if the idea of the new and improved clarendon wows you, then howard manor apartments aren't for youýýý you're better off in a luxury highrise in balston/clarendon/courthouseýýý heck, rosslyn even. but, if low key is more your style, remniscent of 50's style garden apartments in say brooklyn or hoboken then this is the place for you.

hma (howard manor apartments) thus far, has been an easy place to live. it's a five story, brick building that's affordable, low key, and comfortable. some of my favorite things about hma are: my back porch, everyone gets one and there's a wooden screen door so you can keep your back door open!, the large bath tub, the location-walking distance to whole foods OR the italian store, the ample off-street parking, my considerate neighbors (mostly), the wood floors, the big windows, the garbage disposal, the community recycling bins, the laundry room down the hall-never had to wait for a washer/dryer, the ample closet space, and the backyard. sure, it's an older complex, but that's part of its charm.

landlords are a strange breed, and hma's are no different, they reside on the premises. as a long time renter in arlington, i've dealt with my fair share of landlord dinks. however, my experience thus far has been pleasant, whether or not i get my full deposit back when i choose to move out, remains to be seen but that's the price of renting. inevitably, something is unsatisfactory to move-out standards but, whaddyagunnado' i don't think i've incurred too much havoc in my apartment. that said, on the infrequent occasions that i've needed repair work done, the resident manager has been swift in his response time. the only gripe i have is that he doesn't make a courtesy call to let you know he's planning on or been working in your apartment, not a huge deal, especially if you know he's coming, but rather, a courteous gesture, i think. my recommendation, make sure to stash any unmentionables prior to making a service call!

the heating has never been a problem, it's radiator heat but you can't control the thermostat. again, no big deal. the hot water is readily available..in fact it's kick ass. there are window unit a/c's and ceiling fans.

it's a rare occasion that i've seen a cucaracha, maybe 2 the entire time i've been here (1 year and counting). i'd say the indoor, apartment dwelling, wildlife is nil.. i did, however, have a massive spider make an intricate web on the back porch last summer. also, there's a resident raccoon on the premises, i digress.

in sum, you get what you pay for, and it's a state of mind. wall to wall carpet, 25 floors, basement gyms, door buzzers, yuppie neighbors, elevators, smelly hallways,hma isn't. but what it IS, is simple, upfront, minimal, mellow, cool place to live.

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