It's pricy compared to the rest of the Richmond area (especially considering that it doesn't include utilities, cable etc) but for my purposes it's excellent. The building is quiet, which lets me study without much distraction; and it's also a very easy drive to get to UR Law and I can walk into Carytown within a few minutes. I also haven't had any issues with appliances, etc.

If money isn't a concern, it's a good place to live if you are by yourself if you want peace and quiet and convenience to campus. A tour is worth doing.

Malvern Review

Very safe & great location. No amenities included with rent at all, huge con. But safety/location/size huge pros!

The common areas of my building are tired - chipped paint on the doors and railings - bland walls and my first impression was not great. The common areas where you sign your lease are spotless and beautiful, of course. My apartment on the third floor is nice enough, but the rent is expensive for what you get. Old cupboard doors that are water-stained near the seams, and discolored from use, in the kitchen. Rotten grouting in the bathroom. Insufficient number of grounded plugs (although the management company does offer you two free adapters, the rest are at your expense). Wooden floors, which I like because they're easy to keep clean. There is parking out front although it is not assigned parking, I have never been unable to get a spot. The units have washers/driers which is a great timesaver. Units have AC & heat. Garbage disposal in kitchen sink. Front door features entry by key fob (one included with your rent, a second one is $40). A buzzer at the front door connects to an intercom in the apartment which you use to buzz someone in. Mailboxes inside the foyer. Management has been quickly responsive every time I have requested maintenance, and their office staff is generally pretty friendly. Maintenance staff is great, friendly and professional. The neighborhood is safe even at night, and the area is beautiful, spacious and tree-lined. So for neighborhood beauty, you can't beat it. $50 a month for garbage, which are dumpsters located in the parking lots. No bugs in the apartment except for the occasional palmetto in summer. Extra bills for water, gas, electricity, cable/internet, a start-up cost if you have a dog and then a monthly fee for your dog (around $30, I think). 5 day grace period on paying rent. Good pool and exercise room (the former open only during the summer months). Close to the I-195 and Carytown. Grocery store a ten minute walk away. Eight minutes from the law school, which is to me one of the top selling points.

I lived at Malvern for two years. I enjoyed living in this community, because it was well-kept, friendly, and has great amenities. It is within walking distance to Carytown restaurants and grocery stores, and about a 10 minute drive to University of Richmond. The apartments have hardwood floors, fairly spacious layout, and washer-dryers in unit. There is a small gym, salt water pool, and club house for resident use as well.

However, I killed several palmetto bugs and roaches in my 2nd floor apartment and the closets are small. The price of water/trash is not included, but is charged by Malvern, and it doubled between 2015-2017. Paying for expensive utilities outside of my control was irritating as a student with limited means. Also, some units are limited to certain cable/internet providers.

Malvern Manor is a safe, convenient location that allows me to get to and from school quickly and also access Cary Town and Downtown easily. I have loved living there and will continue living there through my 3L year.

MM is situated 8 minutes from the law school and three minutes from Carytown. A Kroger grocery store is near by as are pharmacies and 2 other high end grocery stores. MM includes a gym, pool, bbq. Washers and dryers, dishwasher in each unit. They are excellent at addressing maintenance issues immediately. Frontdoor of building is locked and festures an intercom. My apartment seems older. Older gas stove. Some two prong outlets are inconvenient. Not very convenient bike storage. Parking is in the curved driveway but is not assigned. The unit is expensive and does not include charges for water/sewage, gas, garbage. Generally a positive experience here - the attentiveness by managers to maintenance makes this place great.

The apartments are very nice. That being said we have had problems where our air conditioning doesn't work all that great in circulating air to the whole apartment. They seem hesitant to replace the air conditioner even though it is rather old and inefficient. Kills your electric bill.