UNIT: The units themselves aren't bad. Small living room, but big bedroom and decent sized kitchen, and you get a balcony or patio depending which floor you're on (the concrete patios are kind of ugly). There are hardwood floors in all units...the lease states that you have to cover at least 80% of the flooring with your own carpeting. That's just the company's way of being too cheap to get carpet because carpeting has to be replaced just about every time a unit changes tenents. Each building has a laundry room, so that is good. But the laundry room is pretty creepy. You have to walk down to the basement and go through a VERY narrow, dimly lit hallway with rust stains on the wall (I hope that's rust), then open two narrow and heavy doors (all while carrying your laundry basket). It looks like a prison down there, I kid you not. I had a minor problem with cockroaches in the winter time but they went away when the weather started to warm up.
COMMUNITY: There is a real gang problem in this area. It's all over Northern Virginia but mostly in Alexandria south of the Beltway. There is MS-13 graffiti over nearly every building in the complex. It's been removed, but you can still tell what it is. I've heard gunshots outside my window on a few occasions (unless that was just somebody setting off firecrakers at 1:30am in the middle of February. You'll sometimes hear souped-up cars with loud engines racing down the street at 2am. I've never seen any rats or mice, but I've seen a couple racoons around the dumpsters (and a dead one in front of my building that took about a week to be removed. Ewww.) Also, all those seedy looking motels along the Route 1 corridor are a total eyesore and attract bad crowds as well. The Fairfax County police stay pretty busy thanks to this area.
On the plus side, the area is very convenient for shopping. You have every possible retail store and service within 5 minute drive. It is fairly close to Old Town Alexandria, Nat'l Airport, and DC. Huntington Metro is close, but you still need to drive to it and park or take a bus. But with all that commericial development comes the traffic, and on top of the Wilson Bridge fiasco the traffic in that area is UNGODLY. Prepare for some long commute times. There is plenty of parking in the complex so you don't have to worry about getting a space, but don't be suprised if you see any dents or scratches gradually appear on your car over time. One nice little bonus: it's in walking distance to Huntley Meadows Park, which is like a wildlife refuge. All kinds of birds, reptiles, and plant life in a huge open area with a boardwalk, it really is beautiful in the summer. It's like an oasis in an otherwise crappy neighborhood.
STAFF: Contrary to other reviews, I found the maintenence staff to actually be one the better aspects to Meadow Woods. It usually doesn't take more than a day or two for a non-emergency problem to be fixed. I must say that the staff is quite pleasant, even AFTER you've moved in, which is rare for most places. Another plus - once your one-year lease is up, you can continue to rent on a month-to-month basis, but you have to give 45 days notice when you want to vacate.
My advice: You get what you pay for. The price is pretty good for the DC/NOVA area, but if you can afford better, go for it. Don't live here just to save money. Getting jacked by an MS-13 lowlife just isn't worth it.
So in summation: The individual unit is pretty good for the price (just bring your own carpet). Service (in my experience) was good. Community: LOUSY. High crime, high traffic, air pollution is unbearable (because of the traffic) nobody speaks English, and the Gun/Pawn Shop/Check Cashing place nearby says it all.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates