I am moving to the VA Beach area where I have a better job offer, and I have to say that after looking around for a place to live there I will really miss living here.
My husband and I live in a 2 bdrm apt, so we get some nice extra space and a 'computer room' - all of the 1 bdrm apts that we have looked at elsewhere cost even more than this one. Pricing aside, I really do this that this is a nice complex.
The staff have always been very friendly to me (it did take a long time to process my paperwork when we first applied), and the maintenance staff is also friendly and easy to get ahold of (I've even had them come by on weekends for me). The grounds are nicely manicured and usually free of trash, the parking lots are very well lit, and I never have a problem finding a place to park right in front of my building (you get one assigned lot plus one up for grabs). I have never felt unsafe here, but then again I come from the Hampton/NN area so my 'unsafe' standards may be different. The complex is sort of subdivided around the different parking lots, and my area is very quiet. Different reviewers who mention loudness, violence, or an unsafe atmosphere may be living in one of the other areas (especially towards the back) which are rowdier.
There are always lots of kids playing around, unfortunately in the parking lot/street a lot of the times. But if you do have kids, they would have someone to play with. There is a nice little playground, a basketball court (although the hoops are missing), a tennis court, a seasonal swimming pool, and a weights room. Also, the complex is right across the road from the Wmbg/JMC Recreational Center, which has all sorts of recreational and kids programs, as well as a skate park. Full sized pets are also allowed (with the standard pet rent).
My only complaints are about some of the appliances. Like most apts, the apliances see lots of wear and tear and are not maintained or replaced as often as they should be. I cook every day so this is a frustration. The oven, for example, does not tell you when it is done heating, does not heat evenly, does not always reach the proper temp, and cannot hold more than one item at a time (meaning if I put in two cookie sheets, one or both of them will burn within a few minutes). The range does not always work properly. The fridge broke down and melted all of our stuff in it (they came in immediately to replace the fridge, but the food was our own loss). The water heater outside had to be replaced. The dishwasher is so crappy that we just wash everything by hand now. The thermostat is finicky. There was brand new carpet and paint when we moved in (very impressive and nice looking), but the paint is as thin as chalk and had several dings in it before we had even finished moving in. I never found a single bug in here though, it was very clean.
So, that is the good and the bad. Overall I really do recommend the apt - it is far better than what you can get for a far greater price (I believe rent for a 2 bdrm just went up to $764, as of July 2009). However, it is Section 8 housing, so you do have to be fairly poor (but not too poor) and employed to qualify. And the entire household cannot be composed of students.

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