The Aspen

Current Resident 631479

Resident • 2012

Don't be fooled by the "no security deposit"

We were told when we moved in that the carpet was replaced between each tenant. Now we are moving out and the fee chart says $75 per stain on the carpet, along with a lengthy lift of other charges you can incur. Not that I trashed the place, but you cannot tell people the carpet gets replaced then charge them for stains that would, presumably, be ripped up anyway.

DCguy10

Resident •

Great value

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): This apartment complex is a great overall value if you want to live close to D.C. I rented both a studio on the 2nd floor and then a 2 bedroom on the 10th floor (I upgraded after one year). I spend two years in this building. Good aspects: -Rent prices are very reasonable for the area and include all utilities. -I didn't see any crime in/near the building or vehicle break ins during my time here. -3 miles from either Braddock Road or Crystal City metro stations. -very close to Del Ray and Old Town. -balconies are huge with the 2 bedroom units (20 ft.) -the view in some units is breathtaking (stay in and watch the D.C. fireworks during the summer!) -the halls and laundry rooms were completely renovated in late 2011. -pool is pretty nice during the summer and never seemed packed. -new chiller was added in 2010 and I believe the boiler was replaced in 2011. -gym is 24/7 along with the wi-fi study room. -front office staff were always nice and provided a quick turnaround on maintenance. -maintenance guys were very nice and responded sometimes the same day as my request. -my 2 bedroom had brand new carpet installed when I moved in. -the square footage of the 2 bedroom 1 bathroom unit was really impressive. -the kitchens were a good size and provided plenty of storage and cabinet space. -if you like other cultures, little El Salvador is pretty much 1/4 mile away. -they now have a 24/7 desk so there is always someone there to help. -convenience store built in is a nice touch and provides dry cleaning service. -several entrances to the building make entering and leaving convenient no matter where you are parked. -I only saw 1 bug in two years of living here. No rodent or bug problems here. Bad aspects: -parking is outdoors and when I left they were no longer giving out guest passes. -depending on when you arrive home, parking can be hard to come by and the street parking gets taken up quickly. -the parking lot design is rather inconvenient, and one section has no exit or way to turn around. -if there is snowy weather, you can pretty much count on your car being trapped in the lot, as the smaller back roads are rarely plowed or salted by the city. -washers and dryers are in a separate room and are usually taken on Saturday and Sunday. Three washers and dryers on each floor was rarely adequate for the amount of people living on one floor. -the office determines when heat and air switch over (central) and there can be some uncomfortable weeks depending on when they decide to switch. -the bathrooms in both my studio and then my 2 bedroom unit were very small and did not have a fan. I could often times smell cigarette smoke from other floors and moisture build up was bad after a shower. -the gym equipment was starting to show signs of wear and tear when I left. The free weights are sparse and are laid on the floor with no rack. -the building seems to have water pipe issues about once a month. It always seemed to be on a day off, which meant no water from morning until mid-afternoon these days. -I had a lot of noise from one of my next door neighbors toward the end of my stay. It seemed like the building got a little more party friendly toward the end of my stay. -the outside of the building architecture looks like, to quote a friend, "something out of communist Russia in the old days". -the complex is located about 1 mile from a fairly unsafe area known to be high in robberies and some gang activity. -you will either have to drive or metro bus to the metro stations. The bus ride got old quick, as it is frequently not on time and some we will say "interesting" people ride it regularly. -the loading dock door is worrisome from a safety standpoint in that it doesn't require any kind of special access to get in. -if you live on the 2nd floor, expect freezing winter temperatures in your room during winter and very hot summers (my a/c ran 24/7 as did my heat). When people leave the loading dock doors open, you will really hate it. -the elevators seemed really small to me, at least compared to the building I am in now. -the trash trucks come very early in the morning and the sound of the truck banging the metal trash units woke me up every Saturday morning (only one side of the building will really notice this. My 2 bedroom unit faced the other way and I never heard it, but it was really a down side to my studio). -the convector units in my rooms made noises and had paint chipping off of them. -the building seems to be on the most fragile section of Alexandria's power grid. Even though Dominion is literally right down the street, it seemed like power outages lasted forever when they occurred. I think this place is great if you are new to the area and need a great value while you commute into D.C. After two years, I was ready to move on and live somewhere closer to the metro. I don't fault the complex for its shortcomings, as it is an old building and they are constantly working to upgrade it. The nice staff became personal friends of mine and I made several great friends while I lived here. I recommend it, albeit at least until you can afford to "move up" a little in quality.

