Rising Sun Apartments

[HopefulMD21]

Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if any current AUC students have lived in or know anyone who lives in the Rising Sun Apartment building? It seems to have the cheapest rent of all the Solutions properties, so I just want to make sure it is a reasonable place to live before I reserve it. Also, from the map it appears to be about a 2-4 minute walk from campus; is this a fair estimate? Thanks.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[ckbuffalo]

2 minutes tops, closer to campus than the dorms

[HopefulMD21]

2 minutes tops, closer to campus than the dorms

Cool. Is it a decent place to live i.e. no serious problems that would distract me or take much time away from school?

[FOID]

from the main gate to the office at rising sun is about 10 seconds sprint

[FOID]

it's a decent place. comes furnished. wonder if they put in hurricane shutters for that place yet.

[HopefulMD21]

Ok, thanks. I was looking at the list provided by AUC...How come there are some apartments at the Cupecoy Tradewinds that cost less than the dorms, including utilities? If I can get one of those apartments, would it also be okay to live in? Again, is it within a very close walking distance to campus?

[FOID]

tradewinds is about a 5-7 minute walk.

[georgelucas45]

The dorms are the bomb! Tradewinds is not as close as rising sun or the dorms, but it is definitely walkable.

[FOID]

the dorms are worth it. free a/c, free electricity, furnished... security...

[HopefulMD21]

The dorms are the bomb! Tradewinds is not as close as rising sun or the dorms, but it is definitely walkable though.

Ok, good to know. I really wanted to live in the dorms, but they are filled up for the fall. I think I will go with Rising Sun unless I can get a very good deal on an apartment at the Tradewinds. Thanks guys!

[FOID]

Ok, good to know. I really wanted to live in the dorms, but they are filled up for the fall. I think I will go with Rising Sun unless I can get a very good deal on an apartment at the Tradewinds. Thanks guys!

rising sun, le flamboyant, campus village... those are good places to live, just be careful of solutions (the company than maintains those apartments). make sure everything is in writing so you don't get screwed over.

[HopefulMD21]

rising sun, le flamboyant, campus village... those are good places to live, just be careful of solutions (the company than maintains those apartments). make sure everything is in writing so you don't get screwed over.

Will do. Thank you very much for that advice. I will also make sure to get to the island earlier than planned so I can take care of any possible glitches before school starts. I'm really disappointed that the dorms are filled up already; this makes things much harder for incoming first semester students that weren't timely enough to get a spot.

[FOID]

that's good... taking care of everything before school starts.

auc has been trying to build new dorms for the school. however, do to some corrupt politics on the island, they aren't allowed.

[dsfan]

Will do. Thank you very much for that advice. I will also make sure to get to the island earlier than planned so I can take care of any possible glitches before school starts. I'm really disappointed that the dorms are filled up already; this makes things much harder for incoming first semester students that weren't timely enough to get a spot.

wait the dorms are already filled?

[FOID]

the only way to know is to call meas.

[HopefulMD21]

I spoke to MEAS today, and according to them, yes, the dorms are full.

[HopefulMD21]

If you sent in your housing request a while ago, then you may still have a chance. If you have not yet done so, then I would say chances are pretty much zero at getting a spot for the fall. The only way to know about your specific case is to call MEAS.

[HopefulMD21]

For anyone who has dealt with Solutions management, what is the best way to send them the money for the security, key, and utilities deposit?

[gtownrds91]

Hey, i just signed a lease for the sunrise apartments...I wired the deposit from BofAmerica, the fee was around $45 to the bank.

[HopefulMD21]

Hey, i just signed a lease for the sunrise apartments...I wired the deposit from BofAmerica, the fee was around $45 to the bank.

Ok....I'm hoping there is a way to avoid paying the wire fee. I guess that beats the extra 3.8% the charge on credit though.

[mower1000]

rising sun, le flamboyant, campus village... those are good places to live, just be careful of solutions (the company than maintains those apartments). make sure everything is in writing so you don't get screwed over.

Are there two or three bedrooms apts within walking distance of AUC? $1200+ a month for rent seems pretty steep. Would that be a cheaper alternative to an expensive one bedroom?

[FOID]

Are there two or three bedrooms apts within walking distance of AUC? $1200+ a month for rent seems pretty steep. Would that be a cheaper alternative to an expensive one bedroom?

there are 2 bed room apartments at lagoon view

[Kriterion]

does anyone know how to get a list of apartments...i never got one (i think).

