I really don't know what all these people are talking about...
From:
kallieh
Date posted:
3/27/2008
Years at this apartment:
2005
-
2008
8 responses
I have been reading the reviews on here and I'm completely baffled. I am a single, young female who has lived at Southern Towers for 3 years, in two different buildings- A studio in the Sherwood and a one bedroom in the Berkley. I have never felt unsafe on the grounds at night, I do not see a lot of "gang" activity. It seems to me that a lot of people are making assumptions based on people's appearances as to what their affiliations are. Newsflash- just because someone is a minority male does NOT mean they are in a gang or a hoodlum. I, for one, appreciate the diversity of the tenants and although I have many nationalities living on my floor I have never noticed that they have any more people living in apartments then one would assume should be in there. The walls/floors/ceilings are thicker then in newer aparments so you hear far less of your neighbors than other places. Also, as someone who has also lived in "nicer" new apartment construction, there was a LOT more structural issues in the newer place then here. Sure, the buildings are old and you can tell but structurally, they are well built.
As for bugs and mice. I have never seen a mouse in either apartment I've lived in (on the 6th floor and the 4th floor). As for bugs, we live in a humid area in a high rise. No matter what you pay for in rent, in this area' You are going to see bugs. If it's bad, call the front desk. However, the apartments take a much more proactive stance on bug issues then most apartments I've seen in the area (speaking as someone who has lived in area apartments her entire life). I personally have the best bug deterrants in the world- a cat. They work better than any exterminator ever will. Each apartment I've lived in, I saw a couple bugs right after moving in and then never again. My cat takes care of it for me, and since Southern Towers doesn't charge pet fees- I'd consider getting one if you don't like bugs.
Maintanence is prompt, the bus system is great and being close to the highway is a real plus for me. Car thefts for this community are considerably lower than other apartment communities in our area (check out the Alexandria police crime reports) and I attribute that to the very visible presence of security vehicles in the parking lots all night. As for the BB&T robbery, I hadn't heard about that but we live in an urban area. Crime happens wherever you go.
The rent prices cannot be beat, the apartments are large, the closet space is large- and I, for one, appreciate actually having the choice of not paying premium prices for granite countertops and new appliances as is happening to every single other apartment community it seems. I eat out more than I eat in, so it's wasted money for me.
My one complaint is parking and the complete lack of guest parking after 11pm. As someone who is younger, I feel like I'm kicking out my guests for curfew or something... although if I'm not having a good time, it's a good excuse to end the night early. ;-)
Recommended: YES
Overall Rating
Parking:
Maintenance:
Construction:
Noise:
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Safety:
Office Staff:
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User Responses
From:
Anonymous
Date:
03/27/2008
Thank you for the positive comment regarding Southern Towers. I've lived here for over 15 years and absolutely agree with you. The grounds are safe compared to surrounding apartment complexes. IF you don't believe it call the Alexandria Police Department for statistics. You'll be surprised at what actually goes on around you while in the confines of this property. The property is well maintained as well as the buildings. I do not stay in my apartment until its time to go to work and get around the property quite often all times of the day and night. For those that are not happy or who have been here past three years must find something right about the place because your still here. If you are that dissatisfied move elsewhere and then you'll come to realize that Southern Towers wasn't bad at all.
From:
Anonymous
Date:
03/27/2008
Girl, you just don't know. Where have you been when the gangs were arrested, 7-11 been robbed about 20 times. Domestic problems all the time. They just robbed he BT&T and Chie of Security located him in the Monticello Building and suspect ws on his way out of the country. See, you have not been here long enough to see what's happening around here. Three years is nothing compared to long time resident that see it all. You probably come home from work and stay in until its time to go to work,. So you can keep you three years comments to yourself. We seen it all.
From:
Anonymous
Date:
04/01/2008
well i'm a long term resident, over ten years, and the 'girl' does know what she's talking about. the crime is not high here, i've seen little to none. police presence is high. there's going to be crime anywhere to some degree, esp in a metropolitan area. i go in and out at all sorts of times, day and night, and always feel quite safe.
From:
Anonymous
Date:
04/15/2008
From: Anonymous:
I have a record of having lived in two bachelor efficiencies with balcony sinc 1975, within 10-15 years after Southern Towers was built.
My first rent in '75 was $177 per month. Annual increases were only $5 per month, thus, the second year was $182.
Today, I pay $865. One of the desk clerks who once lived at Crystal City told me she had paid over $1000 at least five or more years ago.
So in all, that is good even though it is now a bit pricey.
When I first moved to ST, it was considered one of the "swinging singles" apt. complexes in Northern Va., practically all white, youngish clientele.
There has been tremendous sociological change over mostly recent years.