Current Resident 974409

Resident • 2010 - 2011

Lazy/Harrassing Staff

The actual apartments are OK. Not a lot of noise and fairly clean. Don't expect ANY customer service from the front desk. Any holiday you can think of these people take off work and close the office. They chat amongst each other and will ignore you instead of assiting you. The guy ---- will stare at women, flirt with them, and even try to touch women. Multiple complaints to management and he is still employed. The AC sucks cause their super cheap and won't turn it on until your sweating in your apartment. If you're a woman, I would never live here.

Current Resident 37655

Resident • 2011

Very Impressed for the price!

I recently moved in not too long ago and I must say that I am impressed. Upon moving in there were a few items that needed to be replaced. I brought to the attention of the young lady in the leasing office and to my surprise everthing was completed the day after. The engineering staff left a note in my unit notifying me they were there and everything was completed. The apartment is very clean and spacious! Before the spring I had a very nice view:-)There is no washer and dryer in the unit but there is one on every floor. The trash room and laundry room are always very clean. The facilty is very quiet and appears to be very safe (as a single female this was very important). So far I have nothing negative to say about the Aspen apartments and I would recommend to anyone who is considering moving here!

Current Resident 494200

Resident • 2010

It's Fine

I hate reviews because I think they're so subject to people's personalities but that's just me. Lived here since February 2010 and it's fine. Spacious apartments, clean and quiet. I'm from New York so I spent about 3 months looking for apts in the area before settling on the Aspen because I did not want to deal with critters. I live on the fourth floor and so far I have seen 1 roach in 10 months and it was on the 2nd floor near the loading dock after some water had seeped into the building after a major storm, nowhere near anyone's apartment I should add. I think people are overreacting. Never had any problems with the staff and the maintenance staff responds within the hour to anything, even a blown light bulb in the bathroom. We probably won't renew just because we want a dog and they only allow cats but it's a nice place to live, don't believe the high maintenance reviewers below. And it's very well priced for the amenities. The only complaint I've had is that the radiator feels like it's blowing cold air but the apartment gets warm so it doesn't really matter.

