Alister Columbia
#9,350 #13 #354

What is epIQ?

Alister Columbia

8909 Early April Way, Columbia, MD 21046
(119 Reviews)
$1,693 - $3,100/mo
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Floor Plans & Pricing

1 Bedroom

A1 Classic

1 Bed, 1 Bath | 735 sq. ft.

$1,693 - $2,833

2 Available Units

See Floor Plan Details

A2 Renovated

1 Bed, 1 Bath | 848 sq. ft.

$2,023 - $2,856

2 Available Units

See Floor Plan Details

A2 Classic

1 Bed, 1 Bath | 848 sq. ft.

$1,744 - $2,447

1 Available Unit

See Floor Plan Details

A1 Renovated

1 Bed, 1 Bath | 735 sq. ft.

$1,901 - $2,647

1 Available Unit

See Floor Plan Details

2 Bedrooms

B2 Renovated

2 Beds, 2 Baths | 966 sq. ft.

$2,041 - $3,100

3 Available Units

See Floor Plan Details

B1 Classic

2 Beds, 1 Bath | 918 sq. ft.

$1,842 - $2,580

1 Available Unit

See Floor Plan Details

B3 Renovated

2 Beds, 1 Bath | 934 sq. ft.

$1,904 - $2,644

1 Available Unit

See Floor Plan Details

B2 Classic

2 Beds, 2 Baths | 966 sq. ft.

$2,047 - $2,709

1 Available Unit

See Floor Plan Details

Disclaimer: Special, prices and availabilities subject to change.

epIQ Ratings

What is epIQ?

The epIQ Index gives you an accurate and authentic understanding of what life at a community is like prior to signing a lease, using a familiar letter grade & report card format.

epIQ Report Card

In partnership with SatisFacts™

Community epIQ Grade

B-
B-

Renter Ratings

B

Review Ratings

Noise

3.5

Grounds

3.7

Safety

3.7

Office Staff

3.7

Maintenance

3.7

Neighborhood

3.7

Survey Ratings

SatisFacts™ Tour Survey

SatisFacts™ Move-In Survey

SatisFacts™ Maintenance Survey

SatisFacts™ Renewal Survey

Review Count

B

Number of reviews in the past 365 days

6

Manager’s Review Engagement

D

Percentage of reviews responded to

33.33%

Manager’s Review Reply Time

F

Average time to respond to reviews

111.5 days

View Community Timeline
View Community Timeline

Alister Columbia Reviews

(116)
Verified
Reviews with the Verified Badge are from residents or prospects surveyed directly from SatisFacts™ at the community, ensuring reviews are from real residents or prospects!

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Review Author Icon

Mark_C418

Resident 2021 - 2023

12/5/2023

Wonder Woman gives 5 star performance

Definitely not enough characters to describe how Elaina has nurtured me through each and every facet of the initial rental process and the subsequent day to day challenges that accompany being a part of the Alister Community. Elaina is thoughtful , Engaging, and blessed with… See More >
    Manager

    12/6/2023

    Alister Columbia
    Dear Mark, Thank you for your wonderful comments. I will share these with our team. We are so happy to have Elaina here at Alister Columbia. We are glad we were able to assist you with processing your rent payment. We look forward to your continued residency.  If you should need anything else, please feel free to contact us at AlisterColumbia@MillCreekPlaces.com Sincerely, Changa B King Community Manager
    Review Author Icon

    MsArgyle82

    Resident 2021 - 2023

    12/5/2023

    About to renew for the second time!

