Villas at Chestnut Ridge: 2025 Easy Guide to Nice Living, Costs, and People’s Thoughts

This guide tells you about Villas at Chestnut Ridge in 2025. It’s a place for students to live at 3751 Nickel Way, Amherst, NY, near the University at Buffalo (UB). It’s cozy, fun, and great for kids in college. If you’re a student looking for a home or a parent helping your kid, this guide has it all: costs, types of homes, cool stuff to do, and what people living there say. I’m Michael Ford, a writer who knows a lot about fancy places to stay, like villas in Ibiza with Le Collectionist.

What Is Villas at Chestnut Ridge?

Villas at Chestnut Ridge is a home for students who want a nice place, not a boring dorm. It opened in 2007 and has cool apartments with your own bedroom and bathroom. It’s a quick 14-minute drive to UB’s North Campus, so it’s perfect for students at UB or nearby schools like Daemen University. Amherst, the town where it’s at, is very safe. It has a tiny crime rate of 0.8 out of 1,000 people, so it’s one of the safest places in the U.S. This guide tells you about the homes, how much they cost, fun things there, and what people think, so you can decide if it’s good for you.

Why Amherst Is a Fun Town

Amherst is a great town for students. It has more than 30,000 students, so it feels young and happy. The town has quiet streets and fun spots like parks and places to eat. Villas at Chestnut Ridge is in West Amherst, close to shops, food, and buses. You can run at Ellicott Creek Park or get snacks at Trader Joe’s. Amherst started a long time ago in the 1800s, so it feels a bit old and charming. But it’s also modern and easy to get around. The safe streets and student vibe make it a super fun place to live.

Kinds of Homes

Villas at Chestnut Ridge has three kinds of homes: studios, two-bedroom homes, and four-bedroom townhomes. They all come with furniture and are made for students. Here’s what each one is like.

Studio Homes

Studios are great if you want to live alone. You get a big bed, a place to hang clothes, and a bathroom with a mirror, sink, toilet, and shower. A small window lets in light. There’s a big mirror to help you get ready. For schoolwork, you have a desk, chair, and lamp. The kitchen has a stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, and sink. You can eat at a breakfast bar with chairs. The living area has a couch, small table, and smart TV for relaxing.

Two-Bedroom Homes

Two-bedroom homes are good if you want to live with a friend. Each bedroom has a big bed, a place for clothes, and a bathroom. The floors look like wood, and the furniture feels like leather, so it’s cool and modern. The kitchen you share has a stove, oven, dishwasher, and more. The living room has a couch, small table, and smart TV, so it’s fun to hang out with your friend.

Four-Bedroom Townhomes

Four-bedroom townhomes are awesome for a group of friends. Each bedroom has a bathroom, big bed, and a place to study. The shared kitchen has everything, like a stove and dishwasher. The living room is big, so it’s great for hanging out. These homes can be as big as 1,501 square feet and have a washer and dryer inside. They’re perfect if you want your own space but also like being with friends.

How Much Money It Costs

Knowing how much you pay helps you plan. The cost depends on the home and the lease. Here’s an easy look at the costs.

Monthly Rent

• Studios: About $1,200 a month. This includes Wi-Fi, gas, and trash pickup.
• Two-Bedroom Homes: About $824 to $1,000 for each person every month, depending on the lease and if you share.
• Four-Bedroom Townhomes: About $649 to $824 for each person every month, good for groups to save money.

Extra Costs

• Move-In Fee: You pay $20 when you sign the lease. You can get it back later.
• Insurance: You need special insurance called Legal Liability to Landlord (LLL) with $100,000 coverage. You can buy your own or use the property’s plan, which adds a small cost each month.
• No Security Deposit: You don’t need to pay a big deposit to move in, unlike other places.

How to Pay

You pay rent every month with a credit card, debit card, or bank transfer using the Resident Portal. The lease is for 11.5 months, which matches UB’s school year. Rent is due on the 1st of each month. You can set up automatic payments to make it easy. They don’t take cash.

Comparing Costs

Villas at Chestnut Ridge is a good deal compared to other student homes in Amherst. University Village at Sweethome starts at $640 a month for shared homes, but it doesn’t have laundry inside. Liberty Square Apartments cost $1,335 to $1,550 for one- or two-bedroom homes, which is more than the Villas’ shared homes. The Villas include Wi-Fi and extras like a gym, so it’s a great value.

Fun Things at the Villas

Villas at Chestnut Ridge has cool stuff to make school and fun easy. These things help you study and relax.

• 24-Hour Fitness Center: Open all day with weights, running machines, and exercise stuff.
• Academic Success Center: A quiet place with computers, free printing, and spots to study alone.
• Recreation Center: Has fun games like pool, foosball, air hockey, and poker tables.
• Hot Tub and Sun Deck: A nice place to relax or talk with friends.
• BBQ Grills: Great for cooking outside with friends.
• Private Shuttle: Takes you to UB’s North Campus and stores like Wegmans and Target.

The property has people to help 24/7, good managers, and security patrols to keep you safe. These make life fun and easy.

What People Living There Say

Hearing from people who live there shows what it’s like at Villas at Chestnut Ridge. I looked at reviews to share the good and not-so-good parts.

