Crossing the Budget Border

With gas prices constantly going up and down, and back up again college students need a place to reside without the worry of gas. College students should be able to live with the worry of convenience and spending their "college fund" on gas each week, but that's not the case.

Camden Crossing offers a beautiful complex, nice amenities and very spacious rooms but even with all these great things it still is located to far away from campus and has no bus service for N.C. State residents.

Camden Crossing, located off Tryon, isn't in walking distance to any grocery stores, malls or restaurants therefore more money spent on gas and more time spent traveling for their residents.

Camden Crossing offers a great living environment but who wants to live in a place that offers so little transportation options? No buses dare go there and the taxi fee from the bars on Glenwood Avenue will run about $20, what college student can afford that?

All-in-all Camden Crossing is a great complex in a horrible location. College students have to save money somehow and choosing a place to live that's close and convenient, not Camden Crossing.

SNW

Where Not to Live

Incoming freshman after acceptation into NC State are then required to decide on where they may want to live. They are asked to pick their top 3 picks and then the school decides for them, based on the students top picks. So how should an incoming student decide on what their top 3 should be; well there are a lot of things that influence them. Common influences are: a lot of friends may want to live together, they have heard good things about a certain dorm, or location on campus. But the whole point of this blog is to tell you where you should not live if you are an incoming freshman.

First freshman are at a disadvantage because sophomores or upperclassman have first choice on where they want to live. And this is the main reason why Bragaw should be the last choice for incoming freshman. Why is this the main reason? Bragaw only has one alcohol free floor, so students that are 21 and still wish to live on campus can have alcohol or alcohol paraphernalia in their room. Bragaw is also the most requested place to live on campus because of its location right in the middle of everything.

Another dorm that freshman should stay away from is Avent Ferry. Avent Ferry houses many of the athletes that compete for NC State. This is because the rooms in Avent Ferry are a lot bigger and a little nicer than most, so they give a majority of the rooms to the athletes. Most freshman would also not enjoy living here because its located so far from the campus. So its hard to be involved in all the fun stuff located on campus for freshman when you live at Avent Ferry.

So if you are an incoming freshman and you are not sure what to put as your three choices I hope this helps you a little in knowing what not to pick. So what ever your reasons for where you want to live do not waste one of your top three picks on Bragaw or Avent Ferry.

JWS

convenience

Convenience is an important consideration for students who are apartment-hunting. College students want to be close to campus but also want access to the nearby restaurants and stores. Folks in the midst of their youth want to be where the action is, and Apartment complexes on Gorman St. such as Rhynes Gate, and University Commons are all within a mile of campus and just minutes away from Interstate 40 and the beltline. They are also around the corner from Western Blvd., which is home to many restaurants and a Food Lion. All three are on the Wolfline, NCSU's bus transportation system that brings many students to campus.

Students who frequent Centennial Campus may want to consider Champion Court or Ivy Commons. Both are less than a mile away from NCSU's new, modern jewel off of Avent Ferry. Both are also down the road from Mission Valley Shopping Center and close to Pullen Park. Both complexes are also on the Wolfline.

There are also lots of townhouses on the other side Hillsborough St., just north of campus. These may be a little more expensive, but their location is central to the price. Cameron Village shopping center is close by and downtown Raleigh is just a few blocks away.

RB

Better Safe than Sorry

Of when college students look for somewhere to live they want the fun, cool place but still know it has to be safe enough for the parents to buy in. University Village located off Lineberry Road is just what students want and our parents need.

It is a well lit, gated community that offers 24 hour security guards at the gates entrance. When you first set eyes on this community you will like the gates and glamour are a bit much but once you're there you know you're safe.

The Wake County Police Station is a 10 minute drive away and there are panic buttons throughout the apartment complex that are linked straight to the University Village security station.

Finding somewhere to live is the easy part of college, the hard part is finding somewhere safe enough to ease your parents nerves, that's exactly what University Village offers.

SNW

Most Dangerous Places to Live

This post could just as easily be titled "Where not to live."

Even though FBI reports show that Raleigh's crime rate has steadily decreased in recent years, There are certain areas around campus that students need to consider before deciding to move. NC State University is a stone's throw away from downtown, where the majority of crime in Raleigh occurs. All cities and complexes have their share of mishappenings, but there are a couple you should stay away from.



Lake Park Condominiums have earned a bad rep among several local students at State. "I never felt safe walking from my car to my apartment," said Cheri Lewis, an NC State student who lived at Lake Park for three years. "There were always sketchy people standing around after dark." Lewis says there were police cars there multiple nights a week on some instances and drug use was common among some residents.

With rent at $1000 a month ($250 per person in a four bedroom unit), Lake Park has one of the cheaper places around campus. Although this a good thing for students looking for a thrifty rate, students also have to consider the crime that low prices will attract. The complex is located off Avent Ferry Rd. close to Lake Johnson. Former residents gave Lake Park a paltry 45% satisfaction rating on apartmentratings.com.

