Columbia apartments (Oakland, Eden: section 8, apartment complex, for rent)

[shantanu_p]

Hi,

I would appreciate if somebody could comment on apartments in Columbia which I have shortlisted.

1) Berkshires of Columbia
2) Greens at Columbia
3) Avalon at Cedar Valley
4) Dominion at Eden Brook

All the apartments have similar priced 1BR apartment. Please share if somebody has any experience living in any of these apartments.

Thanks in advance.

[scoutsadie]

Try Apartment Ratings - Apartments for Rent with Ratings and Reviews from Actual Renters -- it's a pretty good site for reviews.

[JOHN JINGLEHEIMER]

This place is probably one of the nicest around. Now it may not look like the ritz from the outside, but its the little things that mkes this place great. it's tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, it's right across the street from a small european style shopping area that has a ( rite aid, nice liqour store and cigar shop, Italian food, Chinese food, bagel store, cleaners, jewelry, nice Irish pub and restuarant, and they are finishing up on a new Harris Teeter food market). I use to live there for 3 years about 1.5 yeaars ago and i never really had any problems there. There did not seem to be too many kids running wild. It was mostly middle class professionals. Now the apartment community right next to it, (Beeches Farm), had a lot of punks running around and seemed to be a lower class of people. Right before I moved out Dominion put up a large wooden fence to separate the two. Kind of like what they want to do with out southern border. Dominion also has a brand new pool. When I first moved in around 2002/2003 it used to be a tennis court. I would say that the pool is around 3 years old. And the best part is, is that they always have a life guard on duty and only residents can get in. Lets put it this way. I am moving back to Columbia after living in another state for 2 years and I looked at alot of places and I am probably moving back here. In fact I was looking for their phone number when I found this and thought that I would help out.

[7th Direction]

Originally Posted by shantanu_p

Hi,

I would appreciate if somebody could comment on apartments in Columbia which I have shortlisted.

1) Berkshires of Columbia
2) Greens at Columbia
3) Avalon at Cedar Valley
4) Dominion at Eden Brook

All the apartments have similar priced 1BR apartment. Please share if somebody has any experience living in any of these apartments.

Thanks in advance.

DO NOT move to the Berkshires of Columbia!!!!! This apartment complex is riddled with crime, drugs and death. The apartment complex used to be called Hannibal's Grove, and recently changed their name because of such a bad reputation.

I used to live down the street from the Berkshires in the Avalon at Fairway Hills - which by the way, is a very nice apartment complex.

The Berkshires are across the street from the 7-11 that had the overnight clerk murdered, and another tenant was murdered a few months later.

As for the other apartments you named: I'm not really familiar with the King's Contrivance or the Harper's Choice areas (where your other apartment complexes are located).

I know you want to stay away from the Oakland Mills community - a lot of crime happens there, some friends of mine lived there... break-ins, and car theft are common there (they've had cars broken into and another friend had his car stolen). You haven't listed any complexes in this "village", but be aware: the rent is cheap, but you'll regret it!

[JackieMG]

Yes, Stay far away from Berkshires of Columbia! My fiance and I just moved out of that apartment complex last month. We paid $1350 a month for a two bedroom apartment, which is about average for the columbia area, however this place is horrible! My car was broken into, there were two murders that happened while we lived there, and you never feel safe! I've heard good things about Avalon at Fairways as well, although I think it is still too close to Berkshires and the crime that goes on there!

[7th Direction]

Originally Posted by JackieMG

Yes, Stay far away from Berkshires of Columbia! My fiance and I just moved out of that apartment complex last month. We paid $1350 a month for a two bedroom apartment, which is about average for the columbia area, however this place is horrible! My car was broken into, there were two murders that happened while we lived there, and you never feel safe! I've heard good things about Avalon at Fairways as well, although I think it is still too close to Berkshires and the crime that goes on there!

Crime never seemed to cross the river... It was nerve wracking hearing about those murders. I remember when the 7-11 murder happened - it was 4am and these helicopters with searchlights were circling the neighborhood. Talk about loud! I always felt safe at Avalon at Fairway Hills, however, you are right, if one was unbiased and looking at apartments, Avalon might be a little too close for comfort to the Berkshires. (I don't live there now).

[TuborgP]

Remember this, as the demographics of Columbia change the apartments are going to be on the cutting edge of any negative change. The more exclusive/cost neighborhoods are going to be on the cutting edge of the more positive changes. If you disagree with that equation ok.

[erilley]

My best friend lives at Dominion at Eden Brook and they love it. I have two small children and I feel safe there when visiting. I lived in that area until moving last summer. I would definitely move to Eden Brook!

[rexian]

Originally Posted by 7th Direction

I used to live down the street from the Berkshires in the Avalon at Fairway Hills - which by the way, is a very nice apartment complex.

The Berkshires are across the street from the 7-11 that had the overnight clerk murdered, and another tenant was murdered a few months later.

I agree about the Berkshires. Its section 8 housing, ain't it? Very bad crowd there. I can tell that w/o prejudice. But, don;t even consider Avalon at Fairway Hills...extremely HIGH rent, zero maintenance and they will try and rip you off after you leave to cover some of their cost to renovate the place. I have stayed there for 5 years as my job was so close and did not want to move to another apartment but, a house.

[MDbound2]

This is a good forum. I'm thinking about Columbia as well. Any apartments close to both the BW parkway and I-95? I'd like to be able to use both in case of traffic.