Off campus apartments: Which are safe/nice?

<p>I passed by Sterling’s construction site when I was recently in Orlando. It looks REALLY nice so far. I’m thinking that my lease in January will only last until August, so I may be able to consider moving there. I just wonder why the buildings in the front are extremely close to the road. You’d definitely be able to hear cars driving by.</p>

<p>I’ve been living in the towers since last year, and I’m looking to make the move off campus for Fall 2010. When I found out about the Sterling apartments, I thought they looked very nice, so I’m definitely going to check them out. Their bedrooms in the $600-650 floorplans look to be a bit small though. They’re smaller than the room I have in the Towers right now. (You get a much bigger closet though.) If I wanted to get something that was the size of the room I currently have, I’d have to go for the $675 model. </p>

<p>I also was looking at Jefferson Village, The Edge and Northgate Lakes. I was concerned about safety at Jefferson, but from what I see here, it is ok now. Apparently, they had two armed burglaries in 2007-2008, but they have since upgraded security.</p>

<p>Wow, it took me awhile to locate the website of that new apt. complex. Here it is:</p>

<p>[UCF</a> Apartments | Rent Apartments near UCF - Sterling University Central](<a href=“Sterling Housing”>Sterling Housing)</p>

<p>I am not impressed based on the website. The place looks overpriced and underwelming. The rates that the site gives are for Unfurnished apt. with tiny bedrooms (most are 9X10). The whole “green” issue is way too PC for my tastes. When I read that a complex has special “green” plumbing system I can’t help but think that means that you will need two flushes per visit and a really heavy duty plunger! I will look into it further in a few weeks when I go visit.</p>

<p>LOL seiclan!! Too funny!!
I am going over there tomorrow. I called this afternoon and spoke to someone on site. They said they will be beginning to take deposits starting tomorrow and expect people to be camped out due to the high volume of calls they have gotten in the last month or so. I find that hard to believe, but you never know. I am 30 minutes away, so will walk thru or see a model. While I am there, will also stop in at Jefferson Village and Victoria. Will post my impressions. It’s nice to have the option of the Towers available, but when I see the price differential it is definitely worth a look at these other possibilites. If D is moving off campus, I want to make a decision before the fall housing opens up, which is soon.</p>

<p>I cannot believe that, although new, this complex (Sterling) will fill up that quickly. It is very expensive for “college housing”. </p>

<p>I am looking forward to everyone’s feedback.</p>

<p>They have a model available? Sterling still looks like it’s still well into construction from Alafaya Trail. Maybe some building in the back is finished? Nevertheless, I’ll probably check it out tomorrow as well.</p>

<p>Not sure if there is a model available yet. They told me the apartments should be finished in May but are not leasing until August. They are just starting the deposit process and have a trailer for that on the premises. I just don’t like the small room sizes from the brochure.</p>

<p>What is the difference between the A and B models of Northgate Lakes? Is it the size of the bedrooms and/or one has a balcony and the other doesn’t?</p>

<p>What are the rates at the Lofts? I click on the links and it just shows the floorplan:</p>

<p>[Student</a> Housing - The Loftsby Allen & O’Hara](<a href=“http://www.myownapartment.com/lofts/floorplans/#]Student”>http://www.myownapartment.com/lofts/floorplans/#)</p>

<p>I spoke to someone from the Lofts. The rates (for their individual leases/furnished apts) are/were: $629 for 2/2, $609 for a 3/3 (has no loft), and a 4/4 costs $574 for the downstairs bedrooms, $588 and $614 for the upstairs bedrooms. There is also a $120/month utilities cap (which most kids go over about $10/mo each). They have a $250 move in fee and a $50 application fee (which may be waived during specials). The lease runs from Aug. 21-July 31. Internet and cable TV are included in the rent. If you want a reserved parking spot it is $10/month for open or $20/month for covered. The UCF shuttle comes by every 20 minutes from 7 am- 9 pm, Monday to Friday.</p>

<p>Does anyone know anything about Arden Villas (another complex my daughter wants to look at)?</p>

<p>Here’s a few older reviews
[Arden</a> Villas Apartment Ratings, Reviews, Map, Rents, and other Orlando apartments for rent from ApartmentRatings.com](<a href=“http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/FL-Orlando-Arden-Villas.html]Arden”>http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/FL-Orlando-Arden-Villas.html)</p>

<p>Saw Sterling Apartments, or what eventually will be this morning. The shell is up and they are working on it, but no sample to see. However they did have a bedroom with TV and the appliances, couches, etc set up in leasing office so we could see what would be in the apartment. The price advertised in their brochure is for furnished apartments. All bedrooms have full size beds and a flat screen tv on the wall. The dresser is drawers under the bed which actually looked great. The only extra fees are for the parking garage, which is $10 month or $20 if you want an assigned space. It is directly across the street from the campus and is supposed to have a gate, and a shuttle service back and forth. It was quite chaotic and there was quite a crowd. D got there at 8:10 and there were 7 people in front of her. They would not assign rooms to people who did not have a roommate and would only put them on a waiting list. It isn’t a big complex, only 272 apts. My final impression was that clean and new will be nice. Who can beat sleeping on a brand new mattress with brand new appliances. The bedroom will be small, but the closet will be not included in the sizing. It’s competitively priced for what it is and $2100 cheaper than the Towers. It is a model for the environment, so UCF is making a big statement with that, as will Orlando. I think it will be safe. She’s in.</p>

<p>Also saw Victoria Place. I loved it. It seemed very well taken care of and more secluded than all the places on the main drag. You can walk right over to shopping. Very peaceful and pretty place. The parking is outside, but is in a park like setting. I did not get into particulars since D was not going to live there, but as a young adult I would sure like it. The only thing I don’t care for is the drive to campus. It seems close but it’s a busy road, especially during rush hour. Also, this is not a student campus and does not feel like one. It is quite expensive as well. If price and the whole college campus thing is not an issue, it is worth a look for sure!</p>

<p>I went over to Sterling today, and there really wasn’t much to look at because its still under construction. And if you’re looking for a 2/2 room, its best to bring a roommate with you, otherwise you’re put on a waiting list for those. I also visited Jefferson Village and the Lofts, and both of those looked good.</p>

<p>Hey, me and a few friends are thinking of staying at Pegasus Landing for fall 2010(freshmen).</p>

<p>Can anyone tell me more about it and the good/bad?</p>

<p>I’ve heard that both of the Pegasus’ are bad places to live</p>

<p>I know of some friends who stay there. I don’t recommend either.</p>

<p>My D was just accepted into UCF for Fall 2010. She will major in Event Management through Rosen but wants to stay at main campus her first year. We’re OOS (Philadelphia suburb) and I’m trying to figure out if it is worth pursuing a non-affiliated UCF apartment.</p>

<p>Specifically are any of you doing so in hopes of attaining in-state status for tuition? Or are you just looking for less expensive alternatives to UCF housing?</p>

<p>I just got accepted to start in spring of 2010 i been looking at off campus housing but they all seem to have high crime levels. I was very interested in the lofts and jefferson village but had read many bad reviews about theft. I’m planning to take my car to to UCF so im looking for a safe place ?</p>