[Itempest]

does anyone know how to get a list of apartments...i never got one (i think).

E-mail the housing department at housing @ aucmed.edu and they will send you the latest copy.

[ckbuffalo]

Campus village I has 2 penthouse apartments that are 2 bedroom I think they are $2600 a month. But you have a really big patio, one of the views is of the ocean the other you can kinda see the ocean and lagoon.

[Nelphus]

Campus village I has 2 penthouse apartments that are 2 bedroom I think they are $2600 a month. But you have a really big patio, one of the views is of the ocean the other you can kinda see the ocean and lagoon.

I'm pretty sure those are both taken by current 3rd/4th semesters....

I'm currently finishing up the deposit/fees for the Rising Sun Penthouse (ocean side) :)

[ds_in_tx]

Ok....I'm hoping there is a way to avoid paying the wire fee. I guess that beats the extra 3.8% the charge on credit though.

Might as well get used to being screwed on money now, as opposed to later.

$45 is not really much in the grand scheme of a $250k education, either. :twisted:

[stateofequilibrium]

Might as well get used to being screwed on money now, as opposed to later.

$45 is not really much in the grand scheme of a $250k education, either. :twisted:

Nope, that's how I justify my weekly sushi craving, sushi is more addictive than crack.

[dsfan]

Nope, that's how I justify my weekly sushi craving, sushi is more addictive than crack.

as a crack addict I concur




PS: not really a crack addict

[HopefulMD21]

Might as well get used to being screwed on money now, as opposed to later.

$45 is not really much in the grand scheme of a $250k education, either. :twisted:

Haha that is true. At the same time, it also proves how every penny counts. That $45 could probably buy a lot of beer down on the island...

[gtownrds91]

wait...is there good sushi available on the island?

[Nelphus]

wait...is there good sushi available on the island?

no ... at least I haven't found it yet


So far....

Wasabi - I had heard from several people that this was the place to get sushi, and I was quite disappointed... fish variety and quality was poor, and the portions were dismal for the price

Bamboo Bernies - much better fish quality (sashimi was good), but the portions in rolls and fish:rice ratio did not warrant the price. If you're more into the filler rolls w/ tempura etc. than you might like this place better- ambience is really cool

Thai Savannah - thai place serving sushi always weirds me out, but it was decent market quality for its proximity to campus and price -- still not what I would call "good sushi"

So far the best sushi-quality fish I have found is the Flash Seared Ahi at Toppers.... 17 bucks and its plenty of fish for one person, plus the service is great

[FOID]

wait...is there good sushi available on the island?

it's not LA or NY type of sushi, but the best one is chippie cafe in phillipsburg

[Nelphus]

it's not LA or NY type of sushi, but the best one is chippie cafe in phillipsburg

You've got to be kidding...Chippie cafe? haha what a name! I'll have to check it out, can you give a more specific location please ---- I have my rental for 2 more days!

[FOID]

they use to have fliers in the rotunda...

it's in phillipsburg near the chippie communication building. it's on its own street. i think they also deliver to the school if you order a lot.

[FOID]

You've got to be kidding...Chippie cafe? haha what a name! I'll have to check it out, can you give a more specific location please ---- I have my rental for 2 more days!

it's called chippie cafe b/c they rent the building and i guess they required to name the restaurant chippie. it's actually a chinese/japanese place.

[FOID]

You've got to be kidding...Chippie cafe? haha what a name! I'll have to check it out, can you give a more specific location please ---- I have my rental for 2 more days!

here, i found a site...

St.Martin, St.Maarten Restaurants, lolos, dining out, sushi, pizza, take out, beach bars, breakfast and lunch spots in SXM (http://www.best-stmartin.com/Typ_6.asp?special=sushi&catID=6)

Chippie Cafe
behind UTS Building
Phone: 599 542-6988

[FOID]

also try...

chippiecafe@gmail.com

[Nelphus]

better be worth the drive! who wants go with me tonight?!

[Itempest]

To those experienced in these matters, what do utilities usually cost? I'm trying to gauge how much a place that costs $X with utilities included compares to a place without utilities included and I figure if I have a rough estimate of what it usually costs I can compare better.

By utilities I mean electricity/water/internet/cable, etc. the usual stuff.

[FOID]

water is about 20 a month. electricity... depending on usage, from 80 to 300 a month. I would turn on my ac when I sleep so it was about 150 a month.

