The Sterling Student Housing

The apartment complex is just down the street from the law building, right near the Canes and other fast food restaurants. However, there have been incidents involving armed weapons inside the parking garage directly under the complex; and the gates into the garage become broken multiple times per month, typically getting fixed within two weeks, but taking up to multiple months to be fixed. Additionally, we have had many issues with various pests, chronically dealing with cockroaches, and even having dealt with rats inside the apartment.

Management does very well though. Typically responds to emails within a few hours at most, and service requests are typically taken care of within a week or so - depending on the severity of the necessity.

Great apartment building owned by African-Americans. Undergoing some changes which would be beneficial to those coming in the fall. Great amount of space in the rooms and living area, well secured building, and it's close to many restaurants and bars.

It's been alright. New management, so things are kinda good for now.

Spacious, walking distance to the campus (about 10 to 15 minutes), relatively safe.

The Sterling at Northgate (currently rebranding to The Sterling Student Living) is definitely a bit on the older side. The building shows signs of wear and tear on the outside and major maintenance that hasn't been addressed yet (one of two elevators has been broken since October 2020 and the 2nd floor parking gate has not been functional since we moved in, August 2020). It has also changed management very frequently in the past couple of years. In my 7 months of being here we've had 2/3 different management companies. This definitely resulted in some disarray with management. (We moved in later than we had originally agreed upon, our rent was supposed to include a $35 fee for furniture but it did not, my copy of my lease says it ends July 31 but theirs says August, difficulty with communicating maintenance requests to the correct person.) It is also very important to note that it is barely handicap accessible. I'm not sure if they have handicap rooms (I'm assuming/hoping) but with only 1 of two elevators working there was a time when both were down and all apartments were then only accessible via stairs.

However, all considered I am happy with my experience here. I personally do not care for a gated community/garage and have never had issues with parking or felt unsafe. I love that it is walking distance to campus and has CVS and 5+ different restaurants right downstairs. It is a cheaper student housing option so you do get what you pay for. I have been fortunate in that I have great roommates I knew ahead of time, our apartment didn't have any rodents or bugs, and all the major appliances and furniture work. When the maintenance team does comes around they are usually great at their job. It can take a couple trips to the office to make sure your request is given to the right person. They have been able to fix our AC, shower nozzle, toilet dripping, and water heater.

They are currently working on major renovations. Looks like they will repaint, are getting in new furniture, and redoing all of the community spaces. If all goes as planned I think it will be a great improvement. (I know previous management companies have attempted similar but then ended up selling the place before things were completed) Hopefully they are successful.

TL;DR

- Can't beat the price ($450 month for 3 bedroom), walking distance to campus, and convenient food location

- Older building & furniture -- you get what you pay for

- Management is friendly but still trying to get organized, might take a couple times to get issues resolved, I make sure to keep receipts of all payments I give them

- I've enjoyed living here so far but have also been lucky enough to have a decent unit, good roommates, and no neighbors

(3/18/21)