NE Columbus apartment search (Hamilton, Westerville: apartment complexes, rentals, sex offenders)

[misterj]

Greetings, peoples.

I am really hoping that there are some people out there who can give advice on cheaper, clean apartment complexes on the northeast side of Columbus. I know the NE side fairly well, but apartment complexes are new to me. I have been doing tons of research on local complexes, looking at tours and reading ratings, but from what I am reading, it appears that this part of town is going down hill. Everything within my budget is either under "poor management," "roach infested," or "crime ridden."

A friend of mine recently moved into The Brookeville on north Schrock Rd. The apartments seemed nice enough, but I got a lot of looks from the tenants when I pulled into Visitor Parking, did not make me that comfortable. Does anyone know how this area is crime-wise? Does anyone know anything about Barrington Square or Hickory Creek?

I am looking for something under $700, preferably with a basement and animal friendly. I work near the old Northland Mall (43229), but don't mind driving 20, maybe 30m as I currently drive 15-30 from my current location in Westerville (43082) to work.

Does anyone know of any good complexes?

Thanks for any help.

[streetcreed]

Homes on NE side are still in decent shape, there are some nice newer apartment complexes as well, mainly off morse and stlezer rds. closer to Easton town center.
However, some of the other aparment complexes have transitioned to immigrant housing. Just check out the place in person and see which clientel it is living there these days.

[misterj]

Originally Posted by streetcreed

Homes on NE side are still in decent shape, there are some nice newer apartment complexes as well, mainly off morse and stlezer rds. closer to Easton town center.
However, some of the other aparment complexes have transitioned to immigrant housing. Just check out the place in person and see which clientel it is living there these days.

Hey, good to hear and thanks for the reply. Been driving about from place to place checking out the tenants, but they all seem okay during the day. Heh.

Anyone having any complex names that you would recommend for me?

[Buckeyes]

My brother say's hell no to Barrington Square or Hickory Creek. He said that there were 2 murders at Barrington Square.
I would recommend going and taking a look at the lazelle road and Sancus Blvd. There are a lot of apartments and town homes that are not in the ghetto. Sorry to say this but where you are looking right now is NOT a good place to live. Over where I just told you is nice and clean and I dont think that you would be shot at

[GretchenB]

Checking Craigs's List might be a good idea. For keywords you could type in Worthington or Polaris. Areas of Westerville are nice, but you'd want to be north of Schrock. You can find a lot of places where at least some utilities are paid.

I agree with the Lazelle/Sancus area as well. There's a place called Park Club, but it might be over what you want to spend.

However, there are decent places in your price range. I would just get away from Morse Road area (unless you're going at least a few miles east of Easton or west to Clintonville), and even then, your best bet is probably to go north.

You can also check Columbus PD online and I'm sure you could call the police departments in other cities to find out how often they are called to a specific apartment complex.

[quarismatic]

The physcial complex of The Brookville is attractive. There are even some professional people still there. It's the new lessees I'm concerned about...I moved from the area last summer because it had become drug and crime infested. Break-ins were not uncommon (Karl Village, Sharon Green, La Vista, too!) and we became prisoners in our own home. The complexes in that area USED to use discretion in their tenant selection. In fact, when I signed my lease in Karl Village in 2000, the process was short of the mortgage process. By the Spring of last year, all you needed was a source of income.

Seven families moved out of the Karl Village complex within days of each other.

I strongly suggest you drive through the complexes adjacent to The Brookville before you make your decision. Also, check police reports and if you have small children or are a single woman, there was a couple (few) registered sex offenders in that "triangle" in 2006.

I wouldn't live in that area again if the rent or mortgage was free - If you can afford The Brookville, you can toward the light (Polaris)...Good Luck!

[LancasterNative]

Howdy misterj!

On the NE side of town, Polaris and Easton areas, or Westerville in general, are your best bets for finding decent rentals. Granted, those areas are hellish when it comes to traffic—but that's because they're popular, booming areas where things are happening!

As a rule of thumb, for safety's sake you'll want to stay outside of 270. As I'm sure you know, inside 270 has mostly become ghetto in recent years. Since you work near the former Northland Mall, well...it might be in your best interest to have a longer commute.

As another poster stated, there are some fine apartments up along Lazelle Rd. and Sancus Rd. near Polaris, as well as some off of 750 just west of Old State. There are also some brand-new townhouses off 23 North, in the Crosswoods area (if that isn't too far west for ya).

Best of luck to you, Friend...

Lanc

[mizkayte]

DO NOT MOVE to the Brookeville apartments. The apartments are nice enough. And there is a pool. Those are the only perks. The crime is awful. There have been tons of break ins. Recently, two women were raped. The complex did not bother to inform the residents until 4 days after the rape. They were also late on informing about the break ins. Upon looking at the crime reports for CPD, I saw that they also have not kept residents informed about other crimes that have happened, or updated on the break ins. They have take no extra precautions to protect the residents. I have heard the people who have experienced the crime are not allowed to get out of their leases. The office staff is mean. You have to jump through hoops to pay rent - have to do it during their business hours, which is usually when most people work. They protect themselves. Now they'll stepping up watching people for un approved residents, but they won't step up security.... Maintenance is really nice and helpful, though. Lets also not forget that they don't control the residents either. Kids walk right in front of your car. People are loud and rude. It was nice enough two years ago, but now they're letting all kinds of people in. It used to be mostly young working people and families. Now there are fist fights, loud music, and so forth. Just don't move here. You'll regret it. I want out of the place, but I don't think they'll be nice about it.

[misterj]

Thank you all for your replies, much appreciated.

[614resident]

I'm may be a little late posting a reply, but as others have advised.....definitely say NO to Brookville! I lived in both Brookville and Springhouse (next to Brookville). When I lived in Brookville it was ok, but that was back in '98. I moved to Springhouse a year later, and I literally wanted out of my lease the SAME DAY I moved in! When I initially checked out the area it seemed quiet......that's because I drove thru there during the day. The best advice is to check out apartment complexes in the evenings or on weekends when most people are home. I've heard the Brookville has had a lot of break-in's, rapes, and even a murder or two. Springhouse isn't much better. There were crackheads & drug dealers sharing an apartment across from me. They would break into cars & steal change. I worked 3rd shift at the time, so you can imagine how unsafe I felt leaving at night time. Fortunately, I worked 2 miles away and was able to check on my apartment throughout the night. The management staff was terrible. They did nothing about break-in's or even informing residents on what was going on. In the winter time, they wouldn't even put salt on the sidewalks, or even plow the streets (unless it was a bad snow storm) until a resident threatened to sue them if they got hurt outside. They're also bad on when you pay your rent. If you left your payment in the mail slot after business hours, they would claim you never paid, charge you a late fee, and you'd have to write em another check....not to mention the fact you'd have to do a stop pay on the other check (which costs more money) just in case they tried to cash both.

I could go on & on about Springhouse or Brookville, but my advice is to avoid Schrock Rd. period! Especially if you have kids, have valuable items, or simply do not want to be around a bunch of knuckleheads, murders, riff-raff's, etc. Try some parts of Westerville & Gahanna (Hamilton Rd. area is pretty decent).