The Met

i wish i could give zero stars.
I can tell you that my daughter’s experience with Forrest City and The Met in Los Angeles has been nothing short of HORRIBLE.
They need to work on their customer satisfaction BIG TIME. Everything about the experience seemed to be geared toward taking advantage of the trust and inexperience of the young tenants. its absolutely mind-​blowing to think that this establishment is recommended to young students, some who have never lived apart from their parents before. This company is nothing but bad people who have no problem screwing you over if it means a dollar for them.
I have rented many times in my life, as has my daughter, and I have spoken to many others about their rental experiences, and the way the Forrest City and The Met run their apartments has to be the worst tenant experience that I have ever seen or heard of. I would never ever recommend this place or this management company to anyone!
I am a project manager and an architect with a major developer in San Jose, CA. We are currently constructing 3 large apartment towers with over 800 total rental units here in San Jose, a 94 unit apartment building in Santa Cruz, and we are drafting plans for three more large towers as well as a number of other apartment projects. as a leader of the architectural department I am an influential member of the team who has been with the company for over 20 years. I work next to these types of companies every day, speak with their higher ups multiple times a day and I plan to make an effort to let the people that I work with and others in my industry know that Forrest City is not a scrupulous management company and should not be associated with any of the apartment buildings that they are associated with because, if you do, you are being associated with a company that by all accounts is hated by the tenants that, in effect, support their company as well as the development company that owns the building.
This was one of my biggest mistakes, my daughter moved out two months ago and we are still dealing with the hassle and problems these people like to stir up. moving out has been harder then just leaving, they will suck everything you have if you let them. they deserve to have legal action taken against them but i do not care to inconvenience my life that much more for a company that i just do not want to give one more minute of my time to.
bottom line.
DO NOT LIVE/​RENT HERE!
consider yourself warned.

The Best of South Park — Downtown.
1. Awesome Property.
2. Awesome Staff.
3 Awesome Location.
I love this place! The location is unbeatable and the rates are a bit lower than nearby buildings! Very reasonable place to leave.

The location of this place is incredible. You have LA Live, Ralph’s, Starbucks, SuperCuts, dry cleaners, etc. all within a block or so. The staff is all very friendly and easy to work with, the units have different pricing levels for different levels of quality inside of the units, and overall the pricing is reasonable. It’s also cool that they have local artists display their art in the common areas and rotate these on a monthly basis.
One drawback is there is a cockroach problem in the courtyard. Every night when walking through there you will see anywhere from 3 – 7 large cockroaches. I’ve informed the staff about this awhile back and they said pest control comes once every 6 weeks, however, they have not been able to get rid of them.
All in all a decent place at a decent price.

I have lived here for a year now and I couldn’t be happier. The employees are so sweet and fix any problems in your unit as soon as possible. I also love the view of LA out my window.

Marcus and his team are amazing! Living there was awesome and I always felt safe. Reynaldo was always a big help as well! I miss all the friendly employees.

If I could give ZERO stars to this place, I would. The front desk staff is definitely not friendly or welcoming to guests. Yes, it is located close to LA live where you can find restaurants close by. However, if you’re planning on having guests over then be prepared for them to feel uncomfortable with the rude service. Also, although guest can stay up to 24hrs make sure when they ask them for an «estimate» time of departure, they really mean an exact time (they don’t tell you this) nor do they ask for your contact information. Otherwise, your car WILL get towed just like mine did!!! Thankfully, I was able to catch up to the tow truck before it left the property, but still had to pay for it to be released ($ 170). If I was you, I would definitely avoid the hassle don’t be fooled I by the location.

I find it absolutely awesome that The Met allows locals artist to display there art work in there lobby. It’s great to know a place where I can contact to have a art show nearby and in downtown LA. Art is life!!!

