[s___]

Hi all

I am moving to Lansing in May to take up a position at MSU. I have just embarked on getting to know the area from afar and wondered in you had an advice on apartments/lofts (preferably with harwood floors and a vintage feel) in the Okemos, Haslett, Groesbeck, lake lansing road in east lansing area. I am likely going to be looking for a 1 or 2 bed place with a budget max of $800. I am 28 years old, female and although i have a boyfriend, i will be moving to Lansing alone so I am looking for somewhere safe and convienient with a little bit of life to it. I am coming from Minneapolis via London, I know Lansing is a small town but i am sure i will crave the big city feel at some points, so notes on young, urban feeling areas would also be great. Oh also, i likely will not have a car once i arrive so looking for convenient locations for public transport before i invest in a car.

On another note, what are the major banks and credit unions in the area...can you recommend which ones have most locations in the town and have good customer service?

Great thanks

S.

[Sunnypalm39]

Hi there! Congrats on the new position, MSU is a great school. I am from Lansing and currently live in Okemos. There is a great apartment located within minutes from MSU's campus called Hillcrest Village Apartments. This apartment has an older building which is vintage, and a newer one. The 1 bedroom vintage ones, which are called Hillcrest Village I, are $615-$645 a month and the 2 bedroom vintage ones are $685-$695 a month. Water and trash pickup are included with rent as well. Also, they have hardwood floors! I'm not sure if you have pets, but they only accept cats.

Here is the link to the apartments...
Hillcrest Village Apartments Apartments in East Lansing, MI | Apartments.com

And here is the link to the apartment's ratings...
Hillcrest Village Apartment Ratings, Reviews, Map, Rents, and other East Lansing apartments for rent from ApartmentRatings.com

Keep in mind, some of the pictures are from the vintage ones and some are from the newer ones. These apartments are in a very safe area and you are surrounded by all the best things including shopping, restaurants, MSU campus, rivers, walking and running trails, bowling, public transportation, gorgeous neighborhoods (mainly vintage style homes), movie theaters, easy highway access for if you do get a car, coffee shops, grocery stores, and so much more.
As for banks and credit unions, there is an msu credit union located on campus, a fifth third bank and lake trust credit union very close to those apartments. I don't go to those specific bank and credit union locations, but the MSU credit union that I go to in okemos has great customer service.

I wish you the very best with your move and I hope you love the MSU campus area as much as I do!

[teachbeach]

If you're taking a job with MSU, you'll want to use the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. Several locations around town, the largest one is right on campus, and lots of places where you can use your ATM card for no extra fees. Great customer service. The CATA bus system in very efficient and runs major routes frequently, it's easy to get around. There is an Amtrak station and bus station on the edge of campus as well.

dtnmgt.com seems to be the largest apartment management company. Just be careful when browsing, because many of the apartments that look like they are going to be $300-500 per month are actually per person and are meant for up to 4 renters. They are aimed at the large student population. Agree with the above poster that there may be some vintage or older places, but you might want to inquire or contact them to help narrow your search. The students generally live in/around East Lansing's main drag, but there are some great apartments along Lake Lansing Road, Marsh Road in Haslett and Dobie Road in Okemos that may fit your needs.

Good luck and welcome~East Lansing is a great community, and there is much going on the area; all kinds of festivals, events, shows, theatre, music performances, art galleries, museums, happy hours etc.

[ManoftheNorth]

Originally Posted by s___

, I know Lansing is a small town

I wouldn't call Lansing a small town, though it certainly isn't a major city. I certainly wouldn't consider a city with this many high rises a small town: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lansi...bp=12,270,,0,0
The MSA is over 400,000, just somewhat smaller then Madison's. It isn't in the same league as Minneapolis, sure, but you'd have a lot more options in Lansing compared to small towns such as you'd find in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, or many other places in the midwest. You'd also have a lot more diversity thanks to Michigan State University compared to any small town.

[plannine]

MSU is in East Lansing is very much a not-so-small college town, the State Capitol is in Lansing, which is a very typical larger rust belt town. Two different worlds IMO.

Go State!

[PreservationPioneer]

I would say move to Old Town in the city, downtown Lansing, or downtown East Lansing. Everything else feels very suburban.

[s___]

Certainly didn't mean to cause offense about the "small town" comment, i come from England and have always lived in big cities....so anything smaller than this is relatively new to me...thanks for all your comment and best wishes, i hope to make a trip in February to check out neighborhoods in more depth...i'll certainly look into old town, i hear it's a flourishing area...

any more thoughts/advice are welcomed...

S.

[dragon_fly_12]

Giving you another recommendation for MSU Federal Credit Union. They are outstanding to work with. I have lived in several locations throughout the US, but continue to keep my banking with MSUFCU as they are absolutely great and have their system set up so that banking anywhere in the US or internationally is very easy and convenient.