[Itempest]

water is about 20 a month. electricity... depending on usage, from 80 to 300 a month. I would turn on my ac when I sleep so it was about 150 a month.

How about internet use? Is there a monthly fee for that or just the one-time "carib serve equipment" fee I see that many people are selling on the classifieds?

[Kriterion]

rising sun is right next to campus right?

i have a unit on reserve but they're asking for 3800 dollars. first and last month's rent, and a security deposit equal to rent which is 1090 a month.

is this reasonable?

[Itempest]

rising sun is right next to campus right?

i have a unit on reserve but they're asking for 3800 dollars. first and last month's rent, and a security deposit equal to rent which is 1090 a month.

is this reasonable?

Yeah, Rising Sun is next to campus, same building as the solutions office, the coffee shop and pizza place.
I think that's basically Solutions policy, although whether or not it's reasonable, I will leave for others to say. Although isn't 1090x3=3270? I figure they throw in a utilities deposit and so on...

[HopefulMD21]

Yeah, Rising Sun is next to campus, same building as the solutions office, the coffee shop and pizza place.
I think that's basically Solutions policy, although whether or not it's reasonable, I will leave for others to say. Although isn't 1090x3=3270? I figure they throw in a utilities deposit and so on...

They also add $50 for a key deposit and $450 for utilities, for a total of $3770. Quite a bit of money to ask for up front, but what other choice do we have if we want that building...

[lsmith55uf]

Your other choice is-Don't live in a Solutions run complex-which is the best choice. There are so many others close to campus, and wayyyyyy too many horror stories about the management there.

[Nelphus]

there are others close to campus, but no other buildings are as "close" to campus as the main solutions buildings.... meaning ---> I'm 6'1 ~205 and would not feel entirely safe walking to Cote D' Azur at midnight, alone; however, I would have no problem going back and forth to Rising sun or flamboyant/Lagoon view at any hour of the night completely solo. Basically you can throw a large stone from the guard shack at AUC's entrance to the entrance to Rising sun -- very close.
I would also feel safe walking straight down from the entrance to school to cupecoy beach club, through the casino parking lot. But walking to the right - towards cote d azur and the other properties, borders a large empty field that looks like a potential mini-golf-course to me :)

[HopefulMD21]

Your other choice is-Don't live in a Solutions run complex-which is the best choice. There are so many others close to campus, and wayyyyyy too many horror stories about the management there.

This is true. The only reason I chose to go with them is that I did not have the luxury of going down to the island in advance to look at places and handle the business in person. I probably would have gone with a slightly cheaper studio, but it's hard for me to trust something like that without having a first hand look. While Solutions has its flaws, I'm sure there are other blood sucking companies/individuals down there that are much worse. And it also seems that a lot of students have lived there with no major problems, so I think I will take my chances.

[ds_in_tx]

They also add $50 for a key deposit and $450 for utilities, for a total of $3770. Quite a bit of money to ask for up front, but what other choice do we have if we want that building...

They want a utilities deposit now? I guess they've had too many people run out on their last GEBE bill! Haha!

Yes, this is how things work. Pretty much all the landlords near the school (Solutions or not) want 1st & Last & One month security up front in Cash or Bank Transfer.

As previously stated, it's better to get used to getting screwed on money sooner rather than later....

[kemper6036]

Your other choice is-Don't live in a Solutions run complex-which is the best choice. There are so many others close to campus, and wayyyyyy too many horror stories about the management there.

a little premature dont you think, especially since you havent set foot on the isalnd? :rolleyes: remember on vmd you usually only hear the negative. i would rather deal with solutions than some random landlord

[lsmith55uf]

Nah, I've been down there a few times. I talked to the solutions dude, and got a real shady vibe from them, and from the way they do business. Where's Slevit (ret.) when I need him, he'd back me up ;).

[kemper6036]

ok well i'll rephrase then......haven't lived here. the majority of students will have no problems with them. vmd is notorious for being a soapbox.....i utilize it regularly as well

[lsmith55uf]

This is true, I totally agree. I was merely stating my personal, albeit limited, experience with em. I was lucky enough to find a good landlord down there who has been more than accommodating.

[kemper6036]

you'll find out if they're good or not when your AC breaks or something like that =)

[lsmith55uf]

True. Hopefully I can fix anything that goes wrong myself, though.

He's a former US Navy man, so he's good people so far.

[kemper6036]

thats good.....hopefully it works out fine

[lsmith55uf]

If it doesn't, all of VMD will know :D

[kemper6036]

thats what we're here for

[Doctor Monkey]

sorry wrong forum...