**UPDATE:
My first post was when I was still a resident [in my final month of my lease], and it was primarily written because the Met was offering/​bribing residents with a Starbucks giftcard to review the apartment.
This review is long AFTER we had moved out [we moved out end of July], and I have no incentive to write this other than to inform, so this is 100% more useful to read. if you end up renting here, RENTERS BEWARE. You have been warned.
My roommates and I are currently going through a dispute with Forest City [parent and management company of The Met], and the process could not be more frustrating. Email responses are s-​l-​o-​w, and they are extremely customer-​UNfriendly. These people are NOT the sales people showing you tours of the apartments wanting to entice you to drop your $$$ here — these people are the ones DEMANDING extra money and binding you with the move-​in contract that you signed at the beginning of your lease.
Our security deposit was around $ 900, and in addition to taking our ENTIRE security deposit, they are demanding we pay an additional $ 1400. They nickel and dime you for everything, from missing keys [even though they were turned in!] at $ 100/​key, to replacing 14 laminate wooden planks at $ 500 [the sheer quality of the planks currently installed at this property wouldn’t even amount to $ 500 for the entire apartment seeing that the bedrooms are fully carpeted, with the restrooms and kitchen being tile], to damaged bathroom counter tops for another ~$ 500 [this was never water damaged, and this was not even included in the pre-​move out inspection — this damaged magically appeared days upon our move-​out]. They even provided pictures of the damaged counter top, although the pictures could have been taken from the 200+ other units that look exactly like our unit, and from years ago. The legal counsel in charge of this dispute is a joke, all she has been stating in her emails to us is ‘the staff may have inadvertently missed a few things during the pre-​move out. this doesn’t mean that you are not responsible. you have a week to pay $ 1400.‘
You might have a fantastic time and experience while you are residing in this building [some people have, others are miserable even during their stay at the Met]. Regardless of your experience, BEWARE of your MOVE OUT. Expect to lose your entire security deposit AND more $$$ to pay for things you will never be able to take advantage of you can’t even guarantee they will be used for the future tenants of your unit!
It is saddening to have such a difficult experience post-​move out as all of the residents [including myself] have lots of friends who are current tenants, and are overall not strangers to this neighborhood. If Forest City truly operates based on the professionalism and lack of compassion and customer service for post-​residents shown in our encounters displayed here, it is only a matter of time before their image becomes tarnished. Future tenants: you have been warned!

NICE PLACE… BUT Are you looking to rent here? CAUTION/​BEWARE. The rent is approximately $ 3k per month. They require that your income is 3x the rent (or$ 9k/​mos). WOW! MOST WILL NOT QUALIFY unless you pay a higher security deposit. Are parking spots included? NO. Its $ 150 per month more. Washer/​dryer included? No. but usually on same floor to walk to.

We have been sitting waiting to get checked in at the Met for the past two hours. The only experience I’ve ever had that comes close to this was a recent visit to the DMV! There are two ladies checking in dozens of students with each one taking 10 minutes. This is a terrible experience and completely disrespectful to students and parents alike. Does not bode well. Please bear this in mind when considering this place as a potential FIDM student. Appalling!

Had to write a review about The Met apartments after reading some other reviews. I have lived her for exactly one year now and contrary to the other gentleman’s review, Marcus has been first class the whole time I have been here. Always greets me when I walk through the lobby and has a handle on the safety, security and operations of the building. He runs the show. Since I have been here they have been quick to fulfill any issues that might arise in my apartment, the grounds and even replaced the main cooling tower for the building (not a small project).
I live in the smaller building on Hope and dig the fact I have high ceilings and solid walls. I just don’t understand why I can’t have a bbq on my completely 20×15 ft fully cement patio with no roof but I assume that’s another ridiculous Los Angeles City code that serves no purpose. I had a small 8×8 ft patio with a wood ceiling in Orange County at my last apartment and I could have a bbq there. But I digress.
I manage a luxury hotel here in downtown and like to think I know a thing or two about customer service. I think the Met Apartments does a great job of responding to their residents requests, communicating when projects are going to take place and hosting resident events.
Not the cheapest apartments in downtown but for the proximity to LA Live, convenience to the freeways and feeling safe and secure, the Met Apartments is worth the money. Kim was my leasing agent and was extremely flexible in the process.

