Don't believe all the positive reviews you see about Merion! If you read carefully, you'll start noticing key words that make it glaringly obvious they are paid reviews. Here is the truth about this place:
1. The leasing agents are liars, bullies, and will cut you off and move on to the next one if you are unsure about living there. They repeatedly claim they have low turnover and rare availability, but this is simply untrue (a quick search for availability on their website refutes their claims); it's just an aggressive sales tactic used to pressure you into immediately signing a lease without the chance to consider all your options. Another extremely pushy tactic they employ is claiming most people sign leases sight unseen, which is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of. Apartment hunting 101 is to NEVER, EVER rent sight unseen; even Craigslist warns you against doing that!
2. The apartments are old and tired. "European kitchen" is code for small, separate (vs. open-concept), and lacking basics; it is narrow, has very limited counter space, no microwave, an archaic faucet, and a pointless wall dividing the kitchen and dining room. The closets have creaky old accordion doors. The doors have ugly gold knobs (the kind that can be opened with a credit card). The vanities are NOT marble, despite their claims. The faucets have squeaky plastic knobs. Ancient metal soap dishes/toothbrush holders are nailed to the wall, and mirrors are attached with cheap plastic clips. The balcony is narrow and has a concrete wall, so you can't even enjoy your view if you're sitting in a chair. They cut every corner possible, and avoided upgrades that almost every other apartment in Columbia has done/is doing.
3. At any other apartment complex, if you fill out an application and pay the application fee, they will hold the apartment for you until you decide whether or not you want to lease it. Here, they will do that for a MAXIMUM of 24 hours. If you haven't decided by then, they will immediately give your apartment to someone else. You just gave them all your personal information and $25 for nothing.
4. They have the shortest list of amenities available of any apartment in Columbia. No pool, no carports, no garages, no storage, no private use of clubhouse, no real business center (just copier/fax, no computers/internet access), and one small fitness center. Their "continental breakfast" is just cheap donuts.
There's a very good reason there aren't many pictures of Merion's apartments on the internet. Don't let these bullies intimidate you into joining their "VIP list", filling out an application, or signing a lease. Do your due diligence and make a rational decision, like a normal person would. read more