I have lived here for a few months, and overall I am quite pleased with everything, and can see myself living here for a few more years.

PROS:
- Very quiet and peaceful community (no undergrads allowed). I can hardly hear my neighbors or traffic coming from 64, even though the freeway's close by.
- Interiors are new, spacious, and well-maintained.
- Great facilities (including gym with new equipment and showers).
- Responsive staff - and they do care about making this a good living environment.
- At night - *inside the community* - it's well-lit (see Cons below).
- Close to I-64 - only about 3 minutes.

CONS:
- OK, I suppose you *can* walk to UVA, but it's not within any practical distance of doing so.
- No adequate public transportation within walking distance.
- I wouldn't walk beyond the community premises at night - very dark
- Internet provider's support hours are NOT convenient - in the evenings and on the weekends, you're without any support at all. However (and here's an update from Jan 2007) - they doubled the bandwidth, and performance has improved significantly.
- No covered parking unless you are willing to pay $125 per month for a garage.
- The lease is technically "flexible," but to do anything other than a one year term, you have to pay a 15% premium on your rent, which means for a 10-month lease, you end up paying for something almost equal to eleven and a half months.
- Not close to the main shopping areas (15-20 mins)

As for rent, it covers water, trash, sewage, extended cable (with 3 HBO channels), and Internet access - so while on face value it seems high, you're getting decent value based on the amenities and the quality of the community. (These are new apartments, built in 2003). If you can find a roommate, all the better -- it's just marginally higher than the super-old, cramped, and run-down places within walking distance of Grounds.

Overall, you sacrifice comparative convenience and a bit cheaper rent for a very comfortable living environment.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates