The Blairs

Current Resident 223300

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

Generally speaking, I like the Blairs. However, I will be doing my best to leave at the end of my lease for one single reason only: the temperature control. The policy used to determine when to switch from heat to air conditioning is horrible. Even as well have summer temperatures, the HEAT remains on. At least 10 separate days, the temperature has reached or exceeded 80 degrees INSIDE the apartment, even with windows open and fans on. At least another 50 days temperatures have reached the high 70s inside. I've had to purchase my own mobile air conditioner and 4 extra fans, and it's still not enough, even with lights and appliances off and the shades closed. For several months out of the year I am forced to live in the dark, and still cannot be comfortable. I can't sleep because of the heat, and that's not even counting the noise from being forced to leave windows open at night facing E/W Highway. These are NOT cheap apartments, and this is unacceptable. For what is payed here, I can--and WILL--get a better level of living elsewhere.

Current Resident 220359

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

I live in a 3 bedroom apartment in Blair House. The units are well maintained by highly responsive maintenance staff. The community itself is great and provides social events almost every day of the week. Walls are very thick and you almost never hear any noise from neighbors in all directions. Windows are thin, allowing sound and heat/cold to come through rather easily (though AC/Heating units in each room keep the temperature stable). Overall a great apartment complex.

Current Resident 136482

Resident • 2012 - 2016

One word describes the management of this property: INCOMPETENT. There's a manager for everything, and even "resident managers" (I wonder if they are the ones writing good reviews here), but try to get in touch with one of them if you have issues with the apartment, and good luck! Leasing agents aren't much more helpful once you move in, but when they are pushing a lease they're the friendliest people you can imagine. I do have to say, managers are really punctual when it comes to letting you know that your rent will increase. Walls are thin, and noise from neighboring apartments can be heard at all times. Fixtures such as window blinds are old and cheap. There are no service elevators, so moving things in out out is an adventure and an annoyance to residents. I'm very glad to be moving out of here soon, to a place where residents are treated well and respected, not seen as one more apartment number.

Current Resident 217866

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

I really enjoy living at the Blairs. While there are things they could do better, it is the best large apartment building I've ever lived in. It's in a good location, clean and well kept, and rarely ever any noise problems. I have lived in Blair House and currently live in Blair East.

Current Resident 216630

Verified Resident • 2008 - 2016

A place to reside. That's it. Nickel and dimed. Not secure. Concierge replacements have been a constant problem. Terence should (after 28 years) still be at that front desk (Plaza) at night. He knows everyone in the building and how to handle any emergency. It's just not safe to keep putting someone new there. Especially those who disappear for 30 minutes at a time. This was a very poor choice by management. Further - why is there music playing in the lobby? Sometimes I feel like I'm walking into a nightclub and it really lowers the impression of the residence. It's awful.

Current Resident 216043

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

I really love living at the Blairs. There are so many things conviently located like restaurants and grocery store. This is a dog friendly community. My family and friends love visiting. Things to do for all ages! The building is well maintained and very modern decor.

Current Resident 211932

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

So far I am not impressed, our apartment was nowhere near ready on our move in date according to normal standards. They didn't even have keys ready for us, we had to wait over an hour to get copies made, all that to arrive at a dirty, Roach infested apartment.

Current Resident 211736

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

I couldn't be happier with my new apartment. It is spacious, clean and quiet. You can't beat the amenities. The club room and lobby are really nice too. The coffee/ hot chocolate machine is great as well. The location is great with shopping and restaurants right outside of the building. Downtown is a short walk and the metro station is very close as well.

