Optima View's apartment quality, location, amenities and safety rival those of other comparable buildings in Evanston (e.g. Park Evanston, Optima Horizons, E2). When I was looking, E2 was not yet built and the reason I chose Optima Views over Park Evanston is I could get in-unit washer/dryer (a huge convenience!) at a lower rent than in PE (where it is only in units that are 1 bed + den or larger). The apartments are really nice with floor to ceiling windows and the building is very safe as the doormen remember all the residents and will stop most visitors.

However, OV does have a lot of rules. Two year contracts are mandatory, which may result in a few lost months at the beginning or end of the contract depending on when you move in / move out. Also you cannot sublet and there is a 24 hour doorman who will catch you if you sublet, so those doing summer internships elsewhere or exchange need to pay double rent. Lastly, management has many rules regarding timing of moving in / out of the building (e.g. only on weekdays btwn 9am - 5pm and you need to reserve it in advance) that they strictly adhere to.

We live on one of the lower floors that have the larger floor plans (~900 sq. ft.) in the building. There is tons of storage space (huge 9x7 walk-in closet! + two other closets + storage unit). The gym in the building is basically just a room with a few treadmills and one weight machine. I've never used the pool in the building. The whole building has a very dated feel to it. But the location is absolutely perfect. It is right in the middle of the Jake, downtown bars, E2, and 27 Live. And it is half a block from the Metra and El stations.

Great location, nice/relatively new building, some Kellogg neighbors, but not many.

Optima Views is comfortable, quiet, visually appealing, but a little dark

This apartment would be incredible but its major dings are that it contains the original appliances and is all carpet (and carpet that needs replacing) in every room except the kitchen and bathroom. That said, the rent is an incredible deal and it works really well as a 2-bedroom. As a couple it's perfect, having an en suite master, but the disparity between the two room sizes might be a bigger issue for non-couple roommates.

Some Kellogg people, good location, decent amenities, less expensive than E2

Optima Views typically runs $1,900 + for a unit. I locked down a much better deal, but with older carpets and a landlord who is a bit absent minded (e.g., used old paint which needed to be replaced two months later, orders a new dishwasher instead of a simple repair). Great location, quiet building. Not E2, but that's precisely why I like it. Also, it's two year leases so there is no surprise hike in rent.

Great location, nice units, friendly neighbors!

Mainly because of location, the rent is a little higher than average. The building is located in one of the most social places of Evanston (movie-theater, Bravo restaurant, Metra (train) station are few yards away).

My wife and I rent it off the condo owner, and went through a broker.

5 min further from campus then Optima Horizons, but a great building with lots of Kellogg students. If you can - try to get one of the units with a lake view!