I have been here for ten years, and until the current manager and front desk security, it has been an enjoyable place to be for the most part. I have had serious issues as of late with the office, and the front desk security manager. The incident that has pushed me to the limit to actually get on here and post this review is a serious one as far as I am concerned and instead of treating me with appreciation for helping to rid the community of narcotics they treated me like trash and had «a talk with me» about presenting them with such things.
I have found in the last month alone two packets of methamphetamine in our parking lot as I leave to run errands. I have brought it to the attention of the management office that there is evidently a resident who is a heavy drug user or someone dealing drugs on the property.
The amounts of methamphetamine I have found have not been trivial, not that any amount is, but they act like I am the bad guy for trying to deal with it. The leasing office was greatly offended evidently that I brought this to them. I however am greatly offended that they treated me like they did, and I am also offended that I have found this drug in my community.
The solution they proposed to me is to just leave it there. Tell someone at the front desk and they will deal with it. I asked how, they had no answer. SO let me get this straight… They would rather blast me for doing a good deed and looking out for my community, and removing these hard narcotics from the open where the children that live in our community could easily find them and stick them in their mouths; causing catastrophic damage to the child; instead of apologizing that I had to find the drugs in the first place, and working together to solve the apparent drug epidemic that is currently sweeping through the Metropolitan Apartment complex. If you have children I do not recommend this place right now as they may be exposed to heavy narcotics and the crime that is associated with such drugs. I am at my wits end here. I tried to do the right thing, and I got berated instead. They have not handled this situation at all. I spoke with LAPD and they have not called them or made a report, but they did go out of their way to scold me for doing my diligence and my proactive efforts to make sure the place I call home remains safe, not only for my family; but all that reside here.

I’ve lived at the Met for approximately 2 years. If I were writing this review a year ago, it would easily get 5 stars, however since MARCUS joined the staff, its lucky to be getting a star now.
He reminds me of the robot from the movie Elysium: Matt Damon tries to explain why he was detained and the robot says «stop talking, i detect an elevation in heart rate, would you like a pill». hahah

On a more serious note, The guy’s perception of his job description is completely distorted. Working in an environment where I manage several individuals in a team, Marcus would be the guy whom you assign a task that will completes it exactly how it was asked without understanding or wanting to understand the big picture. In my experience, these individuals tend to be the bottom of the totem pole and remain there with no hopes to excel. Even worse, because these individuals have no insight to their incompetence they tend to be dangerous. In addition, Marcus is a liar, and consistently rude towards me and my guests, to the point where a few of my friends and family will no longer visit.
The Met is only as strong as its weakest link and i’m very disturbed that regardless of all the terrible ratings directed specifically at him, he continues to be on staff. For that reason only, I will not be renewing my lease with the MET

I like the met. I have been here for more than a year. It’s a good place to live for young people. The building is full of fidm students and young working professionals.
However, I do have a complaint about the 8am leaf blowers right outside of my window. The leaf blower people normally begin their routine around 8:15 to 8:45, daily, starting from the inside of the building by the pool to outside of the building on Hope street. It get very irritating for the residents who do not lead a 8 – 5 life or try to sleep in on the weekends. There are a couple facts I would like to mention:
First of all, gasoline leaf blowers are ILLEGAL in Los Angeles. (see link:
) I would imagine the management knows about the regulations but failed act on it or put in the effort of limiting the air and noise pollution, not just on the street surrounding the building but also within the building.
I spoke to the front desk once about this issue, and they have tried to approach the leaf blower people, but no results. Therefore I am posting this review here hoping that the management would react to this negative review and make a change.
Update as of 7÷10÷2014: The management has reached out to me and updated me on their progress towards resolving this issue. The management is aware of the problem and has spoken to the maintenance company about it. I am pleasantly surprised that they take social media so seriously and act on problems so quickly.
All in all, I think the met is a very fun and light-​hearted place to live at. Great amenities, very kind and responsive management, and the best location.
Note: my previous 1-​star review was not aimed toward the met living experience. It was only intended for the noisy leaf blower issue.

I’ve lived here for almost three years now and I love the location, the staff, and all the little perks that come with living here. The Met is a great place to call home.
The elevators don’t work all the time but maintenance makes sure that they fix it ASAP. If something goes wrong in my apartment such as air conditioning, bathroom fixtures, or anything else, they are always ready to help fix the issue.

Welcome to The Met. You are literally in the center of L.A., location, location, location people! Whether I’ve got season tickets to the Lakers, whether I’m rocking the box at the Kings game, or maybe going to the many high profile concerts located at Club Nokia or at the Nokia Theater. All the swanky restaurants and nightlife just blocks away. I don’t do any of these things, but if I wanted to, I could.
Seriously, the staff at The Met keeps us all in the loop with community goings on and building maintenance update emails – they keep you in the know. If you put in a work order you get enthusiastic results. The Met is an efficient urban apartment community. You’ve got the basic staples like Starbuck/​CBTL and Ralph’s down on the corner, around the corner the shops at FIG-​at-​7TH, Target + Smart & Final, Macy*s, etc.
If you’ve come to Los Angeles to move and shake things up in your life, The Met is a great base camp for your dreams realized. If you need a rest from all the city chaos, look no further than the awesome pool and double jacuzzi – sunbathe to your hearts content {SPF People!}.
The Met is what you make it. If you bring a good attitude, all good things. The residents are friendly and all smiles. Things are happening in this newly found downtown neighborhood, and The Met is at the front door.

