<p>Hi all! Son is having good freshman year, and he has started looking at an apartment off-campus for next year. </p>
<p>I've looked here through a couple old posts...My sense: places that looked initially promising had spotty reviews elsewhere.</p>
<p>Sooo...does anyone have experience (pretty nearby campus) with a place that they'd care to recommend?
I think the guys are looking between double to 4-person apartment, but flexible.<br>
Thanks in advance... you all are great! </p>
<p>I went through this last year with my son (currently a sophomore). He and 3 of his friends now live at Garnet River Walk, which is 2 miles from campus (2.1). I believe it recently changed management so no complaints there. In fact, we looked at several and for the money and what you get, it’s very reasonable. </p>
<p>Rent includes- fully furnished, 4 BR / 4 BA (in his case), utilities (water/sewer, trash, electricity, internet), parking, shuttle service- if you need it. And it’s near the Vista which is a nice area. </p>
<p>The apartment area is nice and the apartments themselves are what you make them (these are 4 guys). Some general feedback from my son since living there: </p>
<p>Pros:
- Really likes having his own room with full-size bed and his own bathroom
- Likes having more independence living off campus
- Convenient to grocery store and other places he likes to eat
- Garnet is in a nice location- straight shot to campus, near Vista</p>
<p>Cons:
- Having to drive to campus every day is more of a bother than he expected
- Even thought it’s only 2 miles, it’s still too far to walk every day
- More ‘maintenance’ (cleaning) is required on their part than what they had in a dorm (LOL)
- Sometimes sharing a living area with 4 people can be a bit much (different levels of cleanliness, partying vs more studying during the week, personality quirks, etc.)</p>
<p>Ideally, son said for next year he’d like to reduce roommates down to 2 or 3 (incl. him) and find an apartment within walking distance of campus so he could live off campus but still close enough to walk, so we’re looking into that. </p>
<p>Also for your planning, while some might tell you there is plenty of time- and there is at this point, if your son wants a place for 4 people, those fill up much quicker than places for 2 or 3. My son and his friends signed a lease by end of November, which was still OK but by January, they no longer had any 4 BR for a group of 4 (unless you’re a single wanting to get put in a 4 BR but then you don’t know who you’re rooming with til July). </p>
<p>It depends on the student and what they’re looking for. Safety-wise, I wouldn’t recommend most of the apartment complexes for students. I’m always hearing about crime in the Woodlands/Copper Beech/Retreat/Stadium Suites/The Club areas.</p>
<p>The Hub (which is downtown) is new and very pricey, and from what I hear, it really does not live up to the hype. Apparently, the internet almost never works.</p>
<p>I’ve heard really good things about Garnet River Walk. I think Cayce/West Columbia is generally a nice area. I feel pretty safe over there.</p>
<p>I’ve also heard good things about Aspyre, although it is also pricey. I’ve heard different things about Cornell Arms, Wilshire House, and the Lofts.</p>
<p>And then there’s Pavilion Towers, which is cheap and pretty safe.</p>
<p>There are a ton of options and it really just depends on the individual. Some people prefer living in student housing where everything is taken care of and there are individual leases. Others prefer not to live in student housing. (Me and my roommate chose a non-student apartment complex and we are very happy with it.) Some people must be within walking distance of campus and others are okay with living further. I feel like girls tend to be more concerned about safety, but guys should as well.</p>
<p>Coleman and AUGirl- Thank you very much for your helpful and detailed replies. I will share info with my son for his research and plans. These are all interesting options for him to consider! </p>
<p>My daughter is a sophomore and is living at the Hub downtown. She and her room mates love it. Not sure how far it is from campus but my daughter occasionally walks to class.</p>
<p>Per the above poster they have had some issues with wifi, tv etc. which is not unexpected for a new complex. However, I’ve been pleased on how they are addressing it. They are replacing the entire infrastructure of the wireless throughout the building and switching providers. I liked that they didn’t just try to put a band aid on a bad system. They also have sent the parents emails updating them on the progress. </p>
<p>The amenities are extremely nice. It would be hard for me to imagine an apartment complex any nicer for college students. I believe my daughter’s rent if $640 per month for a four bedroom. </p>
<p>The downside of Hub is that they don’t have their own shuttle so students have to walk to class or buy parking on campus - and if you’re not going to pay for garage you may end up walking just as far. However, the city is trying a new bus route aimed at downtown students at, I think, a discounted rate. Downtown has lots of good places to eat and a great Saturday farmers market year round. Seems like it would be a cool place to live.</p>
<p>It may seem like a long walk but it’s not that bad from Horseshoe edge of campus. My older D was at a school where all off campus students living within a mile had to walk. They couldn’t get a parking sticker for day parking unless they lived further so USC students at the Hub don’t have it too bad.</p>
<p>CatDaddy and SCMom - Thanks alot! Good useful perspectives. Would be nice for them to check out there… and I still think son needs a bike, ha! Interesting trade-offs, as always. Thanks again. </p>