I lived here for 3 years. My first two years was in a one bedroom and then I moved to a 2 bedroom. The 2 & 3 BR units have a dishwasher but the 1BR doesn't. There is a parking permit required Sunday - Thursday. There is also a guest parking permit, and your guest can only stay up to two weeks using this pass. There is a night watchman/parking guy going around checking them. I haven't ever seen or heard anyone get towed because of it. Overall, parking is not an issue. No assigned spaces, it's whatever you can find.

The actual unit has very nice hardwood floors, however, they require you cover 80% of it with carpet, they're not ---- about it. The walls are far from sound proof. Mostly families live there, so it isn't too loud.

I found that the grass was always lush, and all the landscaping looked good to me. Supposedly this complex has a local gang, MS13, nearby htat does some vandalising, but I didn't see any of it. I always felt confident leaving my car parked.

I did hear about a few robberies of 1st floor apartments, but I think those people either left their doors open, or the people who were stealing stuff, had a specific reason to pick that apartment.

There are rules about outside apartment aesthetics like the backs of your curtains have to be white, you can't hang laundry on the balcony railing, your balcony furniture cannot be upholstered,

Tips:
1 - Do not get an apartment that backs up to Loehman's plaza (for noise and gang activity)
2 - Make sure the unit you choose, backs up to the woods or the edge of the property that doesn't overlook anyone. This way, they're more lenient about balcony rules and it's added privacy and all types of bonuses
3 - Make sure your unit has a balcony. (they offer a discount to some units w/o balconies, but it's totally worth it.)
4 - Common sense will tell you to stay away from 1st floor apartments anyway.
5 - Make sure your door way doesn't have a corner just inside the door because you'll have a heck of a time moving your couch in and out. Just avoid it if you can

All utilities such as gas, trash, sewage, electric are included in the rent. This is just convenient and nice. TV, Cable, internet, that type of stuff is on your own.

Maintenance - call at any hour of the night and leave a message. The next day, they show up to fix whatever it is you called about. If I called with a question, I always received a return call the next day from management.

Most of the management staff lives in the apartments.

As far as northern virginia prices, this is a decent (not luxury) apartment complex for the price. If you have a larger budget, such as $1800 - $2000 a month, then go somewhere else, but this is just fine for a young professional.
Call for current apt prices. They're very fair as far as not telling you anything untrue or yanking your chain to make it look better. They're very honest. You do have to pass a background check to live there.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 10/13/2008
A very generous review. (Must be a Monticello Gardens employee). Parking is okay but the lot is very poorly lit at night. "Maintenance" consists of coming into the apartment and changing filters twice a year. Then separately they come into the apartment and "grade" your housekeeping (very degrading to have to pass their inspection twice a year--we're not in the Army). The tile in the stairwell looks like crap. The laundry room and trash room always stink. Not much construction going on in a 40-45 year old complex. I'm in a very noisy building--mostly screaming kids. I complained about it once but was sent a letter saying that I had to call management and they had to witness it for them to do anything about it. Grounds are kept up but 5 out of 5 seems a little too much? Gangs and 4 out of 5??? Office staff 5 out of 5--definitely written by an employee.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates