I've read all the old threads about apartments near NCSU. Alot of the threads are outdated so I wanted to get a fresh round of opinions from TWW.

My roommate and I currently live in a 2 bedroom/2 bath 1080 sq. ft. apartment at Lake Johnson Mews for $919/mo. Our lease is up July 31st and we won't be renewing because we're being jerked around by the management. It's a shame considering the location and property is pretty nice.

So, we're looking for an equivalent 2 bedroom/2 bath apartment around the Lake Johnson area in the $800-900/mo range for late July. We've looked at a few places:

1) Wildwoods @ Lake Johnson: Our top choice so far. Spoke to alot of residents there and people seemed really happy. Some residents have lived there for over 4 years which is rare for apartments around here. The only problem is that availability is limited since they have a low turnover rate. The apartments are huge, but they are older and the model apartment smelled musty. Rent is in the $775-825 range.

2) Remington Place: Pretty nice as well. Alot of former LJM residents are moving there. Rent is in the $895-965 range.

3) Clarion Crossings: The only 2 bedroom they had available were 2-story townhouses going for $859/mo. They were 1200 sq. ft. which was deceptive because it seemed really small when we toured it. Upon walking around the complex we found some of the neighbors to be less than ideal (probably a by-factor of being so close to Lake Park). The manager was putting alot of pressure on us to sign quickly by offering us incentives/discounts that were only good for 24 hours, which rubbed me the wrong way.


If anyone has any opinions of the places that I mentioned, or suggestions for any other property around LJ, please let me know so I can make an informed decision. I've already spoken to Student Legal and they warned me about Preiss Co. and Wilson Properties.

Thanks!

5/31/2008 2:32:34 PM

How close to Lake Johnson are you trying to get?

I stayed at The Summit (http://www.universityrenter.com/ncsu/summit/) last year, it's right on the corner of Lake Dam and Avent Ferry. They may have changed the prices, but I'm pretty sure a 2BR there is a lot cheaper than $919. A little smaller than 1080 sqft, I think.

It's really nice, they have laundry hookups, plus a laundrymat onsite, and tennis courts, a pool, a basketball goal, and a gym. Really nice management, too.

5/31/2008 2:56:30 PM

^The Summit seems really nice, but they're booked up until mid September. Bummer...

It'd be nice to stay within walking distance of the lake, but if that limits my choices too much then I think I can settle to move a little further away from the lake.

5/31/2008 5:06:34 PM

Hey look, another example of Lake Johnson Mews screwing over residents!

6/1/2008 12:05:29 PM

i agree that wildwoods is the bomb

access to the lake smaller lake johnson trail behind nearly every unit

6/1/2008 2:31:11 PM

I just moved into Wildwoods with my boyfriend and we love it. We pay 792 a month for a two bedroom that overlooks the woods. The screened porch kicks ass, and the apartment in general is really great. The parking thing is weird (you get one assigned parking spot), but there have been plenty of unassigned spots so far that parking hasn't been a problem for either of us (and we own three vehicles). The room closest to the stairway (wooden stairway = LOUD) is a little noisy just to warn you, my boy and I cheated this by putting our bedroom in the room not next to the stairs, but that's not so much an option for you and your roomie I guess.

6/1/2008 2:37:27 PM

I also just moved in Wildwoods just this passed weekend. The management is great and I went for a run for the first time on the west loop around lake johnson that goes right behind my building. The pool is great. You're <5 minutes from crossroads/western blvd./hillsborough. Screened in porches are great for keeping out mosquitos. Not to mention I have a 40 sq. ft. walk-in closet. I rent a two bedroom with a roomate for 786/month.

[Edited on June 2, 2008 at 7:29 AM. Reason : must've been a typo, it can't be true.]

6/2/2008 7:28:39 AM

theres a place up lake damn past dominion that's really nice...that might be the summit but i'm not sure...

6/2/2008 9:10:32 AM

haha, that hot tub at wildwoods is nasty
no telling how many people have had sex in that thing...

6/2/2008 9:32:11 AM

lol, I used to be a pool tech for a few summers and I will probably never use a hot tub I didn't treat and clean myself. But yeah, there were two older guys in it when I went to the pool yesterday so I casually sat on the other end of the deck.

6/2/2008 9:38:51 AM

I'll be moving out of a 2 bedroom at wildwoods in 2 weeks, not sure if they have already rented it out.

6/2/2008 7:06:13 PM

I didn't read the whole thread but my neighborhood thats off of avent ferry (right past the lake) has a two bedroom townhouse just put up for rent right across the street from me. Signs been out there less than a day.

if you are interested for more info PM me. Don't know if thats exactly what you are looking for or not but it is a 2 bedroom.

6/2/2008 7:30:45 PM

^PM sent

6/3/2008 12:55:51 PM

update:

We signed our 60-day notice at LJM and soon enough our apartment was listed under "future availabilities" on the LJM website for $849/mo (we are currently paying $919/mo). I asked management why we weren't offered $849/mo initially when we started rent negotiations, and her response was that "$849/mo is a special rate that we offer to new residents only" and that she couldn't offer us anything lower than $919/mo. I called bullshit on that one, and soon enough they called us back and offered us $849/mo to stay there. I told them no, so my roommate and I went over to Wildwoods and got a 2-bedroom there for $791/mo. We're outta the Mews on July 31st!

Bottom line: Beware of large property management corporations such as AIMCO.

6/12/2008 1:49:27 PM

hell yeah, I made a thread about LJM and was quickly directed to wildwoods. I haven't regretted a day. I'm right on the trail to the lake. Right across from the pool, and when they get done replacing the retaining wall next to my apartment, it will go back to being peaceful again all the time. Plus the fact that they are very pet friendly and are on the spot about maintenance.

6/12/2008 2:10:48 PM

^^That's fucking ridiculous! I have tried to tell people from the start how shitty the management is there.
They charged me 800 bucks to replace a carpet that had been there for so long they didn't even have any records for when it was installed.

(are y'all going to the bar tomorrow night or what?)

6/12/2008 3:00:05 PM