    I have been here since 2021 and am renewing my lease one more time which will take me to 2025. Yes there have been changes in staff however I am renewing based on who’s currently here. Changa is an amazing property manager! No matter how… See More >
      Manager

      12/6/2023

      Alister Columbia
      Hello, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review. Here at Alister Columbia, we strive to provide exceptional service to our residents and we are so happy to hear that we delivered on this. I will be sure to share your comments with our team. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 410-381-7030 or stop by the leasing office. Thank you again! Sincerely, Changa B King Community Manager
      Review Author Icon

      g2vsfck4zb@privaterelay.appleid.com

      Resident 2023

      11/2/2023

      Crazy

      Changa B King, Supervisor is very unprofessional. He literally told me that mole â„¢s not gonna do anything about my issue. Mole I been feeling very stressed out lately because of the maintenance issue inside my apartment has never getting fixed. This is ridiculous.… See More >
      Review Author Icon

      anonymous

      Resident 2022 - 2023

      10/27/2023

      This community is definitely wonderful and peaceful I enjoy living here

      This community is definitely wonderful and peaceful I enjoy living here I’ve been here for a year now and never had any issues and whenever I needed help with anything someone from the leasing office was always there to assist.… See More >
        Review Author Icon

        muhague75@gmail.com

        Resident 2022 - 2023

        10/27/2023

        Alister Columbia is a great place to live.

        Alister Columbia is a wonderful place to live.The Property Manager and his team are amazing.Quick response to any request including Maintenance and and lease contract.A very nice and safe place to raise family.Amenities are great and accessible. Great,professional and friendly management .

          Review Author Icon

          anonymous

          Resident 2022 - 2023

          8/23/2023

          DONT MOVE HERE

          I am dead serious when I say DO NOT MOVE HERE. PLEASE READ ALL THE GOOGLE REVIEWS Don’t lease here; a 15-month lease was the biggest mistake of my life. When we moved in, we had a cockroach infestation for weeks. Don’t expect to get… See More >
            Review Author Icon

            Rakha_W

            prospectiveVisited 2023

            3/7/2023

            Best tour experience I've had so far

            A couple weeks ago, I toured Alister Columbia in person with Elaina as my guide. The tour was very insightful and Elaina did very well to answer any questions I had. The property seemed very nice and clean upon a first glance. After the tour,… See More >
              Manager

              3/8/2023

              Alister Columbia
              Rakha_W, Thank you for your wonderful comments. I will share these with our team. We are so happy to have Elaina here at Alister Columbia. We are glad we were able to assist with such a high level of customer service in an efficient manner. We take great pride in our community and look forward to having you as a part of the Alister Columbia family.  Changa B King, Community Manager AlisterColumbia@MillCreekPlaces.com
              Review Author Icon

              anonymous

              prospectiveVisited 2023

              2/28/2023

              Thank you

              I came to visit the property on a random Thursday. When I entered the leasing office, I was greeted with a smile and a hello from a young man that I was not expecting to be the assistant manager. He introduced himself as James. He… See More >
                Manager

                2/28/2023

                Alister Columbia
                Hello, We appreciate the time you took to give us such a great rating! We are happy to read that our team has been able to provide exceptional service for you. We truly value your recommendation and are confident we can continue to provide excellent service in the future. Please let us know what we can do for you in the future. Sincerely, James graham Assistant Community Manager
                Review Author Icon

                anonymous

                Resident 2022 - 2023

                2/27/2023

                Amazing ?

                If I could give 10 stars I would. The Assistant Manager James went above and beyond to make sure my move in process went smoothly. He paid attention to detail and he even had a handwritten welcome letter and cup waiting for me on my… See More >
                  Manager

                  2/28/2023

                  Alister Columbia
                  Hello, Thank you for your wonderful comments. I will share these with our team. We are so happy to have James here at Alister Columbia. We are glad we were able to assist you in finding the perfect apartment home while providing an exceptional level of customer service. We look forward to your continued residency.  Changa B King Community Manager AlisterColumbia@MillCreekPlaces.com
                  Review Author Icon

                  candylyn_w

                  Resident 2021 - 2022

                  10/8/2022

                  Thank you Alister

                  Thank you Luella for always smiling and creating a welcoming environment for us all. Not once have I ever came into the office and you didn’t have a smile on your face. You have truly made this place a home.… See More >
                    Manager

