Decent place to live
From:
-Anonymous-
Date posted:
1/10/2006
Years at this apartment:
2005
-
2006
I've lived here for almost a year now, and while it is certainly far from perfect, I have had a positive experience all-in-all.
Positives:
1) I have generally found this place to be pretty clean, and I have never once seen a bug in my apartment. I live on the second floor, and I suspect that the bug problem is mostly a basement/terrace/lobby level thing. The higher up you live, the less of a problem you would have with this is my guess. But who knows, I may have just gotten lucky so I can't say for sure.
2) Utilities are included in the rent.
3) I live alone, and have always felt safe in the building and especially in the area, even if I have to be out after dark. This is probably one of the safest neighborhoods in DC.
4) People in the building are generally friendly and respectful, and I don't hear much of my neighbors through the walls, floor, or ceiling at all.
5) You really don't get much for amenities here, but as far as DC apartments go, this place is pretty affordable. It's still overpriced, but everything is around here, and I do think it is one of the better values around. A good starter apartment.
Negatives:
1) Air conditioning is terrible, and I actually had to invest a few hundred dollars into a portable air conditioner for my bedroom just so that I could sleep at night during the summer. The building gets unbearably hot during the warmer months, and the AC units provided are ancient to say the least and do absolutely nothing (seriously, nothing.) Upon move-in last spring I actually had maintenance come up and look at my units because I thought they were broken, only to basically be told that no, they're just that crappy.
2) Parking lots feel safe and spaces are reserved, but they are EXPENSIVE. I know it's DC we're talking about, but jeez. If you want to keep a car in even the far parking lot, expect to pay too much for your space.
3) Kitchens are really tiny (at least mine is) with virtually no counter space. This may sound like a minor detail, but trust me, trying to cook anything gets annoying when you have literally 5-6 square feet of counter space to work with.
4) Management/staff is hit or miss. One guy in particular at the front desk is always great, but most of the women tend to be moody and not very helpful or friendly. It's clear that they are all disgruntled, although when I think about it I can't really blame them for not liking their jobs. Still, residents are paying big bucks and it would be nice if staff was a little more accommodating.
5) Metro is a real hike to get to. I'd say it's a good 15 minute walk to the trains/heart of Friendship Heights. This isn't terrible but it's not convenient either, especially when you have to do that walk in the sweltering summer humidity or in the wintertime (not only is it cold but the path can get very snowy and/or slippery.)
Overall I guess I'd recommend this place, especially for young people. It's decent and relatively affordable. But, if you are considering moving in, keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Definitely no perks to being here, but no huge red flags either.
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