Current Resident 365777

Resident • 2007 - 2010

air conditioning

The Aspen overall isn t a bad place to live, but it has its negatives that can deter you from wanting to live here. I will give you my bad experiences and good things about the Aspen. The Aspen is all utilities included, so this includes control of the heat and Air conditioning. I have been at the Aspen almost 4 years and this year is the worst for me. They have no problem turning the heat on come fall. I have never been cold. I don t even use my heat in the winter time, often. Being on higher floors, heat rises. As for Air conditioning, it s awful. It s May already and temps have been in the 80's and 90's since April and still no air conditioning. When you ask the office, they say they don t know when the air will be turned on. The office says they understand we are upset and hot, they are also, the office windows don't open. First off I pay to live here; you get paid to be here. Doesn't even compare. The lease states that we are not allowed to put in our on air conditioning and no ventilating fans, but yet they still haven t turned on the air conditioning. My first and second springs at the Aspen we only had 1 maybe 2 hot/warm week before they turned on the air conditioning. We have had 3 really hot weeks this spring and its May and still no air conditioning. Temperatures have reached a high of 89 degrees inside my apartment, which is with 3 fans and every window and door open. When it rains, make sure to move everything you have near the windows, it gets soaked and since I have no air conditioning, I have no choice but to leave my windows open. Which results in mold. I have had mold removed from below my window already. Twice by myself and once by maintenance. Even when the air conditioning gets turned on, it doesn't work if the outside temperatures are below 60. So the nights it gets to 59 outside and 70 inside, no air conditioning, even when it rains. People with allergies, this is a bad place to live, DC alone isn t the best for spring (pollen) allergies, but you have to open windows to stay cool and the pollen just comes in. The side of the building that I am located on, does not get a breeze, however I have heard my neighbors across the hall state they do get a breeze, so I m sure that makes a differences. The office staff has changed over the last year, old staff was super friendly and very helpful. The new staff is somewhat professional. I have been told by three office staff that they would return my call regarding whatever my issue was. Never received a phone call. This was three different issues, three separate times. Still no one ever returns my call. Fitness room: I am a huge workout person. It s a nice fitness center, big enough for the people who do work out. Treadmills are broken very often and seem to never get fixed. It s a cycle as soon as its fixed they break again. They are brand new, but problems still persists. I feel there is enough equipment, usually can work out on something, very rare completely full, at least when I go. There are weigh machines, nice and new. Good selection. There aren t any free weights, but you can make do with what is there. The ladies Sauna is a joke, does not heat up like a real sauna, not even close. You can t even control the temperature. You can only turn on the timer, which is for 20 minutes, so by the time you get in and relaxed you have to go back out and turn back on. Even if you stay in an hour, you don't sweat. It s just a waste of time. My boyfriend however loves the men s sauna; it has a temperature control and a timer for an hour. Its gets extremely hot in the men s sauna. The movie theater I haven't used, but looks nice. I haven't seen anyone use it either. Movie nights or football days would be good. Lending library and wireless internet in the business center is nice. Haven't used the internet, but like the huge selection of books. Finally the office has moved the Laundry card machine outside of the office, so I can put money on my card at any time of the day and not just during office hours. Trash/Trash chutes: I have never had problems. I have never seen bugs, but I am also on a higher floor. They spray every week. Lots of people don't like to throw away their trash, they just sit in on the floor, which can cause bugs, but the apartment complex does a lot to keep bugs away. I have never had roaches in my apartment, never seen any on ground floor or near fitness center. Parking is okay, if you come in at night it gets harder to find a place, but I have never had a problem. I don t come in very late either. So can t give too much detail on this. Parking is free, which is a plus in this area. Guest parking requires you to get a pass, not usually a big deal, but they can go quick on holidays. Street parking is never a problem if that is the case. Parking lot when it snowed was crazy. The contractor hired to clean the parking lot, has no clue how to plow a lot. Doesn't do a good job at all. Even previously years, when we didn't have 3 blizzards. He doesn't even have 4 wheel drive, he just sits and spins. He doesn't know where to put the snow. A lot of times it ends up in front of a car, and then they are stuck or have to shovel even move snow. They don't clear empty parking spots, they just leave it. They need to train this guy how to plow or hire someone new. The sidewalks and walkways are always good. Maintenance usually has those clear right away. The back parking lot is a huge hill, so can be a problem when snowy and icy. Noise: I can t complain too much. I rarely hear anything. One of my neighbors does have a surround sound, other than that. No problems. You will have your typical city noise when windows are open but over all quiet. Grounds/Property: very nice and clean. Always pretty flowers and trash free. Very good upkeep and landscaping. Apartments: Big for the price and clean. I little outdated, but it works. Big kitchens and bedrooms. Nice door and huge windows, but don't open very far. Nice big closets. Lighting is okay, need your own lamps. No cable in bedrooms, only living room, so you have to run a cable wire from the living room and split it into the bedrooms. It works, but you do have to stare at a cable wire running along ceiling and floor. Nice huge balcony and lots of room to sit outside and enjoy the weather and views. Great views from upper floors. Lots of hot, hot water never had problems with not having hot water. There is a lot of water shut off days, but you always get a notice don t bother me, since I am usually at work. There is a lot of air in the water, at least once a week, I have to turn on the water and let the air out. Not sure what causes this. Laundry is on each floor, 3 washers and 3 dryers a floor. I have never had problems getting an available washer or dryer. You do need a coin card which you just reload with cash. Wash and dry is 1.75 each so 3.50 a load is a little much, but not too bad. At least I don t have to go haul my stuff to ground floor or even a laundry mat. The coin machine only takes 5, 10 and 20 s, which to me is a pain. I previously lived at 2 apartments who used the same system and both took singles and debit/credit cards. Which was awesome. Safety: I feel safe in and around my apartment. I feel safe in the parking lot at night, there is good lighting. I run and walk in the neighborhood during the day and have never felt unsafe. Walking to bus stop, I never had any problems. When I come in at night, lots of time I see security, which makes me feel safe. The community is considered gated. I wouldn t really agree with this. There is a drop down stick, but you could drive through if needed. You can actually drive around one of them. So it s not the best gated, but serves some purpose. I still always feel safe. Maintenance: I personally love the maintenance and think they are great. I have had many clogged drains and sinks, jammed disposal, mold, dishwasher and sink leak. All minor stuff, many of them my fault. I call the office and maintenance will be there that day or the next and it s fixed right away. Never have they not fixed a problem right away. My microwave quit and it was fixed that day. They do a great job and always clean. I trust the maintenance crew, very friendly and never had a problem with them. Personally I will not renew my lease with The Aspen when the time comes. I have struggles each spring a little with the air conditioning and this year has been horrible. No one should have to live in their apartment with temperatures almost 90 degrees and rent price stays the same with or without air conditioning. Even when air conditioning is on and full blast, it will never get below 72. I would like at least 70 or 69 but doesn t happen. If my rent was cheaper when I know my electric was cheaper that would be one thing, but to live in a hot apartment and not save any money, I think is crazy.