                    10/10/2022

                    Alister Columbia
                    Greetings, Thanks for the great review! We're thrilled that you had a great experience at our location. We hope to become one of your favorites. Let us know what we need to do to earn your continued loyalty. Sincerely, Changa B King Community Manager
                    Review Author Icon

                    Jazz2787

                    Resident 2018 - 2022

                    9/23/2022

                    I would like to give recognition to Changa King For the determination and effort you have demonstrated to us i've been living at the Alister since 2018 and this is By far the best property manager that we've had so far he cares about his… See More >
                      Manager

                      9/26/2022

                      Alister Columbia
                      Dear Jazz2787, Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience at Alister Columbia. We are so happy you chose to call our community home and we look forward to your continued residency for many years to come. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 410-381-7030 or stop by the office. Thank you again! Changa King, Community Manager
                      Review Author Icon

                      anonymous

                      Resident 2021 - 2022

                      9/20/2022

                      Terrible Place to Rent

                      Management does a terrible job communicating with residents. Nearly impossible to talk to/hear back from anyone. When maintenance is needed the job is never done well or in a timely manner. I didn’t even realize this was supposed to be a smoke free area because… See More >
                        Manager

                        9/21/2022

                        Alister Columbia
                        Hi, Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. Our goal is to deliver a great experience and we missed the mark. We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this with you further so we can improve. Sincerely, Changa B King Community Manager
                        Review Author Icon

                        anonymous

                        Resident 2022

                        5/18/2022

                        I just moved to Alister Columbia on 5/6/2022. This is my first apartment and Ms. Sierra Jackson made it very easy and simple for me. She helped me out every step of the way and made sure that I understood everything and that everything was… See More >
                          Manager

                          5/24/2022

                          Alister Columbia
                          Hi there! We appreciate the time you took to give us 5-stars! We're thrilled that you had a 5-star experience at our location. We'll be sure to share your experience with the rest of our team members as inspiration! Sincerely, Shilough Coy
                          Review Author Icon

                          Lorena_O179

                          Resident 2021 - 2022

                          3/21/2022

                          Sierra Jackson Sierra was extremely nice and helpful during the application process. Since the first time, I walked in to tour the apartments, she was very friendly and welcoming which made me feel confident about filling out the application. She made the whole process seemed… See More >
                            Manager

                            4/11/2022

                            Alister Columbia
                            Hello Lorena, We're delighted to hear about your experience! We're thrilled that Sierra left such a great impression! Our goal will always be to provide the best experience and we love knowing yours was no different. See you next time! - Shilough Coy, Regional Manager
                            Review Author Icon

                            Bellelillard

                            Resident 2015 - 2022

                            2/11/2022

                            Upon our move-in, we had quite a few issues, but management was able to handle everything and finally make our apartment feel at home. It was a rough start but overall, we are finally enjoying our new apartment.

                              Manager

                              2/16/2022

                              Alister Columbia
                              Hi there, We're happy to hear that your concerns were handled and we're now meeting your expectations. Please don't hesitate to reach out should anything change. - Shilough Coy, Regional Manager
                              Review Author Icon

                              Monieindamiddle

                              Resident 2017 - 2022

                              2/10/2022

                              I love it here, the community and available facilities are top notch. Sierra in the office is always friendly and eager to help. I love the community events and parties held at the clubhouse. Let’s not even talk about the GYM ??… See More >
                                Manager

                                2/16/2022

                                Alister Columbia
                                Hi there! Thank you for the awesome feedback. We love that you had such a great experience! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on our community and our team. We look forward to seeing you again soon! - Shilough Coy, Regional Manager
                                Review Author Icon

                                anonymous

                                Resident 2021

                                11/20/2021

                                Excellent all Specially miss Kiki is the best kindness and make us comfortable I rented many apartments but I never see like her And all processing is fast and easy with her I'm so happy with miss Kiki… See More >
                                  Manager

                                  11/22/2021

                                  Alister Columbia
                                  Hi there! We're delighted to hear about your experience with Alister Columbia! It's feedback like yours that reminds us why we do what we do. We hope to continue exceeding your expectations with 5-star service. We look forward to seeing you again soon. - Shilough Coy, Regional Manager

                                  Updated Review

                                  Review Author Icon

                                  Resident 693389

                                  Verified Resident 2019 - 2021

                                  4/17/2021

                                  Great location, everything else needs major improvement....neighbors aren't the best. Watch out for kids playing in the parking lot and street. Neighbors are trashy. Rental office staff rude and confrontational.

