Finding the right apartment can be both exciting and exhausting, especially when safety, comfort, and value are top priorities. During our recent apartment hunt in Rapid City, we toured several properties, BG Flats, Champion Villas, Alps Park Apartments, Sedona Flats, and The Vue at Catron. After visiting all of them, our top choices were Sedona Flats and The Vue at Catron, both managed by the Lloyd Company. Here’s our honest experience and impressions of each location.
BG Flats & Champion Villas
BG Flats and Champion Villas are managed by the same company, and our experience at both was somewhat underwhelming.
At BG Flats, we found the one-bedroom units to be the smallest of all the apartments we toured. The property is located in a high-construction area, which made the surroundings a bit noisy and busy. While we appreciated that it’s situated on the outer edge of Rapid City, the leasing experience was not ideal. The leasing agent was overly inquisitive about personal details during the tour and followed up with multiple texts afterward, which felt intrusive.
Champion Villas, located off Haines Avenue, offers larger one-bedroom layouts; in fact, it was the biggest one we saw during our search. However, the unit we viewed clearly needed some work. The area around Haines does appear to be growing, with new developments nearby, but the property itself didn’t feel as well-maintained as we hoped. Additionally, the leasing agent could not provide details about extra fees or average utility costs, which made it difficult to assess the full value of living there.
Alps Park Apartments
Our experience with Alps Park Apartments was unfortunately the most disappointing. Upon driving into the parking area, both my daughter and I immediately felt uneasy about the safety of the environment. Although we had an appointment scheduled, no one was present in the office when we arrived. Given both the lack of staff and the overall feel of the property, we decided not to stay and did not complete the tour. Safety is our number one priority, and this location simply didn’t meet that standard.
Sedona Flats
Sedona Flats was one of our absolute favorites. From the moment we arrived, the property felt secure, clean, and well cared for. Rae, the building manager, was exceptionally knowledgeable. She clearly explained the amenities, rental fees, and all associated costs without hesitation.
The main clubhouse is located within the same building as the apartments, which gives it a warm, community-centered feel. While there isn’t a closed-off area for private gatherings, there’s a large space that residents can reserve. Only the main building has an elevator, but accessibility seemed generally good throughout the property.
The dog park was notably larger than others we saw, which is a big plus for pet owners. Overall, Sedona Flats struck an excellent balance between comfort, safety, and convenience.
The Vue at Catron
If there’s one word to describe The Vue at Catron, it’s breathtaking. The views from the property are absolutely gorgeous, offering a peaceful backdrop while still being close to shopping, restaurants, and other amenities.
Taylor, the property manager, was incredibly professional and well-informed. She clearly explained all associated fees and rental details and answered every question we had with ease. We especially liked the secured building, available covered parking, and beautiful clubhouse, all of which added to a sense of comfort and luxury.
The Vue at Catron, like Sedona Flats, is managed by the Lloyd Company, and both properties share a high standard of management and professionalism that stood out compared to other locations we toured.
Final Thoughts
After visiting all five properties, Sedona Flats and The Vue at Catron were clear standouts. Both offered clean, safe, and well-managed environments with responsive and knowledgeable staff. Their locations are also ideal, near a Walmart, restaurants, gas stations, and other shopping opportunities, which adds to everyday convenience.
In contrast, BG Flats and Champion Villas left us uncertain due to management issues and maintenance concerns, while Alps Park Apartments did not meet our safety expectations.
We can’t say enough good things about Taylor and Rae at the Lloyd Company properties; their professionalism and transparency made our apartment-hunting experience a positive one. If you’re looking for a place in Rapid City that feels both safe and modern, Sedona Flats and The Vue at Catron should definitely be at the top of your list.
