Stony Brook Commons Apartments

The place is good, but recently there have been security concerns. The management increased our rent by 20%. As good as the place is, there are cheaper alternatives near by with equally good, if not better management. The amenities are also not easy to access. To use the gym, for example, you need to reserve 2 days before. So if you feel like using the gym suddenly, there is no way to access it. The premium rent is not worth it.

The apartments are really old with little insulation, even the renovated ones. The walls are thin and you can hear your neighbor even when they don't talk loud. The heater is extremely loud and the appliances are not good. The lease included fitness center facility which has been shut for almost the entire year either due to covid and renovations. There are mice and rats almost everywhere. The apartments say no smoking but so many of the tenants are smoking all the time and the management does... nothing about it. The rules say no dogs but a lot of the tenants have dogs and don't clean up after them. Overall for the price you could go to somewhere better. Read More

The apartments have no insulation - I can feel the wind coming through the outer wall in the winter, I breathe in the multiple substances my next door neighbor smokes in the middle of the night, and I hear the children upstairs running and screaming starting at 6am as well as my next door neighbor playing dance music past midnight. Even the treadmills in the gym have lost their tread and are dangerous to run on. Multiple complaints to the management has been met by "call security", and they have... now stopped responding at all.
I was fooled by the security booth and nice lawns. These apartments are incredibly overpriced in a mediocre location. For not being able to sleep and being constantly sick from secondhand smoke, I will never live here again, and I wish I had never moved here in the first place. I wish I could give 0 stars so that no one else experiences this. Read More

Pros

Beautiful area
Security on grounds
Quiet neighborhood
Friendly neighbors
Small pet friendly
Nice appliances
Heat/hot water included
Close to the orange line
Free WiFi*
Laundry in area**

*Wifi is really meant the common areas, Not in your home. So be sure to add an internet service provider to the cost if comparing.

**Washer and dryer available for 2 bedroom homes. other units have access to multiple laundromats on grounds $2 per wash & $2 per dry

Cons

Living space to cost... ratio*
Electricity not included
Parking is spotty**

* A studio starts around what one would expect for a 2 bedroom elsewhere and it only keeps going up. Trying to pay for this place by yourself is... admirable but trying to keep a family in such a small space isn't feasible.

**There's no assigned parking (which I think is good) however that also means you're not guaranteed a spot close to your home. Outside of bad weather or moving in/out it's not problem, otherwise it's a bit uncomfortable.

Summary
Aside from living space, you really get what you pay for here. I'd advise people just starting out in their careers to look for more affordable homes and families to find more spacious homes.

I'd recommend this place for pairs who are comfortable with their income and savings.

You'll save more money even if you have to pay for utilities and you'll get more space on top of it. Read More

I feel the same way that the rent is to high. I live here now and this is going be my last year. The property is very beautiful. I guess you are paying for a beautiful property through your high rent.