Carleton Artist Lofts

Nata Nico

Worse than living in a college dorm. The uniquely original artist community image they're trying to project is a farce. Don't believe the hype.

Bethany Battafarano

Staff (admin, maintenance, etc) have all been very kind and responsive. High quality of apartment appliances, most community/art spaces, gym, etc. For musicians, a few notes depending on what you're looking for. There's just one music practice room for all the residents. Hardly anyone uses it, so it's often available. It's decently big (maybe 20 x 20?), but its aesthetic is kind of like a really large closet in the back of the pottery/kiln studio. The room doesn't have WiFi or cell service. I never realized how much I relied on WiFi/cell for my practice time until I got here (teaching online lessons, accessing online videos/audio, downloading scores, viewing emails with repertoire notes, etc). Musicians with held instruments/vocalists can use the dance studio instead, though, which is lovely. There's a systemic heating problem in one part of the building. Maintenance has to come by frequently to all the apartments in that part of the building for heat shutting down, making loud screeching or buzzing noises, etc. Some units are branded as 1BR, but they're really more like Studios. The bedroom has only partial walls that leave a 2-foot space at the top. We thought that a 2-foot space sounded insignificant, but in reality, it means there's almost no sound/light barrier between the bedroom and kitchen/living room. Finally, Carleton is designated as affordable housing and it has income limits (you must earn below a certain amount). The spaces are worth the cost based on market rates for these kinds of amenities. BUT it's really a stretch to say that the cost is accessible for a low-income demographic. Most financial advisors advise spending a maximum of 30% of income on rent. At Carleton, even someone who earns the absolute highest allowed income and lives in one of the smallest/lowest-cost units pays 30+% of their income toward rent. That means that anyone who earns less than the absolute highest income limit, or who needs to live in a larger/higher-cost unit, pays a significantly higher percentage of their income. My partner and I pay 50% of our income in rent, despite the fact that we're among the higher income earners allowed and we're living in one of the lowest cost units. We've gathered that a number of people who live here have someone else (parent/partner/etc) subsidizing their costs in order to afford it.

Jay Ness

I've really enjoyed my time here at the Lofts. No matter where you live, you'll always find the negative in your everyday life but I'm going to focus on the positive. Staff has always gotten back to me. They've been open to conversation and responsive. And I love my community. I don't give 5 stars to anything so don't let that sway you from inquiring.

Jessica Specht

I love living at Carleton Artist Lofts! This place is amazing, management is wonderful, and I have met so many talented people. I couldn't have asked for a better apartment to live in!