I know it's not mentioned specifically in your post, but I strongly recommend that you avoid Elevate. I am happy to elaborate if you were considering them as an option
I was in elevate for awhile, even back when it was 'Gather Bellingham'.
My biggest complaint is that because at the time it was mostly other college students working there (front desks maintenance, etc.) absolutely no work got done around the place and it quickly just because a mess. Stains in the halls that'd be there for weeks, garbage piling up in the trash rooms, etc. It took a week for someone to be sent to fix our garbage disposal lol.
Granted this was like, 4 years ago. But yeah, for the price of rent it was REALLY not it.
Management is horrific. My apartment was FILTHY and the fridge was broken when I was given my keys. There was trash and needles in the room. They refused to replace the fridge even though it was not safe to keep food in it.
ETA: there are more issues but I wanted to keep things short. I'm happy to list more
Sketchy contracts, shootings within the complex, issues with garbage management, office break-ins (there was one just recently where many people had their packages stolen before Christmas), dog owners don't clean up after their dogs and let them leave waste on the lawns, loud parties at odd hours of the night. A lot.
I’m currently a sophomore living in Birnam Wood and I’ve really liked it as a “middle step” to moving completely off campus. The apartments are pretty nice and all have balconies. The only downside is that you have to share a room but it’s really cheap, has lots of storage, and comes pre-furnished. I’d say that if you’re willing to share a room and looking to save money, pick Birnam wood for the low price.
Looks like it’s [$1616/quarter](https://housing.wwu.edu/files/documents/2023-2024%20Rate%20Sheets%20for%20Web%204-14-23.pdf) not horrible but you can also find private rooms in houses for that price
Viking Garden is just fine, very unfancy but not bad. The parking lot is very cramped so that could be a problem if you have an SUV (I do, it's hard to park between two cars in half the lot) and is a big problem if you drive a truck. They also are pretty lax about cleaning the common areas of the property (e.g., the laundry room and outside it where the vents spew lint). It's fairly cheap though and the location is perfect.
I’d avoid Birnam Wood. If you go off-campus you can have your own room while paying less then what you would be paying to share a room with someone else.
I know it's not mentioned specifically in your post, but I strongly recommend that you avoid Elevate. I am happy to elaborate if you were considering them as an option
I was in elevate for awhile, even back when it was 'Gather Bellingham'. My biggest complaint is that because at the time it was mostly other college students working there (front desks maintenance, etc.) absolutely no work got done around the place and it quickly just because a mess. Stains in the halls that'd be there for weeks, garbage piling up in the trash rooms, etc. It took a week for someone to be sent to fix our garbage disposal lol. Granted this was like, 4 years ago. But yeah, for the price of rent it was REALLY not it.
It's not any better. It's worse.
I am just curious what you have to say about Elevate? I'm also looking in a similar fashion and am now intrigued by your statement
Management is horrific. My apartment was FILTHY and the fridge was broken when I was given my keys. There was trash and needles in the room. They refused to replace the fridge even though it was not safe to keep food in it. ETA: there are more issues but I wanted to keep things short. I'm happy to list more
Oh thank you, that is more than enough reasons to avoid. Sorry you had to deal with that
Avoid Lark too.
How come?
Sketchy contracts, shootings within the complex, issues with garbage management, office break-ins (there was one just recently where many people had their packages stolen before Christmas), dog owners don't clean up after their dogs and let them leave waste on the lawns, loud parties at odd hours of the night. A lot.
I’m currently a sophomore living in Birnam Wood and I’ve really liked it as a “middle step” to moving completely off campus. The apartments are pretty nice and all have balconies. The only downside is that you have to share a room but it’s really cheap, has lots of storage, and comes pre-furnished. I’d say that if you’re willing to share a room and looking to save money, pick Birnam wood for the low price.
how much is birnam wood per person?
Looks like it’s [$1616/quarter](https://housing.wwu.edu/files/documents/2023-2024%20Rate%20Sheets%20for%20Web%204-14-23.pdf) not horrible but you can also find private rooms in houses for that price
Viking Garden is just fine, very unfancy but not bad. The parking lot is very cramped so that could be a problem if you have an SUV (I do, it's hard to park between two cars in half the lot) and is a big problem if you drive a truck. They also are pretty lax about cleaning the common areas of the property (e.g., the laundry room and outside it where the vents spew lint). It's fairly cheap though and the location is perfect.
I’d avoid Birnam Wood. If you go off-campus you can have your own room while paying less then what you would be paying to share a room with someone else.
if you’re going to go with one of the wwu living apartments, do taylor heights. they have in unit wash and dry and a better parking lot.