Current Resident 211303

Verified Resident • 2016

When I first toured the property, it was great. I was captivated by the features they advertised: the bike room, accessibility to the metro, spacious units, etc. They also seemed like a responsible company. All of that changed as soon as we moved in. These are some of the issues we have faced so far: 1. We were not informed that our unit faced a construction site. The unit I saw was a different one before I left the country and I signed the lease remotely since I was coming back into the US from another country. It is extremely noisy and it starts at 7am (or sometimes slightly earlier than that). 2. The blinds are low quality. So bedrooms and living room are EXTREMELY bright during the daytime. Our toddler is unable to nap well in the afternoon. They said they couldn't do anything about those blinds. There are other units that have higher quality blinds (we've seen our neighbor's blinds) but the maintenance guy told us that the Blairs stopped stocking those ones because of the higher cost. 3. The maintenance guy also told us that it gets exceedingly hot in the summers due to the blinds being low quality. We believe that because it can get hot even in the winter when there is sunlight blasting into the apartment through those low quality blinds. We're bracing ourselves because the summer is almost here. Fortunately, electricity doesn't run too high, so we should be able to blast the A/C. That doesn't solve the brightness issue though. 4. We were not given a parking spot when I brought my car to the Blairs. Many others (including my neighbors) had the same issue. We had to wait more than a month to even get a spot. All that time, we had to go get a signed pass from the leasing office every three days! We were told that we would need to go check with them about availability of parking spots because that was OUR responsibility. That was the first time I spoke sternly with the leasing office. When they saw that they couldn't lecture me about my responsibilities because I was going to call them out for their inability to take responsibility for things that they promised me when I had toured the property, they backed down. I finally got a spot after more than a month of waiting. 5. I got a spot - G226. Right near Giant. Guess what, customers of Giant think those spots belong to Giant since the marked spot (the markings are almost fully faded btw) starts with a G. The security guy told me that he's been telling the management forever to take care of the issue. Their response? Tow cars. Yea... they tow the cars and shift the problem to unsuspecting Giant customers. I went in to the business office (I have a small video clip of this) one day to report being unable to park in my spot due to Giant customers parking in my spot. I told him that the fault was with the Blairs for not having signs up there. His response? He called security and told him to tow any car that parked in my spot. Eventually, I pestered another guy in the business office and they gave me another spot away from Giant. I can finally just come home from work and park in my spot that I pay $90 a month for. 6. The dishwasher broke. The maintenance guy told me it would take them 2 weeks to get us a new one. It ended up taking closer to 2 months. Unacceptable. Don't fall for the first impressions. For this kind of money, I am sure there are better places to rent. Also don't fall for the crappy lifestyle stuff. They have small gym rooms just like other places. Some people do take advantage of the yoga and other fitness classes. If they are that important to you, why wouldn't you just rent a cheaper (and equally nice apartment) and pay for fitness classes that you can attend on your own schedule? The only pros are metro accessibility and being near downtown Silver Spring. We plan to move when our lease ends. I wish we didn't have to because of the cost of moving but given the problems so far, I think that money will be money well spent. P.S: The "holier than thou" attitude of the business office would be much more tolerable had they practiced what they preached about responsibilities. If you guys are reading -- PUT UP SIGNS FOR THE PARKING SPOTS NEAR GIANT. There is a woman who commutes to Baltimore everyday and comes back home to find her spot taken. She cries almost every single day, according to your security guy. If you can take all this money from your tenants, and $90 a month for parking, you need to ensure we can park in our spots!!!

Current Resident 210268

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

Friendly building! Good safe area with easy access to the metro and downtown silver spring as well as bordering on a Giant grocery store cvs and some other business' that make being car free easy. Zip cars available as well as the public bicycle system.

Current Resident 209238

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

This complex is beautiful and convenient. It is very close to the metro and walking distance to the downtown area, but tucked away in a quieter, more residential, part of Silver Spring. The rooms have very unique designs and are clean, updated, and spacious, as are the common areas. It has the feel of a high-end place, but offers new tenants generous discounts. When I moved in, they gave me one month of free rent, and a discount for working for a university. I haven?t had negative experiences so far, but there are small suggestions I'd make for improving the moving-in experience. I would've appreciated more support from the leasing office. They give you lots of information that would entice anyone to move here (because it is such a great place and easy to praise). But there isn't much depth to the information sessions, so after you?re shown around, you end up with a lot of surface information and follow-up questions. This isn't a problem if you've already rented before and know how things work, or are comfortable asking a lot of follow-up questions. But because I consider those things minor, I would definitely still recommend this place to anyone.

tenantgirl22

Resident • 2015 - 2016

This complex is beautiful and convenient. It is very close to the metro and walking distance to the downtown area, but tucked away in a quieter, more residential, part of Silver Spring. The rooms have very unique designs and are clean, updated, and spacious, as are the common areas. It has the feel of a high-end place, but offers new tenants generous discounts. When I moved in, they gave me one month of free rent, and a discount for working for a university. I haven't had negative experiences so far, but there are small suggestions I'd make for improving the moving-in experience. I would've appreciated more support from the leasing office. They give you lots of information that would entice anyone to move here (because it is such a great place and easy to praise). But there isn't much depth to the information sessions, so after you're shown around, you end up with a lot of surface information and follow-up questions. This isn't a problem if you've already rented before and know how things work, or are comfortable asking a lot of follow-up questions. But because I consider those things minor, I would definitely still recommend this place to anyone.

Current Resident 208676

Verified Resident • 2015

Blairs have a low retention rate. My observation and from talking to neighbors is it has to do with the incompetent, unprofessional staff. I believe if they hired competent professional staff, they would see a higher retention rates and happier tenancies.

