I read the earlier, positive reviews before moving in to a 460 sq. ft. studio the summer of 2005. I found it a bit on the small side for $1325/month, but the location (amazing) more than makes up for it.

I absolutely agree with the positive assessment of the staff and building managers. I haven't had a single rude, or even discourteous, experience with any of the people who work in the building. The residents are generally really friendly too -- the buiding is made up of many studios, so there are a lot of college students and single older folks -- it makes for a surprisingly harmonious and pleasant living environment.

I feel safe in this building, which is a big plus. I took out renter's insurance and was informed by the insurer that there had not been a single claim out of the building in decades, which keeps the insurance rates quite low, but more importantly, reflects a pretty safe building. I mean, you have to lock your doors, but it's generally secure.

The laundry room in the basement is well-kept, I haven't used the dry cleaning service, but it's there. The entry and reception is great, as are the pool and common areas.

Now for the cons: There aren't many, but they're worth mentioning.

1) The exercise room is really basic.

2) The elevators are tempermental -- not terrible though. They're kind of like the postal service in DC -- you mail 10 letters all at once, and 9 make it on time, and the 10th makes it a few days later. At Hamilton House, that 10th elevator ride bounces around and takes an extra few minutes.

3) The building has been renovated several times, most recently 8-9 years ago, but it is still an old building from the 70s. Windows are drafty, wall studs are few and far between, and the paint is thick as icing on some places of the wall.

4) There are roaches when the seasons change, just like in most urban apartments. It is not nearly as bad as it is in New York, but I have come across a couple roaches (less than five), one of which came straight out of a horror movie. However, I found that by cleaning up regularly, the roaches stay away. I started using roach traps after the giant roach from hell, but I haven't had to deal with any roach carcasses yet -- maybe this is pre-emptive warfare at work'

All the roaches I encountered (knock on wood) were in the first 3 months of my residence, during the sauna that is summer in DC. I live on the 10th floor, so maybe that has something to do with the relatively minor pest control issues.

-- Given these 4 caveats, I am very satisfied living here at Hamilton House. I plan to move to a larger apartment because I'll have a roommate soon, and I love it here so much that I'm going to try to move to a larger apartment within the building because I'd hate to move out completely.

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