MAA Riverchase

The drive is about +/- 15 minutes from campus if you leave before traffic times; after that it could range from 25-30 minutes. It is a good location near Walmart, Publix and Sams. There is a plethora of fast food options nearby as well. You are super close to the highway and a gas station. The only problems I had was that maintenance would take their time with requests sometimes, the plumbing and AC was super loud and there are a lot of children in the area playing. That wasn't an issue until I had bad days after an exam or trying to prepare for an exam or even if I just wanted some peace and quiet. I opted for the floor plan with the sunroom which gave me a lot of sunlight. The other downfall of this property is that you do NOT get the 5 day grade period most apartment complexes give you after the first. You also have a $100 fee for being 1 day late as well as $10/day after that. I would recommend paying up ahead of time. This is only allowed if you pay with money orders; you cannot pay ahead through the online portal. The gym could be better but I would just recommend the school's gym. The floor plan I chose was very spacious which I needed but they do have smaller and cheaper options. My units also came with a washer and dryer but you can opt of the unit with it and get one with hookups instead (this option is less expensive as well).

I would rate this property highly, but I do have a few concerns. I moved to Birmingham to begin pharmacy school, coming here alone without family or friends. During my apartment search, I prioritized finding a safe location with privacy, good neighbors, and responsive management. Unfortunately, the gate has been down or broken frequently over the past year, which makes me feel less secure. While I understand that no property is perfect, this is a significant issue for me, and I wish it didn’t happen as often.

Additionally, the air conditioning unit is excessively loud. After speaking with my neighbors, it seems this issue affects the entire building. The noise is constant when the unit cuts on, while it runs, and when it turns off. It’s so loud that I have to raise the volume on my TV significantly, whether I'm in the living room or bedroom. The toilet also runs frequently and quite loudly.

Aside from these concerns, the apartment suits me very well. It’s spacious with a washer and dryer, a walk-in closet, a pantry, a hall closet, a coat closet, and a sunroom, all of which I appreciate.