Great Urban Living Experience!
From:
bpalmason
Date posted:
1/24/2003
Years at this apartment:
2002
-
2003
First off, don't take some of the negative reviews for this building too seriously. The reviewers sound like real jerks.
I lived in a studio apartment in the newer Centennial Court building. Before I chose the Centennial, I looked at dozens of apartments in the Belltown/Queen Anne/First Hill/Capitol Hill areas. I work and play in Belltown, so it was a perfect location for me. At $695 for a studio, it wasn't cheap, however it was barely more expensive than an old 30's era apartments, but with the added benefit of in-unit washer/dryer, modern kitchen & bathroom, plus the really quite nice workout room, pool, hot tub, etc. Plus, I got a free parking spot (in downtown!) with the unit, so it was a no brainer to move in.
I honestly have to say I bought into the "Belltown, exciting urban living" hype these apartments promote. I loved it, walking to all the great spots nearby. I met a number of cool people in the Centennial, and every three months, the management staff host nice building parties. I've made a few new friends through living in the building. The management staff isn't what I would call 100% competent and on the ball. I can see how some people have complaints. However, maintenance work was completed promptly and professionally and the building is kept up very well. I've found the management staff to be quite nice at least, and I frequently chatted with them. The people on here who said they were snotty or rude probably didn't have any interpersonal skills themselves.
The apartments themselves are fairly bland, but reasonably well laid out. The finishings are decent, but not as nice as some other newer apartments. Keep in mind that the Centennial is less expensive than buildings like The Shelby or The McGuire, so you get what you pay for. I'd say noise was average. Like any apartment, it's sort of the luck of the draw with your neighbors. My first six months were practically silent until some noiser people moved in. I faced the alley, and yeah, the noise from the garbage trucks is almost intolerable. But, if you have a normal working schedule, chances are you'll already be awake or have left by the time they come around. Most of the time they didn't bother me. The elevators are kinda slow. I didn't have problems with parking. Yes, the spots are small. If you drive some big truck or SUV, it'll be a problem. But then again, those vehicles are not meant for an urban environment, so why don't you live out in the mountains where you belong!
Overall, it was great. I had BBQ parties on the roof deck, relaxed in the hot tub and sun tanned right in the middle of downtown, worked out and swam in the building facilities, drank too much free wine at the building parties, made lasting friendships with my neighbors...all within a 5 minute walk to my work. If you move in, be cool and friendly to the staff and fellow residents, check out building activities, take advantage of the downtown location, and you might have as good a time as I did.
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