Living Off Campus - Page 2

New Gamecock Mom · 10-10-2009, 08:20 AM

I would also like to know eadad as my D's first choice is the Retreat. Thanks

MeKimber · 10-11-2009, 05:04 PM

My S is also looking to live off campus next year. Does anyone know when they should be putting in a rental application? Do they wait until just before the spring semester ends or do they do it at the beginning?

fendrock · 10-11-2009, 05:18 PM

MeKimber, I am also trying to get a handle on such information.

Aspyre is asking for $50 to be put on a waiting list - apparently they require 60 days notice from residents who will be moving out, so they do not yet know which units will be available for the next school year.

The Woodlands told me that the type of unit my daughter is interested in (2-bedroom) has availability for next year and she can just come in and sign the lease (obviously with the associated credit checks etc.)

eadad · 10-12-2009, 09:31 AM

One thing I would like to say about Copper Beech is that they are very slow to respond to maintenance issues. D had A/C problems when we were there for parents weekend that required us going to the office and getting involved for them to take it seriously. Even after that they were getting lip service and a cursory investigation. After about 5 phone calls and complaints they finally discovered a freon leak that required ordering a part. They installed window A/C units until they could get the part. Over a week later the window units are still installed.

As the parent of a daughter, I have also been concerned about security there. One or more of their security gates always seems to not be working. The main gates are now open all the time supposedly related to a shortage of access remotes that were not turned in when people moved out. That said, the Woodlands doesn't appear to have security gates or if they do, they are always open as well. On game days everyone cuts through the Woodlands to get to Copper Beech because the main road to Copper Beech is converted to one way traffic "out" for game day traffic.

EAmom spoke to D briefly last night regarding Copper Beech. She said she could NOT recommend it to any students right now; I don't have the whole story but will try to find out. I think there are some CC posters living in either Copper Beech or the Retreat; hopefully they will respond as well.

cathymee · 10-12-2009, 10:13 AM

S signed his lease for his rental at Pointe West right after the spring break of the year before he moved in there.There seemed to be plenty of availability and they were able to request the unit they wanted in the location they wanted,but of course they didnt get confirmed into it until the summertime before move in.There was no waiting list.S's complex is not gated but is somewhat removed from the main road areas.
I wondered what traffic/manuverability was like in the stadium area complexes on game days,it's crazy around there!

MeKimber · 10-12-2009, 02:44 PM

thanks for all the info everyone, i was wondering though...my S mentioned that he was interested in Stadium Suites which is about the only complex I don't see mentioned here. Is anyone familiar with them or have an opinion?

PA Mom · 10-12-2009, 03:28 PM

Hmmmm...management not very responsive....difficult to receive packages....not the greatest maintenance. They are also not totally rented by students as you would be led to believe. Not awful, but wouldn't be my first choice.

On the other hand,pros are: furnished fairly well, decent bedrooms and storage, inexpensive, and individual leases ( not responsible for anybody's rent but your own! )

USCTexan · 10-13-2009, 10:29 PM

i live in copper beech (this is my second year here). The same thing happens every year: 3 years ago copper beech was the newest and best, then came the retreat and it was the best, and now the woodlands...HOWEVER with this "new-ness" comes the partying.

The retreat last year and now the woodlands have become party central. several friends live in the woodlands and say they can "never sleep" especially on going-out nights because of the constant noise outside. the pool is also INSANE...so many people that you cant see the water( and lotsssss of drinking)...i kid you not. The woodlands has no gates and has had SEVERAL security issues. one of my friends apartments was broken into and when she arrived home she was attacked, last weekend 30 tires were slashed in the woodlands as well...theyve had some serious issues and for the more expensive price-tag you dont get much more than you do anywhere else.

i chose copper beech because i'm somewhat of a shop-a-holic and i have a lot of clothes...that being said CBeech has the biggest closets of any of the complexes ive been to (and i think i've been to them all). You also have your own bedroom and bathroom as well as a guest bath on the main floor (the woodlands does not have this). other than the distance and a few small issues...ive enjoyed the size and space of our apartment---and now theyre offering 42 inch plasmas to 4 bedrooms---and i love that it comes furnished because i'm from out of state.