[TBL2008]

ok well i'll rephrase then......haven't lived here. the majority of students will have no problems with them. vmd is notorious for being a soapbox.....i utilize it regularly as well

Ok, well I DID live there and totally hated it along with all my neighbors. The place is a dump and the solutions guy (better known as::-devil ) is shady.

Note to everyone: DON"T rent from him. Also, there is a nutty woman that rents to students in Cote D'Azure. I hear she hates animals/pets. She was incredibly rude to me while I was trying to rent from her while I was trying to get away from the :-devil landlord.

[Nelphus]

Ok, well I DID live there and totally hated it along with all my neighbors. The place is a dump and the solutions guy (better known as::-devil ) is shady.

Note to everyone: DON"T rent from him. Also, there is a nutty woman that rents to students in Cote D'Azure. I hear she hates animals/pets. She was incredibly rude to me while I was trying to rent from her while I was trying to get away from the :-devil landlord.

I live in Solutions now (rising sun) and have been pleasantly surprised on how move-in and my first 3 weeks have been thus far. I initially had a non-functioning toilet that was fixed within 3 hours of complaining, and I have had numerous discussions with the owner of solutions, whom personally helped me get a few more things handled. I can see where people say he's shady, only because I believe he's the first "real" businessman that I have met on this island who can get things done right and done quickly - and to some that may seem shady but it's mere business dealings.
I know a lot of people complain about the reps that work at the desk, but just like everyone else on this island - going out of your way to be extra friendly and make a good first impression goes a long way in getting things done. If you piss someone off at the desk, they aren't goin to care much about your missing screen on the door or your AC not working. That also goes for the maintenance guys who roam around solutions- there's ways of getting things done on this island and Solutions is no different than other business dealings I have come across.
Before I came to SXM all I read on VMD was that the islanders hate the students and its not "the friendly island" as its made out to be.... I think that is a bunch of *blank* - a mere "good afternoon" and friendly conversation can really make a difference in your quality of life on this island.
Good luck with other housing areas/landlords - I have heard horror stories from all sorts of places, what you see here on VMD is not representative of what happens around here
If a 1st semester asks me now, I tell them to go straight to solutions and put their name on the reserve list, as many of my friends are just as happy with their places as I am....

[HopefulMD21]

I agree with the above post, I have lived in Rising Sun now for almost 4 weeks and have had no problems. I too thought the owner was a little shady at first, but he seems to really get things done for his tenants. Just remember to give them a little bit of slack because things are more laid back here and they may not dash to your service the minute you complain about something. Be nice to them and they will be nice to you.

[Mermaid Grace]

I agree with the above post, I have lived in Rising Sun now for almost 4 weeks and have had no problems. I too thought the owner was a little shady at first, but he seems to really get things done for his tenants. Just remember to give them a little bit of slack because things are more laid back here and they may not dash to your service the minute you complain about something. Be nice to them and they will be nice to you.
I've lived there nine months and it's not as new or fancy as some of the other Solutions apartments, but it has been serviceable and I've not had a problem with anyone there (except the guard and his cronies who talk outside my window at night). I lost my cat in the first 2 weeks I was there and they refunded my pet deposit and reduced my rent back to the no pets rate with no problems. I really love living so close to the school that I can run home on a break if I want to.

[TBL2008]

All I have to say to the last three posters is: Just wait. Just you wait.

I'm from the South. Nice and friendly is a fundamental where I'm from. I treated those people with the highest amount of respect and niceties possible. Trust me when I say, it's all about money with them. They WILL take advantage of you if you are not careful. They will break the St. Maarten housing and renting laws and they will laugh at you in the process when there is absolutely noting you can do about it.

Best of luck to all of you renting there. I hope that you never have to deal with the hell they put me through for 20 months. BTW I don't post this to scare you. I only wish I had read this post before I rented with Solutions.

[Nelphus]

All I have to say to the last three posters is: Just wait. Just you wait.

I'm from the South. Nice and friendly is a fundamental where I'm from. I treated those people with the highest amount of respect and niceties possible. Trust me when I say, it's all about money with them. They WILL take advantage of you if you are not careful. They will break the St. Maarten housing and renting laws and they will laugh at you in the process when there is absolutely noting you can do about it.

Best of luck to all of you renting there. I hope that you never have to deal with the hell they put me through for 20 months. BTW I don't post this to scare you. I only wish I had read this post before I rented with Solutions.