Current Resident 449789

Resident • 2007 - 2010

NOT BAD

I have been living in the Aspen for almost three years. My apartment is above the 5th floor level. The maintenance staff is very helpful and fast. I have not had a problem with roaches or loud noises from neighbors. The only noises I hear are outside in the hall. The only problem I have encountered is with the snow removal. There is a fairly large parking lot; however, management has used a truck with a shovel on the front or a very small "snow" plow; and neither does a good job of cleaning away the snow. The good thing about the snow removal is that the handicapped spaces are cleaned well. I will be moving (hopefully) soon because the rent price is beyond my means due to retirement.

lwe1978

Resident • 2009 - 2010

No better deal for the pricing and location

First, let me say this...I was somewhat skeptical based on the ratings. My partner and I decided to check it out anyway....I am so glad that we did. The neighborhood is great and DelRay is such an neat little community....It puts you in the mind set of Takoma Park, MD meets Olde Town-Alexandria, VA. The Rent is affordable and the "utilities included" is an amazing value that you don't appreciate until you have it. Also...the parking is free! The staff is amazing. They have been consistent since we have moved in and are always pleasant and smiling. There was one person who worked in the office and was let go (or she quit...who knows and who cares) shortly after we started our lease...she was...well...ummm...let's just say that she was less than professional! The amenities are true to the description...an awesome workout facility (with sauna and shower), library, dry cleaners, convenience store, and theater room...oh yeah...and a huge pool...the funny thing is that you don't see the ameinties utilized often...but they are there and kept up...more for those who use them. I am on the 6th floor and can say that we have only seen one roach and it was near the window so could have EASILY came in that way....we have been here and haven't even seen a spider....now ladybugs do become a problem during the fall....but that is truly minor.....I can handle that...i just don't do rodents and roaches... Honestly...the only thing that has been a drawback are the drab hallways and the parking. the halls do give you the feeling of being in an old hotel...but it's not like they are dirty...just a little drab....and the parking (it is free!!!!!) can relegate you to the back of the building (there is an entrance though) if you get in after 5:30pm...i don't know what it is about the people here but they clear out early and (i have observed on my days off)are back in the parking lot by 4:30pm...so the GREAT spots are not really available for those who work regular hours... Overall...my experience at Aspen House has been one that I would recommend to anyone else because it has been truly on point for me.

