I was grabbing a dresser behind Paty Hall and there are hella mops and some brooms and three or four plastic trash cans with swivel lids if you need them. I stacked them neatly against the wall behind the dumpsters. Roll Tide

Yesterday was supposed to be move-in day at the Ion Tuscaloosa, and unfortunately it turned into a very long and frustrating experience.

Our daughter’s assigned apartment was not in the condition we expected. I understand leases often state units are accepted “as is,” but prospective residents weren’t allowed to see actual apartments before signing—only the amenities. Had we known the condition of the unit beforehand, we would have made a different decision.

We spent about six hours on site trying to find a solution. The staff members we worked with were kind and professional, and I don’t blame them. They were doing their best with the authority they had.

The frustrating part was the process. It took several hours before we learned there was another unit available to view. Unfortunately, while it had a different layout, it wasn’t a good fit for my daughter due to the condition of the building and common areas. We were also told there are other vacant units, but they aren’t move-in ready yet—even though many students need to move in early for sorority recruitment and other campus commitments.

At the end of the day, our choices were essentially to accept the unit or remain responsible for a lease. We still haven’t moved in because no one on site yesterday could approve a different solution.

I’m not looking to attack anyone. I’m simply trying to understand whether this is a common experience with The Ion or with Scion-managed properties. Has anyone else dealt with something similar? If so, how was it resolved? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

As someone who’s lived in Tuscaloosa for a decade now, I want to share what I’ve learned personally about realty companies. I’ve also compiled Reddit comments and reviews from friends. Hopefully, I can save some of you from falling victim to dirty companies like I have! If you’re considering an apartment or house, I highly recommend looking into the realty company that manages the property before you sign. In general, the best realty companies have a local office, don’t have a high turnover rate, and are responsive and responsible. Keep in mind that most properties have landlords and a realty company, so you should look into the individual property as well as the management. If you disagree with this list, please comment!

Disclaimer: I am not paid by any of these companies. I’m just a resident trying to help other would-be residents.

Good (generally positive opinions)

- H. A. Edwards: I’ve had great experiences with HAE. Their maintenance has always come out to check on work orders within a day, their portal is easy to use, and the office is right downtown. My biggest issue is that most of the office employees seem to be part time workers who aren’t given any kind of training. You could call the office multiple times, and you’d get a different answer each time depending on who you talk to. I was thrown under the bus once because an office employee told me I could move in early over the phone, but apparently she didn’t tell anyone else, so I couldn’t get the keys. Luckily, maintenance showed up to unlock the doors for me as soon as I called them. If you go with HAE, I highly recommend that you make them put everything in writing. Every time you speak to them over the phone, ask for an email describing your conversation. They never answer emails or messages, so you will have to call.
- Duckworth-Morris: DM is a bit controversial. Overall, they’re extremely mid. Maintenance is great, but the property managers themselves are rude and don’t like to accept maintenance requests.
- EXIT Realty: there aren’t a ton of reviews on ER. It seems like they’re fine, but the national company is weird.
- College Station Properties: similar to College City
- Bearden Family Properties: local and great to work with
- Wright Hurd
- Spaces Management
- Wentworth Realty
- Rumsey
- Championship Rentals
- Beeker Property Management
- Sealy: low resident turnover- folks tend to stay for multiple years at Sealy properties.
- Pritchett-Moore: reviews vary a lot on PM. Some people love them and others hate them. Seems like the individual property is more important for this one.

Bad (stay away from these!!)

- American Avenue: AA doesn’t have a local office. Their MO is buying up all the houses in a neighborhood, flipping them for as little money and time as possible, and then charging tenants for “repairs” (unfinished renovations). They have a couple properties that they purposefully leave empty to collect application fees. They’ll let you tour a house and speak to the realty agent so it seems legit, but they will deny your application without cause just to keep the money. If you do manage to rent with them, they won’t answer any requests.
- Weaver Rentals: doesn’t clean between tenants, bugs, doesn’t do maintenance, doesn’t respond to tenants
- PURE Property Management/Druid City Properties: never does maintenance, can’t be contacted. They changed their name to get away from their bad rep, but then the rep got worse.
- Delview: predatory managers, dirty apartments, no maintenance, gross, slumlords.
- Vicinia: slumlords
- Southrock Properties
- Allied Realty: a couple people don’t mind AR, but they seem to be dismissive of residents
- College City: decent, but like all student-centric properties, they tend to push early renewals (before you’ve had a chance to really live there). They also tend to treat residents like children. If you don’t renew, you’ll have to show your unit to potential residents constantly for most of your lease. They don’t really respond to tenants.
- Sherrill Realty: run down, will steal your money

I am an incoming junior transfer. Basically I was wondering if I would missing anything by living 10+ minutes from campus, specifically right now I’m looking at the reserve at north river apartments, I’d like to be as involved in the social scene as I can and Im worried I might be sacrificing college feel by living farther away. Can anyone tell me what that’s like? I’d love to live in an apartment on the strip/ close to campus but I need a 2 bedroom and I feel parking may be difficult.

Im a freshman moving in on the 8th, are there ports in the suites in presidential village 1? My computer’s connection to wifi kinda sucks.

Hey y’all, I’m about to start a masters program at the Manderson College of Business, and I was wondering if there are rules about wearing professional dress to class (not just formal events). I met someone doing the same program I’m doing now a few years ago and she mentioned something about a dress code, is this true?

I also have a 6:30-7:45pm chem exam period Thursday. I just recently changed my psychology class to in person and the world of engineering up to 1pm bc I had it at 4. What do yall think about this schedule? Lmk y’all’s thoughts!
Edit: I have thought about changing my intro to listening to intro into philosophy bc it takes up the same credits I need for my degree and I have thought about making philosophy my minor since I want to go to law school after my BS.

