To summarize my 2 year experience with Riverside: I've just moved out and I could not be happier. I had to find a place to live via Internet, so I never actually saw the real apartment complex and the location, otherwise I wouldn't have moved in. Also, DO trust the reviews you see on this cite, I found them to be pretty accurate (besides the fake 5 star mgmt ratings).
Ok, so everyone has different preferences and opinions, but some things are just common. I'll try to summarize my experience in a few points here:

1. The area is unsafe.
Even though it's close to the Metro, you are better off not walking home after dark, especially is you re ea woman. There have been multiple rapes in the area. Every week or so, without exaggeration, you will get a notice under your door saying that there have been 2-6 cars broken in the past week. I had a friend stay over with me fro 3 days and his Jeep was stolen from the parking lot. It was found 3 weeks later in MD in terrible condition with everything possible stolen and broken. Their famous "Gated Community" is a joke- you only swipe your card on the way in, not out- even a kid can get over the fence! Plus who even really checks who walks in'

2. Constant construction and noise.
I though this would be over after a couple of months when I moved in, but after 2 years it's still there, all the time. The highway is way to close so you can't sleep comfortably when you open your window. Plus all the crazy construction in the area just makes in ever more so depressing. The famous "sports club" they built in the middle of Riverside took them well over a year to build and guess what- they are now charging 50$ per month for the "privilege" of using their "state of the art" community center. Absolutely ridiculous- the place is always empty.

3. Super old buildings, pretty much falling apart.
Taking into account the surrounding lack of anything in the area plus the 3 ugly Riverside buildings with crumbling infrastructure, you'll think you live in a developing country. Water pressure is strong, but because of that they have to fix the pipes at least once a week (so thus no water for a day- surprise!). The laundry room as well as the first floor is disgusting- wet and smelly carpet all the time, because the pipes are always broken. Maintenance people have been ok, but there is only so much they can fix, everything is ancient. Oh, and good luck taking a shower in the evening or at night- the water is barely warm. You basically have to shower in the morning otherwise you have to get used to cold showers.


4. The neighborhood is just depressing.
If you don't drive, you are pretty much screwed. There is no grocery store within walking distance or anything else for that matter worth going to. All you see is roads and highways, and construction. It's true it is relatively close to downtown Alexandria, but you CAN NOT walk there.

5. "Close to the Metro"/shuttle bus.
Over 2 years, the shuttle bus service has gone down the drain, and mind you it was crappy from the begging. This includes everything from crazy drivers, to totally unexpected departure times, to the buses full of people in the morning (the rest has either to wait another 20 min for the next one, or walk, and 20 min walk in the morning is a lot of time when you're running late). The shuttle only runs till 8, so if you're a hardworking individual and work late hours, be ready to wait for 30 min for a regular bus or walk home in the pitch dark area.


6. Insects.
I never had roaches, but others complain. With the type of people living in Riverside, it doesn't surprise me- I had neighbors leave their trash in the hallway all the time. Twice I had a huge ants problem, but it took me about 3 weeks and I got rid of them.

7. People
Staff tries to be friendly, but only when it s in their interest. The headquarters is who knows where and if you have a fire alarm going off at 5 AM for 3 nights in a row, good luck getting hold of someone. Residents are shady. A mix of weird people, broke students, some professionals who work in Alexandria and find this apartment close, and some crazy people too.

8. Package room.
If you receive packages a lot, be ready to rush home to make it before e7 to get your package. The hours are stupid (3-7) and if you don't pick up your package within 3-5 days, they just ship it back. Very inconvenient to walk to another building, not to talk about the hours. They just got a new package room employee and she's really the best and most efficient so far, before that it was a nightmare to get your packages, they were constantly lost or sent back.

So, overall you get a pretty cheap and big apartment for your money, but trust me, that is not all that matters. It is just depressing to come home to this place. I live in a smaller and a more expensive area now, but I could not be happier. Like I said, unless you're broke or work in Alexandria or just don't care, DO NOT rent here.

User Responses
From: monicaann0802	Date: 02/11/2008
WOW...this review really helped make my decision. I'm glad people are not sugar coating their experiences and writing the truth. I am in the Navy about to get stationed there and to tell you the truth, the pictures of these apartments are really nice but they don't have the tenants reviews posted on their website. I am so glad I found this website so that I can get the real deal! Thanks alot!

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