                                    Manager

                                    4/20/2021

                                    Alister Columbia
                                    We appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback. Here at Alister Columbia, we strive to provide an excellent level of service and living experience, and it sounds like we missed the mark. We apologize for this and would like the opportunity to speak with you to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Should you wish to discuss your experience further, we encourage you to reach out to us at 410-381-7030, and we will set up a time that works best for you. Mickea Mance, Community Manager
                                    Review Author Icon

                                    Resident 861641

                                    Verified Resident 2015 - 2020

                                    1/11/2021

                                    Do not move here! Has gone from negligent mgmt. to no mgmt. Forget about getting maintenance repairs. There is no security and there have been assaults, attempted murder, bullets flying, open drug sales and activity. We had a security patrol but new company, Alister, canceled… See More >
                                      Manager

                                      1/29/2021

                                      Alister Columbia
                                      We appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback. We share your concern regarding the situation you mentioned, and we are always looking for ways our community can improve. I believe we've connected already, if not please contact me at jkosiak@mcrtrust.com Thank you, Jennifer K.
                                      Review Author Icon

                                      Resident 841879

                                      Verified Resident 2020

                                      11/10/2020

                                      Beautiful quiet neighborhood to live. The staffs are polite and respectful. The apartment buildings need to be power wash and the apartment doors also need to be re-painted because they look old and dirty.

                                        Manager

                                        11/13/2020

                                        Alister Columbia
                                        We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, but it seems we missed the mark. I have discussed your situation with our team and would love to speak with you regarding a proposed solution. I sent you a private message to discuss the matter further. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to ensure all of the items are resolved immediately so that we can turn your experience into a positive one! You can reach me directly at 410-381-7030. Kimberly Buynak, Community Manager, Kbuynak@millcreekplaces.com
                                        Review Author Icon

                                        Resident 840892

                                        Verified Resident 2020

                                        11/7/2020

                                        So far the Alister has been pleasant. Its pretty quiet even more so then other apartments Ive lived in. The grounds are clean and my apartment is cozy. When I first moved in a had two sprickets in the apartment but havent seen any bugs… See More >
                                          Manager

                                          11/13/2020

                                          Alister Columbia
                                          Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We are happy to hear you are enjoying your apartment home and the community, but we are also saddened to learn about the 2 spider crickets you found in your home. We would like to address them as soon as possible, so please feel free to reach out to us at 410-381-7030 or Kbuynak@MillCreekPlaces.com so we can set up a time that works best for you. Best, Kimberly Buynak, Community Manager
                                          Review Author Icon

                                          Resident 837195

                                          Verified Resident 2020

                                          10/28/2020

                                          The management and office staff very provided exceptional service which made the entire process seamless. I just recently moved and the maintenance team great as well with response to service request. Overall, the community is clean, quiet and a great place to live.

                                            Manager

                                            10/29/2020

                                            Alister Columbia
                                            Dear Resident, Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a wonderful review. Here at Alister Columbia, we strive to provide exceptional service to our residents and we are so happy to hear that we delivered on this. I will be sure to share your comments with our team. This is awesome news to hear! If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 410.381.7030 or stop by the office. Thank you again! Ashley P., Assistant Community Manager
                                            Review Author Icon

                                            Resident 831288

                                            Verified Resident 2020

                                            10/12/2020

                                            Very warm and friendly. Lots of families with dogs. Enjoy living here in Columbia. Very quiet at night. Relaxing and enjoyable experience living in this community. Would recommend this to all my friends at least the ones I would want to live near me

