We knew there was trouble even before we moved in. The leasing office was not very helpful in the lease signing process. Everyone there is Hispanic and rude. They do not acknowledge you when you get in to the office. It took us three weeks to sign a lease.

The apartment was nice, brand new everything. However, the neighbors sell phone cards out of their apartments so there are always strange men in the apartment or outside knocking on the door looking to buy cards. One of the men inappropriately touched my roommate one night. They ring the wrong buzzer expecting us to let them in whenever they need phone cards. It is not safe and not very secure. The entire apartment community is Spanish, at least 95% Hispanic. Some of the neighbors keep to themselves but the men just hoot and holler at any woman passing by. I got stalked by one of them for about three weeks. It is very noisy even when you are in the apartment. Our neighbor downstairs has her phone ringing every minute of the day with people looking to buy phone cards. When the front door bell to their apartment rings, you hear it. Their kids play in the hallway from 5-8pm and it gets annoying becuase no one wants to move when you get home. Sometimes people take your mail. The mail man does not mail your packages becuase there is no outbox in the place. The management office does not honor appointments. We had an appointment and she never showed up.

The management is unprofessional and very rude. They never acknowledge the fact that you are there unless you speak Spanish. They try to get money from you any chance they get. Out air conditioning did not work for the first part of the summer and when you call them on the weekends, the emergency line, no one responds to you until monday. It is a nightmare living in this community. Granted things are very close to where we live. Everything is convenient but the management or the tenants. There are no amenities. The community center has been turned into a "Centro de Communidad' if you are not Spanish or speak it, you can't really use it. There is no diversity. I do not encourage anyone to move in there.

The trash bins are not enough for the entire community. Most of the time there is trash spilling everywhere becuase it gets so full with only two trash bins for over 100 people to throw their stuff away. Some places are not well lit so if you decide to move in, make sure you go at night as well to check out the place. During the day it might be deceiving.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/22/2007
I hate to say buyer beware, but you guys had to know what you were getting into if it took you three weeks to sign a lease. Why would you wait that long and be treated that poorly anyway? Also, if you continue to have trouble with your neighbors, you call the Arlington Police. Most of your "neighbors" want nothing to do with law enforcement, because their call will be to ICE - Immigration and Customs. Finally, for stalking threats, etc, did you know Virginia has a very lax conceal carry law? There's a reason crime is low on this side of the river. You never know who's packin'
From: Donew_Apt	Date: 01/03/2008
i have been looking at my lease and i cant find the break your lease fee
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/09/2008
I am resident at the Gates of Ballston. I live a diverse community. At the time we moved in October 2007, the apartments were still being renovated. We had to wait 2 weeks because of construction delays (the management office could only apologize, they had nothing to do with the cause of construction delays). The writer talks about the Hispanic community as if you is prejudiced. Washington, DC is very diverse. That is the fun of living in the big city. I have found management to be quite courteous. Yes, the majority of the management office is Hispanic, but every one apeaks English. We live in a "ME" culture. If you can't have it your way, right now, something must be wrong. If you had that many issues, why didn't you call the police. Don't spoil a good thing for someone else looking for an affordable place to live in Arlington County. The community is now finished, the trsh issues have been solved, I think it is a great place to live. MAnagement has always been friendly. As for the writer, I hope you and your prejudices have moved. Signed, Love living in Ballston
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/13/2009
I'm also a resident with Gates and find almost all of the original poster's comments to be true, except that the management office refuses to acknowledge non-Spanish speakers. They have been very friendly, though their ability to help me has been very poor - sometimes because of their abilities, sometimes because of their low place in the organizational hierarchy. I think the bottom line for someone thinking about moving here is: if you need an attentive management with the Nordstrum-style customer service, this is not the place for you. If you are disturbed by children and people around being people (sometimes disruptive, noisy, and in the way, sometimes friendly), then this is not the place for you. I don't need those things, and therefore the cost and location make Gates unbeatable for me. Be honest with yourself, and you can find what's best for you, too.
From: NEWBEGINNNIGS	Date: 06/26/2009
I am considering very strongly about my residing at the Gates of Ballston. I like the community environment, and I need child care services which is a part of the community. I have lived in NYC for all my life so the attitudes don't bother me. The affordability of the apartments are suitable for me relocating needs. And to top if off the property manager was very helpful in helping me to make the decission to move there.

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