Been living here over 2+ years and it's been like living in the middle of a permanent construction site. Dudes with loud chainsaws, blowers, movers are there every weekday morning and that's just a background theme to all kinds of noisy repairs, fire drills, and whatnots - the management never fails to figure out some activity out for every single week. Also, you gotta like those regular "we need to access your apartments from 9 to 6" letters.
Location is great though.

The Good:
- The sales experience was mostly good, but be forewarned that Irvine Company changes their rental rates daily. Also, if you request a move-in date other than the "first available," the monthly rent amount will be higher
- The grounds are well maintained, especially the common areas. The downside of this is you will have gardening noise/activity outside your unit (esp on ground floor) fairly frequently
- The location is great. Walking distance to the Marketplace and it's right on... the Mountains to the Sea/Peters Canyon walking and biking trail

The Bad:
- I chose to move out after 13 months due to the fact that the tenants above me were smoking on a regular basis. The community claims to be "smoke-free," but after reporting the issue several times, I was told they'd need to be caught in the act. Problem is - by the time the smoke blew down into my apartment, I report it, and security goes to check - they are no longer on their balcony smoking
- If you live below another unit, especially one with kids, be prepared to hear their every footstep. Most of the units are now remodeled with fake hardwood flooring and there is very little sound insulation
- Guest parking has become a nightmare. Every unit gets a single car garage, but I noticed most tenants are two-car households and many use the garage as storage, choosing to park their car/s in the community spots. You'll be hard pressed to find guest parking between 5p - 9a.
- The trash areas are often overflowing and messy. So many people are constantly moving-in and moving-out that the trash areas often have old furniture and the bins are overflowing with empty boxes
- Upon move-out, they will make sure to keep as much of your deposit as they can
- They really jacked up rents during COVID. I noticed the rent for my unit went up almost $200/month over the course of a year Read More

Very happy with our apartment - like staying in a classy hotel!

Lived here for 3 yrs now; Irvine Apartment Communities maintain and take care of all of their properties. We have moved within the IAC properties twice and have been tenants of IAC for combined 8 years. The location is great; you are close to major freeways and of course, there are walking trails within their communities. Dog/pet friendly. Restaurants and shopping within walking distance. Most have mountain views. So, check it out if you are moving to the OC area!

Somerset is one of the quietest, cleanest and best run apartment complexes run by Irvine Company. You won't have dogs barking all hours and no dog mess anywhere, unlike most Irvine Company run apts that turn a blind eye/ear. The apts are well maintained however the appliances such as washers and dryers need replacement don't sign a lease unless they are replaced in your unit. The parking could be better if the staff did not have two sets of rules regarding garage use, namely 1/3 (one out of... three)of the garages in my area are being used for storage (not new tenants - after 60 days plus - not new!) and/or business purposes. Read More