Joinery West

Parking was the first dealbreaker for me. There’s no dedicated resident parking, and after work I sometimes walked 15-20 minutes to get home. Use the “Retail Only” garage and you could get fined or towed. My car was hit and scraped while parked nearby, and management offered no help. The noise was another problem. Music from the “Terrace” area and Starlight blared on weekends and well into the week. Management wouldn’t enforce a cutoff, even after 10 PM. I had to ask neighbors to turn down speakers right outside my window so I could get a few hours of sleep before work. I had mold on every window in Unit E313. After months of trying to resolve it, I was moved to Unit E107, where all six windows had the same issue. The units seem to be made with cheap materials. When I moved, they gave me my “prorated rent back,” but I still had to pay the next month, so it came out to essentially zero. I eventually broke my lease just to breathe clean air. Some staff, including Cleavonna, Sydni, and Jasper, were courteous and really kind. Others were disrespectful, and communication was a mess. After I’d moved out, I returned to pick up a friend who still lives here. While I briefly idled in the alley with other cars doing the same, leasing agent Zariah threatened to call security. She gave me no explanation, then stormed off while I was trying to ask a question. It felt condescending and unprofessional. The “luxury” marketing doesn’t match my experience. Between moldy windows, car damage with no help, and the noise, I wouldn’t recommend signing a lease here.

The light rail, electric bikes, and electric vehicles make it easy to get around without owning a car. That can save thousands of dollars a year, which is a huge benefit. I love how walkable the area is, too: Night Swim is downstairs, the greenway is a block away, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby. Joinery is my first choice when I’m in Charlotte, and friends of mine love living here. If I lived in Charlotte full-time, I’d choose Joinery.

This community and its amenities suit a particular lifestyle, especially if you don’t need a car. My friend, who doesn’t drive or own one, moved here last month and it’s been perfect for her. I toured the place and saw how difficult parking could be, so I chose an apartment with parking that worked better for me. People who need a car to commute or consider one essential should think carefully before leasing here. The serious issues I’ve run into were cars blocking the alley and making it harder to get into the visitor parking deck, and an elevator outage when I was carrying furniture to my friend’s apartment. I had to take it up the stairs. I also tried using the apartment’s Ethernet outlet for work one day, but it didn’t seem to work at all. The WiFi was fine. I don’t think residents can blame anyone else for having to walk down the block to park after choosing a place without convenient parking.

The studio layout is the best I’ve seen in Charlotte. It feels thoughtfully designed, and I love the pocket doors. It’s bigger than some studios nearby, though not the biggest in town, and there’s plenty of room to be comfortable. I save a lot by not needing a car. I can use the light rail, free e-bikes and e-scooters, or rent one of the apartment’s cars for about $5 an hour. That’s a great deal when a one-way Uber or Lyft can cost around $20. I’m looking forward to more Envoy cars. The secure bike room is handy, too. The price felt fair, especially since longer leases get a better rate. Rent is high everywhere these days, but The Joinery was a better deal than the neighboring places, and I hope that continues. Staff are friendly, attentive, and pleasant. They provide free compost and recycling service, and while apartment problems do come up, the staff seem to want to put things right. When it’s time to renew, I’m definitely signing for as long as they’ll let me. It’s pet-friendly, and being right on the greenway makes exploring Charlotte more fun.