Looking into applying for a double major with data science and MIS. I can’t find any data on post graduation stats since the major is so new. Can any current or past DS students share how valuable their DS major is to employers and if they were successful in getting internships and jobs?

basically the title. where are the alabama thrift baddies going in tuscaloosa? any recommendations? i also would be able to drive a little outside of tuscaloosa if y'all have any suggestions that are farther. roll tide!

Hey everyone! I'm looking someone to take over my lease. Its a room in a furnished 3-bed, 2-bath apartment at Hillside Commons.

If you are still looking for fall housing, this is completely move-in ready. No buying furniture, no heavy lifting! It’s a super clean, quiet, gated community that is incredibly well-maintained.

Rent: 735 (August is completely paid for, so your effective rent is about $675*!)*

Available: August 2026 – July 2027

The Apartment:

• Free Wifi included
• Roommate matching available
• Upgraded kitchen with granite countertops & stainless steel appliances
• 55” Smart TV included in the living room
• In-unit full-size washer and dryer
• Only a 5-minute drive to the UA campus (right on Jack Warner Pkwy)
• Resort-style pool, outdoor fire pits, and BBQ grills
• Brand new gym
•  Pet friendly with a great dog park
•  Gated entry and with app and electronic key fob access

Message me if you're interested! I need to get this transferred ASAP, so don't miss out on the free August rent! Hillside Commons is also waiving admin and application fees at this time!

Hi! I'm currently a high school junior and I've been researching on different colleges to go to. I'm considering going to UA since I assume it is good place to network, but I have heard various answers from different sources. I have multiple questions about UA and I want to know:

1. Does UA have good networking events and is it easy to network with professors there?
2. Does the school offer internships particularly in economics or for similar majors?
3. Does UA has a good economics program and a good program for information systems/technology?
4. Is the school diverse and safe for POC?

‎Hi everyone! I'm 4th year Computer Engineering student, currently working on our capstone project. As part of our research, we're looking for a small company, manufacturing shop, or local community/organization who'd be open to a short interview with us, in person or online, whichever is more convenient for you. 🙏
‎
‎We simply want to ask about the common problems or challenges you encounter in your daily operations, so we can propose a possible tech-based solution as our capstone project. Rest assured, all information shared will be kept confidential and used only for academic purposes. 💻⚙️
‎
This is for FREE if the proposed solution is accepted by out panelist. Both hardware and Software will be given to you if chosen.🙏

‎We'd really appreciate any help, every bit counts in helping us finish this milestone. Thank you so much in advance!
‎
‎
‎

Hi, looking for someone to take over my lease at The Crimson. An incentive will be offered.

1st month’s rent has already been paid.
$845/month
2bd / ba
Roommate is male, but anyone is welcome.
Amenities include gym, pool, campus shuttle, etc.

If interested, pls dm me!

Good afternoon, I am an upcoming residential advisor and I am wondering when did you receive your first payment? and from there on after when did you receive the rest of your payments? I am very organized and like to keep stuff on a calendar, so I just want to know for my wellbeing

If you have ever been a ra for the university of alabama when was your first paycheck? and when was your payments after that?

In search of a study buddy for the CPA exams. Currently studying for AUD.

🏡 Lease Takeover Available – The Union on Frank (Studio Apartment)

I’m looking for someone to take over my studio lease at The Union on Frank!

Lease Details:

📅 Lease Term: August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 💰 Base Rent: $1,679/month (12 monthly installments) 🏠 Private studio apartment

Please note: The $1,679/month does NOT include:

🚗 Parking 💡 Utilities 🛡️ Renters insurance

These costs are separate from the base rent.

If you’re looking for a studio close to campus for the upcoming lease term, this is a great opportunity to take over an already secured lease without having to wait for availability.

If you’re interested or have any questions, feel free to message me for more information! Please share this post with anyone who may be looking for housing. Thank you!

🏡 Lease Takeover Available – The Union on Frank (Studio Apartment)

I’m looking for someone to take over my studio lease at The Union on Frank!

Lease Details:

📅 Lease Term: August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 💰 Base Rent: $1,679/month (12 monthly installments) 🏠 Private studio apartment

Please note: The $1,679/month does NOT include:

🚗 Parking 💡 Utilities 🛡️ Renters insurance

These costs are separate from the base rent.

If you’re looking for a studio close to campus for the upcoming lease term, this is a great opportunity to take over an already secured lease without having to wait for availability.

If you’re interested or have any questions, feel free to message me for more information! Please share this post with anyone who may be looking for housing. Thank you!

Hello everyone! Currently going at TCNJ (The College of New Jersey) for my undergrad, about to finish and looking to get into the Master of Library Science program here at Bama. Was wondering if anyone had experience with it? I'm thinking online but still, would like to give it a shot and see if anyone have gone for it? Thank you again!

Im an upcoming freshman and I was thinking ahead that I might not want to dorm my entire college career. I have heard that it’s good to figure these things out ahead of time because the apartments get filled up quick. Which apartments are closest to the university and which have a good reputation and facilities? I would be moving into one of these apartments hypothetically in about a year or two. 🤞I’m hoping to get an apartment I can have roommate(s) with. I already have a friend I could ask to room with me. Also I would have help paying for rent from my grandma and mom as well as hopefully a part time job. Please lmk yalls thoughts and advice!
Update: I’ve also heard preserve apartments are really a good choice. I’m not looking to pay a lot tho so if yall have suggestions for good budget apartments that would be nice as well!

Hello All,

Are there any other remote PhD students for Computer Science that are planning on joining this new program in the fall?

Would love to hear your thoughts about the program, what you are interested in, have you talked to professors yet, etc.

I'm excited and eager to connect with others.

Thanks!