An honest review of beach city: I believe the yelp reviews on here a bit unfair so I'm giving stars to help the average out. Because of my past two years living here I feel like I can give a pretty accurate review. If you're entering your first or second year of college, not fully ready to start living on your own, and value meeting people, then this is the place for you.
The location is absolutely beautiful and incredibly convenient for city college, no one can argue that. The fact that you have a fully furnished apartment, with utilities paid for, and you're own separate lease makes it different than other apartments, and it's different than other dorms because there isn't a meal plan. Which means you choose the food you eat, save a lot of money on food, can eat whenever you want, and portion control is a lot easier.
All things considered, you're in a safe area. Security has been doing a fantastic job and keep improving. Someone being too loud for you? Tell them and they'll fix it. Having a problem with other tenants... they'll make sure it doesn't escalate. They're understanding and a lot more effective than R.As at university or competing dorms.
Management has needed some work, I've seen a couple different head managers go through... but recently they've made a change and the two people that truly care about the tenants (Ava and Adam) are now in charge. In just the few months before I left they added new academic incentive programs, a study room, more social events, etc. They want you to have a good experience, but keep in mind that they're also just people doing a job and they aren't perfect. Being in charge of 400 college students can't be easy.
The price is a little high but it's cheaper than the other popular Tropicana Gardens, close to campus, and people are willing to pay it so if you're a business owner it wouldn't make too much sense to make it cheaper right? It's probably about an extra 150 dollars than your standard SB shared room. That being said, they have a community service program, and other incentives to get you cheaper rent.
The apartments sometimes need things fixed, but if you ask, and maybe sometimes ask again, then they will get fixed, simple as that.
The experience is unlike any other. If you don't like seeing people and really like your space, I wouldn't move in. But the idea of living right next to your new best friends is exciting and you really can't find this at any other university or city college. Universities have dorms, then frats. Other city colleges don't have a social scene. And I mean social scene, not party scene. If you don't want to party, you really don't have to. It's not hard to stay away from it even living in beach city. So if you can find a way to afford it, why would you not want that experience in your life at least once? It's literally a haven for college students. A pool, gym-ish, the beach nearby, 400 people your age, nice apartments, places to study, game room, etc... when else are you ever going to be able to have that in one place? I guarantee you'll make more memories and meet people from different countries and create more relationships than you would if you lived in a regular apartment in town.
All in all, I'm glad I lived here. It wasn't all perfect and I had to work to pay my rent, but I learned a lot and beach city is the main reason for most of my college memories. read more