Safe, Bug-Less, Apartment near Duke? Forum

[ticklemesilly]

Can anyone suggest a safe, clean apartment near Duke? Something in the 600-850 range? Everything review I see either mentions bug infestations, home break-ins, horrible management, or accusations of staff faking positive reviews. And now, having no chance to visit Durham until late July, I am panicking.

[DetroitRed]

I'll be at University Apartments next year. It's fairly cheap, bug free (as far as I can gather from reviews), and is close (~1 mile) to the law school and downtown Durham.

[usn26]

Everything review I see either mentions bug infestations, home break-ins, horrible management, or accusations of staff faking positive reviews.

To be fair, this describes almost every review of every apartment complex I've ever seen in any city in which I've ever lived. I'm sure if you keep reaching out to current students you'll get a sense for what's decent, rather than those sites that aggregate everyone who ever wanted to complain about their housing.

[OhBoyOhBortles]

Everything review I see either mentions bug infestations, home break-ins, horrible management, or accusations of staff faking positive reviews.

To be fair, this describes almost every review of every apartment complex I've ever seen in any city in which I've ever lived. I'm sure if you keep reaching out to current students you'll get a sense for what's decent, rather than those sites that aggregate everyone who ever wanted to complain about their housing.

This.

[ladybug_231]

I'll be at University Apartments next year. It's fairly cheap, bug free (as far as I can gather from reviews), and is close (~1 mile) to the law school and downtown Durham.

I lived here when I was in Durham - they are clean, fairly nice for the price and the management is good. Duke is an 3 min walk and easy campus bus ride away. Definitely recommend.

[Serett]

Everything review I see either mentions bug infestations, home break-ins, horrible management, or accusations of staff faking positive reviews.

To be fair, this describes almost every review of every apartment complex I've ever seen in any city in which I've ever lived. I'm sure if you keep reaching out to current students you'll get a sense for what's decent, rather than those sites that aggregate everyone who ever wanted to complain about their housing.

This.

These. Individual experiences always vary, and bugs do what bugs do. You need to determine where you live on the basis of broad consensus, not the worst outcome any one person has ever had at a complex. I know there are multiple complexes with above 80% and 90% approval ratings in Durham on ApartmentRatings.com.

[ticklemesilly]

Anyone had any experiences good or bad with Arium Pinnacle Ridge?

[bingo90]

Anyone had any experiences good or bad with Arium Pinnacle Ridge?

I'm interested in these apartments as well. I checked them out (just drove through) when I was visiting Durham and they looked pretty nice. They were farther from campus than I would like, but I've heard that since there really isn't ever traffic in Durham it isn't a big inconvenience. It was raining when I visited and the apartments seemed like they would be pretty dark inside. Does anyone who lived there have any insight about how much natural light there is?

[Serett]

I haven't lived at PR myself, but it's where the plurality, if not majority, of Duke 1Ls tend to live. Most seem happy with it.

The distance isn't a problem there unless you're intending to bike/walk to school.

[ticklemesilly]

Any benefits to a house vs apartment or vice versa?

Is traffic in Durham bad? If I leave 2-3 miles away from the school, will this really make a difference?

[Serett]

Any benefits to a house vs apartment or vice versa?

Nothing particular to Durham.

Is traffic in Durham bad?

Not at all.

If I leave 2-3 miles away from the school, will this really make a difference?

Only if you're trying to get around without a motor vehicle.

[prezidentv8]

If I leave 2-3 miles away from the school, will this really make a difference?

Only if you're trying to get around without a motor vehicle.

Did not have car first semester.

DERP