Current Resident 427506

Resident • 2006 - 2009

Affordable rent, recent updates, utilities included, pool = Tenant of 3 years

Overview (including the bugs): After reading some of the reviews on here, I decided it was finally time to post something. I've lived in the Aspen for three years... in a studio on the 11th floor and a 2-bedroom on the 17th floor. With affordable rent, dishwasher, pool access, parking, utilities included, etc there's very little to complain about. And those complaints can be standard in most old buildings. YES, obviously there are going to be a few bugs especially if you live on the lower floors. The management exterminates every Thursday so it's not like they are avoiding the issue. When I lived on the 11th floor, I saw probably 10 roaches TOTAL in a year (that includes the spring/summer) and living on the 17th, I have seen ONE - and that was on a balcony. When I did see the ten roaches, I lived right next to the elevator - so that could have been part of the problem. Just set out a trap or notify the management - they have always answered my questions about this and are aware of it. Apartments/Location: The apartments are spacious for what you pay for in this area. Move to other neighborhoods and you're going to pay more (some in Shirlington, Clarendon, etc). The location is convenient and it's just a hop away from Del Ray which is very charming (community events, mom and pop stores, boutiques, great restaurants, etc). Maintenance: I've had two maintenance problems while living there (one was a small leak coming from the apartment above me from someone's exploding fish tank and the other was a broken air conditioner). I submitted both problems when I left for work at 9am and they were completed with a note left by the technician when I got home at 5pm. Fitness Center: They have recently updated the fitness center with cardio equipment (3 treadmills, 2 stairmasters, etc), weights, flat screen TVs. It suits the purpose of hopping on a treadmill or doing bicep curls. Entertainment Room/Study: There is an entertainment/TV room with a HUGE TV screen and movie-theatre seating. You can take one of your DVDs and have a group over. There is also a small study area for work space/lounging, etc. Building: Since it's an older building there are cracks and a few squeaky doors but that's insignificant compared to the possibility of other major red flags. There's going to be natural wear and tear. There is a convenience store on the first floor which is very nice for last minute things or forgotten items. Obviously they are going to be a little pricey since it is a convenience store... the staff is very nice and the hours of operation are great for those who work and staying in on weekends. Pool: The pool is nice in the summer. Passes for friends/company are $2.00 each (kind of a pain) but that's probably to avoid having a whole birthday party or the entire neighborhood show up and splash around. Overall, the Aspen is a convenient, affordable and all-inclusive place to live if you aren't going to be picky about off-white paint, a few bugs (NOTE AGAIN, lower levels) and the occasional burnt out light bulb (which they'll replace). If you live on the upper levels - views are GREAT ... get ready to host the 4th of July for your friends. I can see the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and National Harbor from the balcony window. That would be VERY pricey in DC. :-)

