Aside from the air conditioning, this is a great apartment. However, the A/C system is basically non-functional. This is a significant problem in Columbia. In the summer, the A/C is not strong enough to keep your apartment cool (below 75 degrees), although you will notice that the lobby by the elevators is always kept cool.

In the spring and the fall, the air conditioning does not turn on until the temperature outside increases to a certain level. However, because you cannot open your windows, the temperature in your apartment will stay high even if the temperature outside is low. What that means is that it will be mid 70s in your apartment and you will have no means to decrease the temperature. This is particularly troubling if you ever cook or run the dishwasher. These activities will significantly raise the temperature in your apartment and you will have no means to cool the apartment off.

When you complain to the management, you will receive two responses. First, in the summer, they will tell you to close your blinds during the day. You should do this as the problem will be much worse if you do not. However, I have described the problem as it exists with the blinds closed. When I left the blinds open, the apartment temperature would exceed 90 degrees by 5pm. Second, in the fall/spring, they will paradoxically tell you to wait until the temperature outside rises to a certain level, and then the buildings' A/C will become operational and cool your apartment. Until the temperature rises, however, you're apartment will remain hot. This is particularly inconvenient at night because it means your apartment remains hot and cannot be cooled because the outside temperature is low enough to shut off the A/C.

Also, you should know that the facility has no dedicated parking. I park on the street and my car has never been broken into. However, there was a rash of break-ins in February/March. I believe the apartment is working with the city police to patrol the street more often during the night. You can pay a monthly fee to park in a city parking facility on Washington street. However, this facility has no cameras or patrols and I have spoken to residents who have had their cars broken into there.

Good points: the apartment is very quiet-I have never heard any tenant noise from my room. The location is fantastic-easy walking distance to the vista and USC.

You should expect to pay about $70 a month in utilities. The apartment charges a flat fee for utilities and also bills you for your personal usage. I believe the flat fee is about $25 and my personal usage is around $45. I have a studio so the cost might be higher in a larger apartment.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/30/2009
what floor did you live on when you experienced this?

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