                                              Manager

                                              10/16/2020

                                              Alister Columbia
                                              Dear Valued Resident, Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience at Alister Columbia. We are so happy that you chose to call our community home and we look forward to your continued residency for many years to come. If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 410.992.0095 or stop by the office. Thank you again! Ashley P., Assistant Community Manager
                                              Review Author Icon

                                              Resident 808327

                                              Verified Resident 2020

                                              8/27/2020

                                              Poor quality apartment, but very professional leasing staff. The apartments need to be better maintained. The water-heater is constantly making clanking noise. The nail/pole for the door hinge cannot be pushed down.

                                                Manager

                                                8/28/2020

                                                Alister Columbia
                                                We appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback. Here at Alister Columbia, I am happy to hear that you have received a professional level of customer service but it sound like we are missing the mark on your service request. I would love to go over your concerns so we can ensure that everything is taken care of properly. Should you wish to discuss your experience further, we encourage you to reach out us at 410.381.7030, and we will set up a time that works best for you. Sincerely, Kim Buynak, Community Manaager, kbuynak@millcreekplaces.com

                                                Updated Review

                                                Review Author Icon

                                                Resident 318820

                                                Verified Resident 2010 - 2020

                                                8/24/2020

                                                To be honest in my 10 years as a resident overall service has never been A1+, and is on a rapid decline. The needs of disabled/handicapped residents are not addressed. I was once told I should move some place else. To say I was insulted… See More >
                                                  Manager

                                                  8/28/2020

                                                  Alister Columbia
                                                  We appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback. Here at Alister Columbia, we strive to provide an excellent level of service and living experience, and it sounds like we missed the mark. We apologize for this and would like the opportunity to speak with you to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Should you wish to discuss your experience further, we encourage you to reach out us at 410.381.7030, and we will set up a time that works best for you. Sincerely, Kim Buynak, Community Manager, kbuynak@millcreekplaces.com

                                                  Features & Amenities

                                                  Laundry
                                                  • Washer/Dryer
                                                  Parking
                                                  • Parking
                                                  Pets
                                                  • Dogs Allowed
                                                    Pet Limit: 2. Comments: Dog
                                                    Less Info
                                                    More Info
                                                  • Cats Allowed
                                                    Pet Limit: 2. Comments: Cat
                                                    Less Info
                                                    More Info
                                                  • Animal type not listed Allowed
                                                  Other
                                                  • Additional Storage
                                                  • Breakfast Bar with Ample Storage and Seating
                                                  • Bright Open Floor Plan
                                                  • Cable and Wi-Fi Ready
                                                  • Ceiling Fan
                                                  • Clubhouse
                                                  • Clubhouse with Game Room, Lounge, Coffee Bar and Work Lounge
                                                  • Convenient to Airport
                                                  • Convenient to Columbia's Kings Contrivance Village, Harris Teeter, Starbucks and Retail
                                                  • Convenient to Johns Hopkins, Fort Meade and Major Employers
                                                  • Convenient to Major Highways and Interstates
                                                  • Fireplace
                                                  • Fitness Center
                                                  • Flexible Payment Schedules
                                                  • Fresh Air Ready with Nearby Recreational Pathway
                                                  • Landscaped Grounds with Open Space
                                                  • Large Closets
                                                  • Minutes From Shopping in Downtown Columbia
                                                  • Open Layout Floorplans
                                                  • Pets Allowed
                                                  • Pool
                                                  • Premium Stainless Steel Appliances
                                                  • Private Balcony
                                                  • Pull Down Spray Head Kitchen Faucet
                                                  • Quartz Countertops and Premium Cabinetry
                                                  • Spacious Open Kitchen with Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplash
                                                  • Top Rated Howard County School District
                                                  • Wall to Wall Plush Bedroom Carpeting
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                                                  Leasing

