Charlotte apartments (Magnolia: apartment complexes, rent, house)

[MDgirlMovingSouth]

OK so I've been doing research and after discussing with the girl I believe I'm going to live with, we're most interested in the following places:

-Sterling Magnolia
-Colonial Grand at Beverly Crest
-The Marquis at Carmel Commons

Does anyone know anything about these apartment complexes? Nice, safe areas? Close to a lot of things? I tried to follow the advice given to me on here and avoid the east and west side (did I succeed?)
I've read the reviews on apartmentratings.com, but truthfully, I don't really like the website. I feel like the only people who might actually write reviews are disgruntled tenants. And some of the complaints are so nit-picky, like being able to hear people walk around above you. I've lived in dorms/apartments/sorority house for the past 4 years, I expect there to be noise in apartments!

So any input on these 3 places is appreciated!

[lisaf]

I personally stayed at the Marquis when I moved to Charlotte over 3 years ago, and it was very nice/safe.

A few months ago, I went searching for apts with my aunt who just relo'ed here from Miami--and she ended up at Piper Station right across the street from the Stonecrest shopping center.

Make sure you do the math, because you may be quoted a price that seems higher (as we were with Piper Station), but when we added in all the $ that was to be returned to her at the end of her stay (various deposits, including pet fee, etc.). It ended up being cheaper to stay at Piper Station (tho the actual quoted rent price was higher). Make sure you get a good idea of these types of fees that are returned to you or not. Plus, Piper Station covered electric, garbage and water fully. Some of them don't do all of those. Piper also returned nearly all of her fees or a good % of them. So, in the end, it was cheaper.

So, make sure you line up all your choices and add/subtract everything so that you come up with a true monthly cost at the end of your stay. And don't hesitate to try to negotiate the price down a bit, too. It doesn't hurt to at least try.

[Maria Schoellkopf]

I am also relocating to Charlotte from MD in August and after tons of research I've picked the Regency Apartments in Cotswold. The property is really nice and in a safe part of town from what I am told. What part of MD are you from? I'm from OC.

[muffinman]

The Marquis is in a nice area. I lived at Waterford Square for a year which is not too far from this property.

The Colonial is also in a nice area. Walking distance to the Arboretum and next door to Providence H.S. I lived nearby at Echo Forest for two years. When I lived at Echo Forest there were a few car break-ins. Something to ask about. Prices at Colonial may be a little higher because of the demand to get into Providence H.S.


Not familiar enough with Sterling Magnolia to make a judgment. Colonial and Marquis are about 2-3 miles away from each other in S. Charlotte. Sterling is closer to Uptown.