Current Resident 71478

Verified Resident • 2015

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Current Resident 903195

Resident • 2013 - 2015

This place is going downhill, and quickly. It used to be that managers were willing to address any issues promptly and courteously; now you're lucky if they reply at all. Public areas are messy, washers and driers are old, and many are not working. Promises to get new ones have dragged on for many months. Security is lax, and residents break rules all of the time with no consequences. Shopping carts are regularly left at the building entrance and management's response is always the same old memo. AC and heating is set to whatever management decides, and the reply is always that the system is old and difficult to adjust. Yes, the location is good, but the way this property is being managed is pathetic.

zcrubin

Resident • 2014 - 2015

We lived in Blair Plaza for about 13 months and generally had a very positive experience. The location is excellent, the price of rent reasonable for the area and the staff quite friendly. We didn't use the amenities offered very much but definitely enjoyed a monthly event where the complex brought discount food trucks on site. Our lease was originally 11 months and they let us extend it two additional months even though we had already give notice that we were going to move out (our situation changed suddenly and they were very accommodating.) The only think we did not like at all about the community were frequent car alarms. We were on the 16th floor and heard at least 10 car alarms a week going off from the parking lot. This was very frustrating and could probably only be fixed if they improved the soundproofing of the windows. All other noise from neighbors in the building was impossible to hear which was a big plus.

Current Resident 192983

Verified Resident • 2015

Just moving in--so far the process has been easy, professional and convenient. Our kitchen appears a bit dated, as do the blinds on the windows, but our balcony and the shear size of our unit--not to mention the location, community programs and the niceness of the staff--makes it worth it.

Current Resident 190686

Verified Resident • 2015

Convenient location approximately 5 minutes walk to metro, adjacent to a grocery store and several restaurants in walking distance. Friendly and responsible staff. Friendly neighbors. Very spacious apartment. Overall it is a decent place to live.

rrrcar

Resident • 2015

I recently moved here. I took over a previous tenants lease, which proved to be a little more difficult than I was hoping, but nonetheless I moved in and was able to sign my own lease. The rent is doable considering its right across the metro and next to a grocery store/food/and other amenities. Having the option to have dogs here is great. Though they do have breed restrictions so you should check to see what those are. Also it is $45 a month fee per dog (not sure about cats) PLUS a security deposit, so keep that in mind as well. Pros: - thick walls, I rarely ever hear my neighbors. The only noise that I ever hear is usually from the hallway through the door. I find it completely quiet which is great coming from previous apartments that had paper thin walls. - Friendly concierge that has always been accommodating. - The gym could be bigger but the machines have always worked for me and is great alternative if it is too cold outside to run. - Weekly events. Some are thematic (there's one upcoming thats a fall festival), movie nights where they put up a huge screen in the parking lot, food truck nights where they give you money vouchers, free car washes bi-weekly, free pet grooming bi-weekly, raffles for sporting or music events, and other great stuff. Cons: - Rent is a good price, however they get you with all the extra fees such as parking ($90 for outside, $120 for inside/covered), laundry ($3.50 per complete wash/dry loads), pet fee and deposit. - People have been complaining about the construction of the new buildings (which my apartment is facing) but it's honestly not that bad. - Though they say they are going to fix this issue, there are consistent problems with the dryers, which break down every couple of days and you won't know until you use your laundry card.

Current Resident 185972

Verified Resident • 2015

I recently moved into a Blair-Towns, one bedroom. It might be pricey for those just starting out but I'm very satisfied with the place so far. The place looks/feels brand new despite small issues I had with AC and washer which were fixed with in one hour of my reporting the concern. Further to that end, the concierge & maintenance staff are very responsive and efficient. The location is perfect. People are friendly and its walking distance to everything from the Metro (which is a 3 min walk) and downtown (which is around a 10 min walk). The area is also well suited to having dog. The Blairs have common areas for animals to do their business but if you venture off on a normal walk, understand the busy main streets nearby makes each walk a potential life and death circumstance if your animal gets free of its leash... Otherwise, I would definitely recommend checking out what the Blairs have to offer.

Current Resident 185937

Verified Resident • 2015

The community is convenient to a variety of shops, food, and activities. It is well maintained and the staff has always been friendly. The few service requests I have had have been taken care of quickly and always on the first attempt. I would recommend the Blairs to others.

Current Resident 185737

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2018

Except for maintenance issues Very good. Unfortunately the attitude of office staff has been rude and disrespectful over time and we have been the target of a building supervisor trying to save money at our expense. Our air conditioning was turned off 23 times last summer.

Current Resident 184465

Verified Resident • 2012 - 2015

Love the Blairs! The apartments are huge, the rent is reasonable. The employees and staff are friendly and helpful and the Lifestyles Program is always planning something fun for us to do! I would reccomend this community to anyone looking for convenience and affordability.

Current Resident 180092

Verified Resident • 2015

I have really enjoyed the Blair East building. The apartment has a modern kitchen and bathroom, we have a great view, and the staff and community are very friendly. It is very convenient for public transportation and in a great area. Love it!

Current Resident 178871

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

My experience at the Blairs has been amazing! The property management does activities and events every month so we can get to know each other. We have free yoga and powerblast classes and a gym. The concierge is very friendly, too. Amazing!!