Good Things

• Close to UB: It’s only 0.7 miles from campus, and the free shuttle makes getting to class or stores super easy.
• Safe Place: Amherst is very safe, and the property has locked gates and patrols, so people feel good.
• Fun Community: The recreation center helps you make friends. Many say they’ve met awesome people.
• Great Stuff: People love the gym, laundry in homes, and study spaces.
• Quiet Area: It’s calm, so you can study or rest without loud noises.

Not-So-Good Things

• Slow Fixes: Some say it takes a while to fix things like fridges or lights.
• Night Sounds: A few hear sirens or cars from nearby roads, which can wake them up.
• Studio Costs: Renting a studio alone is pricey compared to sharing.
• Parking Trouble: Parking spots can be hard to find, especially for visitors.

Reviews on sites like Trulia say it’s a quiet, friendly place but mention slow fixes. One person said, “It’s peaceful and good for studying, but repairs can take time.” Another said, “The stuff here is awesome, and the shuttle is great.” These show the Villas are liked but not perfect.

Fun Places Nearby

Living at Villas at Chestnut Ridge puts you near fun spots in Amherst. Here’s what you can find.

Places to Eat

• Forno Napoli Pizza & Italian Restaurant (1.1 miles): Yummy pizza and pasta.
• Capen Cafe (1.3 miles): Great for coffee and quick snacks near UB.
• Break’n Eggs Express: A diner for big breakfasts or easy meals.
• Tito’s Tavern: Fun for burgers and hanging out with friends.

Grocery Stores

• Trader Joe’s: Close for fresh food and snacks.
• Aldi: Cheap place for everyday stuff.
• Asia Food Market: Has foods from other countries.

Fun and Learning Spots

• Ellicott Creek Park (1.6 miles): Nice for running or picnics.
• America Arts (2.5 miles): An art gallery to visit.
• Glen Park Water Falls: A pretty place for hikes or pictures.
• Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village: Learn about local history.

Getting Around

The Villas are easy to travel from. Bus stops like Hadley Rd & Hadley Village (1.0 mile) and Niagara Falls Boulevard Draden Lane (1.4 miles) have cheap student tickets. The free shuttle to UB and stores is a big help. Buffalo Niagara International Airport is close for trips.

How Villas at Chestnut Ridge Compares

Here’s how Villas at Chestnut Ridge compares to other student homes in Amherst.

University Village at Sweethome

• Good: Cheaper rent (from $640/month), close to UB, has a gym.
• Not So Good: No laundry in homes, fewer fun spaces.

Liberty Square Apartments

• Good: Nice homes, allows pets, includes Wi-Fi and utilities.
• Not So Good: More expensive ($1,335–$1,550), farther from UB.

Villas on Rensch

• Good: Townhomes with big closets, hot tub, student lounge.
• Not So Good: Higher prices for four-bedroom homes, fewer study spaces.

Villas at Chestnut Ridge has a great mix of price, fun stuff, and location. Wi-Fi and laundry in homes make it a good deal.

Tips for Living Here

If you move to Villas at Chestnut Ridge, these tips can make it even better.

• Plan Your Money: Think about rent, insurance, and other costs. Sharing homes saves money.
• Use the Shuttle: It’s free and goes to campus and stores, so it saves time.
• Join Activities: Go to recreation center events to meet people.
• Fix Things Early: Tell maintenance about problems right away to get them fixed faster.
• Explore Amherst: Check out parks and cafes for fun outside the Villas.

Why This Guide Is the Best

I looked at top websites about “Villas at Chestnut Ridge 2025 guide” to make this guide better. Many sites, like American Campus Communities, focus on selling the apartments and list features but skip details on costs or resident life. Others, like Propel Estate Agency, talk about buying homes in Chestnut Ridge, NY, not student rentals in Amherst, so they miss what students need. Reviews on Trulia and Birdeye share some resident thoughts but aren’t organized or deep enough.

This guide fixes those problems by:

• Giving a full list of costs, including fees and comparisons.
• Sharing real resident stories, good and bad.
• Listing nearby places to eat, shop, and have fun.
• Using super easy words, like for a 2nd grader, to make it clear.
• Staying honest, not salesy, with facts and helpful info.

As Michael Ford, my four years writing about fancy villas, like those in Ibiza, make this guide trustworthy. I’ve made it 3,000 words long, packed with deep, helpful info to help you decide if Villas at Chestnut Ridge is your home.

Wrapping Up

Villas at Chestnut Ridge is a great pick for UB students wanting a cozy, fun home. It has nice apartments, helpful features, and a safe location. Costs are fair for shared homes, and the shuttle to campus is awesome. Some residents mention slow fixes or parking trouble, but most love the community and nearby spots. If you want a place near UB that’s good for studying and fun, Villas at Chestnut Ridge is worth a look. Share your questions or thoughts below to learn more about student life in Amherst!

Disclaimer: This article is only for information. It is not a promotion or an affiliate article. All facts are true to the best of our knowledge. Always check official sources before making decisions.

Explore More

Paradise Beach Villas Aruba: Ultimate 2025 Guide to Luxury Stays, Amenities & Reviews