My fiance and I are relocating to Williamsburg, Virginia, before May 1st, and I'm looking for a little info on housing. We were down there earlier this week to tour the office where I'll be working, but we didn't have much time to tour properties. I've already scoured the entire internet and viewed all the standard apartment hunting websites, craigslist, newspaper classifieds, the university off-campus housing network, etc. etc. So, I don't need help on where to look for an apartment. I do, however, have some questions about some areas that could not be answered with the internet sources. So, if anyone has lived in Williamsburg, maybe they can help.
Basically, we're trying to find a place within walking/biking distance from campus (I'll be working on campus) and Colonial Williamsburg. A two bedroom is preferable, but a one bedroom will do. We're looking to pay under $1500 if possible. We don't want a large apartment community. I've seen a number of ads for apartments within houses that are near campus, but I'm not having a lot of luck getting specific details from landlords/real estate agents. My coworkers all live in apartment communities or own homes, so they didn't have too much info. And we won't be able to head back down to view places for a few more weeks. Can anyone tell me what streets/neighborhoods to avoid that may be student ghettos or filled with slumlord apartments. Are apartments typically renovated close to campus, or are they in bad shape? We drove through a neighborhood called Counselor's Close which itself appears to be quite pricey but which bordered on neighborhoods that were a little more downscale (Griffin Ave., Cary St. etc.) Do these neighborhoods ever offer reasonable rentals?
Thanks in advance for any help people can give. I'm trying every outlet necessary for getting information before making any decisions.
Lucky you. I graduated from W&M and my parents live in W'burg now, having retired there after I graduated. I would avoid Griffin Ave and the areas right off of either Jamestown or Richmond Roads. Those are high-turnover areas, i.e., a different group of students every year.
It's been awhile since I graduated and there's been a huge amount of development, so I don't have great info on other apartments. Have you tried the classified ads in the Virginia Gazette (the local paper)? It seems like there are always lots of ads there for apartments or home rentals. I don't think $1500 a month should be a problem, but again, it's been awhile since I was there.
How far from campus are you willing to go? I think if you go beyond walking distance or at least over toward the law school you're likely to have more luck. PM me if you want to discuss specific areas.
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