O.k. Please read my story. I was an out-of-towner (2/3 of the way
across the country) and I found a new job in the Dulles, VA area. I
started doing research on ApartmentRatings.com and found out that
Archstone Dulles has some relatively high ratings (66% - some of the
highest in the area. Don't believe this by the way. Notice how I say
"relative"). So I wanted to fill out an application online before I
even got there. I paid a $50 application fee and I had to pay a $500
"move-in-fee". Keep in mind I have never even seen the place before.
So two weeks later, I fly into Dulles International and checkout
Archstone Dulles. It is really a nice apartment complex. Based on
looks, it is very quiet (except for the airport noise) and seems like
a nice, pleasant place to live (minus the lack of parking). I
seriously thought I was going to live there, until I found something
much better. I call Archstone back to tell them I'm not moving in
anymore and they denied a refund of my $500 "move-in-fee". This is
bullsh*t. Not that it matters (since that is how much money I can
make in a day), but it is sure pretty shady. I could've had one big
dinner with that money.
So in order to fill out an application to see if you qualify, you have
to pay this stupid move-in-fee, and if you decide the place is not for
you after actually visiting it, you are SOL. So here is some advice
to anyone who wants to live here: make sure you visit the place before
filling out the stupid application and paying any fees. I understand
that it was partially my fault for not inquiring from the beginning,
but the leasing office (especially a woman named Megan), was very rude
and disrespectful.
So basically, this rant is not to criticize the quality of living here
(since I never lived here), it is more to criticize the leasing office
and their policies. My personal opinion is to search craigslist for a
better opportunity. You get so much more for your money out there.
Don't let a stupid corporation (Archstone) dictate how you have to
live your life. In the end, you will be much happier with a condo and
some more freedom.
Hopefully, this negative rating will cancel out all the fake positive
reviews fabricated by the leasing office.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 03/23/2009
Thank you for sharing your insightful experience :) May I ask where you decided to move to instead? If there are vacancies, I may decide to joing you!
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/01/2009
You really shouldn't be so upset. If you had bothered to at least have someone look around for you, you would not have wasted your money.
From: Anonymous	Date: 12/10/2009
Yes, don't be so upset because you failed to read the fine print. Sorry that the office staff was unpleasant to you, but hopefully you complained to the corporate office about that.

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