Royalty Arms Apartments and Utility Costs (Madison, King: section 8, lease, house)

[Koon]

I was wondering if anybody knew anything about this complex and the area. The complex is at 5670 King James Court, Madison, WI 53719. It is near the newer Super Target off of PD. It looks like a nice place. It is a two bedroom apartment approximately 900 square feet. I was wondering what the approximate heat and electric bills would be for a 900 square foot apartment? Also, I was wondering what the Charter cable and high speed internet bill is per month? Thanks in advance.

[Megan1967]

King James Court is not a very nice area, you will want to see it in person before signing a lease.

[spectator80]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

King James Court is not a very nice area, you will want to see it in person before signing a lease.

agreed. as i've seen discussed here before, madison doesn't really have a bad side of town, but rather a dozen or more crime-infested mini-neighborhoods interspersed throughout the city. king james court is one of these bad mini-neighborhoods.

[renter13]

I lived there while going to school about 2 years ago. It wasn't the cheapest in the area but at the time it was close (my rent rose very quickly in the three years I lived there during grad school). It had a nice look and was a short commute into downtown campus.

There was a shooting while I was living there. Lots of drug dealing and various illicit corner activities including prostitution. I also think one of the neighbors a couple units down was dealing or making meth. There was a literal crack house busted within a couple blocks. The police were almost required to have a car stationed in the circle 24/7 over summer to ensure things didn't get out of hand. The buildings surrounding this unit are all section 8 low-income housing, which is fine if it's responsible young families who care about their community looking to get a helping hand on their way up but that, sadly, is not what it was. I certainty did not have that picture painted on my tour.

Utilities were always ridiculous. The heat is electric and not efficient at all. I averaged ~200-250 a month in the winter while attempting my best to adjust the heat to the day (no actual central thermostat, room-by-room controls which do not show the actual temperature just a "comfort zone"). I didn't use the wall unit A/C in the summer because it gave a wierd smell off and I think needed a filter change but the landlord never got around to it. Then it was about 100 a month utilities.

The landlord was a whole other issue. He insisted on doing all repairs himself and I don't feel as though they were ever done safety or well-done. Repairs were handled, eventually, but he would make note of attempting to blame me for whatever thing happened - even if it was something that would obviously have happened slowly and over time. Frankly, he was just kind of mean and ornery - just generally unpleasant to deal with once I moved in (though friendly seeming at first)

Sorry for the venting. I stumbled upon this looking to verify my old address and all the emotions and frustrations of that place came pouring back out!

[Megan1967]

No need to apologize. Better to have first hand accounts rather than those of people who have never lived there, like me.