Nice apts. in GR? (Grand Rapids: housing, rent, school)

[Christoph83]

What are some nice apartments in the Grand Rapids area? I'm looking for something that has a Studio or 1 bdr. in the $350 - $575 range. Located in a nice part of town. Preferably and area that is walkable, with lots of trees, and has hike/bike trails close by. I was looking into Old Shore Farms, The Crossings, and Ramblewood. Does anyone have experience with these apts.? Which one is the nicest? Also, what are the good areas in town to look in? And other apt. suggestions are welcome.

[cardwellave]

Look on Craigslist, there's lots of flats and apartments listed in historic neighborhoods, if that floats your boat.

Google Apartment Search - Grand Rapids
This is another good resource.

There is also a website for some leasing company that owns 4 historic buildings that are apartments and look really nice; the website has video tours and everything, but for the llife of me I can't find it.

[Mizsyx]

I have lived at The Crossings for over 10 years, in two different apartments, and can only say good about it! You might mistake me for management because of all the good things I can say, but I am a resident, and am only looking to leave because of a pending move to D.C. With that said, let me steer you to why it is so great and you should consider moving here:

Your rent, which you CAN afford here, (under $600) includes heat, water, and a washer and dryer. (Trash dumpsters are on the edge of the parking lot) Things you can slash off your budget! The apartments are really open, with European kitchen design including an open bar area (over the sink) which extends on an angle overlooking the dining/living room area. Central air (you pay electric) Sliders go out to your deck/patio which includes an ample storage closet. Bathrooms are nice sized with plenty of counter space, large cabinet and drawer, and huge mirrors. Bedrooms are always good sized, and my one bedroom has a huge walk-in closet, all closets have built in shelving, including shoe and tie racks, with pull out drawers. I rarely hear neighbors unless they are moving in. Grounds are kept meticulously, and they don't tolerate junk out on your balconies and they do insist on window treatments, (blinds or curtains, no blankets or sheets!) meaning everywhere you look is well maintained. The office staff are always polite, respectful and helpful, as is the maintenance staff - these guys are awesome and will come in the middle of the night if you need them to, and you feel like they are your friends.

In between having a 3rd floor, 2 bedroom/2 full baths and downscaling to a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, I searched high and low in the whole metropolitan area, and could not find a better deal for the price, which for me meant a washer and dryer, clean and safe. You also cannot beat the "country" area though in the suburbs. Highway M6 runs right along the property, giving you immediate access to anywhere. In the last two/three years, you now have a movie theater, numerous banks, restaurants, and stores in a few strip malls right outside the complex (which is set back) to include fast food, tanning, UPS, bookstore, JavaHouse, etc., most anything you need, and a Meijer, Target, Staples, etc., yet you are in a "country" feel. Well, actually, just down the road it IS country, even though you are only about 12 miles tops from downtown Grand Rapids, which I can get to in the morning on the highway in 15 minutes. (Don't ask at what speed, lol!)

There is a wooded area on the south side of the complex, and less than a mile to a park. Less than two miles away you can drive and park to Kent Trails, which people use to jog, walk, bike throughout the entire county, which does, for the record, pass by Ramblewood as well.

I don't know if Ramblewood has washer/dryers in their apartments, but I've seen friends have to go outside to a locked door with their key to get to a washer/dryer room, only to have it being used. Not too great, especially in winter. Ramblewood is very heavily wooded, therefore always a "dark" feel in their apartments - not much light. Streets outlining their complex are extremely busy.

I have inside photos of my apartment if you want to see them - send me a private message with an email address.

Don't be discouraged if they say they will have to put you on a waiting list. When I moved in they said it would be several weeks, but I got called the next week. I turned down two apartments that didn't have a pond view with the beautiful fountains in the middle (there are only a handful that don't) and still got called a week or so later. When I put my name in for a one bedroom, was told it would be awhile, but it then ended up being just days again, so if you choose here, hang tight!

They have a sister complex about 3 miles or so down the road on 60th which is the same awesome layout, but even more rural.

[trigirl]

We live in the historic distric of Heritage Hill. It's right downtown, very walkable. Lots of the "locals" think it's a dangerous area but this is a community plagued with urban sprawl. We have two young children and chose this neighborhood for the beauty of the homes, proximity to mass transit/restaurants/etc and the diversity (students, retirees, families). The MSU med school is moving in this fall and that will only boost the number of people looking at this neighborhood.
Check it out, we love it hear.
Heritage Hill Neighborhood Association, Grand Rapids, Michigan

[suydam]

Heritage Hill is awesome. If I was to rent an apartment in GR, I would look there exclusively.

[HighlandsGal]

I lived in Old Farm Shores -- in a one bedroom. It has high ceilings and a fire place, deck overlooking a lake/pond and nice landscaping.....I think I paid $600 for it. It included a washer/dryer in the apartment. Very open floor plan and pretty quiet. There is a running/biking trail that runs right through it. It is tucked back in a residential neighborhood, i never even knew it existed until I started looking for a place to live!

[100%Michigan]

Never lived in Grand Rapids, but have visited it more than once and its really nice there. there downtown seems to be great, maybe you should look for apartments there.