RB

Somewhere Far, Far Away

There are several places that students at NC State University choose to live that are a good distance away from campus. The Distance Education courses (online classes) that NCSU offers allow students to live as far away from campus as humanly possible if they have access to the Internet.

Some enjoy distancing themselves from campus. Being 10-15 minutes from NCSU may allow the student a higher degree of freedom, proximity to shopping centers, or a quieter study environment. Apartments that meet this criteria include Village Green Apartments, The Links, and Camden Crossing townhomes.

Village Green Apartments are practically filled with students from NCSU, Meredith College, and Peace College. They are situated on Lake Wheeler Rd. right next to the 440 Beltline which makes traffic unbearable most mornings. It is a so-so place for students to live - not the nicest in any means. However, the complex is far enough away from campus to have some privacy and get all studying done.

The Links is a much more up-scale place for students to live than Village Green. Offering condominiums to buy, and apartments to rent, the complex is situated on a golf course on Tryon Rd. The golf course location gives The Links a "country club" feel that many students enjoy over a downtown location. It is also considered by many who live there to be one of the safest places for students to live around NCSU. Wolfpack swimmer, Marty Marino states, "Living at The Links reminds me of my neighborhood in Florida - it's just relaxed and comfortable. I would never give that feeling up to just live closer to campus."

Lastly, Camden Crossings townhomes also have distinct characteristics that a student could not get from living close to campus. The neighborhood is located near the corner of Tryon Rd. and Lake Wheeler. Many who live there conveniently enjoy that it backs up to a shopping center. The shopping center includes a gas station, grocery store, restaurants, and even a nail salon. In addition, the townhomes are bigger than the usual college residence and the layout gives Camden Crossings a nice neighborhood atmosphere. The majority of students that reside at Camden Crossings are upperclassmen.

The desire to live far from campus is fairly common. Students that live in Village Green, The Links and Camden Crossings may have a short commute to make daily, but have a greater degree of freedom than they would living on or near campus.

To explore each location more thoroughly, please visit:

http://www.vgapartments.com/

http://www.keystonecorporation.com/residential/thelinks.html

http://www.pcshomes.com/maps/raleigh.html

MCP

Off Campus Living or Not

For many students after freshman year they have had their fair share of living in the dorms and are ready to move on. When looking for places to live off campus a big issue is the proximity of it to the school. While there are apartment complexes on campus, such as Wolf Village and Western Manor, these are specifically for upperclassman and transfer students. So the first place i would recommend if you want something off campus but still close to campus is College Inn.

College Inn is located on the corner of Western Blvd and Avent Ferry Rd, so its with in walking distance to campus. The best thing College Inn has going for it, is the fact that it is affiliated with the university. This means that students are able to use financial aid to pay for their rent. With the base rent, which is $435 for a 4 bedroom, all utilities are included. This is a very affordable rate for college students because most rooms include: their own bathroom, high speed internet and cable, and basic utilities. Despite it being affordable many students still wonder how it compares to living on campus. Overall it ends up costing more, but College Inn has many more features that living on campus does not provide as freely. Theres is an on-site pool, tanning beds, fitness center, and a 24 hour clubhouse. All of these are features are at the disposal of you as long as you live at College Inn.

College Inn is also attractive to students because it has a parking deck located on the premises. Not only is it cheaper than paying for a parking spot on campus you wont have to drive on campus because you are in walking distance. So a student can have a car at school and not have to pay for a parking spot or all the gas to drive to campus.

Students also have the freedom to decide what they want to eat. Since College Inn is affiliated with the school you are able to get an on campus meal plan if thats what you so desire. Also, students are able to get a meal plan at University Towers since College Inn is owned by the same people. But since no meal plan is required most students fend for themselves in what they eat.

If your are looking to live off campus but you still want to be close to campus i recommend you staying at College Inn. It has everything a college student could want. If you would want to check it out yourself you can go to there website at www.aoinc.com/proppages .

JWS

Who Needs Internet?

You've searched and searched for the perfect apartment, you want the whole package, all the amenities you can get, but there's one problem the cheaper the apartment and less the amenities.

Rhyne's Gate is a fairly inexpensive apartment facility, with rent only being $345-$400 but nothing is as good as it sounds.

Rhyne's Gate may appear cheap but once to add utilities, internet and all your furniture you are looking at right around $430-$500 a month which about the same price as an apartment with all those things included.

True, Rhyne's Gate is located beside a Wolfline Bus Stop and Wendy's so there wouldn't be much driving to-and-from but even with the money saved on gas, what college student can live without internet?

