In my opinion there is only one good thing about Brandywine: the location. There is a Kroger and a quaint little shopping area directly...
In my opinion there is only one good thing about Brandywine: the location. There is a Kroger and a quaint little shopping area directly behind the complex, which is handy. As for the apartments themselves, DO NOT GET ROPED IN. The leasing office is nice and the landscaping is pretty, giving the impression of quality. But the apartments themselves are old and unremarkable. The appliances are ancient, and while they are finally getting around to replacing them, they're also raising rent by $40, even for people who have been living here for years. Ha!
The carpet was dingy when I moved in and the whole space just looks dated. They don't allow smoking anymore. They told me I couldn't even smoke in my car in the parking lot. Pets are allowed but the pet deposit is outrageous ($300). I was blamed for pet messes multiple times when I always picked up after my dog outside. If someone wrongly blames you for a pet mess, you can be charged for $50, regardless of whether or not you are at fault. There is also a huge pigeon problem, though admittedly I do think pigeons are kind of cute.
Rent is due on the third, which is frustrating since most other complexes give you until the fifth. I imagine this is intentional, however, because they will destroy you with late fees. I would always get notes on my door, faithfully, almost every other day saying that the fat ass check I wrote still wasn't enough, that they still need 20 bucks, etc etc. The staff, in my experience, has always been very condescending.
Before Brandywine I stayed at Raintree, and while the apartments there were dated as well, the price of rent reflected that fact, and you didn't have to pay until the fifth. It wasn't glamorous, but it at least felt fair, and if you broke lease you just had to pay a fee. It wasn't a huge ordeal to leave. Meanwhile, at Brandywine, if you break lease you have to pay for the remaining months in full or they will take your ass to collections, and you also have to give a 60 day notice before getting out.
Anyway, it was my own stupid decision to stay at Brandywine in the first place, but I deeply regret it. I'm just trying to give a heads up to anyone else out there; Brandywine has the same generic cookie-cutter apartments as most other complexes, but they are priced like a luxury resort. There are places of equal quality that are much cheaper and less of a hassle. I'm glad I got out!