I've been at dolley madison for 2 years and plan to sign a lease for another year. All in all, it's a great value, especially considering the location... 5 minutes from 495 and 66 and the tyson's corner malls. The apts are extremely spacious with tons of closet and storage place. The maintenance is also top notch... when i've had problems (handle on the dishwasher broke so it wouldn't run) i called the office at 9am on my way to work, and by the time i got home the dishwasher was fixed and the maintenance guy ran it for me so i had clean dishes when i came home! you get a discount at the Sport and Health Club so that's great, especially since the complex's gym only has 2 treadmills, 2 bikes and an elliptical machine for the whole complex. I've found it hard to get a machine when i've tried to work out after work (around 5:30 - 6pm) but at off-peak times i've seen it empty on several occassions.

People mention noisy neighbors and the fact that you can hear lots of stuff, but really I think you're going to find that in any complex. Also, the buildings are pretty old, but again, you're going to find that in most complexes in the area. Some of the plaster in corners of my apt. is cracked, but i don't find that to be a huge deal. Like lots of other people who've posted reviews, i also got in on a deal ($989 plus $25 pet fee for a 1 bedroom), and in the 2 years i've been here the rent has only increased a total of $81. Management did send out a notice about a month ago urging residents to use their heat wisely since costs are going to be sky high this winter, and the complex pays for your heat. They implied that if they're paying too much they're going to pass the cost on to residents. You pay your own electric, so the power bill is pretty high in the summer (around $120)when i run the A/C alot. But the winter electric is only like $30.

Some people have mentioned that the staff in the office isn't so great, but i've found them to be very accomodating and willing to help for the most part. They're not overly friendly, but i have friends in other complexes in the area who say their office staff really sucks. i also have a friend who lived here for about a year or so and had only complaints about the place, but i haven't found much to complain about.

All in all here are the pluses:
there isn't a bug problem like i've heard about in other places. the maintenance staff responds quickly to anything that needs to be fixed. the complex coninuously makes improvements to the buildings (new railings and front doors on buildings to replace old ones, roofing work). no big annual rent increases. huge apartments and layouts that maximize the space, especially compared to several friend's apartments i've seen in other complexes. a $300 reduction in rent for the month that you renew your lease. lots of dumpsters in the complex so taking out the trash isn't a big ordeal... i have friends in an archstone complex and they have to take their trash several blocks to one of the 2 or 3 main trash compactors for the entire complex. they have to put the trash in and hit a switch to compact it, and since some residents just toss their garbage in the general vicinity, the complex has had problems with rats. there's a huge pool with lots of chaise lounges, but there's lots of kids who go so if you don't like to hear kids yelling and playing you might be annoyed.

the minuses i've seen are the guest parking -- there's not alot of it, and if you come home late at night you're not going to find a parking space close to your building. i read in the paper that the person who delivers the newspapers here was robbed around 5am one morning, but i haven't had any problems like that (thank God!) and no problems with vandalism of any kind either. The outside of the buildings are well lit and I've always felt pretty safe in the neighborhood.

Again, the location can't be beat, and you get alot for what you pay for. I definitely recommend this place!

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