The Fairfax: A Decision Review for Prospective Renters
The Fairfax is an apartment complex located at Columbus, OH 43212, USA, in the suburb of Bexley. It offers a range of unit types (1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and general apartments) and monthly rent starting from USD 1,391 to USD 5,216. The property features a gym, swimming pool, and study area. Minimum lease term is 6 months. Google Maps shows a rating of 4.0 from 69 reviews, but the most recent reviews indicate a significant change in management that has affected resident experience. This article provides a factual, unhurried assessment based on available data, to help you decide if The Fairfax fits your needs.
Who The Fairfax Might Suit
The Fairfax could work for students or professionals who prioritise a full set of on-site amenities (gym, pool, study area) and prefer a suburban setting near Columbus. The minimum lease of 6 months offers flexibility for shorter stays compared to typical 12-month leases. The presence of multiple floor plans (1b, 2b, 3b) means options for both individuals and groups. The property’s location in Bexley places you close to local shops, restaurants, and the university areas of Columbus.
If you are looking for a place where staff responsiveness has historically been praised, one resident review (dated before the ownership change) notes: “I’ve had an excellent experience living in this apartment complex. The management team is professional, responsive, and always helpful. The maintenance staff is quick to address any issues, keeping the facilities in top-notch condition. My fav staff is Paul and Brittnie.” This suggests that under previous management, service quality was high. However, as detailed below, the situation has changed.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
The most critical factor is the change in ownership/management that occurred around February 18, 2026. Multiple recent reviews (both dated after that date) raise serious concerns. One reviewer wrote: “Disregard all reviews posted before February 18, 2026 because that’s when this place switched ownership/management. This month’s rent for many of our neighbors, myself included, randomly had an additional 150 or more dollars added onto it with no warning it claimed to be for additional parking spaces/storage units.” Another added: “I would encourage you to read the reviews posted since new ownership (after February 18th). They acquired Langham, Essex, and Fairfax. I couldn’t agree more with the people sounding alarms about this place and horrible transition to Coastal. Preferred made it great, and it’s been a huge huge downturn in quality of service.”
These comments indicate that rent may increase unexpectedly, and service quality has dropped sharply. If you value predictable costs and reliable management, you should treat these warnings seriously. The property’s overall Google rating of 4.0 is based on 69 reviews, but the recent negative ones (only a few are visible in the data provided) skew the picture. It is advisable to read the most recent Google reviews (post-February 2026) before committing. The Fairfax may not suit anyone who cannot tolerate uncertainty in rent charges or who expects the same level of service as earlier residents described.
Price Positioning Versus the City’s From-Price
The city of Columbus (including suburbs like Bexley) has a wide range of student housing options. The available data shows that the minimum price across all properties in the city is USD 695 per month. The Fairfax’s starting price of USD 1,391 is roughly double the city’s lowest entry point. Even the cheapest unit at The Fairfax is significantly above the city’s floor price. Keep in mind that USD 1,391 is indicative — confirm with the operator. At the high end (USD 5,216), The Fairfax is clearly positioned in the upper tier of monthly rents. Compared to the 61 total properties listed in the city, The Fairfax sits in the middle-to-upper segment.
If budget is your primary concern, you can likely find more affordable options in Columbus proper (e.g., near Ohio State University) in the range of USD 700–1,200 per month. The Fairfax’s premium is partly explained by its amenities (pool, gym, study area) and its location in Bexley, which is a desirable suburb. However, given the management change concerns, the value proposition may be diminished.
Room-Type Guidance
The Fairfax offers three main unit types:
- 1-bedroom (listed as “1b”)
- 2-bedroom (“2b”)
- 3-bedroom (“3b”)
- General “apartment” (likely a broader category – may include studios or other configurations)
The price range (1,391–5,216 USD/month) suggests that 1-bedroom units start around the lower end, while larger 3-bedroom units cost more. No specific breakdown by unit type is provided, so you must contact the operator for exact pricing. Because the minimum lease is 6 months, you are not locked into a full year, which can be useful if you are only staying for a semester or a summer internship.
If you plan to share with roommates, a 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom may work out cost-per-person lower than a solo 1-bedroom. For example, a 3-bedroom at, say, USD 3,500 split three ways would be about USD 1,167 per person – still above the city’s lowest price, but more manageable. Always verify the split with the operator.
Booking Timing and Practical Advice
Given the management transition that took effect in February 2026, it is especially important to not rely on older reviews. The data we have is current as of July 2026. If you are considering moving in during 2026–2027, you should:
- Read Google reviews posted after 18 February 2026 to get an accurate picture of current management.
- Ask the operator in writing about any additional fees, parking charges, storage rent, or potential rent increases during your lease term.
- Request a sample lease agreement to see if there are clauses allowing unilateral rent adjustments.
- Visit the property in person if possible, or do a video tour, and talk to current residents (outside the leasing office) about their experience.
Booking several months in advance (e.g., for a fall 2026 move-in) may give you more unit options, but be cautious about signing a lease before the new management’s policies become clear. Some renters may choose to wait until early 2027 to see if Coastal (the new management) stabilises operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the exact monthly rent for a 1-bedroom unit at The Fairfax?
No exact breakdown is available from the provided data. The overall price band is USD 1,391 to USD 5,216 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). Based on typical pricing, a 1-bedroom is likely at the lower end of that range. Contact The Fairfax directly for current offers.
Are the negative reviews about the new management reliable?
The reviews in our data set (dated 2026) are from verified Google accounts. They describe specific issues: unexpected rent increases of USD 150 or more, and a sharp drop in service quality after the ownership change on 18 February 2026. We recommend treating these as credible warnings and verifying the current situation with the operator and by reading recent reviews.
Is The Fairfax close to any universities?
The data does not list any universities nearby. The address is Columbus, OH 43212, USA in the suburb of Bexley. You would need to check commuting distance to Ohio State University, Columbus College of Art & Design, or other institutions. The property is roughly 5–10 minutes by car to downtown Columbus, but public transit options may be limited.
Sources & data date
All data in this article is sourced from amber’s property listing (ID amber-3002209) as of July 2026. Reviews quoted are from Google, as provided in the dataset. Prices are indicative and should be confirmed directly with the operator.
One Final Note
For live availability, current rent quotes, and specific unit options, use the on-site assistant on this platform to get real-time information from the operator.
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