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Summary of the Avant
From:
noegard
Date posted:
3/12/2008
Years at this apartment:
2007
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2008
2 responses
I wrote a description of the many problems with the Avant a few months ago. Since then, they have seemingly performed a large number of renovations to the property and its offerings. Supposedly, they will be building a fitness center within the next few months. Of course, all these renovations cost money and the rent prices are increasing significantly to reflect the changes.
Here are my major concerns with the property:
- Price to location. The prices you would pay to live here are not worth the location. They were questionable before the Avant took over, but since they have gone up, I am wondering if the Avant will be able to maintain any customers. Generally, you can get an apartment in any of the surrounding areas for around the same price and live in a much nicer area (such as Springfield, Kingstowne, or Fairfax even).
- Location in general. Annandale boasts about being one of the most "diverse" communities in northern Virginia. This is good if you are a college professor from California who teaches about the idea without ever having experienced it. However, for those of us who actually live with this kind of diversity, it isn't always all it is cracked up to be. Statistics for Annandale (from 2000) state that whites compose nearly 64% of the population, Asians .7%, --------- 14%. I would seriously question these demographics. Take a drive down Little River Turnpike and you will see that most of the businesses are labeled in Korean, Spanish, or some other language. This presents several problems sometimes - for one, you will find that your utilities skyrocket because one or two will rent the apartment, and ten will live in it. In the Avant, you don't receive individual utilities - you pay for everyone in your unit. If you happen to be a tenant reading this and you don't believe me, watch where the day laborers come from that stand by the 7-Elevin in the morning. Second, foreign immigrants mean foreign services - I can't describe it for you, you will have to experience it.
In relation to the surrounding area, this apartment is actually in a relatively convenient location. It is close enough to DC, Fairfax, Springfield, Fair Oaks, the Pentagon, the Metro and Tyson's Corner (for entertainment, shopping etc.). However, I think you could easily live in any one of the other cities I just mentioned and pay the same amount and live in a nicer area (except DC). I can't even hold a basic conversation in English with the people who cut my hair.
- Crime can be a problem in this area too. There have been several incidents recently that have made the news including burglaries, rape incidents, and homicides. The Avant is situated in a maze of other apartments which lends itself to this type of issue.
- Pet fees and deposits are absolutely outrageous. $450 pet deposit (non-refundable), some $35/mo afterwards plus a few miscellaneous fees on top of that.
- On a positive note: there are a variety of running and biking trails near the Avant (across Americana Dr.).
- Judging from my own experience and that of many others that have posted on here, the Avant can get pretty noisy. I can hear my neighbors most of the time, including those above us. This is one thing you will have to get use to if you live here. Noises upstairs can sound like someone is right outside your bedroom door.
If I could recommend you look anywhere for an apartment, my top choices would be Springfield, Kingstowne, and Fair Oaks. Fair Oaks provides the best bang for your buck that you'll find in northern Virginia in my opinion, but it is a little distant from the Metro, DC, etc.
Lastly, most of the people who actually move into the Avant won't be able to read this post anyway because they don't understand English. I'll leave you with that.
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User Responses
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From:
Anonymous
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Date:
03/12/2008
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The word that is dashed out is Hispanic (from Latin America - in case it doesn't work again). I am unsure why it edited that out - politically incorrect perhaps?
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From:
Anonymous
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Date:
06/26/2008
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Wow . . . it is obvious that this individual is a bit "prejudice", keep in mind this country, which wasn't originally white, won't stay all white forever, so get over it! Yes I agree, if you live in this country you SHOULD speak english, no ifs, and, or buts about it!!! My husband and I moved into the Avant about a month ago, we have not had any problems whatsoever!! The apartments are huge, ours is newly renovated with all new appliances, you won't get any that size for that price in the immediate DC Metro area, we've checked. Coming from New York City, the prices are not a shock to us, you get even less for more there. The areas that this person mentioned are mainly white and travel to DC during the rush hours would be hell (we also did that for a while), unless you work near where you live. Ultimately you must make the decision for yourself, some people are jaded and some just like to complain about everything. If you live in an apartment complex, no matter where, you will hear your neighbors, if you want total quiet, go buy a house. Overall, we like it at the avant, and honestly them raising the rent is a way of "weeding" out undesireables, we've seen it done in NY many times. And yes they are going to add a gym and club house, in fact the leasing folks have to be out of their area in the next month or so. It pays to be friendly and get to know that staff, you will always "get more flies with honey" and find out all the latest info. We can run but we can't hide, the US population is shifting, and turning mostly latino/hispanic, don't blame them, blame your government and all the human rights folks.
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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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