Overview & Location
The Flats is a student-oriented apartment property located in Normal, Illinois, part of the Bloomington‑Normal metropolitan area. Its address is Normal, IL 61761, USA. The property primarily serves students attending Indiana University Bloomington (approximately a two‑hour drive; prospective residents should verify commuting feasibility). The building offers furnished units, a gym, and parking, according to the property listing.
At the time of this review (data dated 2026‑07), the property is tagged as “not available,” which may indicate that current inventory is leased out. Prospective applicants should confirm availability directly with the operator before planning a move.
Pricing and Room Types
The monthly rent spans from USD 679 to USD 975 for a single room (unit types: 1‑bedroom, 2‑bedroom, 3‑bedroom, 4‑bedroom apartments). These prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. The city’s from‑price (lowest advertised rent across all student properties in Bloomington) is USD 659 per month. The Flats starts about USD 20 higher, placing it slightly above the entry‑level tier in the local market.
No deposit amount is listed in the data. All units are described as fully furnished, which typically includes a bed, desk, chair, and basic kitchen appliances. The gym and parking are included as amenities, but there is no mention of utilities being bundled. Residents should ask whether electricity, water, internet, and trash are separate or included.
Room‑type guidance:
- 1‑bedroom: suited for singles or couples who want privacy; the most expensive per‑person option.
- 2‑bedroom: a middle ground – cheaper per person than a 1‑bedroom but still relatively private.
- 3‑bedroom / 4‑bedroom: the most budget‑friendly per person; expect shared common areas. Ideal for groups who already know each other.
Because the property is currently listed as not available, the room‑type choice may be limited to future leasing cycles. Contact the operator for the next release of units.
What Residents Say
The Flats holds a Google rating of 3.8 out of 5 from 202 reviews. All three quoted reviews are negative and raise serious concerns about management responsiveness, safety, and basic amenities. These are direct verbatim quotes:
Tom Fox (rating 1): “In my personal opinion, The Flats has some serious drawbacks that outweigh the positives. The location is convenient, the units look presentable, and the lobby is attractive—but beyond that, my experience raises concerns. I was told that my son and his friends were verbally threatened in a hallway by another resident, ”
Jaquavius Johnson (rating 1): “If I could rate 0 stars I would. Young America made this place the Wild West and I have had nothing but troubles since moving in. We didn’t have internet for 3 months, random charges added every month, and zero communication from Young America. I was never given a key to my door, and when I went to the office to get it”
S. G. (rating 1): “This place doesn’t get enough hate—and it gets a ton. It’s practically money laundering. They don’t care if you just had an electrical fire, if your heat turned off in the dead of winter, if your faucet is covered in mold, if your water won’t turn on, they don’t care! They won’t be there. Ever. The best you’re gonna ge”
(Quotes are truncated as in the source data; the full reviews can be found on the Google Maps page for The Flats.)
Common themes: unreliable internet (3‑month outage), unexplained charges, lack of communication from management (“Young America” appears to be the operator), security concerns (verbal threats), and neglected maintenance (electrical fire risk, no heat, mold, no water). While the sample is small (3 of 202 reviews), all three are one‑star and describe service failures that would significantly impact a student’s living experience.
Who Should Consider The Flats (and Who Should Not)
Who may suit:
- Students who prioritize location (close to campus or downtown Bloomington‑Normal) and can accept a basic, furnished unit with gym and parking.
- Group renters looking for a 3‑ or 4‑bedroom layout at a moderate per‑person price (around USD 679–975 per month).
- Applicants who can thoroughly inspect the unit and the property management contract, and who are comfortable with the possibility of slow issue resolution.
Who should avoid:
- Anyone who relies on a stable internet connection for classes, research, or work.
- Residents who expect proactive maintenance and prompt communication from the management office.
- People with a low tolerance for safety or security concerns in common areas.
- Students who can find a similar price point elsewhere in Bloomington (the city from‑price is USD 659, and there are 11 student‑housing properties to compare).
Given the negative reviews focused on management, a serious due diligence step would be to speak with current tenants (not filtered by the operator) and read more recent Google reviews beyond the three quoted here.
Booking Timing and Availability
The Flats is listed as not available in the source data (as of 2026‑07). This likely means that units for the current or upcoming academic term are already leased. If you are looking for a move‑in before mid‑2027, you may need to wait until the operator opens leasing for the next cycle (often in the autumn for the following academic year). Alternatively, the “not available” tag could indicate a temporary pause in listings; confirm directly with the operator.
If you are planning for the 2027‑2028 academic year, start inquiring as early as possible (late 2026) to secure a unit, especially for 1‑ or 2‑bedroom layouts which tend to sell out first. Remember that all rental terms, lease lengths, and move‑in dates must be verified with the operator, as the data does not include a minimum lease duration or available‑from date.
Frequently Asked Questions
H3: Does the rent include utilities?
The listing does not specify. The property tag includes “fully furnished,” “gym,” and “parking,” but nothing about utility bundles. You should ask the operator whether electricity, water, gas, internet, and trash are included in the monthly rent or billed separately. Based on one review mentioning a three‑month internet outage, it appears that internet may not be always reliably provided – clarify this in writing before signing.
H3: Is there a security deposit?
No deposit amount appears in the source data. Many off‑campus apartments require a deposit equal to one month’s rent (often USD 679 to USD 975). Confirm the exact deposit, any non‑refundable fees, and whether the deposit is returned with interest. Also ask about random charges mentioned in reviews – request a full schedule of all possible fees (application, administrative, late payment, etc.) upfront.
H3: How far is The Flats from Indiana University Bloomington?
The address is Normal, IL 61761, USA. Indiana University Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana – approximately 125 miles (a 2‑hour drive). The property may be more suitable for students at nearby Illinois State University (which is actually in Normal, Illinois) or other schools in the area. However, the supplied data names only Indiana University Bloomington as the served university. If you are attending IU Bloomington, carefully assess commuting time and transportation options before booking. For other universities, verify the exact distance with the operator.
Sources & data date
Data sourced from amberstudent.com inventory ID 1444856 and city price reference (Bloomington). All prices and availability are indicative — confirm with the operator. Data date: 2026‑07. Google rating and reviews as of the same date.
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