I just moved out of the University Park Apartments after a generally satisfying nine-month stay. If you are looking for an, errrr, economical place to live in the U-District, where you can still have pretensions of adulthood, you could do a lot worse than this place. The studios here are TINY. I mean, really comically small, but they have a full-sized bathroom and full-sized appliances in the (eancy-weancy) kitchen. The building is also in very good shape and very sound-proof. I never heard a sound out of my neighbors the whole time I was there. The management is also very responsive and easy to get along with. From moving in to moving out I always felt like I was being treated fairly and that any problems I might have would be dealt with swiftly.
The building is corporate-owned, which was a first for me as a renter, and I appreciated it very much. Everything is done by-the-book. No surprise visits from the landlord (48 hour minimum notice), no dealing with shady or unreliable maintenance people. No dangerous appliances, fire hazards, leaks, or smells. Parking is available, both in the back lot or underground for a reasonable price.
I lived on the top floor facing University Way, which had its advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, I got great natural light and beautiful sunset views, but on the negative side the apartment really heated up on sunny days due to all the light and the Knarr is right across the street. You'd never guess how far the voices of drunken smokers can carry.
So, besides the bar across the street and the (really, truly comically) small apartment, I thought this place was good. Certainly a great value for the money in the neighborhood. So, if you're done with roommates but don't quite have the budget for the Belltown condo yet, this might just be up your alley. read more