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!!!