moving to Columbia, MO from overseas! (Craig: apartment complex, rentals, condo)

[Any]

Hi,

We are a young couple moving to Columbia for grad school at the end of July from Madrid. We are trying to rent an apartment via Internet but it is very hard to get an idea. Datewise, it is impossible for us to visit Columbia before moving in.

We looked in apartmentratings.com, but are still too confused...

Could anybody give us specific recommendations of apts, or tell us which places to avoid?

Proximity to campus is ok, but not too much of a priority. They must accept pets (we have a cat), and we read about places where you could hear your neighbours talk, which is definitively something we don't want...

Please help!!!!

[Curmudgeon]

Perehaps the classified ads here will help you: The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, Missouri

Or maybe this: http://apartment-book.com/?city=Columbia&state=MO

[Any]

Thanks a lot.

We've seen those ads, it is more like we are looking for a specific recommendation of a place, because we have to rent it without seeing it first!!

Any more ideas...???

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Any

Any more ideas...???

You're welcome. Unfortunately we've not yet moved to MO (will shortly) so I can't give you and first-hand reccomendations.

Best of luck. I hope you find what you're looking for.

[Slice57]

Check out:

Garry Lewis Properties at Corporate Lake - Columbia, Missouri, Apartments, Rentals, Townhouses, Duplexes For Rent ...

This company manages several complexes. I live in "Brandon Woods Place" so I can't speak to the other buildings.

For the money you get a large aparment that (at least in my case) is in very good condition. They are 2 bed/ 2 bath, have washer/dryer hookups, and a balcony. Parkings is free at the building.

I have live here 2 years and only once has there been a problem with the noise. The only negative is that some people do not clean up after their dogs.

The place is located south of campus. As long as I don't leave around 7:45 it takes me around 10-15 minutes to make it to the Hitt street parking garage.

Check out this link for more reviews.

http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate...ods-Place.html

EDIT:

I just read some of the reveiws from that site. I have never had a problem with the management. The neighborhood is one of the best in town. Also, any time I've had to make a maintenance request (twice: once for a leak, once to recharge my AC) they fixed the problem within 8 hours.

[Any]

Thanks a lot, will check it out!

Looks nice...

Another cultural question type of thing: when apartments advertise "washer/dryer hookups", what does that mean? And does this imply that there isn't a laundry room in the facility?

Thanks!

[Slice57]

Washer and Dryer hookups means that there is the ability to have a washer/dryer in your apartment. However, if it just says "hook-ups" then it won't come with the W/D.

I can't speak for every apartment complex, but I know that Brandon Woods DOES NOT have a public laundry room. However, you can rent a washer and dryer from them for $30 a month. The amount is just added to your rent..

[aragx6]

We used A&B management for one year when we lived there and were truly very happy with them. Cheap, generally well-run and we never had any maintenance issues. They have properties all over town, and they're not full of students. We lived in a four-plex with two young families and a college aged couple.

Several places, I know Katy Place is one of them, don't rent to undergrads -- something you might want to look at if you don't want to deal with drunken 19 year olds on a regular basis.

If you get a place that only has w/d hook ups, get on Craigslist and look for a used set. Because of the transient nature of the population, you can usually pick up a pair for $200-300.

[portugabel]

Hola,

I am also moving to Columbia for grad school from overseas.

I am on my own so was looking for a place with roommate. I managed to find a vet student who had just purchased a condo at Brandon Woods. I have also only heard positive feedback about Brandon Woods regarding location (close to supermarket, shopping mall,...), neighbourhood (quiet and green), apartments,... and easy to get into the University.

We will certainly meet during International Orientation on August 17.
IF you need any advice regarding my moving (almost fully prepared to move on July 19) and so on, just let me know.

Cheers,

Portugabel

p.s. slice57: is Hitt Street Parking Garage the one you were automatically assigned by the MU PArking & Transportation (they told me they would automatically assign a parking to me in function of where I live)

[Slice57]

As far as Hitt street... I think it is a function of where you live, what you request, and what program you are in.