Varsity Square Apartments - DeKalb, Illinois

Kyle

Broken laundry machines in Varsity Square Apartments Building 2 (Office Building). The bottom dryer doesn't create heat/lacks airflow since July 2021. The left washer is broken since January of 2022. 30 units with 1 operational washer and 1 dryer.

Expect 6 hours of laundry time for two people and many days not getting a chance at all in slightly busier hours.

Evan S.

We lived at Varsity for 2 years and seriously couldn't have asked for a better apartment. The office staff have always been kind, understanding, and prompt when it comes to addressing concerns or issues.

The apartment was spacious and rent was really low compared to other places in the area. Even when rent rose hundreds of dollars around the area from the pandemic, Varsity gave the option to renew the lease for no increase and even if you weren't sure the increase was only like $15-$20.

The hallways are clean and the lawn/facilities are really well maintained. Maintenance staff, while rarely needed, were really professional and quick to respond when issues arose.

The area isn't the best with crime but Varsity does a great job at protecting it's residents by keeping doors locked and parking lots well lit at night. When there was a string of package theft, they sent out a survey to all residents to gather opinions on keeping the building doors locked 24/7. Within a few weeks the survey was complete and the doors were locked. Getting resident's feedback and actually implementing a change that reflects the communities opinion is really rare nowadays and I commend Varsity for doing that.

Overall If you are considering renting in Dekalb whether it be for school or anything else, Varsity Square is your best option.

David H.

Lived here three years, 2019-2022. Overall felt safe and private, quiet, management was pretty easy, not nosy. Hardly had to interact with them. A few times they would request access to enter for scheduled inspections and always gave plenty of notice, over a week ahead of time. I was present for only one of these and it was extremely quick, not even five minutes.

Maintenance was responsive, only ever had minor plumbing issues (toilet flush lever broke twice) and they would deal with it within an hour or two. Never had problems in the summer or winter with heat and AC. Hardly saw any critters, some earwigs here and there. Snow was always cleared in the parking lot.

Advertised as a "quiet lifestyle" apartment and my neighbors lived up to that. I will say I lived on the top floor and in a corner so I may have had a unique experience with a neighbor on only one wall and no one on my bedroom side. I see some complaints about living on the bottom floor, I hope I never bothered my downstairs neighbor too much, never heard a word about it. Otherwise sometimes people on adjacent streets would set off fireworks, couldn't really be helped. Safety-wise, anecdotally I can say that I accidentally left my wallet visible in my car a handful of times in both the lot and off the street and it was fine.

Lease stuff all pretty straightforward, they did always give me the option to renew with no or little rent increase. Got most of my security deposit back.

Only complaints I can think of, a door to my building was shattered twice. Took multiple weeks to fix. Asked management and they claimed repairs had been ordered and there was nothing else to do. Maintenance could occasionally be noisy or inconvenient, parking lot renovations were a hassle but we were given plenty of notice. For awhile building doors were unlocked for anybody to just waltz in so we had problems with solicitors, now I believe all doors are locked. Also upon moving out, was taken by surprise that laundry cards are non-refundable with money still on it and it was pointed out to me that I had signed for it when I first moved in, I'd forgotten although it was not accounted for in the lease. So just know what you're doing, they are pretty straightforward.

I'll look back at my time here fondly, it really was a cozy place to live and felt like I could mind my own business.

Natasha Y.

After two years here, I still can't believe how lucky I am that my first apartment is so nice! The staff is always friendly, and the few maintenance calls we've made were addressed immediately. I have everything I could want from an apartment close to campus: Great bus access, convenient parking, party-free calm atmosphere, well-kept grounds, in-building laundry, and unlike almost every other inexpensive apartment near campus, cat-friendly policies. If you want a cozy, quiet home for 1-2 people near campus, I don't think you can do better.

Donna O.

So far, we have been very pleased with the service at Varsity Garden Apartments.. Michelle could not have been more helpful. We will update after my daughter moves in and experiences living here as a student.

Kim S.

I have been living here a little over half a year and love it! I feel safe living here. I’m so glad I picked here to live and I already renewed my lease for next year. Plenty of parking for residents, close enough to campus yet far enough away not to hear all the commotion. I never have any issues in my apartment, everything works and runs perfectly. Heat works super well. Nice quiet living and it’s everything I need. Would recommend to everyone I know!

Jim K.

The apartments themselves are very nice. The price beats most of the others in the area and the location is great for campus. It is walkable during the nice months and the bus routes are right in front for the winter. The walls are thin though but not to the point were it is too distracting. Live on the top floor in order to avoid hearing walking at all hours of the night. The drunken foot traffic at night and other party complexes near by can be annoying at times but its a college town so it comes with the territory. If your apartment faces the courtyard you will not hear it nearly as much as facing outward. The staff is super friendly and all maintenance was handled within the day. It is a clean, well maintained, serviceable location for any college student on a budget. Parking is included and friends can park on the street in front overnight without a problem. Each building has its own laundry room which adds to the convenience.

Jordan

My girlfriend and I currently live in an apartment here at Varsity Square and we love it. Both of us were previously with two other apartment companies and so far we like Varsity Square the best. We love the front office staff. They are very welcoming and will always answer any questions you have. Along with a very friendly staff the apartments are very well taken care of. We love that it is also cat-friendly. Overall, if I knew someone looking to rent their first apartment Varsity Square would be at the top of my list.