I moved here 3 months ago and have no complaints at all. I've lived at Charles E. Smith properties for awhile now, and I have to say that if there has ever been a problem with the property managers that I felt wasn't resolved, one call to the corporate HQ always resulted in an immediate, and satisfactory, resolution. Just say things like "this isn't the Charles E Smith experience" or such and they take notice very quickly and resolve whatever your issue is.

That said, Crystal Towers isn't exactly cheap, nor is anything in Crystal City (which is owned almost entirely by Charles E Smith), but it is also not that expensive. Most of the reviews I've read here are from cheap people. Get over yourself! This is Northern Virginia, it ain't cheap to live here. You want cheap, move to Chantilly. I don't like the rent hikes either, and that's why I moved here from a CES property in Rosslyn--this place was twice as big for less money. But I also accept that it's gonna happen anyway, so just get used to it.

The bottom line is that you get what you pay for here. The apartments are huge (my 1BR is nearly 1000 sq ft; by comparison, the more expensive 1BR in my last building was only 650 sq ft.) The lobby, cyber cafe, pool area, and other common areas are georgeous. The gym is large and well appointed. My service requests have always been answered the same day or at worst by the next morning. The property grounds are clean and well maintained. Having a convenience store in the basement is fantastic. Being across the street from the Metro (via the Marriott tunnel) can't be beat and the Crystal City Underground Shops also across the street is pretty spiffy, too. And, as a pet owner, it is rare to find a luxury building that accepts both cats and dogs.

There are downsides: The entry doors (metal) are thin and act like amplifiers, allowing people in the hall to hear nearly everything going on inside--that can be creepy depending on your neighbor. It also makes the hallways resemble a dorm more than an apartment building. I recommend hanging a thick cloth on the inside of the door or otherwise never having sensitive conversations near the doors. Parking absolutely sucks if you don't pay for garage parking. $85 for a garage spot is frankly a bargain considering what it costs to park in the metro area in general. However, your guests should park on the street, since it is $7/day for guest parking. If you end up with an apartment on the side with the loading dock (that would be roughly half the apartments) be prepared for a daily (weekends too) wake-up bang between 7:30 and 8:30 AM as the trash truck loudly unloads all 10 garbage bins. I know it has to be done, but does it have to be so early' And the apartments that haven't been remodeled are cheaper, but it is worth the extra money to get one that has been remodeled. The old ones are very dated.

So, yes there will be rent hikes, but you rent in this area knowing that. Otherwise, the minuses are not significant enough to detract form the overall experience here and I'd definitely recommend it.

User Responses
From: jimbob27	Date: 03/02/2006
Jerk, Hard-working middle class families who are trying to save money to buy their own homes and can't afford 20% rent increases every year aren't cheap. If you can afford huge rent hikes good for you. But don't belittle others who can't. Personally I don't mind rent hikes if they are accompanied by improvements in services. But they generally are not. This is an older building. it is reasonably well maintained but they haven't made any huge improvements in the apartments or the amenities during the last 2 years when rents have skyrocketed. They turn the water off once a week and I have been emabrrassed when I had guests who couldn't take showers in the morning. The printers in the business center and internet cafe never work. If they want to raise the rent, fine. But rent increases that are so much greater than the rent of inflation should be accompanied by real improvements in the building.
From: SouthNWest	Date: 03/08/2006
Hey JimBob27, Your reaction is interesting! Our apt can not be improved: already has all new carpeting, kitchen all new and two bath rooms all new, 3 new heating/ac units.. what else is there? windows maybe. Our water is never off! And I must tell you when I needed the printer/copier, they worked fine. So "never work" tells us alot about you in terms of your evaluation, because never is really not true!
From: cmariek20	Date: 07/08/2006
You don't get it...people aren't complaining about the cost of rent as much as they are for what they are getting for it! It doesn't make much sense to pay more and get less...if you know how to add. Furthermore, if you have to call HQ for a complaint...that doesn't say much for good service!

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