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