Address: 1812 Gowdey Rd., Naperville.
Size: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms; 1,047 square feet.
Rent: $955 a month.
Security deposit: $300.
Floors: Two.
Age of building: New.
Utilities: Not included.
Parking: One-car garage attached to unit.
Special features: Washer and dryer and wall-to-wall gray carpeting in units. A clubhouse that includes a heated swimming pool, whirlpool, fireplace and social room with kitchen.
Driving in the fog can manipulate your vision, even your imagination.
You doublecheck the address you`re looking for and try to spot road signs to confirm you`re headed in the right direction. You aren`t sure, so you listen to that inner voice that tells you: ”Hmm, turn here.”
You turn, and now you`re telling yourself you made the wrong turn. You flash back to the horror film ”The Last House on the Left.” But before your imagination completely takes over, the fog lifts enough for you to see a complex that looks like single-family houses.
But don`t despair: You made the right turn. You`ve come upon the Brookdale Lakes Apartments, which, with their attached garages, are the newest thing in rental units.
Upon entering the two-bedroom unit at this complex, which opened Aug. 1, you immediately come upon the kitchen, which measures about 12 by 8 feet and has a white tile floor with a diamond design. The refrigerator, stove and dishwasher are also white, but the counterop is a light-gray laminate and the cabinets are wood. The kitchen also has something not often found in new buildings: a pantry for extra storage.
The kitchen is connected to the combined living/dining area by a pass-through window. Though there`s no wall separating the dining space (about 11 by 9 feet) from the living area, it does have enough room for a good-sized table and a china cabinet.
The living room, which measures 17 by 18 feet, is large enough for a sofa and loveseat, cocktail table, two end tables and an entertainment center. It has a vaulted ceiling, a ceiling fan and space for an optional woodburning fireplace; the units that have them go for $15 more a month.
For anyone interested in another kind of fire, as in barbecuing, the living room leads out to a wood balcony, where grilling is allowed. There`s plenty of room for the Weber as well as a couple of chairs or chaises, perfect for taking in the beauty of the complex`s manmade pond.
Another door off the balcony leads to the 12-by-14-foot master bedroom, which also has a vaulted ceiling. The space, big enough for a queen- or king- sized bed, dresser and chair, is augmented by a wall-sized closet with sliding doors.
The bathroom for the master bedroom occupant(s) is decorated in white and is equipped with a large tub, toilet and sink with Hollywood makeup lights overhead. In addition to the standard medicine cabinet, it features a wood cabinet for storage.
Next door is the apartment`s other bathroom, which is similar to the first one but does not have the extra cabinet.
One door over from that is the 10-by-12-foot second bedroom, which is perfect for use as a guest room or a child`s bedroom. Bunkbeds, a twin bed or a double bed plus dresser would fit comfortably, and there`s ample storage space in the wall-length closet.
Adding to the appeal of this apartment are two other features not often found in rental units: a washer and dryer (and space for folding laundry) that are hidden by attractive sliding doors, and a one-car attached garage.
All in all, this complex, located near Interstates Highway 88, the Burlington Northern train station and the Fox Valley shopping center, is a good match for people who want the feel of a house without the maintenance hassles.
For rental information, call 708-369-5253.
