This is basically a very nice place to live for a student or a single person living on their own. A young couple would do fine here too. Like all apts. there are pros and cons, but I'd def say the pros out way the cons. I have been here for almost a year and love it.

Pros:

Staff is Very Friendly (I pay my rent on time) I hear they will work with you if something comes up.

I haven't had any maintenence problems (just one blown fuse- that was quickly fixed)

Everything you need is close by: post offce, 3 supermarkets, walmartsupermart, 2 drug stores, dollar store, 5 fast food places, laundrymat on site, gas stations, banks/ATM...all within a mile radius...and only 12 mins from downtown Norfolk.

Doesn't Cost Much to Heat/Cool Decent Electric Bill ($45-70 a month for me)

No Roaches, Bugs, Rats, Insects - (I have only seen one spider and one ladybug in my place)

The grounds look very nice, lawn is kept well, and the pool is real nice too.

Quiet at Night, I am on the second floor, and have had NO problems with noisey neighbors AT ALL! Maybe I lucked out, but I stay up late and hear nothing at all.

Safe Area: The complex is located on Ward's Corner which is a busy area so it is usually crawling with cops. This may be a good thing for some and bad for others. My car has been safe thus far. I don't keep anything in it visible or that I can't afford to lose!

Students: If you are a student or grad student like me it is a nice place to be. Very close to ODU and NSU about 10-12 mins. And actually close to HU also about 12 mins, but you have to go through the tunnel.

Rent: Is very decent compared to what you will find in the area for a one bedroom AC/Heat & carpeted unit. It has been a solid $670/mo for me. I really hope it doesn't go up to $790 like the guy in the last post said, that would be really terrible. And it would be very very DUMB on the property owner's role to raise rent like that because people would move out and go straight to the Apartments at Ghent which are nicer than Sterling Oaks and are actually worth the $800/mo that they currently rent for.

But, like all things in life you get what you pay for. If you want to be cheap and shave off a couple hundred dollars don't be surprized to be in a place with bugs, poor appearence, maintenance problems, or a neighborhood where you are scared to go outside after 5pm. So I would say the rent of Sterling Oaks well matchs the quality of living which I would say is good.

Cons:

There is a freight train very close and runs thru all hours of the day night. You will hear it! I am a very heavy sleeper though, so it doesn't wake me up at night. However it does cut across little creek and granby st. so if you get caught at the crossroads driving you might have to wait in your car for like 20 mins.

Parking: You have to parallel park. If you can't do it, then you betta learn. Don't expect to find a spot directly in front of your apt. after about 7pm. lol. I don't mind walking but I know some people do.

Traffic: The apt. complex is on the corner of two major streets little creek and granby, so expect it. I am a grad student so I choose to just avoid the busy hours.

Hookers!: I work late nights on occasion and noticed when I would come home late there would be 1 or 2 hookers walking around the adjacent streets! I couldn't believe it. But the cops have responded very well and I am glad to say I haven't seen any in the past 2 months. Maybe it is a good thing because there are more patrol cars out late hours of the night now.

Trees: This may sound petty but don't expect to keep your car looking clean too long, the birds are ruthless, and terrorize my car with bird poop: white, brown, purple, all colors of the rainbow. Even in the winter. I wish I could find that teacher that told me birds fly south in the winter. I guess this isn't anything major, but hey it's true.


So there you have it, an honest and complete review with the good and the bad. Overall, I would definitely recommend it. But at the same time your experience depends on how you live, what you expect, and who happens to be your neighbors! It's my first place and I have absolutely no regrets so far. If you need more info feel free to email me. Happy Searching!

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/13/2008
The $790 renter is mistaken. No way. If he's not on a lease he will pay a premium or $85. He should see the leasing staff about signing a 1 year lease at $690.

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