<p>thanks for all the info everyone, i was wondering though…my S mentioned that he was interested in Stadium Suites which is about the only complex I don’t see mentioned here. Is anyone familiar with them or have an opinion?</p>
<p>Hmmmm…management not very responsive…difficult to receive packages…not the greatest maintenance. They are also not totally rented by students as you would be led to believe. Not awful, but wouldn’t be my first choice.</p>
<p>On the other hand,pros are: furnished fairly well, decent bedrooms and storage, inexpensive, and individual leases ( not responsible for anybody’s rent but your own! )</p>
<p>i live in copper beech (this is my second year here). The same thing happens every year: 3 years ago copper beech was the newest and best, then came the retreat and it was the best, and now the woodlands…HOWEVER with this “new-ness” comes the partying. </p>
<p>The retreat last year and now the woodlands have become party central. several friends live in the woodlands and say they can “never sleep” especially on going-out nights because of the constant noise outside. the pool is also INSANE…so many people that you cant see the water( and lotsssss of drinking)…i kid you not. The woodlands has no gates and has had SEVERAL security issues. one of my friends apartments was broken into and when she arrived home she was attacked, last weekend 30 tires were slashed in the woodlands as well…theyve had some serious issues and for the more expensive price-tag you dont get much more than you do anywhere else. </p>
<p>i chose copper beech because i’m somewhat of a shop-a-holic and i have a lot of clothes…that being said CBeech has the biggest closets of any of the complexes ive been to (and i think i’ve been to them all). You also have your own bedroom and bathroom as well as a guest bath on the main floor (the woodlands does not have this). other than the distance and a few small issues…ive enjoyed the size and space of our apartment—and now theyre offering 42 inch plasmas to 4 bedrooms—and i love that it comes furnished because i’m from out of state. </p>
<p>I’d say in college, an apartment is an aparment and i especially think we’re VERY spoiled at USC because all of the complexes are new within the last 5 years. Ive visited several other schools and their living choices are nowhere CLOSE to waht we have…so frankly your child should be pretty happy anywhere. nothing is “slumming” by any means! hope this helps!</p>
<p>USCTexan, thanks so much for posting… leaves me in a quandary about what to do with my daughter for next year…
</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the University of South Carolina’s off campus housing information:</p>
<p>[Off-Campus</a> Student Services - University of South Carolina](<a href=“Off-Campus Living & Neighborhood Relations - Off-Campus Living & Neighborhood Relations | University of South Carolina”>Off-Campus Living & Neighborhood Relations - Off-Campus Living & Neighborhood Relations | University of South Carolina)</p>
<p>Does anyone have a list of the apartments that include all utilities with the rent?</p>
<p>I just put this together this morning – it is based on ANNUAL (12 month) rent PER PERSON for a two-bedroom unit, and I have added the cost of utilities if they are not included (although when included utility cost is capped). The costs listed for two people in a three-bedroom is because the complex in question does not have two-bedroom units. All complexes listed have shuttles and are furnished unless otherwise specified:</p>
<p>For comparison - Currently South/East Quad on campus apartments are $6,370 for the school year </p>
<p>Riverside Estates - $6,216 + cable - No Shuttle
Pointe West - $6,660 (unlike others, two bedrooms only have one bath)
Copper Beech - $6,900
Garnet Riverwalk - $7,140 (unfurnished?)