Rhyne's Gate offers a nice location, good sized two and three bedroom apartments but it leaves out so many extra that it's competitors have, like a on-sight pool, basketball/tennis courts, computer lab and an exercise facility.

If you're looking for a comfortable apartment near campus but are willing to give up some extra perks than Rhyne's Gate is the place for you.


SNW

On-Campus apartments

If you’re looking to move out of the dorms but stay on campus, NC State has a few options for you in searching for an apartment.



Wolf Village is the most recent addition to the on-campus living scene. Built in 2004 as an eight building complex that accommodates 1,212 students. The complex is located on Wolf Village Way, at the west end of campus. Each suite is a four-bedroom apartment that contains two bathrooms, four bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a washer/dryer unit. Every room comes furnished at Wolf Village, which is a plus for those who don’t like to move furniture. The apartments also feature a fitness room, computer lab, volleyball courts, and Wolfline bus stops. High speed Internet connections and cable TV are also readily available. Students who live there must be Juniors, Seniors or graduate students. Nontraditional and transfer students must be at least 20 years old. The cost is $2,533.13 per semester, which includes cable and a ResNet internet connection. Having lived there myself, I can vouch that the rooms are somewhat small and bathrooms are less convenient when having to share with another person.

E.S. King Village is right across from Wolf Village, at 3824 Jackson St. E. S. King Village is also restricted to upperclassmen as well as graduate students, post doctoral students, students with families, visiting faculty and scholars. An unfurnished studio apartment runs for $515 a month while a one-bedroom apartment costs $545 per month and two-bedrooms start at $630 a month. Perks include recreational facilities such as tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts.

Western Manor is located at 2300 Avent Ferry Rd., right across from Mission Valley. This complex is convenient to both Centennial campus and main campus. Western Manor’s rates are significantly more expensive than E.S. King’s rates. Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments are available at rates of $525, $590 and $695 per month respectively. Rent includes cable TV, cable Internet, water, sewage, recycling and trash. Residents also must have affiliation with NC State and be at least a Junior.

RB

Life is Good.

University House apartments at near NC State University definitely offer the best amenities for the price. The apartments are around $450 a month but for that price you will be living like a rock-star. With a convenient location on Tryon Road, University House Apartments, or "UHouse" as the students call it is everything you could ask for in university living.
Amenities that UHouse has to offer include:
A clubhouse and recreation center
Billiard and Game Rooms
24-hour Computer Center
Resort-style Pool with Large Sun Deck and Tanning Bed
Picnic Area
Lighted Basketball Court and Sand Volleyball Court
State-of-the-Art Fitness Center Open 24 Hours
Free Shuttle to NC State
Car Wash
Roommate-matching Service
24-hour Emergency Maintenance

Tenants at UHouse enjoy many other conveniences such as:
Individual Leases
Designer Interiors, Fully-furnished Option
Full Appliance Package
Full-size Washers/Dryers
Linen Closets
Vaulted Ceilings
Large Patios and Balconies
Utilities Included (Gas, Garbage, Pest Control)
High-speed Internet and Cable With Two HBO Channels Included
Alarms


As you can see, if you are living at University House you are living large. Check it out yourself at: http://www.universityhouse.com/UHatRaleigh/

MCP

Cheap Apartments Around NC State

For students in Raleigh area looking for area housing, being thrifty is an important factor in the apartment hunting process. For those looking for cheap apartments near campus, they would probably want to consider four-bedroom apartments since the rent is split four ways instead of two or three. Although this means finding three more roommates to live with, it can also be the least stressful on the bank account. On-campus housing, such as dorms, is popular among freshman and sophomore students, who generally move out in the later stages of their college career. Yet most residence halls that hold two people per room in a confined space generally run for about $420 a semester.

According to ncsuliving.com, the cheapest approximate monthly fee for a four bedroom apartment belongs to Lake Park condominiums and University Commons. Both places check out at $297.48 a month. Lake Park is located on Avent Ferry Rd. near Lake Johnson and University Commons is planted on Gorman St., about a mile from campus. Don't expect many amenities with the lowly rates, although Lake Park does contain a volleyball court, as well and a pool and basketball court. University Commons does not come with the previous luxuries, but is located along the wolfline. Parking is plentiful among both places, and towing is rarely a problem.

Although the cheaper rates bring along many of the college crowd, along with it comes some unwarranted issues such as crime. "I never felt safe walking from my car to my apartment," said Cheri Lewis, an NC State student who lived at Lake Park for two years. "There were always sketchy people standing around after dark." As far as overall satisfaction, Lake Park was given a rating of 45% from former residents on ApartmentRatings.com.

For three bedroom complexes, Parkwood Village has the cheapest monthly rate of $271.63 and is significantly cheaper than Apartments of Westgrove, which totals out at $326.23 per month. Collegeview Apartments are the cheapest two bedroom option at $314.95 a month, while Parkwood Village's one bedroom apartments were the cheapest of the single options at $629.90.

