need. The apartment is bigger than our last place and our dogs have had a great time living here with other neighbor dogs and such.

The location is amazing, just what I wanted. Overall, the apartment is wonderful - I am paying top dollar but enjoy my corner location and having TWO balconies. But the price is very high.

Can't open windows without the smell of pot coming in. Elevators always smell like pot as does p1 and p2 waiting areas

Any recomendation would have to include the caveats that(1) the rents are way too high and (2) Guard against the misuse of security deposits

Likely instead of "very likely" due to the worn out and antiqued state of quite a few features and installations, e.g. elevators, garage doors, toilet and shower installations, apartment windows, etc.

I would tell them about all of the good elements of South Park Square; however, I would call their attention to the absolutely intolerable homelessness situation in our neighborhood.

Location makes this apartment very desirable. Recent improvements have improved it. Because pets are allowed to live here, cleanliness of elevators and hallways are substandard.

Not only is it Very likely, but indeed, I've done just that; i.e., strongly recommended our building to a number of people, over the past several years.

I would definitely recommend this community to a friend as a "temporary" one until he/she/they could find a more up-to-date facility. That said, there are people I'm sure who don't mind having to schlepp clothes to and from a community laundry room, for example. If they don't mind that and if they don't mind having little wall heaters or only one AC unit in the living room (which means an overheated bedroom at night)--then Southpark might be a more "long term" option.

Dissatisfied with the management when they took 650 out of my deposit for cleaning, had issues with flooding pipes, they did not work with me after move out to cancel all utilities even though when I asked they said it would all be taken care of on my day of moving out. Very much overpriced for what the apartment is. While the apartment is a great central location, there are so many other options near it that I would look at first.

Beware of these guys and their practices. I recently had a bad experience with my rental application process. I went to their office and found an apartment unit 805 available for $1329/month. I filled out the rental application form using the computer at their office. After I completed my application process and paid the $45 application fees, I did not hear back from the office for over a week. After checking with them, the manager called me to say that they had an error in the system and the rent is $1650. To say the least, they even did a hard check on my credit. If their online system cannot be trusted, then I am not sure why go through the hassle, or maybe the reasons for sudden change of rent is something else. Either way, be very cautious when dealing with these low ballers and their sleazy practices.

My total satisfaction in living at Portland's Southpark Square Apartments arises from the life-style it permits me to enjoy, best characterized by: "Doing-It! in Real Time, Hassle-Free, Downtown living!" I'm delighted to have an opportunity and vehicle to express it. Specifically: TRANSIT CONVENIENCE---All the North/South Streetcar routes criss-cross within steps of the Building's doors; while, the East/West MAX light-rails are only 6 blocks away. Such availability often comes very close to, "as one trolley is leaving, another is pulling in." Hence, for 90% of my journeys, a car is completely unnecessary! For the most part, my life is free of driving and fussing over a car! PHYSICAL LOCATION---ALL of the following are LESS THAN a 6-minute trolley ride(at most, a 15-minute leisurely walk, some being a few hundred FEET) from Southpark Square: PSU and its Library; Portland's Main Research Library; Powells Book Store; Portland Art Museum; Schnitzer Concert Hall; Cinemas(Art House--Living Room Theater, Revival House--Whitsell Auditorium, regular film multiplex); Department stores; Shopping; Supermarket--SafeWay, about 250 ft. from the Building, open until 1:A. "TAKING A BREAK"---A number of cozy cafes, restaurants, are steps away, a couple within the building complex itself(Park Avenue Cafe, and McMenamins Pub); Saturday Farmers Market; Outdoor Pool/SunDeck, together with Courtyard/Plaza & Waterfall provide a relaxing ambiance for reflection, and quiet contemplation; Powells Book Store for browsing, open until 11:P; PSU's Library open until Mid-Night. THE BUILDING ITSELF---My apartment is spacious, and not "cubicle, or box-like," the walls are solid and impervious to sound; the management company's personnel are doing a superb, sensitive job. Since it's a couple of decades old, there is an ambitious modernizing project about to begin. The tenants are being kept fully informed; Southpark Square's staff is very responsive. The Maintenance Engineers are very professional, sharp, and First-Rate! I would gladly list all of the personnel's names but I'd have to figure out a way to have each one of their names come out listed first! IN ESSENCE---LIVING AT SOUTHPARK SQUARE SAVES WEAR-AND-TEAR ON YOUR SOUL! Without Reservation, I would say to any reader of this review for whom the above depiction resonates, SOUTHPARK SQUARE IS A GREAT PLACE TO BEGIN AND END YOUR DAY!

Southpark Square (SPS) deserves a perfect Walk Score. Right in downtown with everything within blocks - state university, Safeway and many other stores, banks, major shopping malls, every public transportation, restaurants, city library, riverfront, museums, soccer stadium, churches, freeway access in all directions. And a blocks-long park, right in front, with year-round weekly farmers market. The building is excellently maintained and has an inner courtyard and fountains. Our apartment has remarkable space and storage, all modern amenities, and humming birds visiting our balcony with its southern view of lots of trees and hills. SPS has one of the only Portland urban rooftop lounge/spa/swimming pools. The admin and maintenance staff are responsive, timely and friendly. The "almost"? We miss laundry hookups in our apt. Schlepping downstairs to the community laundry room has grown old.

The location is perfection, on tree-lined park blocks within walking distance of a vibrant downtown. The building itself is attractive and not just a soul-deadening tower of sterility. Once inside, however, it's a sad picture of neglect. Carpets are dirty and stained. Furniture in the so-called Community Room is worn and torn. The Business Center has been out-of-business for months. The printer/photocopier doesn't work at all and the computers are museum pieces, antediluvian, slow and quite unpredictable. The package system is post-it notes stuck to the mailbox, where it is prey to gravity or children. There were once weekly Saturday gatherings for tenants and then they became monthly and then disappeared completely. The management is inept, clueless and never have anything to communicate except "I don't know..." Needless to say long term residents have left in droves and very short term students are becoming the majority, because they are not seeking home or community.