The life you've created is one you work hard for, and you deserve to enjoy every second. At Vara, you'll appreciate the ease of maintenance-free luxury: sleek, modern designs, amazing outdoor amenities, and an unbeatable location. In the heart of The Mission, many of the city's best coffee shops, eateries, live music, and craft cocktails are steps away.
It's a vibrant, soulful neighborhood waiting to be explored, and there's not a minute to waste. Need a closer look? We know that sometimes seeing your potential new home in-person can't be beat and with our self-guided tours you can explore your new space any way you want. Ready to take the next step?
It's a vibrant, soulful neighborhood waiting to be explored, and there's not a minute to waste. Need a closer look? We know that sometimes seeing your potential new home in-person can't be beat and with our self-guided tours you can explore your new space any way you want. Ready to take the next step?
Reviews (23)
Henry Wang
Jan 04, 2022
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If you are looking for an apartment where the management will go above and beyond to help you, Vara Apartment is it.
I've lived in 7 different apartment complexes in the city over the last 7 years. Katherine and Kurtis are the best management team that made living in an apartment complex easy.
If you do most of your shopping/groceries on Amazon/Wholefood/Instcart. Katherine and Kurtis's team made sure you get your deliveries. They follow up, and they know if you missed a delivery.
Moving in and moving out was easy. This is one of the very few management teams that care about your moving in and
I've lived in 7 different apartment complexes in the city over the last 7 years. Katherine and Kurtis are the best management team that made living in an apartment complex easy.
If you do most of your shopping/groceries on Amazon/Wholefood/Instcart. Katherine and Kurtis's team made sure you get your deliveries. They follow up, and they know if you missed a delivery.
Moving in and moving out was easy. This is one of the very few management teams that care about your moving in and
Celeste W.
Jan 11, 2021
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I lived here for 7 months and it was not a great experience. Initially planned to be here long-term and really wanted to like it, but changed my mind after moving in...
Pros:
*Complex was nice and more on the modern side with lots of outside lounge space and a nice lobby.
*Staff were mostly friendly. Curtis was great - would go above and beyond to be helpful.
Cons:
*Parking was awful -- you have to wait 5-10 minutes to get your car slot to the ground level, then open the gate, take your car out, and go back to close the gate.
*Garage door was very finicky - would sometimes be outside trying
Pros:
*Complex was nice and more on the modern side with lots of outside lounge space and a nice lobby.
*Staff were mostly friendly. Curtis was great - would go above and beyond to be helpful.
Cons:
*Parking was awful -- you have to wait 5-10 minutes to get your car slot to the ground level, then open the gate, take your car out, and go back to close the gate.
*Garage door was very finicky - would sometimes be outside trying
Uncle Chuckles
Dec 30, 2020
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Looked like a great Place.. Went to the Office,and was Argued with by a homeless guy. Then when i left i was begged and then yelled at again by 2 Homeless again. Got to the bart and saw a guy throw a needle at another guy. Then saw a Robbery later that night.. Obviously i would never put,myself down there again.. Wow
Michael Schultz
Sep 17, 2020
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Mike M.
Aug 28, 2020
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Ground zero for San Francisco's failing social policies- screaming & fighting every single night. I've lived here for 16 months; we've never been able to sleep with the window open once. I've never seen such deplorable, third-world living conditions in my life. The amount of crime & violence I've seen from my balcony is unbelievable. Don't lock yourself into a lease- this building & location is hell on earth. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
Chris B.
Apr 23, 2020
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Just moving out for work reasons after five years living here. Great community, great building. There were times over the past 5 years where the staff wasn't great, which is reflected in some early reviews, but the current staff is fantastic -- best it's been here. Katherine and team are helpful, fast and friendly. There are definitely issues outside the building as other reviews mention, which is true in other areas of the Mission as well, but the team here is doing what they can to make it better -- discussions with SF officials, increased security, etc. And of course there are still
Nancy L.
Jan 10, 2020
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The building itself is fine, but the location is AWFUL. Don't be fooled if you visit this apartment on a weekday and it seems quiet and quaint. On the weekends, there is hardly any space on the sidewalk to move given there's a full blow "market" of stolen goods and endless tents. Think: Tenderloin blockparty. BEWARE.
Angus Elder
Aug 02, 2019
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Kim Ost
Jun 07, 2019
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Overall stay over two years was enjoyable, but left a lot to be desired, especially after the change in management. Front office staff were friendly, but are not much help if packages go missing - they've at least put in better package retrieval now. Security is not a thing among the tenants - tailgating is rampant (I have had to question and then stop a stranger from coming in to put up flyers on doorknobs before) and the two metal side doors by the main entrance that are supposed to be exit and one-way only have been yanked open very often by people who don't want to take the longer, more secure
Avi Dullu
May 31, 2019
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Vara is very conveniently located near Valencia, a number of grocery stores, bart and almost anything one would need to live happily!
The staff is extremely helpful and service requests are completed very quickly. Hello Alfred service is just amazing and saves a lot of time and effort! Parking conditions are similar to anywhere else in SF so brace your luck.
Overall an amazing apartment with a nice gym and retreat area and 24/7 doorman service. Would definitely recommend to get started in the city and enjoy the Mission!
The staff is extremely helpful and service requests are completed very quickly. Hello Alfred service is just amazing and saves a lot of time and effort! Parking conditions are similar to anywhere else in SF so brace your luck.
Overall an amazing apartment with a nice gym and retreat area and 24/7 doorman service. Would definitely recommend to get started in the city and enjoy the Mission!
Kacey Lewis
Oct 27, 2018
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Jesse R.
