Dominion Great Oaks is not exactly what I would call a ghetto nor a resort in paradise.

I've worked in real estate management for a few years for upscale communities and inner city section 8 properties. Dominion Great Oaks, I'd say, is the fusion between blue collar workers stepping up and white collar workers just starting out or stepping back to save money. In my experience, the people who can barely afford to pay the rent are the ones who create the most complaints and damage to the apartment. The office at DGO screens the credit background and criminal background of all occupants over the age of 18 which I found impressive because most apartment communities do not!

It's located in Ellicott City, sharing with few communities the prestige of being in the oldest city of Howard County, which happens to be one of the top 10 public school districts in the country. It's located right between a family bowling center and a new residental development with homes priced at $300k . This is attractive to many different types of people and the community is one of the most multi-cultural I've seen in Howard County. They do not advertise in the apartment magazines like all of their competitors in the area but manage to be leased up all the time-- I know because I visit their website where all of their availability is listed often to refer my clients.

There are sizeable one and two bedroom floorplans competitively priced for the area. DGO is a 30 year old community and it's likely that the owners are not investing into the property because it makes a lot of money for them. To make cosmetic rennovations is expensive-- I bet it would result in a signifigant increase in rent which would keep a lot of folks in the area from being able to afford to live here. Affordability and location is their marketing edge which sells itself to the Ellicott City/Howard County apartment shopper.

People choose to live here because it's affordable, nicely kept, professionally managed, and in a great location. Remember, it is still an apartment community regulated by fair housing. You will see children, Seniors, Asians, ------, Whites, Latinos, every kind of person who values a good school district, large floorplan, and affordable rent. I've never seen grafitti, suspected drugs or crime, or felt pestered or intimated. There are teens that skateboard down the low traffic inclines spidering around the community and kids riding their bikes in the cul-de-sac parking lots but I have never witnessed anyone loitering in the common areas or entrances of the buildings. There are only 2 apartments on each floor and 3 floors in a building where I live and I think it is designed that way in the entire community. Parking is ample and I feel safe coming home at night. They offer free DSL which I personally love not having to pay for. It feels like a neighborhood more than anything else. I have no complaints about maintenance because I don't have to pay for an electrician, plummber, etc. out my pocket and the guys are pretty responsive to my requests. When I've called to follow up on a work order I put in, there was a reasonalbe explanation for the delay. The community overall meets my expectations for an apartment. Those who complain should buy a home of their own! P.S. The ladies in the office are professional and genuinely interested in helping me when I walk in the door.

User Responses
From: noboby456	Date: 12/12/2006
DGO no longer offers free DSL. That was a one time deal from Verizon Avenue when it started up.

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