I’ve lived here close to 3 years now and renewed my lease without hesitation for 2014 – 2015 :) I’ve really seen such a wave of improvements over the years that I’ve been here, and am really grateful to have found a place like this to live in, especially in the heart of downtown.
In the past year, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve put in a maintenance request. And when I do, the job has always been taken care of within a day. The staff are super friendly and understanding — I was having issues with my heating/​cooling system, and they called someone in to fix it right away.
They also started an internal apartment social network — where residents can post things for sale, get notified about packages, get community updates, etc. It’s been such a great communication system and I really love having one place to pay my rent, and hear updates about what’s going on in the apartment as well as relevant information in downtown LA.
The Met is still putting on really cool events from time to time — the artist spotlight with free wine happens monthly, and it’s always so cool to see local artists have their work on display in the lobby. There’s usually always celebrations during major holidays too — who doesn’t love coming home to free treats?
The security is phenomenal — ²⁴⁄₇ front desk service. They’re absolutely fantastic people and I love just chatting or saying hello when I come home or leave. It’s thanks to them that I feel so safe living at the Met.
Location-​wise, it really can’t be beat. Ralphs is right around the corner. Panini Café is a solid brunch/​lunch/​dinner place. And we’re just 2 blocks away from LA Live/​Staples Center/​Regal Cinema as well as from 7^th/​Fig with the metro stop and all the new stores (Target, Zara, H&M, Mendocino Farms, etc).
And last of all — love the amenities in this apartment. I use the downstairs gym weekly — and they made it a point to bring in more equipment. The 2^nd floor lounge area is always fun to chill in.
I can’t believe I’ve lived at the Met for this long already, but I still love it!

I’ve been living here for about a year now. If you’re looking for a convenient and neighborhood friendly building this is the place. Laundry room is across the hall, nice clean (yet basic) gym, pool, hot tub yadi yadi yah etc… you get the point. What makes living here an overall pleasurable experience… most definitely the staff. Very friendly and informative… Keion is definitely the best front desk associate EVER! Management is also pretty accessible for the most part and are always helpful. They let me use their copy and fax machine for a couple days when mine stopped working… little things like that stick out for me.
Overall friendly and safe place (as long as you don’t go beyond the wall lol). Lastly, affordability… coming from nyc this place was a steal… and after talking to other friends who live downtown I feel pretty good that im paying at least a few hundred bucks cheaper. Only negative is the building is kinda young overall… but that could be a positive for others (shrugs shoulders)
Overall this place does it for me. I’d recommend for sure.

I have been living here for a year and a half and have had a great experience at the Met. It is conveniently located to my school, incredibly safe, and gives you free coffee Monday-​Saturday and breakfast on Monday. I mean, hello, awesome.
What I especially love about the Met is a couple members of the staff, Keon and Elvia in particular. They rock my world with their amazing, consistent customer service. Keon is very personable and accommodating and will totally make you feel at home. Elvia takes her job seriously and definitely makes you feel like an important member of the Met. Both of these workers bring a smile to my face whenever I’m in the lobby. They’re awesome.

If I could give this apartment 0 stars, I would. I hate that I even have to give it one star. It doesn’t deserve it. If you want to be infantilized, disrespected, and pay a ton of money to be treated like you live in a dormitory, then by all means. Live at The Met. I’m living here now and hate it. I wish I could move out of here. I can provide so much more details, if you’re interested and thinking of moving here. I’d love to share with as many people as possible how horrible my experience has been. I would never recommend anyone live here. Not even my worst enemies. Trust me. And, like I said, if you’re not sure and want me to explain more in detail, I absolutely can. It’s not just the treatment of the front desk staff (not everyone is a jerk, but almost all are), but it’s also how crappy the apartment appliances are (bathroom, kitchen, etc.) My apartment constantly smells like cigarette smoke and it makes me sick. It goes in my bathroom and bedroom and makes my place smell like a hotel. The water is SOOO awful, it stains my dishes and dish rack. I can’t even put it through a Brita filter, it still tastes awful. So I have to pay a lot of money for bottled water. I can go on and on and on.
Sure, there are some positives like the fact that maintenance people are great and come and do fixes right away. But does that really balance out everything else?
— Anna S