The Woodlands - $7,500
The Retreat - $7,980
Stadium Suites - $8,046 (cost for two people in a three bedroom)
University Oaks - $8,820 (cost for two people in a three bedroom)
Aspyre - $9,360 + cable + furniture - No Shuttle but only 1 mile from campus</p>
<p>Fendrock’s list includes almost all the new student complexes around campus. Two others I thought of that are very popular with students - </p>
<p>Granby/Olympia Mills - VERY nice, weird layouts, unfurnished, no included utilities, no separate leases</p>
<p>[Olympia</a> Mills & Granby Mills](<a href=“http://www.millsliving.com/]Olympia”>http://www.millsliving.com/)</p>
<p>The Lofts at USC (formerly Waley’s Mill) - walking distance, older complex, don’t know much about this one</p>
<p>[Columbia</a> South Carolina Apartments - Home - The Lofts at USC](<a href=“http://www.theloftsatusc.com/]Columbia”>http://www.theloftsatusc.com/)</p>
<p>I live off campus in an apartment that I found on the off campus listings page (you have to make an account). It is not within one of these large complexes, but it is just as nice and within walking distance for a comparable price. I highly suggest looking at some smaller places before signing with a large complex - they are often a MUCH better value. </p>
<p>[University</a> of South Carolina Off Campus Housing Service](<a href=“http://www.sa.sc.edu/offcampus/]University”>http://www.sa.sc.edu/offcampus/)</p>
<p>To use the site, I selected “USC Area” then “List View” on the results page.</p>
<p>I did visit almost every complex listed and very much agree with USCTexan’s assessment. I would never want to live in The Woodlands. Check out the pictures on their facebook page “Woodlands Columbia” to get an idea of the normal scene there. A lot of my friends live there and it really is unbelievably loud. If I had to choose a large complex, I would probably go with Cooper Beech.</p>
<p>Most students sign leases around feb/march during the same period as on-campus housing registration, but I signed mine in January to get the unit I wanted. </p>
<p>If you have any more questions, just ask!</p>
<p>Thanks for posting uscgirl45! - Does your apartment have a pool?</p>
<p>I checked out CraigsList for some apartments within walking distance of campus, and saw some attractive neighborhoods with apartments available.</p>
<p>My daughter seems hesitant to go this route, I guess she is still moving with the herd…</p>
<p>I read some reviews of The Lofts and they were not very complimentary. I think they are rehabbed buildings along the same lines as The Mills. The location looks good though.</p>
<p>My apartment does not have a pool or exercise room, but that has never really been an issue because I can easily walk to the Strom in about 10 minutes. Also, I spent a lot of time at the Point West pool this summer, since some of my closest friends live there. Basically, I figured I would have plenty of friends at the complexes with pools that I could use anytime, so I could give that up in order to be so close to campus. </p>
<p>Also, if anyone is considering living within walking distance, it is important to note HUGE parking savings. Once you factor in the cost of a garage spot, living in my apartment for 12 months ends up being cheaper than living on the horseshoe for 9 months. </p>
<p>One last note - I signed up for BOTH an off campus apartment and on campus housing last year, since I wasn’t sure if my roommate’s parents were going you agree to off campus living. The apartment had a deposit refund window. For on campus housing, we were able to get an assigned room and look at it before we decided if the apartment was our final choice. So long as you cancel the on campus housing by a certain date, you only loose around $25 in a non-refundable deposit. To me, losing $25 was worth the peace of mind to me to have another housing option.</p>
<p>How many people who live in complexes with shuttles do not have a car?</p>
<p>So Uscgirl, which ones would you consider to be “walking distance”? I’m thinking less than 10 minutes walk.</p>
<p>In keeping with my intensive research on this topic, the distance from each property to Russell House is listed below.</p>
<p>Apartments closer to campus can probably be found more easily as individual units (for example, in a house) on CraigsList.</p>
<p>The Lofts at USC - 0.8 miles
Aspyre - 1 mile
Olympia/Granby Mills - 1.4 miles
Garnet Riverwalk - 2.2. miles
Pointe West - 2.5 miles
University Oaks - 2.8 miles
Stadium Suites - 3.2 miles
The Retreat - 3.8 miles
Copper Beech - 4 miles
The Woodlands - 4.1 miles</p>
<p>fendrock
one of S’s roommates at Pointe West (they are now all seniors) has never had a car.He normally takes the shuttle to campus or catches a ride with roomates. The only time I would suspect it is a problem is when you would need to do “personal stuff”.
Pointe West’s rent (individual leases) include all utilities including cable. There used to be a power use supplement but since theres so much competition now with the new complexes they’ve dropped that.
pointe west, and some of the older complexes do have shared baths. S’s apt has 4 bedrooms,2 bathrooms but the bathrooms are huge and theres lots of storage…including a linen closet on each side of the apt (theres 2 beds, 1 bath on each side) and extra space in the room where the washer/dryer and water heater is.</p>
<p>Cathymee,
Does Pointe West have a roommate matching service?</p>
<p>hmm not sure S went in with roommates …I’ll ask him to find out.</p>
<p>greenville
just spoke to S yes they do have a roommate matching service,he knows a girl living there who used it to find a roommate.</p>
<p>OMG Fendrock…good work! Thx for the info!</p>
<p>OK, it’s time to bring this up again.</p>
<p>After repeated repairs not being addressed in a timely fashion and an asst property manager who was downright rude to my wife, I have to warn anyone who is reading to AVOID Copper Beech at all costs.</p>
<p>I tried to look up their corporate info and after repeated searches can’t find anything more than they are based in State College, PA. I also found numerous complaints to the BBB in college towns across the country for everything from mold resulting from flooded apts not being repaired to security issues to non responsive management. Same story, different town over and over again.</p>
<p>It looks like these guys have a business model to build in college towns with high out of town student populations, offer big apartments and amenities that are poorly built and then deliver poor to no customer service to the college kids who don’t have family around to stand up for them.</p>
<p>I can’t speak for other places but RUN from Copper Beech.</p>
<p>Thanks for eadad, D is just beginning her off campus housing search for next year but this information is helpful. Sorry this has been a frustration</p>