The Hilltop - Santa Cruz, California

Andrea G.

The Hilltop Apartments has been such a positive experience. The location is super convenient, and the community feels safe and well-maintained. The units have plenty of natural light, and the layout makes it easy to feel at home.

What really stands out, though, is the management. They have been incredibly helpful and kind, always making sure any questions or concerns are handled quickly. The team here truly makes the experience of living here so much better with their professionalism and friendly attitude.

It’s not always easy to find a place where management actually cares, but the team here does. I’m really happy with my time at The Hilltop!

Fernando A.

As a resident of The Hilltop Apartments, I’ve had a great experience living here. The complex has spacious floor plans and great amenities that make it a comfortable place to call home.

I also want to give a huge shoutout to the manager, Carmen. She’s been amazing at handling any issues that come up and always makes sure residents' needs are met. It’s clear she truly cares about the community, which makes a big difference.

Overall, living here has been a really positive experience, and I appreciate the effort that goes into keeping everything running smoothly!

Lorenzo A.

People love complaining about all their issues, even if they are mild inconveniences at best. Sure maybe sometimes maintenance takes a little longer to repair some things (something they have gotten a lot better at this year, and compared to campus maintenance is a lot better), but the truth is that everyone working at this establishment is kind and they are giving it their all. They are very understanding with students and are always willing to help and find solutions. This was the first living space that allowed me as an international student an easy way to find easy housing (and I tried in a lot of other places around Santa Cruz). The pool, hot tub, fireplace, and grill area are all fun places to hang out and they are all well-maintained. The bus stop is nearby and it is also pretty easy to go downtown by bus. I live in a two-bedroom apartment and it is quite perfect for 2 people and even 4 people if you want to share rooms and save some money. It is an expensive place, but one of the nicer places you could get outside campus. I even made a little drawing of the entrance to commemorate my years spent here for college! Going to plug in my art account if you wanna check out more drawings like this @024ashlag420

P.S I am pretty sure most of the bad reviews were written when old management was here, but they changed around a year ago, and from my experience it has been great. I have also not seen any rats and have not had any issues with any kind of infestation for the last year.

Nicholas L.

The community is nice, great to be around fellow UCSC students off campus! The location is very soothing, lots of grass and trees. The look off past the parking lot is an amazing view. The complex has great amenities: pool, hot tub, fire pit, grills, hammocks, bike locker. Not too far from campus for students.

izabella S.

First off, giving Hilltop a 1-star review is extremely generous of me, I wish I could give negative stars. Not only is living here every day a living hell, but the leasing agents are terrible and show no intent to improve this hell hole. If you sign a lease here, just know you will inevitably deal with mold,--and the health issues that come with this--passive-aggressive and unprofessional attitudes from the workers, extremely high rent (that is not worth it in any way shape, or form), and unethical living conditions all around. I wish so deeply that I could go back in time and stop myself from signing a lease here. It would save me all of the stress, health issues, and time I've spent begging the leasing agents to fix or even just address the unethical conditions most residents are living in. Management is probably the worst it could be because it really is that bad, but they always seem to prove me wrong so let me not speak too soon. Once you are locked in with a lease, their entire demeanor and persona change. They go from the "nice, friendly, reasonable" agents to the agents who don't care at all about their residents living environment, living experience, and health. I'm warning you all do not sign a lease here, no matter how desperate you are for housing in SC this place will never be worth it.

ALSO, don't believe any of the recent 5 star reviews, those are just the people who are easily bribed by a cheap water bottle to make Hilltop look good. I promise y'all want NO part of this mess, IT IS A LIVING HELL!!!

Carlos B.

Carmen, the community director, and her team are an exceptional staff! They go above and beyond for their residents. Whenever I walk into the leasing office they are always very helpful and welcoming. Any questions/issues that I have with my unit they always help me out! I have lived in several properties & hands down The Hilltop has exceeded all my expectations in everyway. Kudos to Carmen and her team!!!

Vidit B.

I've lived at Hilltop for about half of an academic year now, and I have to say it's been an enjoyable place to stay. The grill and pool, particularly, have been attractions and make planning social events very easy, such as hosting a tri-tip night at the grill or making s'mores at the fireplace. The apartments are a bit on the cozier side, but as someone who has shared a room for majority of my childhood, I found the space to be plenty. It's also convenient that there is a bus stop right outside the apartment complex, and as a student, I couldn't ask for more.

Janice

Its beautiful here and you get new students every year or so ..it does calm down after November..BUT PLEASE B WARE OF THE STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF THEY JUST COULD CARE LESS ABOUT ANYTHING BUT TAKING YOUR MONEY..THE WATER IS GROSS ..THEY TAKE FOREVER TO DO ANYTHING..THE MAIL BOXES KEPT BEING BROKEN INTO UNTIL IT TOOK THEM 1 YEAR TO FIX..THEY HATE THE JEWISH GRANDMA HERE..AND THEY CHARGE YOU MONEY THAT YOU DON'T OWE..RENTER B WARE!!!!!!! ANTS/COCHROACHES/MICE.....
BUT, THERE ARE NO HOMELESSNESS SITUATIONS HERE