Information about apartments needed - Masonic lofts & Regency towers (New York: section 8, apartment complexes)

[GRashida]

Hello,
I had asked for recommendations a few months ago and had received a lot of good information (hence I am back .

I am considering these two apartment complexes managed by longley jones - Masonic lofts on Montgomery street, and Regency towers on James street. How safe are these areas? I'll be living alone (young, female). Anyone with any experience living here?

In addition, I'm looking for places near the university as well and would much rather rent a flat. But I am looking at complexes as backup options.

Thanks in advance!

[ckhthankgod]

Between the two, I'd say that the Masonic Lofts due to the location(Downtown near the Public Safety Building). You are still near the University and the Connective Corridor too.

[ToeJam]

I would say no to the Masonic Loft. They were part of the Downtown Living Tour a few years ago and the place gave me the creeps because most of the apartments only had one small window in the entire apartment. It just had a dark and creepy feel to the place. It is also near the YMCA shelter which creates a spill over of some less than savory characters. I may be wrong, but I believe there is a percentage of the lofts that are Section 8, so that may be a factor.

I would keep looking for a flat closer to SU. It all depends on what your budget is.

[Cleveland Park]

A number of University faculty and graduate students live at Regency. It's a nice (old) building with a bar and restaurant on the first floor; not a bad neighborhood, but not terribly close to the action, either.

I'll second the take on the Masonic Lofts. Never been in the place, but it's definitely mixed income - there's a little Section 8 in there.

[syr83]

Originally Posted by ToeJam

I would say no to the Masonic Loft. They were part of the Downtown Living Tour a few years ago and the place gave me the creeps because most of the apartments only had one small window in the entire apartment. It just had a dark and creepy feel to the place. It is also near the YMCA shelter which creates a spill over of some less than savory characters. I may be wrong, but I believe there is a percentage of the lofts that are Section 8, so that may be a factor.

I would keep looking for a flat closer to SU. It all depends on what your budget is.

Heard the same thing about Masonic lofts...person i know who saw the building said it felt like a dungeon. It's in a quiet part of downtown, but still only 3 blocks from Armory square.

[ckhthankgod]

Interesting about Masonic Lofts being mixed income. It seems to be the only building with that set up. Regency Tower could work due to the things Cleveland Park mentioned and it is still a quick walk/bus ride to Downtown. If you have a car, it is still a quick drive to campus too.

[GRashida]

Thank you, all! This is very helpful. I am really hoping something closer to the university will work out.

I am visiting syracuse next week. Any thoughts on the 2000 block of East Genessee?

Also, is Thurber street on any bus lines? The centro bus schedule notes a bus stop about 1.5 miles from Thurber; however, the realtor I spoke with about an apartment on Thurber said it was on the bus line. Is there another bus service connecting it to the university?

I won't have a car for at least a couple of months, so I have some vital factors (e.g., distance from university, grocery stores, etc) to consider. Thanks for all your help!

[acknight]

Originally Posted by GRashida

Thank you, all! This is very helpful. I am really hoping something closer to the university will work out.

I am visiting syracuse next week. Any thoughts on the 2000 block of East Genessee?

Also, is Thurber street on any bus lines? The centro bus schedule notes a bus stop about 1.5 miles from Thurber; however, the realtor I spoke with about an apartment on Thurber said it was on the bus line. Is there another bus service connecting it to the university?

I won't have a car for at least a couple of months, so I have some vital factors (e.g., distance from university, grocery stores, etc) to consider. Thanks for all your help!

The SU-Nob Hill route covers at least some parts of Thurber. http://www.centro.org/Centro%20Sched...Nob%20Hill.pdf

[ckhthankgod]

Have you tried looking into this complex: Maplewood Apartment Homes Apartments for Rent | Syracuse NY Apartments on Apartmentfinder.com

This may be another complex to look into: Nob Hill Apartments - Syracuse, New York

You may get away with that part of East Genesee, but I'd look into the apartments I posted first due to being on a bus line, a bit closer to campus and a grocery store.

[Cleveland Park]

Originally Posted by GRashida

Thank you, all! This is very helpful. I am really hoping something closer to the university will work out.

I am visiting syracuse next week. Any thoughts on the 2000 block of East Genessee?

Also, is Thurber street on any bus lines? The centro bus schedule notes a bus stop about 1.5 miles from Thurber; however, the realtor I spoke with about an apartment on Thurber said it was on the bus line. Is there another bus service connecting it to the university?

I won't have a car for at least a couple of months, so I have some vital factors (e.g., distance from university, grocery stores, etc) to consider. Thanks for all your help!

Thurber is a bit sleepy, but I'm pretty sure it has frequent bus service during the academic year.

2000 block of East Genesee is tricky - it's quite close to a high-crime neighborhood and it's also very close to the popular Westcott neighborhood. One block can make a world of difference (as a general rule, the area north of Genesee and bounded by Cherry on the west and Croly on the east is worth avoiding). Most of the neighborhoods south of Genesee range from decent to very nice.