RB

Worst Greek Housing

While Greek life at NC State is continuously on the rise, housing is still behind in some aspects. So as I was looking for the worst Greek housing at NC State I didn’t have to look farther then Greek court. The current Greek court has been a part of our campus since the 1960s. So most of the houses have seen over 40 years of everyday living and parties. First off I eliminated all the sorority houses just for the sheer fact that girls take better care of their houses. Then I was left with the fraternity houses and Pi Kappa Alpha won the honor of worst house.

To set everything straight, I was looking for the worst Greek housing in aspect to living conditions. Pi Kappa Alpha was built in 1964 and has seen many changes throughout the years. From the outside the house does not appear to bad: as it has a huge front lawn, a volleyball court, and some nice landscaping. But upon entering the house the atmosphere changes a little bit. Upstairs there are numerous holes in the wall and stains of all colors that highlight the floor. The walls also appear as if they haven’t been painted in a couple years. While visiting the house, I asked a few brothers what their thoughts on the house where and some responses were interesting to say the least. Rhett Smith states, “I love living in the house, but I wish I didn’t have so many cockroaches as friends.” Many brothers said the massive amount of cockroaches living in the walls were the worst part about the house. As I was finishing my observations of the house I found the worst part of the house to be the bathrooms. There are no words to describe how disgusting everything from the showers to the urinals were.

The president Ben Bruning stated, “I can’t wait for the Greek court redevelopment to get started so we as a fraternity are able to move to a new house.” Pi Kappa Alpha is expected to be one of the first fraternities to relocate when the new houses are built. So as Pi Kappa Alpha wins the honor for worst house they wont have that honor for too much longer.

JS

The Cost of Freedom

During my time where at NC State I've learned one thing, freedom comes at a high price. In this case "freedom" is an apartment and "high price" is the rent.

While searching for "freedom" I came across different varieties of living. The closer to campus, it seems, the cheaper, I found that rather ridiculous. I think some of these apartment complexes forget we are college students when they come up with their rates.

The most expensive "college apartments" I found were Ivy Chase Apartments, locating off Chum Laude Court. These apartments run anywhere from $500 to almost $600, not to mention the security deposit ($500) and application fee ($75).

After knowing the cost of everything, you've taken your tours and talk to your "people" and Ivy Chase is where you want your "freedom" to be.

On move in day at Ivy Chase Apartments you realize there's no furniture. Ivy Chase Apartments doesn't provide furniture, but you can rent it from them for $75 to $100 a month, added to the $500 rent.

Maybe there is a reason for this madness; maybe it's the free trip to campus by bus or the pool, basketball courts, tennis courts, exercise facility or the free excess computer lab that makes it so expensive. Whatever may be the reason for the $500 a month plus the furniture fee we're still just college students.

SNW

Best Greek Life Housing

As I was searching for the very best NC State sororities and fraternities had to offer, I realized that what guys are looking for in a fraternity house greatly differs from what a girl is looking for in a sorority house. After much contemplation and research, I came to the following conclusion:

The Zeta Tau Alpha sorority at NC State (pictured above) has the best Greek Life housing for females. The house is basically new, has beautiful landscaping, and serves as home to approximately 40 girls. Arlie Fisher of ZTA states, " I rushed as a sophomore, but I can't wait to live in the house. It has such a great layout. It is fun seeing your friends everyday, being able to do homework together, and going out together. I'm sure that I will remember living there for the rest of my life." The ZTA house also proves to be a good study environment - the sorority has had the highest GPA for a few years running. Zeta Tau Alpha at NCSU is located on Avent Ferry Rd.


At NC State, the fraternity house with the biggest reputation is definitely Delta Sigma Phi's house on Tryon Rd. "The Delta" as the brothers call it, was historically the Carolina Pines Resort and Hotel. It was the home of Debutante Balls, high society parties, and many other southern traditions. Now, the large residence houses 36 brothers and features a basketball court, sand volleyball court, enormous yard, and an outdoor shelter that is used mainly for band parties. It is also situated next door to RGA Golf Association - an aspect the members of the fraternity love. The old woodframe house is not in great condition, but in 2000 it was recognized as a landmark by the Wake County Historical Preservation Commission. These amenities and the reputation of the house itself makes "The Delta" the best fraternity housing at NC State, hands down.

To learn more about Greek Life at NC State visit: www.ncsu.edu/greek_life

MCP

What's up...

This blog is designed to help NC State University students find the perfect place to live around campus. There are so many choices out there - we are here to do all of the investigating. We will break down the NC State student's options and present them in a way that is meaningful to the average college kid. Let parents worry about the square footage. Here we will be discussing more important matters.

Wolfpack in the House!!!