I lived at the Reserve in a 1 bedroom, 1 bath for one year in 2006, and then found a roommate and rented a 2 bedroom, 2 bath in 2007. I moved out a few months ago and haven't received my deposit check back yet. Overall my experience was okay, but for anyone who's seriously considering moving here, beware of an incompetent staff and a possibly very noisy unit. The actual interiors of the units are pretty nice, but it seems like most people dealt with a few repairs, leaks, pests (lots of ants in the summertime, but no vermin)at some point. Depending on which building you lived in, there was a sense of community - friendly neighbors.

Pros:
Location - It's a 5-10 minute walk to Van Dorn metro station, and the DASH bus stop is practically in front of the complex. Easy access to 495 and 395 - 5-10 min. drive. It's an industrial area, so it's pretty bland - you'll find yourself spending most of your time in old town or arlington or DC if you want exciting shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.

Washer/dryer in unit - Anyone who's dealt with laundry facilities in dark basements knows the value of having a w/d inside your apartment - even though you'll still have every excuse to not do your laundry - and having full-size (not stackable) machines was a real plus for me.



Cons:
The staff/management - Abysmal at best! Every time you walk in the office, there's someone new and just as incompetent as the last person. Their hiring process seems to be a joke. The staff can be described as unprofessional, unknowledgeable, insensitive, creepy, unmotivated, slow and rude. I was embarassed for them - they were a perfect example of incompetence and unprofessionalism. The maintanence guys were actually pretty good, though - I always had my work orders done correctly within a few days.

Cost - For what you get, I believe the rent is too high..although you'd be hardpressed to find a nice 1 bedroom, 1 bath midrise in the greater dc area for less. Compared to other fitness centers I've seen in apartments, the Reserve's is mediocre. There's also a rooftop tennis court/basketball court which no one seemed to use.

Noise - Depending on where you are located, you can experience a great deal of noise (when I lived towards the front it was extremely noisy, hearing people stomping up and down the stairs, and cars with blasting stereos, but when I lived at the back, it was pretty quiet except for the gunshots from the police training facility down the street). Not only were people noisy, but the gate at the front was always needed to be oiled because it was LOUD - and frequently used. Hearing neighbors at the sides and above and below my unit was less of an issue.

Safety - There were a number of break-ins (in both apartments and cars) during my 2-year stay at the Reserve. I never really felt like my safety was in jeopardy, but I think for an apartment complex that promotes a "gated community" feature, it really does not have much credibility. Anyone who wanted to come in to the complex could do so.

Good luck with your apartment search!

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