Oct 17, 2018
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Do you like only being able to dispose of garbage during a two hour window, five days a week, in the early evening? Do you enjoy coming home to hallways filled with trash just sitting outside? Does the idea of your composting rotting away on a hot weekend from Thursday evening until Sunday evening sound delightful?
If the answer to these questions is YES! then Vara by Greystar is for you! For the rest of us, it's a lousy management company that clearly doesn't care about the opinions of its residents as long as it saves the company money. Never mind the "luxury living" talk
If the answer to these questions is YES! then Vara by Greystar is for you! For the rest of us, it's a lousy management company that clearly doesn't care about the opinions of its residents as long as it saves the company money. Never mind the "luxury living" talk
Erica S.
Aug 10, 2018
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John Lewis
Jun 15, 2018
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Doors went months without having functional locks. Go ahead and give the front door a good pull, it will probably open. This door has been a problem for 4+ years without being fixed. Management knew about the problem and it was repaired as minimally as possible. The second floor southern entrance from the patio door badge also did not work as was permanently unlocked. Tenants set off fire alarms from cooking about every 3 months as the cooking ventilation doesn't exit the units so people opened hallway doors to vent smoke into an enclosed space. Vallet trash pickups turned the hallways into a garbage
Lori S.
Mar 20, 2018
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I have been living at Vara apartments for about 3 years and am one of the longest standing residents. When I first arrived, the building was very poorly run. The was a succession of managers, each lasting just a few months, that took no interest in the building, and it showed. Dirty facilities, broken fixtures, poor attitudes, etc. Mario took the helm about a year ago, and the difference has been dramatic. Staff maintain an interest in the property, it is clean, and everything functions. When something breaks it is fairly quickly fixed.
It is surprising what difference a skilled manager can make
It is surprising what difference a skilled manager can make
Ana B.
Mar 13, 2018
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John S.
Jan 09, 2018
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I have been a resident at Vara for 2.5 years now. The quality of the management has steadily declined throughout that time. There was a steep decline most recently when the property management company changed to GreyStar Management.
Few notes:
1. All perks that attracted us to the property: community events, weekend breakfasts, happy hours, maintained gym equipment have all been eliminated.
2. The garage was left largely insecured for multiple months due to a gate issue. The company provided no email communication on timelines and rarely provided security at that entrance.
3. They are borderline
Few notes:
1. All perks that attracted us to the property: community events, weekend breakfasts, happy hours, maintained gym equipment have all been eliminated.
2. The garage was left largely insecured for multiple months due to a gate issue. The company provided no email communication on timelines and rarely provided security at that entrance.
3. They are borderline
Angelica Haro
Oct 01, 2017
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I read all of the reviews for this apartment complex and was delighted to see that their were units available within my price range. 30 minutes before my appointment, they called to tell me that their was a glitch in their system and the prices I saw were inaccurate. I made my appointment a week in advanced, I spoke with multiple employees to confirm the prices before my appointment and they confirmed accuracy, I was 30 mins away from the apartment complex the day of my appointment, and I live an hour and a half away. So unprofessional and provide false advertisement.
Emily M.
Jun 17, 2016
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There are some great things about living here, mostly the helpful staff. Robert has done amazing things to build community engagement and is a joy to have around. Che is part of the maintenance staff and is willing to go any extra step to help someone out. He is also very friendly and skilled at maintenance work.
Would love if there were fire pits. Seems like something everyone is asking for. The rent is very high and they like to raise it every year.
Overall: good community, very expensive, and could have more amenities for this price, like fire pits. :)
Would love if there were fire pits. Seems like something everyone is asking for. The rent is very high and they like to raise it every year.
Overall: good community, very expensive, and could have more amenities for this price, like fire pits. :)
Anthony S.
Mar 29, 2016
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Dana B.
Mar 22, 2016
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I have lived at Vara since 2014. I personally know many of the reviewers here, including Emilie. I respectfully disagree with her point of view on this, as I am someone whom has resided in this building for twice as long, watched it deteriorate, and am moving out along side residents of 6 other units in the next 60 days.
I have lived in several countries and many American cities, primarily in buildings like Vara. I would agree that expecting anything to be perfect is unrealistic. What has been nice about living at Vara is that the community of residents has been diverse. Upon first moving in,
I have lived in several countries and many American cities, primarily in buildings like Vara. I would agree that expecting anything to be perfect is unrealistic. What has been nice about living at Vara is that the community of residents has been diverse. Upon first moving in,
Carl Kulpa
Jan 16, 2016
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Dog-friendly upscale living experience at a reasonable price. I had issues with the first studio unit for which I signed a lease. I was not given the correct floor plan at signing. Rather than force me to accept the studio I signed a lease for, Vara did everything in their power to address my concern and offered me a 1 bedroom at a reduced price. That is top notch customer service -- especially in a time when the market favors the leasing company.
Petie P.
Jan 28, 2014
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Amazing building. Amenities like a gym, multiple common areas, BBQ, party room. Just about the only thing they don't have at Vara is a swimming pool. The building is heated/cool in the hallways, making the building have a sort of core air conditioning system. Even at 40 degrees outside, there is no need to heat the apartment, which translates to extremely affordable utilities bill.
Vara also cares about the little things and making tenants happy, like 24/7 coffee maker, happy hours in the lobby, events, and more. The staff is extremely kind and always there to help. Best apartment ever.
Vara also cares about the little things and making tenants happy, like 24/7 coffee maker, happy hours in the lobby, events, and more. The staff is extremely kind and always there to help. Best apartment ever.
