C'mon ... realistic expectations, people! I've lived here twice: once in the 815 building, in a studio, And again in a 1 bedroom in the 783 building 4 years later. One - It's easy to think you're getting an income restricted apartment when you're not. So no, a $700 studio is not "low income." That's the market rate. And it's a good rate for this type of studio. The market rates are an extremely good value for this part of town and this quality of a building. Keep in mind it includes so much (water, sewer, garbage, and hot water) and the building is well enough insulated, the other utilities you pay are very low. Similar apartments in the area that are in much poorer condition advertise at lower rental rates, but then charge tons for water/sewer/garbage and the electric bill is enormous. I pay $25-65/month in utilities on top of my rent. You can call PGE and get average electric bills for apartments when you shop around - an important part of evaluating the true cost of living somewhere. The staff in the leasing office varies from person to person. A few long term people there are incredible. I've gotten really poor service from two people in the past year, too. Such is life. The manager is amazing and responsive. I've lived in a lot of different places and have never seen management that tries harder to deal with neighbors who are being less than good citizens. Yes, there is a ton of smoking - pot and cigarettes - though it's a non-smoking building. Management has been as responsive as they can be; Oregon landlord-tenant laws make it very hard to deal with that particular issue. Yes you get a ticket for parking in the back whether you're doing a good deed (like moving a friend in) or not. There are signs everywhere, it's easy and cheap to get a permit from the office, and they're more helpful than they need to be with odd situations like PODS and stuff. My permit fell off my dash once and I got a ticket, and the office helped me get it cancelled. Yes it's tricky to move in and out. The office does everything they can to help (including locking the elevator for you to use). There are aspects that need forethought and planning, or even permits with the city -- again not the fault of the apartment community. I've also experienced very rapid, professional, courteous responses to noise complaints, repair requests, etc. These buildings are exceptionally well maintained considering the age of the building and the heavy use they get. I've not rented anywhere of the same age that was in better condition. The units themselves are thoughtfully laid out given their size, and the grounds and buildings are kept up well all things considered. I hear neighbors far less than in most places I've rented. The company also doesn't nickle-and-dime the way so many do. Late fees are reasonable, deposits are lower than most places, they don't nail you for every tiny thing when you move out. Yes there is a problem with receiving packages -- this isn't because of the building management this is because of the 3rd party companies the shippers hire to deliver to this area. Those couriers are truly horrible, but what you're supposed to do is file a claim with the delivery company. If you're not home during the day, there are a ton of options for having your things delivered to you safely (I have them sent to work or to a local hub where I can pick them up). The mail is also terrible; again not the fault of GSL. The buildings on the north end are a different apartment community, by the way. "The Yards" and "The Yards at Union Station" are different communities with different populations and different challenges. And yes, there are neighbors who stupidly block up the trash chute, other neighbors who respond to this by piling trash in the trash room instead of taking it downstairs ... People who let the dogs poop in the elevator ... and the halls are incredibly hot. But I've rented at probably 20 different places and the overall experience here has been better than most. Especially for this price range.

So far, so good. Just moved here in November 2014 and loving it. great view, reasonable rules for living here, great crew from office and maintenance. No complaints. Grounds are well kept. Hoping I get to continue living here under same until I don't want to live here any longer (and I'm kind of old...) SECOND THOUGHTS....we've been here (in a top floor, two bedroom/single bath unit in the income restricted NEW building) since November 2014 and am still in love with our apartment...lots of changes at the office and some for the better and jury still out on the others...miss one former staff a whole lot but he went on to follow a dream! Upkeep staff are still awesome...our hallway is well maintained and the guys are either invisible or just really nice folks. Grounds are beautifully kept...small area in back near fence to is having a little trouble because people walk their dogs and don't pick up their own mess (and the apartments have provided a PET STATION with poop bags and a trash receptacle and everything!)...I think all the negative reviews you might read are from people who are just not prone to allowing positivity into their lives. So life is still great at The Yards at Union Station...will check back after a few more months to see if 'the new has worn off' yet at some future date!

When we first toured the apartment complex we were told we could get tandem parking. I was rather excited seeing as how, this can be a scary neighborhood to get out of the car at night. We payed the application fee and got approved. Then we payed the $150 holding fee. Shortly there after we were told that there were no tandem parking available and we would have to be placed on the wait list, and that we would be given street parking at the same rate as the garage. Seeing as how we had already placed the holding fee and felt the apartment was a good fit, we decided to pack our things. We signed an agreement for the security deposit and prorated rent which included the parking. 3 weeks later the day before we moved in, as we finished boxing up our belongings,Julia from the leasing office called and left a voice mail. The message stated they were no longer able to offer us on site parking and would need to alter our security deposit/prorated rent. She told us we could get a single car space, but that only one was allowed per household. She also advised us we could call some of the parking garages in the area. They would be as cheap if not cheaper than the apartment so she said. She also declined to return our holding fee. One garage was full and the other was $180 per vehicle per month and 8 blocks from the apartment. Following this, we made a call to the Housing Authority of Portland. We contacted The Yards again and spoke with the manager requesting to have to single car spaces for the price of the tandem seeing how we had a written agreement, the manager then sent me for a spin. She retorted that they had not had ANY parking for 6 months!!! After advising her that she clearly had misrepresented herself, and that the craigslist add still states "Garage Parking Available", she agreed to return our holding fee. Thankfully for us, we are able to continue to stay where we are.This situation might have rendered other couples homeless. Wish I could rate them with a zero.

I currently live here and HATE it!! This complex has drug addicts everywhere!! They go through garbage every night and leave an awful mess, they pee in the elevators and use drugs in there. I always see syringe tops and torn coke cans they cook their heroin with. These drug addicts are constantly roaming around the floor grounds all day and night. I carry pepper spray with me at all times because i DO NOT feel safe here! This is not a place a would recommend to anyone!!!

Smells like piss & cigarettes. Junkies EVERYWHERE!!! Management is rude. And no one does anything to change any of that.