Technically this review is about the Fountains, the section of the Lincoln they broke off and made into condominiums. Since many things are the same for both, and since there is no section on this site for condo reviews, I decided to speak here.

LOCATION: The location is great, with caveats. If you work in Tysons Corner, you couldn't choose a better place to live. There are several office complexes within walking distance, including Freddie Mac across the street and the Galleria a ten-minute walk up the road. Even if you don't work in Tysons, getting elsewhere is easy. The Dulles Toll Road is around the corner (here's a tip: depending on which direction you're going, go to the Route 7 entrance instead of Spring Hill--or vice versa--to avoid the main toll plaza). I use the Beltway and the exit ramp turns immediately into the boulevard that leads to the Fountains. And, best of all, Tysons Metro Transit station is at the entrance of the complex. This is as close to metro accessible as you can be without actually being on the metro--a direct bus runs between here and West Falls Church station every ten to fifteen minutes, and the ride takes five minutes.

But, like I said, there are caveats to the location. Seemingly in the heart of Tysons Corner, it actually takes awhile to get out of the neighborhood. The apartment complexes are linear--first the Avalon, then the Lincoln, then the Fountains. We're set back pretty far--it takes five mintues to get to the main road (Rt 123), longer if you get stuck behind some of the longest-timed red lights in the DC area. Five minutes doesn't seem like much, but in the morning rush when you stayed in bed just a bit too long, it seems like an eternity between the time you get into the car and the time the commute *really* begins.

Also, there is no grocery store nearby. I either go to Reston (lovely new Harris Teeter there), to the Giant near WFC metro, or the Giant off of Old Dominion in McLean, all of which are about a ten-minute drive. Coming from a place where I could walk to a grocery store, this is a bit inconvenient. But if I plan it well (remembering to pick up items on the way home from work), it isn't too bad.

THE UNITS: The apartments are very small and expensive. After viewing the Lincoln, who wanted almost $1300 for a 620 sq. ft. apartment, I searched for private rentals from the Fountains. I found a unit of slightly fewer than 700 sq. ft. for significantly less than what the Lincoln was asking. Still, four figures for such a small space hurts if you've come from a city where you can get twice the space for half the price. I suppose it's comparable to the other places to live in the area, though. I do know that some of the condo owners do ask for high prices, so you have to negotiate or keep looking. As the Fountains have just finished selling the condos, and many people bought them specifically for rental purposes, there are daily listings in the Washington Post or Craigslist. My unit was cheaper because it hadn't been renovated by the owners--it still had the cheap apartment carpet and old appliances. A lot of the ads you see will boast brand new everything.

THE COMPLEX: The Fountains and the Lincoln have the standard corporate clubhouse appearance. I've noticed that complexes with this look like to bill themselves as luxury residences, but I consider it to be a basic cookie-cutter style. The amenities don't add up to luxury for me, but maybe I'm just jaded. For the Fountains, there is a lounging pool (not swimming, as it doesn't go deeper than four feet), a tiny fitness room with a tiny television, and a sauna. Their website advertises a private business center and a clubhouse, but neither exists. The clubhouse I believe is coming after they move the sales staff out (which should happen any day now that all the units are sold), but I know of no plans for a business center. We have access to the tennis courts at the Lincoln. The Lincoln has an awesome fitness room--private cable television screens on each machine--but that's for Lincoln renters only. I live in a courtyard unit and have an assigned garage space. The garage is nice enough, I suppose, although I don't like that the mailboxes are there. Yes, it's convenient to check the mail on the way home from work, but the mailboxes are small PO box style and the facade is dingy. The garden units have nicer mailboxes.

I have one major complaint as of today. I returned home from work and found that the courtyard gates had been locked. Previously they remained opened all the time. Management sent out a memo several weeks ago that fobs would be issued and the gates would start being locked soon, but they did not provide a date. Luckily, I had the fob on my keychain, so the locking wasn't a problem. I just thought it was inconsiderate, as many people probably weren't carrying theirs around. Actually, only the main entrance gates were locked. The door to the stairs in the garage remained open, and anybody could walk into the garage (protected only by an arm, the entrance which remains open while the exit opens and shuts, go figure) and up the stairs into the courtyard. I assume it will become locked soon, though. Another complaint I have about the gates is that the fob isn't the only way in. The gate also has one of those six-button locks, and anybody could watch someone enter and learn the combination. Not very secure.

All in all, this is a nice place. I think I got a good deal for the location, and it's a nice starter apartment. Others have written about how these apartments (the Lincoln, Avalon, the Gates--which also is going through the condo conversion process) are not luxury. I don't think that's a bad thing--these are nice and perfect for a recent graduate, young professional type. Luxury can come later, when we've scored our six-figure salaries and high-end German cars ;). I'd say this is entry-level for the professional--better than the roach-infested dumps that people who make less than $40k have to settle for, yet still allowing space for moving on up to the East Side, so to speak. The only reason I'd willingly move (that is, excluding the possibility that my landlord will skyrocket the rent once my lease ends) is if I were to buy my own home.

Addressing the rankings:
Parking is great. Like I said, I have an assigned spot, but there are many visitor spots and even some unreserved spots inside the garage. The garage is adequately lit at night, not too sure about the exterior parking.

Noise level is minimal. I can sometimes hear my neighbor's television, but is very faint, almost like white noise. I live on the top floor so no one is above me (I wonder what the people under me have to say).

The grounds inside the courtyard are very nice. Plenty of fountains with running water and benches to sit on. The outer area is somewhat wooded, if you like that nature stuff. Plenty of trees.

Everything seems pretty safe to me. The courtyard hallways (open-air) are very brightly lit. I'd walk around the complex at night. I haven't heard of much crime in the Tysons area.

Construction is so-so. Much of the improvements that could be made are in the hands of my landlord--a softer carpet, better flooring materials that doesn't look like someones blindly cut a sheet of vinyl and glued it with Elmers to the floor, a deeper tub...The appliances are nice even though they aren't brand new. I have a full size side-by-side washer and dryer, none of those apartment-minis, and my refrigerator is huge is somewhat empty at the moment.

As this is a condo, I can't comment on maintenance or office staff. Overall, I'm glad I live here and would recommend it to others. Preferably young, hot guys....

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