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Seems all right to me
From:
wrs4
Date posted:
2/28/2006
Years at this apartment:
2005
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2006
4 responses
So, here's the situation...
- You've looked at most of the apartment ratings on this site in the NoVa/So MD/DC area.
- Frankly, the cost of rent looks obscene.
- Nearly every complex has people complaining about the cost, the roaches, the residents, the garbage chute, with an observation that there's somewhere better out there.
- All the "better" rated places have rents that require financial independence.
What's a body to do'
So far, Edlandria does it for me. I spent the better part of 6 months looking for a job in this area, and an apartment was part of the plans. The reviews I read in this area pretty much summed up to the items I listed above. I've been here...4, almost 5 months.
Pros:
- Quiet. Real quiet. I occaisionally hear neighbors upstairs/downstairs/through the wall, but that's with every complex, and in this case, the floors are concrete (a rarity in a 3-4 level structure).
- Full size W/D stack in the kitchen. That alone is worth a lot since you don't have to worry about who else has been washing what else in the washer.
- Decent parking. It's not superb, but there are enough spaces for everyone with a few to spare.
- No-nonsense management. Some people will label that as Nazi-ism (I believe I saw it on one of the earlier reviews) but IMVHO, if you are living by the rental contract, you won't have problems. If you aren't...your neighbors probably don't want you :)
- Utilities included. Given the winter power bills, this is a blessing.
- Built in networking jacks. Hey, I don't use them, but it's a plus.
Cons:
- Centralized boiler system. They decide when you're hot and when you're not. I have had the heat on all of a half dozen times this winter. Some times, I've had the windows open. Sometimes I've had the windows open because (according to my digital thermometer) it was 80 degrees inside and 70 outside. I am sort of dreading summer...and I grew up in Alabama.
- Apartment layout. They have ventilator units against the outside wall of the apartment in each room. You can't put anything up against the units because they periodically change the filters, requiring a 3' space around the units. On top of that...the walls twist and turn. I have a 2 BR apartment, and find it difficult to fit my dining set, tv, couch, etc, into the apartment.
Like I said, I've looked around here pretty hard...Edlandria seems pretty decent for the value. If you don't rent here, at least take some tips:
- Stay away from towers buildings. They all have trash chutes, and invariably there are complaints about pests in the garbage rooms.
- Closer to Metro == increased price. If that's your thing, go for it.
- Closer to DC == increased price.
- The prices in the greater DC area are pretty steep compared with the rest of the normal US world. You can get a better price by going further out, but then you pay for it with 2-3 hour commute times, plus the cost of the MARC/VRE/OmniRide. If you go anywhere near the middle of the VRE ride, the prices are the same as in the Metro-accessible area, but you also have to pay for VRE/OmniRide. Basically...that puts Woodbridge and similar locales out of range.
- If you can afford it, don't look at anything with a < 50% rating. Everything I've seen suggests that < 50% is a slum. That's not being snobby...that's reporting the objective truth based on all the reviews I've read.
If I can think of anything else, I'll add it.
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User Responses
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From:
ml24fl
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Date:
03/05/2006
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As a resident there, can you give me some additional information about the apartment? Are all the units renovated and contain washers/dryers? What about the surrounding area? How safe would you consider it and what kind of shopping is nearby. Edlandria's advertisement mentions close proximity to Van Dorn Metrorail. Is it within walking distance? Any input would be helpful and can be sent to ml24fl@yahoo.com. Thanks.
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From:
krolka
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Date:
03/08/2006
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I'm moving out to DC from Houston and you've given some invaluable information. Thank you!
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From:
jesinaj
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Date:
03/22/2006
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Oh yeah, and I moved into one of the "better places" in a "nicer area" Largo MD and it wasn't better or nicer. Rude unprofessional office staff (it took 3 months to add a roommate becasue they had a different story of what needed to be done each time i or he went into the office.) And cars are stolen out of the parking lot and taken back to SE DC never to be seen again. By the way. auto insurance in Prince George's County MD is horrible and Arlington VA isn't much better. (Call your agent before you move here to check the difference!) The whole area is overcrowded and the more people, the more accidents. Alexandria VA and Montgomery County in MD have better rates.
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From:
raleigh718
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Date:
04/20/2006
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Thanks, wrs4. I'm thinking about buying an apt/condo in the area and renting it out. You've given me some things to think about in selecting the right area and how to truly evaluate reviews on the staff.---Hope everything continues to work out for you there!
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