I've lived at Mason Hall for 2 years. I was quite familiar with the area when I moved in and knew that the building was in a good area. It's a short walk to Old Town, just across from the GW Parkway and the bike path, close to Route 1 and has multiple bus stops that go directly to Braddock Road Metro. The fact that Buzz Cafe and Rustico are just down the street is a bonus!

Mason Hall itself has been a great place to live. The building is clean, the grounds well kept and the staff (Donna, Robin and Gracie) are very nice and personable. You have to keep in mind that the building is very old and there are going to be some aspects about your apartment or the building that just aren't going to be brand spanking new. I live on the third floor in a studio apartment. I have never seen a roach or mouse (or their traces) in my apartment. I spray around my windows in the spring and summer when I leave my windows open. If I don't, I get big spiders outside my windows at night. But a little spray every now and then keeps them in check. I have seen a roach or two but ONLY in the bike room which is on the ground floor. I have one a/c unit which works perfectly fine during the summer. The kitchen and bathroom get a little warm as they don't get direct circulation but that's what a little fan is for. The heat works perfectly fine during the winter. It can get a little warm, but if you crack a window just a smidge, it evens out. The bathtub is old style so it's really deep which is great. The kitchen appliances aren't new but they work well and I do love having gas burners.

I pay the same rent now that I did when I moved in two years ago. I received notices of a potential rent increase or the possibility of having to pay a small electric bill each month but my billing never changed. It's a bit of a bummer having to use a laundry room but coming straight out of college, it's something that I was used to. They redid the gym which now has newer treadmills and tvs. The treadmills used to be really old and rickety feeling but the new ones are much nicer and have headphone jacks for the tvs. The library is also nice and I find myself wandering in there every now and then to find a book to borrow. The staff is very responsive to any repair requests that I've had. They usually fix things within the day. I did have a problem with a noisy upstairs neighbor but I think they moved out because I don't hear them anymore. Remember, the building is old so there are going to be some squeaky floor boards.

Parking is not too bad. If you get home late (after 9) on a weeknight, you might have a problem finding a space. That's when I usually drive into the neighborhood to park since it's a bit dangerous parking right on the street on W. Abingdon. It's a rare occasion when I've had to do that. The bike rooms is crowded but I feel safe leaving my bike down there even when I can't find a bar to lock it to. My apartment faces the back of the building so it's nice and quite. The afternoon sunlight floods my apartment perfectly, which I love. The train is a bit loud when it goes by but it really doesn't go by any later than like 10pm.

I've been incredibly happy at Mason Hall and am sad to be leaving. I would definitely recommend living here. I moved in just out of the college dorms and I think it was a great transition apartment. I feel really lucky to have such a great first apartment. A quiet building with respectful neighbors in a really great neighborhood -- can't ask for more!

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