I didn't mean to direct the notion of friendliness on the island as referring to you exactly... I was mainly reflecting on numerous posts I have read. I understand you are the Solutions vet in this situation, but it would be more helpful to current/future tenants if you could post specific circumstances that gave you problems while renting there. When you just say that they're mean and horrible and never rent from them, one interprets that as a typical VMD rant on. If you lost all of your deposit, than that is something I can understand as the prices they set for lost items are pretty outrageous but I have run into similar problems with security deposits and shady landlords renting in Los Angeles, CA. Sadly enough, it is all about MONEY most places you go in this world (or CA at least). I promise to post on the ensuing course of my stay in Rising Sun, so what I have to say to you is ...just wait, just wait :).

[HopefulMD21]

Not to mention the numerous students living in Campus Village, Palm Court, Flamboyant, Lagoon View...there is always the stray horror story, but I don't think everyone would be renting from Solutions if they really were that bad.

[TBL2008]

I didn't mean to direct the notion of friendliness on the island as referring to you exactly... I was mainly reflecting on numerous posts I have read. I understand you are the Solutions vet in this situation, but it would be more helpful to current/future tenants if you could post specific circumstances that gave you problems while renting there. When you just say that they're mean and horrible and never rent from them, one interprets that as a typical VMD rant on. If you lost all of your deposit, than that is something I can understand as the prices they set for lost items are pretty outrageous but I have run into similar problems with security deposits and shady landlords renting in Los Angeles, CA. Sadly enough, it is all about MONEY most places you go in this world (or CA at least). I promise to post on the ensuing course of my stay in Rising Sun, so what I have to say to you is ...just wait, just wait :).

I have NO problem at all sharing about exactly how BAD BAD BAD it was. In fact, I've posted about it before! Feel free to search my old posts. OR just click here:
http://www.valuemd.com/american-university-caribbean-auc/153711-your-opinions-campus-village-post791429.html#post791429
In another post I said that I could post several other things that happened. So..... just know I'm just listing off a couple things that happened, but by no means are these the only things that happened or even the worst thing that ever happened.

[Nelphus]

I'd like to share the latest developments here in Rising Sun....

The AC in my room shorted out and was not working for a few days. I alerted Solutions office of the problem monday, maintenance came wednesday, came back thursday to determine the motherboard was done - to which I thought I was screwed because they would have to order a new part from who knows where.... and that may not arrive until my 5th semester; HOWEVER, about one hour ago they came to my place with a brand new, upgraded model AC unit and are just about finished installing it. This only took a little bit of friendly nagging to have everything in motion.... communication goes a long way here if you're persistent about it

....The good stories never get posted on this forum

UPDATE: it's colder than LH4 in here....

[LOST1]

i saw the ac unit at nelphus pad, they did a good job, it was cold. WHen are htey gonna fix hte living room ac, it doesnt seem to work, they never turn it on, its always hot in there.

[Nelphus]

i saw the ac unit at nelphus pad, they did a good job, it was cold. WHen are htey gonna fix hte living room ac, it doesnt seem to work, they never turn it on, its always hot in there.

They said the problem with the monster living room AC is something called....... "frugality" I'm not sure what that means ;)?????

[slevit1]

They said the problem with the monster living room AC is something called....... "frugality" I'm not sure what that means???????

Frugal is a nice way of saying cheap

[Nelphus]

Frugal is a nice way of saying cheap

guess the sarcasm didnt work.... of course it means cheap! We did alright on the 1st electric bill so we'll see what happens when we up the usage

[Ben_Linus]

guess the sarcasm didnt work.... of course it means cheap! We did alright on the 1st electric bill so we'll see what happens when we up the usage

Would've saved a couple bucks had we went to the Bing as planned last night :twisted:

Btw it helps to unplug appliances that aren't in use. Per Nelphus' advice I got my electric bill pro-rated to my move in date of Sept 1 (instead of Aug 10th!) and was only charged $60 after non-stop usage of A/C, monster projector, strobe light, and wireless 5.1 speakers whenever I'm home.

-B

[slevit1]

did you know that the PS3 uses more electricity than a refrigerator? The more you know...

[Nelphus]

did you know that the PS3 uses more electricity than a refrigerator? The more you know...

PS3 is the worst! how much power does the Wii use? THAT'S what I'm interested in :).... specifically how many ATP's does it cost for a best out of 5 Wii Tennis game? (vs. a wii-fitness aged 32 yr old)