I'd say in college, an apartment is an aparment and i especially think we're VERY spoiled at USC because all of the complexes are new within the last 5 years. Ive visited several other schools and their living choices are nowhere CLOSE to waht we have....so frankly your child should be pretty happy anywhere. nothing is "slumming" by any means! hope this helps!

fendrock · 10-14-2009, 07:01 AM

USCTexan, thanks so much for posting.... leaves me in a quandary about what to do with my daughter for next year....

fendrock · 10-14-2009, 07:25 AM

Here's a link to the University of South Carolina's off campus housing information:

Off-Campus Student Services - University of South Carolina

expatengr · 10-14-2009, 10:31 AM

Does anyone have a list of the apartments that include all utilities with the rent?

fendrock · 10-14-2009, 10:44 AM

I just put this together this morning -- it is based on ANNUAL (12 month) rent PER PERSON for a two-bedroom unit, and I have added the cost of utilities if they are not included (although when included utility cost is capped). The costs listed for two people in a three-bedroom is because the complex in question does not have two-bedroom units. All complexes listed have shuttles and are furnished unless otherwise specified:

For comparison - Currently South/East Quad on campus apartments are $6,370 for the school year

Riverside Estates - $6,216 + cable - No Shuttle
Pointe West - $6,660 (unlike others, two bedrooms only have one bath)
Copper Beech - $6,900
Garnet Riverwalk - $7,140 (unfurnished?)
The Woodlands - $7,500
The Retreat - $7,980
Stadium Suites - $8,046 (cost for two people in a three bedroom)
University Oaks - $8,820 (cost for two people in a three bedroom)
Aspyre - $9,360 + cable + furniture - No Shuttle but only 1 mile from campus

uscgirl45 · 10-14-2009, 11:54 AM

Fendrock's list includes almost all the new student complexes around campus. Two others I thought of that are very popular with students -

Granby/Olympia Mills - VERY nice, weird layouts, unfurnished, no included utilities, no separate leases

Olympia Mills & Granby Mills

The Lofts at USC (formerly Waley's Mill) - walking distance, older complex, don't know much about this one

Columbia South Carolina Apartments - Home - The Lofts at USC

I live off campus in an apartment that I found on the off campus listings page (you have to make an account). It is not within one of these large complexes, but it is just as nice and within walking distance for a comparable price. I highly suggest looking at some smaller places before signing with a large complex - they are often a MUCH better value.

University of South Carolina Off Campus Housing Service

To use the site, I selected "USC Area" then "List View" on the results page.

I did visit almost every complex listed and very much agree with USCTexan's assessment. I would never want to live in The Woodlands. Check out the pictures on their facebook page "Woodlands Columbia" to get an idea of the normal scene there. A lot of my friends live there and it really is unbelievably loud. If I had to choose a large complex, I would probably go with Cooper Beech.

Most students sign leases around feb/march during the same period as on-campus housing registration, but I signed mine in January to get the unit I wanted.

If you have any more questions, just ask!

fendrock · 10-14-2009, 12:35 PM

Thanks for posting uscgirl45! - Does your apartment have a pool?

I checked out CraigsList for some apartments within walking distance of campus, and saw some attractive neighborhoods with apartments available.

My daughter seems hesitant to go this route, I guess she is still moving with the herd...

I read some reviews of The Lofts and they were not very complimentary. I think they are rehabbed buildings along the same lines as The Mills. The location looks good though.

uscgirl45 · 10-15-2009, 12:40 AM

My apartment does not have a pool or exercise room, but that has never really been an issue because I can easily walk to the Strom in about 10 minutes. Also, I spent a lot of time at the Point West pool this summer, since some of my closest friends live there. Basically, I figured I would have plenty of friends at the complexes with pools that I could use anytime, so I could give that up in order to be so close to campus.

Also, if anyone is considering living within walking distance, it is important to note HUGE parking savings. Once you factor in the cost of a garage spot, living in my apartment for 12 months ends up being cheaper than living on the horseshoe for 9 months.

One last note - I signed up for BOTH an off campus apartment and on campus housing last year, since I wasn't sure if my roommate's parents were going you agree to off campus living. The apartment had a deposit refund window. For on campus housing, we were able to get an assigned room and look at it before we decided if the apartment was our final choice. So long as you cancel the on campus housing by a certain date, you only loose around $25 in a non-refundable deposit. To me, losing $25 was worth the peace of mind to me to have another housing option.