ITB Apartments (Raleigh, Five Points, Cameron: hardwood floors, apartment complex, rentals)

[ec729]

I am looking for an apartment in or near downtown Raleigh. The areas I have been considering are Cameron Village, Boylan Heights, Glenwood South and the Hillsboro Street area. I moved here from a large city and I really want something with character, preferrably hard wood floors but with newer ammenties and most importantly a washer and dryer.
Does anyone have suggestions?
I am 25 out of college so although I like all the neighborhoods close to downtown I do not want to live somewhere that is mostly NCSU housing. I would appreciate any names of complexes that may be in line with some of my criteria. Thanks!

[miamiblue]

There aren't many apartment "complexes" in the areas that you are looking at. There are a few in the Boylan Heights and Cameron Village areas, but I do not think they have W/D hookups in the apartments. These would be Cameron Court, Grosvenor Gardens, Wedgewood Apartments and Raleigh Apartments. They're older apartment buildings and definitely have character with wood floors etc. Some of them probably still only have window A/C units. There are a few cottage style apartments in the area that might have more modern amenities, such as Cottages on Grant and Country Club Homes.

The only other complex I'm aware of is Oberlin Court. It is super pricey and considered more as luxury apartments. These are more modern, so I'm not sure if they have wood floors.

Your best bet is to look on craigslist and drive around the neighborhoods you want to live in (you also might want to check Five Points, Oakwood and Mordecai). I live in Glenwood South and looked at many places in the areas that you mentioned, I found my place by driving around and seeing the sign out front (it was sheer luck). I had the same parameters that you do, and found that there are a lot of nice places and even more dumpy places out there, but they are not easy to find, and they go pretty fast due to the desirability of the area. Many landlords only have to stick a sign out in front of the building for a day or two.

As for college students, it's very hit or miss. The first year I lived here I had to settle on a 'big box' apartment complex and picked one that was a little higher rent and way out in NW Raleigh in hopes of avoiding college students. Well, my apartment bordered the pool, and I can say with certainty that the college students definitely made it out there as well, especially at 3:00 am on weeknights after the bars closed! The most college-ish areas are right around the university, especially around the Avent Ferry area. However, there are still a few slumlords that keep their properties run down and low rent in the Boylan Heights, Glenwood South, and Cameron Village areas to take advantage of college students. But generally, these areas are majority young professionals and older residents. I think you run less of a chance of having a problem if you rent in a smaller complex or from an individual than if you were in a big complex.

I've seen a For Rent sign at a big house on the corner of Boylan and Jones for a while now. It is a large victorian house that is divided into apartments. Since the sign has been out for a while, it may not be very nice, but might be worth checking out.

[VaNC]

It is a good time of year to be looking for these apartments, as we are approaching the end of the school year and students are getting ready to head out. In addition to ones listed by above, try Cameron Village...they are condos, but many are rented out. I lived there when I first moved here and they are great. There are also many companies that handle apartments, duplex and house rentals, such as Priess, Gaskill realty and Clark Properties. These places are usually older homes, or parts of older homes, but can be funky places to live in great neighborhoods and locations....just look at them first.

This map is a good source of some other available places: Downtown Living :: Downtown Raleigh, NC

[suncat]

I've had a hard time finding apartments like you describe, in or near downtown Raleigh. There seemed to be a lot of cool older buildings that haven't been kept up too well (Cameron Court), or were full of students. I looked at some off Oberlin that appeared to be undergoing renovations, and they were really cute (they may have been the Country Club Homes).

An alternative might be renting a condo.

[JQ Public]

Oberlin Court. Heard a few people @ my work live there. A nice mix of young professionals and rich college kids. If anything I'd beware of the college parties...i hear they can be annoying at times.

[JJingle]

I second Oberlin Court.

The Apartments at Oberlin Court

When I was relocating, I looked at them. The location is perfect. The crowd (as witnessed around the pool) appears to be what you are seeking. Alas, there were no available units for my time frame. I ended up going with Inman Park, which is a mix of families, young professionals, and more "mature" NCSU students. It's across from Crab Tree Mall and outside of the belt.

[miamiblue]

By the way, what is your budget? That will make a difference. Oberlin Court is fairly pricey as you are essentially paying a big premium for the location (I personally thought it to just be an overpriced apartment complex, but I have different ideals that most people). Also, do you expect or want 'amenities' such as a pool, etc.?

I am paying about the same here in Glenwood South that I did for my 'luxury' apartment in NW Raleigh. That apartment in NW Raleigh was smaller, had less storage, but did have two pools, a fitness center, business center and movie theater. My current apartment is larger, has hardwood floors, has tons of character and is steps away from restaurants and shops. I don't have a pool or anything like that, but to me I have more amenities now than at the complex. So, it's all a matter of what is important to you.

[ec729]

Thanks to all of you for the quick and helpful replies

I have looked into Oberlin Court and I think it is a little more than I would like to pay. I just need a one bedroom, ammenties such as pools and workout facilities would be nice but are not that important to me.

Although something that has a fairly updated interior is important to me. I have looked into some of the older apartments that were mentioned above but I am weary of something that does not have central air. ( I had window units in Chicago and swore up and down I would not go that route again

I have been cheking out craigslist everyday to see if anything interesting is posted. Which has been helpful, but at this point I have not seen anything that is the exact location and specefic features I would like to have in my price range.

Renting a condo would be something I would like to do if possible. Although I would like to keep my rent under 800 so I feel that going that route might be a little out of reach for me.

I really appreciate all of the feedback; and I will keep posting as I continue to do research.
Thanks

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by ec729

Although something that has a fairly updated interior is important to me. I have looked into some of the older apartments that were mentioned above but I am weary of something that does not have central air. ( I had window units in Chicago and swore up and down I would not go that route again

I hear ya! For eight years after I left my parents' house, I lived with window A/C and heat in Gainesville, FL and Miami, FL where hot and sticky is the weather year-round. I definitely wanted central air when I was looking here, and was lucky enough to find a historic apartment with that and full-size W/D hookups (and my rent is only $700 for a nice large 1br). I know how tough it is to find this combination of things in this area!

I did find several places in the Five Points area that had central air and came with stackable W/D. They were primarily duplexes and leased by individuals. I would have rented one of them if I didn't have my own W/D. I hate to say it, but it's really just a matter of being persistent. I know what it's like to not have the time to do a lot of the legwork that is really needed to find these places. Also, don't forget to check the N&O and Indy classifieds.

Best of luck! I hope you find a place that you like.

[VaNC]

As Miamiblue says, to get what you are looking for...charm, modern, location, low price all in one, you are going to have to spend time looking. They are out there, but get snapped up quickly. At your price point, which is very low for the area you are looking for, you have to be diligent and ready to pounce. And you have to be willing to put in the legwork.