I have lived in Brandemere for two years. I was looking for a single apartment that wasn't too expensive, and Brandemere was one of the only ones in the area that was affordable and larger than a closet. However, I wish that I had spent more to get more. I have consistently had very high power bills, and unlike some other review have indicated, it is not for lack of trying to keep them low. The windows are not insulated at all and allow very cold air in during teh winter, making it virtually impossible to keep the apartments warm without spending $90-$100 a month on power. I eventually just gave up and started wrapping up in blankets and and wearing fleeces. In the summer, it is just as bad - it is impossible to keep the apartment cool. During the spring and fall, I did have very reasonable power bills ($50-$60/mo), but I had my HVAC off for viturally the entire month (and still only achieved normal power bills). The insulation is very poor.

As to the safety concerns - I am a single girl living on my own. I would strongly urge similarly situated people to look elsewhere. The complex does seem to attract some very shady people, both as residents and as loiterers. There have been many times that I have felt very uncomfortable walking from my car to my apartment or taking my dog out at night. Thankfully nothing has ever happened, but my piece of mind is somewhat shot after two years of jerking awake at every noise in the night, thinking that it is someone trying to break in. I don't consuder myself an abnormally paranoid person (at former residences I would go for days without ever locking a door, even at night), so really think about safety if you are a likely target of crime.

As for maintenance issues, I have always had pretty prompt response to my calls (within a day or two), and the maintenance staff has always been polite. I find the staff in the office to be standoffish and not terribly concerned with all of the residents. I often stop in to pick up packages, only to be ignored while they chat with friends who live in the complex. So, it is probably true that if you make friends with the office staff, they are very friendly, but if you do not, expect pretty indifferent attitudes.

To wrap up, and kudos for making it through this lengthy review, I urge that you really think about what you want out of an apartment. Brandemere is by no means the worst complex in the area, and it is a good location if you attend Wake (close to school, grocery stores, movie theatre, etc). However, the complex itself leaves a lot to be desired, things that I wish I had thought about before I got so excited about living alone.

User Responses
From: charlotte10	Date: 04/08/2005
Dear author of "really think about it", I am also a resident of Brandemere for the past two years, and I would like to reply to some of your recent comments. I, personally think that the management is very friendly and enjoyable. Dont you think that if you rush in to grab a package, not speak, act as if they are only there to provide a roof over your head, and quickly leave, there is not much left to say. However, some residents take time to interact with the staff, come to resident functions, and stop for a second with their own busy lives and just say hello. The staff goes out of their way to make my short living experiences at Brandemere enjoyable. Ask, and you will receive. As for being afraid, criminal background checks are run on every single person living at Brandemere. I am also alone and have not once been afraid, or concerned for my safety in the least. A gate or location does not make you safe, smart decisions you make are what keeps you secure. Technically, you are not safe anywhere. I would suggest trying to interact more with your neighbors and the staff. The more you do, the more enjoyable your living experiences at Brandemere, or any other community, will be.
From: keperkin4	Date: 06/09/2005
I have to agree with the original posting. I could almost have been the author myself. I have not had a reason to interact with the staff as much but everything else is on point!
From: oneapt4me	Date: 09/16/2005
Charlotte10 works for the office. I have a friend that knows her. What a moron. Are you trying to give someone advice on how not to be scared. Maybe you should charge for your services. I lived there in 2004 and everything she said was correct. High energy bills, bugs and shady characters. I mean the place is in the ghetto and directly across from the true ghetto "Springhouse".

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