There are seniors, even with walkers, a strong ethnic presence now mainly from ------- nations.
I have been impressed with maintenance. Last Sunday afternoon, I was able to have my kitchen disposal unit replaced and a general reaming of the pipes. Another time on the 4th of July of all times, maintenance came to my apartment because my AC unit was leaking.
Can you imagine if I had to pay a plumber to take care of such matters on a holiday or Sunday if I owned my own residence?
Several times, my door lock wouldn't operate, in fact, once on a weekend.
Maintenance came to take care of that.
I wonder when I will ever leave but one who gave up a car years ago, the place can't be beat for public transportation access with Metro and Alex. Dash buses going through the complex.
In fact, unless one can afford places like the Ballston area and Crystal City, it still is unbeatable for convenience and price in this high priced era.
I have always felt safe walking around even after dark as I used to work in DC and often return late at night from my job. It's great that one bus line comes from the Pentagon that passes directly through Southern Towers.
I can't say that I have known anyone who occupied the few penthouses there but an article was written up on that in the Washington Post Apartment issue a few years ago.
Misgivings will be found anywhere but on the whole, I have been satisfied with my 25 years or so living at Southern Towers.
From:
Anonymous
Date:
04/29/2008
From "the girl"-
I do not sit in my apartment all the time, I frequently come home as late as 2-3am. Still I don't see problems other than what you are always going to have in urban areas. As someone else seconded me on, go check out the Alexandria City weekly crime reports and you'll see that a very small percentage occurs in Southern Towers in comparison to other neighborhoods/apartment communities.
And for the record, I don't live in a penthouse.
From:
nowayno100
Date:
05/22/2008
First of all, what buildings are you living in because some of you are (short-term people) have not seen anything. Please tell me what Building you are in because the ones that are complaining don't live in you building. I can see the Sherwood Building surrounded by cops at least once a week along with the others building. If you live up high and at the bad of the building and can not see nor hear the police running around here looking for someone, then you can not comment. The ones that leaves early in AM and stay in after coming home until the next AM -then you can't comment. The residents that been here the longest and have not seen anything, can't comment. No - there is no crime in your apartment and you can't see what is going on outside if you are always up in your apartment.
To correct you on the Alexandria City weekly crime report, it is not not up to dat and it is definitely not accurate. To set everything straight, I live at ST for since 1998 and I have seen it all and hear it all. It depend on what building you live in that you don't have bugs or mices; get proper maintenance service, and the staff is nice. It all depends on what building.
From:
Anonymous
Date:
06/30/2008
To nowayno100,
Which building is safer and which one is the un-safest?
Thanks in advance.
From:
Anonymous
Date:
07/24/2008
I have lived at Southern Towers in 3 different apartments -- once from about 1987-1992 (I was a kid so I don't really count this), then again from 2001-2006 in another apartment and 2006-present in a third. This is a great community to live in -- I am really not sure what some of you people are expecting when you live in a densely populated urban area. There is going to be crime, noise, bugs, etc. anywhere you go. Really, anywhere. The security people are all friendly and easily accessible, the maintenance teams are quick, efficient, and well-equipped (here, an issue gets fixed within 24 hours. At my previous place of residence, I was lucky if it was fixed in a week, even if it was an emergency like a broken refrigerator or busted A/C in the dead of summer). And as for the person before me who doubts the Alexandria Crime Reports, I receive email alerts with the daily crime reports and I can count on one hand the number of times since I've been a subscriber (over 2 years) that a serious crime in Southern Towers was on the list. No matter where you go in this day and age, you're going to face crime, but ST definitely does their part to deter it. The rest is dependent on citizens being aware and doing THEIR part.
As far as bugs and mice, I've never seen a mouse in the entire time I've lived here. Yes, there are bugs sometimes, but the ST management is effective at utilizing the best tools for pest control. Also, it's important to note that especially in the case of roaches, a) this is an older community, and b) most of any roach infestation can be traced back to an individual's own housekeeping (and also the housekeeping of your neighbors!).
The buildings are older, yes, but well maintained considering the age. Sturdier, too, compared to newer construction. Also, on the brief occasions I've looked into living in other communities (prior to moving back to ST), I noticed that the square footage of even the biggest apartments paled in comparison to that of ST.
I don't live in a penthouse, I don't hide in my apartment all day long (but I spend enough time here to know what's going on). Southern Towers is a great place to live -- you would be hard pressed to find anywhere in the Northern Virginia area with such low rent, big apartments, great access to transportation, great management, no security deposit, utilities included, no pet fees, etc.
Disclaimer: No attempt has been made to verify or assure the accuracy of the claims made by the author of this opinion or responses. You must judge the truthfulness of any review and accept responsibility for your use of this information.
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