I found sites like this almost useless when shopping for an apt down here. I moved form New England and didn't really have the option for checking places out on the weekend and found that these sites are mostly just places for displeased/evicted tennants to vent or for leasing offices to gush. I'm guessing most of the reviews on these sites are useless so I thought I'd chip in on the off chance someone actually can use this information.

The 1bdrm's are a decent size. The units aren't brand new - the kitchen cabinets are a clear indication as are some of the bathroom fixtures. The heat/ac are on the same unit and it sucks up the juice resulting in decent electric bills. My unit has a fire place I don't use since earlier this fall, i heard the pitter-patter of squirrels down on the flue. Wasn't going to risk opening it up and having soot covered rodents run through the unit.

There has been a squirrel issue in the complex as a whole that has been improperly addressed. Squirrels make their way into the spaces between apt units - under the floor of the upper units, ceiling of the lower units. They don't actually get into the living space, but the potential exists for some "rewiring" on their behalf.

I have had two maintenance issues - dishwasher and heat - both were checked on and fixed very quickly and effectively by the maintenance guys. They're great, one of them gave me his cell number the day I moved in - just incase anything big ever happened after office hours. Nice guys, they know their stuff, and they get it done quick. I don't fault them for the squirrels, the leasing office contracted someone for that work and never really followed up on it.

Parking can be a trick. Each unit is giving a parking sticker, which gives you the right to park in the unassigned spots, but there are SEVERAL cars that park overnight in these spots without stickers. No one checks up on it, it's a real free-for-all. Odds are, you'll get a spot, just not necessarily near your unit. It's very frustrating.

The "gym" they have is a couple treadmills, eliptical, recumbant bikes, a weight machine - nothing special. Don't get too excited about it, unless you just like to take a quick run after work. I don't do saunas, so I won't comment on that facility. The pool is very kid-oriented. Usually it's a few kids playing, parents playing with them or sunning themselves. Not a lap pool.

The location is very good. Walking distance to a Safeway (groceries), movie theater, bars, dinning (sit-down, take-out & fast-food) and even a few little shops. Quick drive to a big strip mall w/ a WalMart, Best Buy, Target, Kohls etc and you can pretty much see the onramp to I-270 from the complex. You are right across from the fire department (that could be nice if you're thinking safty, bad if you're thinking good night's sleep).

They just introduced door to door trash collection. They'll be charging extra for that, so there's going to be a small rent increase, but I can see why it's appealing - dumpsters smell. They just do.

They are linked up to Allegeny Power - which is generally cheaper than their competition, so the electric bills are apparently lower than they could be elsewhere (I'm new to the area, no basis for comparison). Buses run close by - a few routes merge up at a point within walking distance, nearest Metro stop isn't all that close though - Shady Grove is down on the Gaithersburg/Rockville line - that's going to require a taxi/bus/car to get to.

All and all, the place isn't that bad. Some of these reviews are just harsh. I notice the dog waste too, but you're going to find that anywhere - you just are. People feel entitled to let their dogs go where they want and are apparently just above picking up after them. I wish the rent was a little lower but I think I may find that problem where ever I go down here. Montgomery County is one of the most expensive areas in the country to live.

Take it or leave it.

User Responses
From: kpgordon29	Date: 03/08/2008
Actually the point to these reviews is not just from evicted tenants. I feel I gave a pretty fair review of this complex. For what you get, there are better complexes in Germantown, MD and Montgomery County as a whole. I have lived many places in my lifetime and this complex was horrible.
From: learyrenter54	Date: 05/12/2008
Okay kpgordon29, you said there are better places in Germantown and M.C.... new to area, looking for a decent place so where would you recommend?
From: Anonymous	Date: 06/25/2008
Actually, it is not true that the squirrels don't get into the apartments. A squirrel broke through my ceiling, but fortunately climbed back up.I called maintenance, and they came with a trap, thinking that the squirrels were in the apartment. Mine wasn't the first call they had received about a squirrel making it's way in. It took three winters for them to "resolve" this issue, and I fully expect they will be back next year. If someone is very afraid of the idea of a squirrel entering their apartment, I suggest they take this under serious consideration.

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