All and all, it looked alright. We all know the location rocks, and the lady who took me on the tour (Bo) was very cool. We also ran into a few of the maintenence people and other residents, and they were all quite agreeable. A few of the other women in the office seemed kinda snooty, though, so I can definitely see how there could be issues with that should I decided to lease.
The space I'm looking at is a Studio, although I am open to a 1-bedroom as well. I was told the utilities would never go above $125 even in winter--is this true''
By the way, that "amenity fee" is up to $300 now. However, I'm looking at $860/mo for my base rent, which is actually a drop and not an increase from what the current tenants are paying...I knew the abysmal economy was good for something.
There WERE kids all up in the pool when I visited, though it IS open until midnight and I would never be able to use it until late evening anyway. The fitness center leaves much to be desired. Also, is something up with the elevators' One was really nice and the other one's walls were covered in blankets. :/
The most important thing for me, though, is feeling safe wherever I choose to rent, and I CAN say that I felt that at Avalon (be it false security or not).
SO I guess my question for all of those who are knocking it--no attitude or pretense here--is if not Avalon, where' Specifically.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/16/2009
Hi, I lived at 200 Arlington Place for 3 years and overall it was a good experience - as you said the location rocks and I really miss it now that I moved to the suburbs,and it is totally safe, I havent worried about safety for even a second there. But everything else isnt so great - parking is outside the building so its a pain in winter but thats still manageable since its covered. The amentities is the big scam here - they have the indoor pool occupied for most of the usable hours with swimming classes so that they can make money along with charging you for it. I have never been able to use the pool when I wanted to because any free moment there is used up by the poor residents who scramble to get a few laps. Gym isnt work much, the elevator in the 7 floor building always has one not working and making all kinds of scary noises. The apartments arent that great in size and look but they are right, my amenities for a 1 br den never went over $125 as I was out most of the day and came only home after 6pm. Also some of the office staff are nice but they arent flexible at all when it comes to adjusting or negotiating amounts nor are they bothered about retaining you even if you stay for a long time. Not sure if these are important criteria for you. But when I vacated they were reasonable in the amounts they charged me as well as were quick in settling and refunding my deposit (got most of it back minus couple of hundreds). Again it all depends on what you are looking for but with restaurants, movie theatres, art theatres and the metra right there, it was a great spot...
From: Anonymous	Date: 04/16/2009
I agree with the other posting. I've lived here for a few years and I think it's a good experience too. Elevators are a little bit older looking in the 7 floor building, but seem better in the 11 story. (by the way, the blankets are up for moving, they call it the "freight" elvator) It seems the kids are in the pool only in the day, the latest I've ever seen them there is around 7. Everytime I go around 8 or 9 no one is ever there. Gym is wayy too small, I've gone over there many times and all the cardio machines are full. Finally gave up and just got a membership at Lifetime Fitness 15 min down the road. I paid $300 amenity fee at move in and $250 renewal annually after. I thought the same thing about some of the girls in the office too. The longer I've been here I've gotten to know them better--they're not that bad. Every time I go in the office it's packed with people, so I think they come across wrong because they're so busy. Maybe they don't have enough people working there? They've alway been really nice though and helped me with random stuff (cable guy had to come in and I couldn't take off work so they supervised him in my apt, watered plants while I was out of town, etc). Above post is right, they don't negotiate rents at all, but I think because they're a big company they really aren't allowed to? I received a rental increase each lease expiration, but it's always been between 1-5%. Overall I've been happy, especially the location! Good luck!
From: jackiezawacki	Date: 04/17/2009
Thanks much for the honest responses, guys. I think that all things considered, once I nail down a solid position for next year, I will definitely be checking for vacancies here--at this point I just hope the few studios they have available last that long!

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