Lived here for nearly 2 years. The 2 bedrooms, which we have, are super big. You get a lot of space for your money. I love that all the utilities are covered. You should note that the building switches the thermostat twice during the year (sometime in late October and early May), so you can get caught with days that are extremely unpleasant and the heat/air are not turned on (I say just over a window or put on layers). The laundry room located in the basement have 6 washers and 5 dryers, which are all coin operated. There is parking on-site (under the building or right outside). However, if you have DC plates, you can find plenty of street partking near the building. Also, the building is meticulously cleaned M-F because there are doctors offices on the first floor (I lived on the first floor and I could always smell the Lysol, hearing the vacuuming, and see the dusting as I am walking out to work in the mornings). I have not seen one mice sighting since I've lived here (unlike the previous reviewer's experience). Maintenance is very responsive. I've called them on the dishwasher not draining and the leak in the shower and the turn around on fixing the problem is within 24 hours. It's a safe place to live - people are always walking/running along the Connecticut Ave at late hours of the night. While you should always be aware of your surroundings, as a female I feel very safe in this area.

I would stay longer, but I recently got married and can't stay with my roommate anymore. The location is great as the other reviewers have said 10 minutes to Van Ness-UDC Metro, which is right by the Giant, Dry Cleaners, Banks (B of A, Wachovia, & Chevy Chase), Gold's Gym, Starbucks, 4 sandwich places (why 4' i don't know), and other ethnic eateries. I love this building not only for the location, but also for the management. Yes, the head Residential Manager, Mrs. Adams, can be a little talkative and interested in your personal life more than you probably want, but the building is her life. She is definitely a great advocate for her residents. You get to know the front desk staff, too, who are genuinely helpful and sweet but maybe on the little of hard of hearing.

The only downside to the Clarence House is that because the building is dated, the shared walls are ultra thin. In general, we can hear our neighbors' normal conversations. Unfortunately for us, we have neighbors that moved in with a pool table (yeah, the living space is that big, but why bring in a pool table') and at first there was a lot of partying (loud music and lots of people screaming over the latest-greatest-pool-shot of the night: your typical pool hall). But after we got Mrs. Adams involved who sternly explained the noise policy (after 11pm it's shhh), the neighbors have been considerate. Overall, the tenants are generally nice and respectful. Some have lived her 30-plus years, but many are from the younger fresh-out-of-college or I'm-in-graduate-school group. That may all change with the housing market going bad these days.

The bottom line on the Clarence House: You will be happy here (if you can get in...there's a waiting list!)

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