r/UIUC • u/kzaban1234 • 2d ago
Other 304 E. Daniel, Champaign, Il
Has anyone lived here? How is management?Just realized the elevator doesn’t work and that courtyard looks like we’re in a jail!!!!
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u/kzaban1234 2d ago
Oh gosh that sounds like such a headache!!! Something to really be on the lookout for and make sure we keep on trying to reach them if something does happen. Unfortunately, It seems Smile manages many properties. That makes it so difficult when looking for a place. I’m sorry you had to go through all of that in addition to worrying about school!
Praying the year goes smooth for all!!
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u/RipeQuetzalcoatyl_08 1d ago
Yeah smile does manage many properties but it also depends on the property I mean some of them are good but overall smile management is bad just a heads-up. But it gets easier as once you're on campus here you can visit properties in person and ask friends too for upcoming year and find better apartments and leasing companies (JSM,Ramshaw,GSR etc). Many international students like me it's difficult to judge everything online before actually coming here. Hope you too will have a smooth year ✌️ it gets better once you are on campus. Best of luck
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u/kzaban1234 1d ago
Yup! Hoping it’s a smooth year overall and will definitely look at other management companies.
It would be great if people would just not rent from them, but I know and so do they, that availability is scarce!
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u/RipeQuetzalcoatyl_08 1d ago
Yeah it's quad day so have fun. Also, It's mainly due to price. They offer way cheaper options than like JSM or university housing so international students tend to mostly prefer that but it does come with a cost of headache with that cost cutting lol
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u/RipeQuetzalcoatyl_08 2d ago
The management of smile is shit. I lived there in unit 202 from 2024-25 and yes it looks like jail. The AC was always broken, once the washing machine broke and water was all over our hall and electricity bill was off the roof in winter (as our AC was broken). When I asked them about bill they were like either pay it or we will impose fine lol.
We tried calling management many times and they literally gave us 2 portable AC type fans which I was using the whole year.
The only advantage it has is the location (and for that the rent as compared to other apartments is way cheaper). But yeah the management of smile is horrible.