Never judge a book by it's cover. Phase II at the back looks nice. The grounds are well kept and as it is only a few years old, so it does not look like the Archstone DMZ at Canyon Pointe. But looks are deceiving.

Reading this review, you may feel I am bitter but not really - just disapponited. Here's what I would like you to do before signing the lease please.

Come back at 11pm and see if you can find a parking space. Typical Archstone who budget for 1.5 cars per unit. Ring the local Sherrif to confirm that this is the hottest crime spot for stolen cars. You can buy a covered space if one is availble but be prepared to defend it - that means calling the towing company. Archstone are happy to take your $35 for the space but it is up to you to enforce it. It is illegal for Archstone to tow and I am not sure whether it is legal for you to do it. $100 will get you a garage - do this an consider it as part of your rent when doing the math.

Come back on a Saturday, around 11 am. See what the traffic is like, your local town is Woodinville and traffic is a nightmare. Bothell is a nice place (two miles away) but it closes at 9pm, even the Ale House.

Upon showing you an appartment, check out your surroundings. At the back is quiet but I never felt secure pushed up against the woods. Now walk heavily around the appartment - you will note that the floors are made of recycled cardboard. The washer / dryer is full size and a real dream - but look at the size of the water tank. More than 5 minutes in the shower and the next person will have to wait. No microwave though which I thought was a little unusual. See if you can get more than one person in the kitchen area. Take a walk around outside, the discoloring on the grass is from owners exercising their dogs. Most are good and pick up the c%$p, many do not. I was annoyed and getting reminders to clean up after my dog when I did not own one.

The management does try and keep you informed of what is going on. They do this by posting letters on your door. Great for burglars. Two days of a letter on you door means time to break the flimpsy wood frame and help yourself.

Keep away from the blocks next to Staples and the power grid lines. Why - the local wildlife; frogs come to life and make one hell of a din when it is time for them to mate and the lines hum big time. Ever wonder why' It's called ionisation. That's what happens when you run it over swamp land (sorry I mean nature area). Keep out of phase I, it has no DSL.

The 'club house' looks great, but is frequented by the local youths rather than residents despite the card entry system. Only one person has to tailgate another and he can / does let all his friends in.

The pool is shallow but normally not in use. Many people do not like the fact that the exercise room looks into the pool. Get on the bike and you have nothing to look at but the swimmers. Both parties feel very awkward.

The movie room looks nice, except the projector is hosed. They do have a toddlers thing going on which is great for the poor mothers who have to stay home and endure this place.

There is no local shop. Your nearest is Woodinville which is a 20 minute walk, ok for me but a real pain if you just need milk. Crossing the main junctions requires speed and agility.

On the plus side, (I'm trying to think of somrthing) it is new and clean. The staff are ok but are somewhat kept busy with noise complaints because of the poor build. Most common way to break you lease is to complain about the neighbors. Sadly, if you have a neighbor who wants to move out, he will register false complaints against you - this happend to me which made problems when my next place required a list of any problems caused by me.

Would I recommend it, not really. There is better out there and certainly worse. It is not that cheap either and don't be dupt into a nine month lease when you asked for a sixth month lease.

Oh, and why the moving trucks everyweekend in the title' No one ever stays here for more than 12 months - it's record stands for itself.

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