Apartment Advice-ETSU Grad Student (Johnson City, Guys: apartments, rent, townhouses)

[K3550]

Hey Guys,

I will be relocating to Johnson City in August. What can you tell me about Homestead Properties apartments as well as Greenwood Farms apartments? The good, the bad and the ugly are appreciated! Any other places you would suggest to check into? Thanks!

[jabogitlu]

I lived in a Homestead Properties apartment (1616 Seminole Drive) about four years ago. They were pretty good, but a little slow in maintenance - you really had to be firm with what you wanted, and stay on them pretty hard. As long as you're okay with doing that, they're a good place to live. I can't speak for their main properties over on Cherokee Road. But the company itself was alright.

I looked at Greenwood Farms when I moved a couple years ago. The rents were pretty high, and the apartments were TINY. GF used to be a complex known as 'Little Mexico' before a reinvestment firm bought them, booted out the ethnics, slapped up some new paint and carpet, and rebranded the whole thing. They're nice, but very small. Edit: Just checked their website, and they've dropped their prices considerably! Much more affordable now, but the 2 bedroom 1 bath is still 633 sq ft.

Will you be in JC at any time? Arguably the best way to find a place to live here is to drive around and look at signs in yards. Inefficient, but it's how it is. I found two of my best places on Craigslist, too, so don't discount that.

The Haven at Knob Creek is nice: The Haven At Knob Creek

I've had some friends live at Ravenwood and they liked it a lot. Johnson City Apartments - Ravenwood

Foxglen isn't too far, and is pretty nice: Townhouse Apartments Johnson City TN : Fox Glen Townhouses

There are also a lot of apartments out on Swadley Road and Plymouth Road...
Swadley Park Apartments Tri-City,TN apartment community details and pictures
Creekside Village At Swadley Apartments Tri-City,TN apartment community details and pictures

Sterling Hills is really nice, but pretty expensive. I had a friend that had a one bedroom loft, with fireplace, that was really sweet. http://www.sterlinghills-apartments....sTN/Index.aspx

I also had a friend that lived in Summer Chase. They're not as nice, but still good and economical: http://summerchase-apartments.com/Su...eTN/Index.aspx

That's a few off the top of my head. Hope it helps.

[jchometeam]

I lived in both Evergreen Terrace and Ravenwood during my years at ETSU both as a undergraduate and graduate student.

Evergreen Terrace was very typical student housing. Almost all of the residents were students, but I never had any problems there and the rooms were clean. And it is very close to campus.

Ravenwood is a bit more quiet, as I dont think they rent to underclassman college students. Its some students, more families, better rent prices (at least at the time) and a great owner! Like Jab's friends, I liked it alot.

I never looked at Greenwood Farms because from an ethical point of view, I did not like what they did to the Latino community after the owners bought that complex. But aside from that, i know nothing about the units.

[K3550]

Thank you so much guys!

jabogitlu-I have heard that driving around is the best way to find a place. I was able to make a trip down towards the end of April, but was only in the area for one day. I looked at a few places when we were in JC. Got to check out Summer Chase, they seemed nice, but I was hoping to be a little bit closer to campus. The other ones we looked at were just awful!

I will have to check into Ravenwood! They seem pretty decent.

And jchometeam-I saw the Evergreen Terrace complex, it's huge! It is a route I have considered, but was a little worried about the large amounts of students. Maybe I'll reconsider.

Thank you both for your help, insider opinions are so helpful! I really do appreciate it!