I haven't seen these places myself, but I have heard many comments about them. Pines Apartments are 500 sq. feet consisted of a living space, a bedroom, and a small kitchen. I hear that it is relatively old when compared with other dorms on campus...some describe it as small and dusty. Currently, there is a construction for a new gym, so I speculate that it will be more dusty later in the year. For those of you not familiar with Downers Grove, I am a city kid so when compared with innercity Chicago, CCOM is in a high-class neighborhood. There are big houses (for some, I would call them mansions) gigantic yard, ponds, fountains...you get the drill. So my guess is that apartments such as city view and york town II will be much better in terms of quality (much bigger space and better maintenance, perhaps). There is a disadvantage, however; these apartments will be a lot more expensive, esp. if you desire one bedroom. In comparison, pines apts. cost only $2200 per quarter. Unless, you share an 2-3 bedrm apartment, I think that paying about $800 per month (maybe more) is the norm. My opinion is based on what other students had informed me on campus, so don't take it verbatim. I hope that helps.
I wish someone had warned me about the weather. If you're really a sunny, outdoorsy person, just brace yourself for the winter.
