Apartment Review for Parkwest - Irvine, CA

I lived here in 2 different apartments for a total of 2 years. This complex is full of 3 bedroom apartments with up to 6 students in each apartment. Everyone gets one numbered spot, and then a permit to park in the lot. My lot was tiny, so I always had to park across the street in another lot. Parking on the street, though there is tons of space, is pretty full depending on time of day and time of year. Don't drive to class if you are parking on the street, or coming home after 9pm, because there will be zero parking and you will have no option but to circle (along with others) until someone leaves, and fight for the spot. The shuttle to campus is always a better option, or the OCTA bus that picks up around the corner and is completely free to students. I've seen roaches outside the building but never inside. We did have an ant problem but they fumigated right away and they were gone. We were right next to laundry, but also next to a park so there were kinds playing on weekends when I wanted to sleep in. Crime was issue, I remember there was a shooting in the complex once and policy went around telling everyone to get inside and lock their doors. Also, someone had once rear-ended me at the stop sign leaving the complex and then took off when I pulled over to get his info -- I was very mad about that! Overall the rent is low for Irvine, and the apartment is huge, but certain things about the place just make it a bad choice. I'd only recommend this complex to a student on a budget that doesn't have a car or doesn't use it. And don't forget to get renters insurance!