Who Is This Residence For?
The Lodges in East Lansing is a student-housing complex with five unit types (studio, 1‑bedroom, 2‑bedroom, 3‑bedroom and 4‑bedroom). It may suit tenants who need a short lease (minimum 9 months) and want on‑site amenities such as a swimming pool, in‑unit laundry facilities and Wi‑Fi. The property is located near Michigan State University – the main university in the area – so it could work for students who prioritise proximity to campus over building quality or management consistency.
However, based on available resident feedback, The Lodges appears unsuited for tenants who expect a well‑maintained apartment, accurate touring information, or responsive and consistent office procedures. The Google rating of 3.9 (from 483 reviews) is tempered by several 1‑star reviews that describe serious problems. If you are sensitive to pests, power outages, or administrative confusion, this residence is likely not a good fit.
What Residents Say
Three Google reviews were provided. They are quoted verbatim below, followed by a factual summary of the common complaints.
Paul Billock (1 star)
“DO NOT LIVE AT THE LODGES!!!!!! Please look past all the fake reviews on this place. I wrote out a big long story about why this place isn’t good but google puts a character limit on reviews so feel free to reach out to me and I’ll send you the unedited Long story short. Our apartment was nothing like the one toured. W”
WellsLSM11 (1 star)
“I would not recommend living at this establishment. Paying $1000+ for base rent at this apartment complex was not worth it. Charging $3000 for a 3 bed room apartment is ridiculous. During my time there, we had constant power outages (BWL), no matter how much I cleaned my room spiders would appear (room wasn’t sealed we”
Janey R. Salenbien (1 star)
“I lived at The Lodges of East Lansing for over two years. It was a constant headache. I’m so happy this lease has ended. Please look elsewhere! – Staff are generally friendly, but the office is never on the same page. I received contradicting and inconsistent information constantly. – While I understand that any college”
These three reviews (all 1‑star) highlight recurring issues:
- Unit not matching what was shown during the tour (Paul Billock, WellsLSM11)
- High rent relative to value – quoted $1,000+ for base rent, $3,000 for a 3‑bedroom
- Power outages – “constant power outages” from the local utility (BWL)
- Pest problems – spiders appearing despite cleaning, room not properly sealed
- Inconsistent office communication – contradictory information, lack of coordination
While the Google rating of 3.9 is moderate, the subset of reviews available here is strongly negative. Potential tenants should read a broader sample of recent reviews and, if possible, speak with current residents to verify conditions.
Price Positioning vs. City From-Price
The Lodges lists a monthly price range of USD 849 to 1,489 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The city of East Lansing’s “from price” (the lowest listed price among available properties) is also USD 849 per month. This means the entry‑level unit at The Lodges (likely a studio or 1‑bedroom) is aligned with the city’s cheapest option.
However, the resident review by WellsLSM11 claims “Paying $1000+ for base rent … was not worth it” and calls a three‑bedroom apartment at $3,000 “ridiculous.” The listed maximum price of $1,489 for the property may reflect a per‑person or per‑unit rate depending on the room type – the review suggests the three‑bedroom was priced at $3,000 total. This discrepancy means the actual cost per person or per unit can exceed the advertised range. Always confirm the exact pricing structure (per person vs. per unit) and any additional fees (utilities, parking, etc.) before signing.
Compared to the city’s only other property (source: city_property_count = 2), The Lodges is the higher‑priced option at the top end. The lower end matches the city minimum, but the value proposition is low according to resident complaints.
Room‑Type Guidance
The Lodges offers five room types:
- Studio
- 1‑bedroom
- 2‑bedroom
- 3‑bedroom
- 4‑bedroom
Given the negative reviews about unit condition and management, the following guidance applies:
- Studio and 1‑bedroom: These are the cheapest options and may suit individuals who want privacy and a shorter lease. However, the review mentioning “unit was nothing like the one toured” suggests that the actual apartment may differ from the show unit. Request to see the exact unit you will occupy, or at least a comparable floorplan on the same floor.
- 2‑bedroom: A common choice for two roommates. The lack of positive reviews for this configuration means due diligence is critical.
- 3‑bedroom and 4‑bedroom: The review quotes $3,000 for a 3‑bedroom apartment. At the advertised per‑unit max of $1,489, that would imply a per‑person rent if the unit is split among multiple tenants. Verify the total contract amount. Larger units may come with more maintenance issues (spiders, sealing problems as mentioned).
Recommendation: If you are considering a room type, ask for a written inventory of included appliances, condition of windows and doors, and the pest control policy. Also confirm the lease start and end dates, as the minimum lease is 9 months but the availability date is not provided in the data.
Booking Timing
The data indicates a minimum lease term of 9 months, with no specific “available from” date listed. Typical student‑housing cycles in East Lansing follow the academic year (August/September start). For a fall 2026 lease, you would typically begin looking in early spring (March–May 2026) and sign by summer (June–July 2026). Given the mixed reviews, it is advisable to inspect the property in person and talk to current residents before committing.
If you are looking for a shorter stay (less than 9 months), this property will not accommodate that. Also note that the review mentions power outages from the local utility (BWL) – if you rely on stable electricity for studying or working remotely, factor that into your timing decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
H3: Is The Lodges close to Michigan State University?
The address is East Lansing, MI 48823, which is within the city that hosts Michigan State University. The latitude/longitude coordinates (42.7205, -84.4525) place it near campus, but without a precise distance metric, assume it is a short drive, bike ride, or bus trip from main campus buildings. Check the exact walking distance using a mapping service before booking.
H3: What is the typical lease length?
The minimum lease term is 9 months. No maximum is stated, but student‑housing leases often run 12 months. Confirm with the operator whether a 9‑month lease is available for the academic year, or if a full‑year commitment is required. The data does not include an “available from” date, so ask about move‑in dates specifically.
H3: Are utilities included?
The tags list “Wi‑Fi” and “laundry_facility” as amenities, and the property is described as including Wi‑Fi. However, there is no explicit mention of electricity, water, gas, or internet details beyond Wi‑Fi. The resident review mentions paying $1,000+ for “base rent” – it is unclear if utilities are additional. Contact the leasing office to obtain a full list of included utilities and any caps (e.g., a fixed allowance for electricity or heating).
Sources & data date
Data provided by a global student‑housing platform, retrieved July 2026. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews sourced from Google (names, ratings, and text quoted verbatim). City from‑price and property count are based on the same dataset.
For live availability, ask the on‑site assistant on this tool for current unit options and pricing at The Lodges.
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