                                                  Columbia has long been recognized as a great place to live the good life. Case in point: Money Magazine named Columbia the #1 place to live in 2016, not just in Maryland, but in the entire country. And for good reason. Columbia comprises 10 villages that are home to diverse businesses, vibrant economies, some of the nation s best schools, and an idyllic location that s close enough and far enough from the hustle in Baltimore and DC. Enter Alister Columbia, a gem of an apartment community located in the heart of King s Contrivance Village. Here, you re awesomely close to huge employment hubs just off of I-95, great shopping, dining, and, of course, the aforementioned award-winning schools. From Starbucks runs to your morning commute, getting around town is easy from Alister Columbia. It s the best of connected living. The great location is just the start. Our apartment homes are planned to get the royal treatment with a full-scale renovation including newly redesigned kitchens, stainless steel appliances, quartz counters, new lighting and fixtures, and vinyl wood flooring in select homes. Finishes are designed to be on par with brand-new luxury apartments on the inside, where they count. The amenities are planned to get the once-over, too, with an updated clubhouse offering hang-out-worthy spaces, free wi-fi, and coffee bar. Telecommuters rejoice this is some great work-from-home space. The pool area is always the heart of any community, so we re giving it some serious love with new lounging. We also plan to focus on the center of your workouts by redesigning the fitness center with all new equipment. As part of the Alister collection of apartments by Mill Creek Residential (only one of the most respected apartment companies in the country), Alister Columbia s team is trained to be friendly experts, with the know-how to help you find the apartment you want and make sure you re happy long after you move in. So, exhale. We got this. Best of all, you can have the location, the apartments and high-touch service at Alister Columbia all at a great value. Connect with us to see what live is like at Alister Columbia. Leasing one-, two- and three-bedroom homes. One is just right for you.
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                                                  Office Hours

                                                  • Sunday: Closed
                                                  • Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
                                                  • Saturday: 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM
                                                  This community is managed by

                                                  Mill Creek Residential

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                                                  Communities
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                                                  Questions & Answers (0)

                                                  Frequently Asked

                                                  Based on 119 number of votes by renters, Alister Columbia is currently rated 3.6 out of 5 stars.
                                                  Alister Columbia is rated 3.7/5 stars in our renters grounds survey, which is considered average. The grounds are okay, but could use some improvement.
                                                  Alister Columbia is rated 3.7/5 stars in our renters maintenance survey, which is considered average. The maintenance team is sometimes slow to respond or not fully effective in resolving issues.
                                                  Alister Columbia is rated 3.5/5 stars in our renters noise survey, which is considered average. The noise level can sometimes be disruptive, but not to a significant extent.
                                                  Alister Columbia is rated 3.7/5 stars in our renters safety survey, which is considered average. The complex has some safety concerns that need to be addressed.
                                                  Alister Columbia is rated 3.7/5 stars in our renters neighborhood survey, which is considered average. The complex is located in a neighborhood with some safety or desirability concerns, with limited access to local attractions and services.
                                                  Alister Columbia is rated 3.7/5 stars in our renters staff survey, which is considered average. The staff is sometimes unresponsive or not fully helpful in addressing resident needs.
                                                  Managers have responded to 33.3333% of their community reviews in the past year.
                                                  Managers have replied within 111.5 days to their community reviews in the past year.
                                                  Mill Creek Residential
                                                  Dogs Allowed
                                                  Pet Limit: 2
                                                  Comments: Dog
                                                  Cats Allowed
                                                  Pet Limit: 2
                                                  Comments: Cat
                                                  Animal type not listed Allowed
                                                  1 Bed, 1 Bath
                                                  2 Beds, 1 Bath
                                                  2 Beds, 2 Baths

                                                  Contact Property

                                                  Alister Columbia

                                                  March 2024

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                                                  Alister Columbia is a 735 - 966 sq. ft. apartment in Columbia in zip code 21046. This community has a 1 - 2 Beds, 1 - 2 Baths, and is for rent for $1,693 - $3,100. Nearby cities include Jessup, Ellicott City, Savage, Elkridge, and Hanover.

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