What Type of Resident Does The Onyx Apartments Fit?
The Onyx Apartments, located in Redmond, Washington (within the greater Seattle metro area), caters primarily to graduate students, young professionals, or upper-division undergraduates who prioritise a calm, pet-friendly community and are willing to pay a premium for a private apartment. With a minimum lease of 11 months, this property suits someone planning to stay for a full academic year or longer, especially those who value professional on-site management and a relatively quiet living environment.
The positive resident reviews highlight a responsive leasing and management team. One tenant, Lizzeth Belskus-Amador, who lived at The Onyx for about a year and a half, noted: “The management team, Mel and Savannah, were incredibly professional and compassionate when I had a stressful paperwork mix-up. They fixed it immediately and made my transition so much easier. Also, the community is friendly and calm.” Similarly, a new resident named Akshit J gave a five-star review, emphasising smooth leasing: “Savannah showed me around, Caitlin helped with the leasing formalities, and Mel helped me secure a good deal based on my move in specifics. Kudos to the leasing office team!”
If you are someone who wants a single-occupancy unit (one-bedroom) or a shared apartment with a small group (two- or three-bedroom), and you work or study in Redmond or the Eastside tech corridor, The Onyx offers convenience. The property is pet-friendly and includes a game room and Wi-Fi, which add modest lifestyle perks.
Who Should Consider Other Options?
This residence does not suit budget-conscious student renters. The city of Seattle as a whole has student housing options starting from $704 per month for the lowest-priced room or bed space. The Onyx’s minimum monthly price of $2,261 (indicative — confirm with the operator) is more than three times that entry level. Even the top-tier student housing in Seattle rarely reaches the $2,900 upper end of The Onyx’s range. For a student on a tight budget, this property would consume a disproportionately large share of living expenses.
Additionally, the one-star review from former resident Ayelet Kapitulnik raises serious concerns about maintenance and safety. She wrote: “Do not rent here. This has been the worst leasing experience of my life. While the prices may seem attractive, they come at a heavy cost to your safety and sanity. Sanitation & Safety: The ‘renovations’ are poorly executed, and the property suffers from year-round ant and rat infestations. More alarmingly, basic safety…” (the review cuts off). This indicates that prospective tenants who are highly sensitive to pest control, building maintenance quality, or security should verify the current condition thoroughly before leasing. The overall Google rating of 3.2 out of 5 (based on 435 reviews) is below the average for comparable apartment communities, suggesting that negative experiences are not isolated.
Students attending the University of Washington (main Seattle campus) should note the distance: Redmond is about 12 miles east of UW, requiring a commute of 25–40 minutes by car or bus. If you plan to rely on public transit, verify bus routes and frequency to campus. The property is better suited to someone whose daily life is centered in Redmond or Bellevue.
What Are Residents Actually Saying?
Three Google reviews are available in the data. They illustrate a split between satisfaction with management and criticism of building conditions.
Positive — Lizzeth Belskus-Amador (5 stars): Praised the professionalism of the team and described the community as “friendly and calm.”
Positive — Akshit J (5 stars): Highlighted a smooth move-in process and thanked three staff members by name for securing a good deal.
Negative — Ayelet Kapitulnik (1 star): Cited year-round pest infestations, poorly executed renovations, and unspecified safety issues.
No neutral or mid-range reviews are provided, so the overall sentiment may be more polarized than the 3.2 average suggests. When researching further, look for patterns in recent reviews about cleanliness, noise, and responsiveness to maintenance requests.
How Does Pricing Compare to the Seattle Student Housing Market?
Seattle’s student housing inventory includes 36 properties on the platform used to source this data, with an entry price of $704 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). That $704 figure typically represents a shared room or a very basic studio in a purpose-built student accommodation closer to the University of Washington.
- The Onyx minimum price: $2,261/month (indicative)
- The Onyx maximum price: $2,904/month (indicative)
- City from-price: $704/month (indicative)
The Onyx’s pricing puts it in the luxury-apartment category for the region. A one-bedroom unit at the low end of The Onyx range costs more than double the average market-rate one-bedroom in Seattle overall (which sits around $1,600–$1,800). The premium reflects location in Redmond (home to major tech campuses), newer construction, and amenities like pet-friendliness. However, for a student budget, this is a high-end option that should be evaluated alongside private market apartments rather than typical student housing.
Which Room Type Should You Choose?
The Onyx offers 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and “apartment” units (this last category may refer to studio or converted layouts — confirm directly). Given the price range, here is general guidance for the 2026–2027 academic year:
- 1-bedroom (likely $2,261–$2,500 indicative): Best for individuals who want complete privacy and do not need to share common areas. Not economical for sharing — you pay for the whole unit.
- 2-bedroom (likely $2,600–$2,800 indicative): A good option if you have a roommate. You can split the rent, bringing each person’s share to roughly $1,300–$1,400 per month (indicative), which is more competitive with city from-prices but still above typical shared student rooms.
- 3-bedroom (likely $2,800–$2,904 indicative): With three people, each tenant’s portion could be around $930–$970 per month (indicative). This is the most economical way to access the property, though it requires finding two compatible housemates.
- “apartment” type: This label is ambiguous. It may describe a studio or a layout not falling into the standard 1b/2b/3b categories. Clarify with the operator whether it includes a separate bedroom.
All units include Wi-Fi, and the property permits pets, which may affect security deposits or monthly fees (confirm during booking).
When Should You Plan Your Booking?
The minimum lease term is 11 months. For a move-in targeting the start of the 2026-2027 academic year (late summer/early fall 2026), it is wise to start inquiring by early 2026. Redmond’s rental market is tight due to tech industry demand, and The Onyx’s pricing suggests it is a popular option among professionals. Early booking may give you better selection of floor plans and move-in dates. Since the available_from date is not specified in the data, contact the leasing office directly to confirm specific availability timelines.
If you are flexible with move-in, asking about shorter-term or promotional rates (the positive review mentioned “a good deal based on my move in specifics”) could yield savings. But note: you cannot rely on advertised prices — all figures are indicative and must be confirmed with the operator at time of booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Onyx pet-friendly?
Yes. The property listing includes “Pet Friendly” as a tag. However, specific policies regarding breed restrictions, weight limits, deposit amounts, and monthly pet rent are not provided in the data. Confirm these details directly with the property management before signing a lease, as they may affect affordability and eligibility.
What is the minimum lease length?
The minimum lease term is 11 months. This aligns with a standard academic year but may not suit someone requiring a shorter stay (e.g., a single semester or summer term). If you need a shorter term, ask the operator whether any flexibility exists — some properties offer alternatives at a higher monthly rate.
Does the property come fully furnished?
The data does not specify whether units are furnished or unfurnished. Tags include Wi-Fi and a game room, but no mention of furniture within individual apartments. You should ask the operator directly whether kitchen appliances, beds, desks, and sofas are included, and if not, budget for furniture rental or purchase.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
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