The conversion process to condos is a joke. I can?t believe that people in the DC area are so gullible and think that this place has any value, let alone the $170,000 plus that they are asking for units that are not even 700 square feet.

The sales staff brings tour groups through the building and talk about this change or that change that will take place in the future. Take a good look at The Fountains at McLean that is owned by the same company. Be sure to speak with the people who bought a place over there and now cannot even rent the unit out. The "upgrades" have been going on for over a year there. I?m sure the continuous sounds of construction and blocked entrance ways are delightful.

If you are still interested in this place that I consider a dump, let me share some other insights:
- the sounds of 495 at all hours of the day will be charming. Don?t even think you can enjoy your pint size patio or open the windows.
- the paper thin walls are a nice perk. In particular, I enjoy the sounds of my neighbors going at it in the bedroom above me. The sounds of washing machines, elevator arriving at the floor, and the hall AC unit that growels all night are what make me want to go home every night.
-now lets get to the management. I am delighted that management feels they can enter my apartment without leaving me a note or calling in advance to say they need to enter for a reason that is in no way an emergency. Let?s just say, for your own piece of mind - lock up any valuables because I sure do not consider this a trustworthy bunch.

As for my tiny 1 bedroom, be sure to look at the size of the kitchen drawers if you are considering buying. In my apartment they are not wide enough to put a silverware tray organizer in. Thus it is fun to try to dig for a knife in the common silverware bin.

The gas fireplace is charming, however in my apartment it retained cold air during the winter and the fireplace ate up my gas bill.

As for winter, I found the windows were useless. I suggest that you might as well plan on replacing them immediately. I had gusts of wind coming into my apartment in the winter and management said that the seal on my windows was just like all of the other windows in the complex. It was comforting to know that others were freezing this past winter too.

Now the mold problem is a delight. With the cold, damp windows, mold grows at a very rapid pace. Bleach and hot water treatments were needed several times per week to keep the growth under control. Don?t forget, the stone cold fire place has cracks and grooves. It too needed to be washed down to minimize the mold growth. I?d suggest that you no have allergies before you buy here or you will have serious lung issues come winter.

Storage. This is another unique issue. Indeed, the ceilings are high. However, if you want to store Christmas decorations, an extra comforter, or simply seasonal clothing, don?t plan on having much livable space left. The room off of the patio is not a storage unit as per fire code so don?t be deceived.

Overall, if the Gate of McLean is a place that you think is luxury, then my suggestion is that you look at your quality of life and think about moving to another city. If $170,000 is what the price of luxury is in suburban Washington, DC, (remember there in no access to a metro here either), then we are in a sad state of affairs as a country because I think this complex is exactly the opposite of the definitions of luxury and quality.

My suggestion: Do yourself a favor and keep looking.

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