We'll get this out of the way first. The minuses are few: During college semester enrollment, since a lot of students rent here, the noise levels can get quite bad. Some do treat it like a dorm off-campus, and that's just sad - there ARE after all little children here, couple-and-single professionals with quirky work schedules and a few elderly renters. There is currently, however, a program to help minimize this problem, and it is QUITE effective. Those who habitually cause problems don't stay, so problem solved - the rest add life to the place! The late-night staff is extremely responsive to complaints of noise and they pursue all calls that come in. Also, due to the sloppiness of some residents, there will from time to time be a problem with roaches. Welcome to apartment living. What's important here is that, here again, the maitenance staff is there to eradicate the pests whenever the problem arises and they get a call.


Now onto the good stuff:

All of the staff is incredible there! The management and leasing staff is really on the ball, top rate. The manager is warm and funny but he is also politely assertive where he needs to be - if, for example, a renter has been warned due to their lack of consideration for neighbors and they will not cease to be disruptive, he deals with this for the sake of the community there. One really DOES feel like part of a community and it's in part due to the respect and kindness of the management and staff which flows forth. The person who processes the monthly rent checks has, not surprisingly, been working there for decades. She is sharp and high-spirited and she, too, does an excellent job. I have on occassion been late with my rent, due to my bi-monthly pay schedule, and so I have had to pay an added fee for this. But, embarrassing though it is to me to not be on time with my rent, she has never taken a negative attitude with me and is as friendly as can be whenever I see her. The maintenance staff is wonderful! My studio is one of the middle-sized ones and because of this it was all the more important to have everything just perfect for this large room that serves as bedroom, living room and dining room, and is in view of the kitchen. I chose the paint chips and the painters did an excellent job, delivering just what I asked for. The appliances and ligthing were all fresh and clean for me when I moved in and let me add that it's a real PLUS to find a rental here in DC with a GAS stove and oven - so rare! I hung a picture in the wrong place and asked if I could use some stuff to repair and paint the nail holes, but I never had to do that - within 24 hours, someone showed up and took care of it so well for me you never would have known there were holes there! The staff on the lower level are well worth having. We are fortunate to have a fairly large grocery store there with most of what you need in a pinch or if the weather is too bad to go out in. The folks at the register and dry cleaning are pleasant. The hair and nail salon is a real amenity and the prices are good and the stylist quite talented and accomodating. The garage and moving and night security folks are always there if you need them. And, finally, the front desk managers are so wonderful, I actually look forward to seeing them when I come home or go out - a couple of them have also been there for decades and it's clear to see that they add to the sense of well-being there.

There is a live-in DC police officer in the building so security is hardly a concern - he keeps a watchful eye when he's in. Also, all apartment doors swing solidly shut behind you and lock, so always have your keys - because of this feature, unless you live on the ground floor facing out and keep a window open or you prop open your door with something heavy, it is impossible to end up with an unwanted intruder creeping into your space. Actually, The Berks gets even more secure than it already is. Not only are there pass-activated front entrance doors and quite a few "more permanent" residents who keep an eye on who comes and goes, not to mention very good exterior and interior lighting and controlled planting near windows and doors as well as a live-in police officer, but, due to its great location in DC, they soon will have a second live-in police officer! One could hardly ask for better than this for the rent.

As for the rest, the front courtyard with its pergola overhead and its stone walls is a really beautiful gateway to the marble front entranceway inside and is comfortable to sit in or to walk through. The inner lobby spaces are incredible, just right. The open, two-room gym below has everything you would need and is clean and all the machines work well and look new, and soon we will have a community room next to the guest suite there for all of us to enjoy as well.

All said, I feel lucky every day that I discovered The Berkshire. With this and it's closeness to Metro rail/Georgetown/restaurants and due to it's affordability (better than MOST of the city for what you GET for the cost!), it is actually worth it to keep on renting here and to stay. gkZ41df9CgXQPfm8K2A7

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 06/25/2008
i hope this is a joke. opposite day, perhaps?
From: desidere	Date: 07/14/2008
thats the most painfully positive review i've read of berks - how much did you get paid for concentrating on 'the good stuff'??

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