bretordie2

Resident • 2009

My (Anecdotal) Top 7 Reasons To Rent Somewhere Else

In the interest of full disclosure, I recently had an unpleasant experience with --------------------------------- of the Aspen. But I'm giving it to you straight; no lies just to suit any personal agenda. Here is a brief list of things that have made me regret signing a lease at the Aspen in the 2 months I've been here: #1- Believe what you read in other reviews. Management is not concerned with the well being of their tenants. They are without exception rude, authoritarian, and confrontational. Don't go to them with a problem, because they'll systematically ignore you, tell you "there's nothing we can do," and then threaten you if you haven't given up. I am not a confrontational person, and I got the same treatment that I would expect they should give to a raving lunatic. #2- They leased the apartment I paid a deposit on to someone else. Upon entering the different apartment that they herded me into, I found that it had a lovely view of the dumpsters and loading dock. #3- If you rent an apartment facing the southwest of the "T" (the towers are shaped exactly like the letter T), you will awake each Saturday morning (and many Sundays too) to the sound of maintenance chucking glass bottle after glass bottle into the dumpster. This affects each apartment on this side of the building due to the architectural acoustics, right on up to the top floor. But this won't bother you if for some reason you don't enjoy sleeping in past 6:30am on the weekends. Again, management couldn't care less. #4- If you are like me, and you like to bike or walk as much as possible, your trek up the incredibly steep 1/2 mile long hill the towers sit upon will get real old, real fast. #5- COCKROACHES!!!!!! Wow, I'm surprised this didn't come to me in the top 3, but there you have it. I've seen someone have to throw away a 5-disc Stereo because roaches infested its innards. Just f'n disgusting! #6- Good luck parking your bike. Management doesn't even wanna hear about the shortage of bike rack space. Sure, it's an easy problem to fix, but what the hell do they care? #7- Their "free Wi-fi" is not such a great deal because their websense filter blocks every other thing you search. Seriously, the word "music," typed into google, will get you blocked. When I brought this to the attention of management, they said that there is no way to change this. I'm to believe it's just not possible. -------------------------------------------- That's all for now. The -----------------------------, would be better suited with the last name "Burns." She sits up in her tower and pisses on any of us poor ------------------ who trouble her with our little-people concerns. Save yourself the trouble of moving twice. I hope this helps you all make a decision!

dusty612

Resident • 2008 - 2009

Awesome place to live; reasonable rent

I am a single woman who moved to the DC metro area 6 months ago and wanted to find an apt. in a safe area. I used the apartmentratings.com website to help determine where I would settle. After viewing MANY apt. buildings, I chose The Aspen highrise in Alexandria and settled into a 1 bedroom apt. on the 3rd floor. I read the reviews and the majority of bad reviews appear to be related to roaches in the trash chute area. After living here for 6 months on the 3rd floor, I have only seen 2-3 roaches in my apt. It seems to me that some of the pictures taken (i.e., rotten milk containers & trash bags sitting in the trash chute room) shows more of idiotic tenants than bad management. The mgmt. does spray the building weekly to try to keep the roaches under control and the trash is unloaded from the chute area on a regular basis. I choose to take my trash out to the dumpster myself rather than being lazy & leaving it for someone else care of. For the record, I do not care for roaches or other bugs; however, I can attest that if you keep a fairly clean apt./kitchen you can keep the bugs away even being on a low floor. Space-wise, the 1 bdrm/1ba apt. I rented is 800 sq. feet - this is much larger than any of the other apts. I looked at in my price range ... plus it has a 21 foot balcony! The apt. bldg. has undergone a lot of updates ... incldg. new carpeting & new windows/sliding doors. Re: noise ... I rarely every hear my neighbors. The only time I do is when someone is playing a movie loudly & the 'boom' factor comes into play ... this is a rare event. I am very impressed with windows/sliding doors. Because the building is built into a hill, my 3rd floor apt. sits at ground level. I do not hear cars pulling in or out of the parking lot (which my balcony faces) ... I do however, hear the 'beeper' on the garbage truck when it's backing up but that's about the extent of it. Parking for tenants is very good, the lots are well lit & there is fencing all the way around the property except for the entry/exit gates. Having overnight visitors can be a pain as you have to get a parking pass to guarantee their car won't be towed ... you can only get the pass during office hours and there is a limited number of passes which can be a problem on the weekends. There is street parking available, but it's first come, first serve. The media center is awesome ... a lending library & free wireless internet is available, plus there is a room where you can view movies on a big screen TV. The fitness center is good size for an apt. bldg. and has a good variety of decent (newer) equipment. They've recently added 2 flat screen TVs for viewing while using the cardio equipment. There is also a small convenience store on the property which accepts UPS & FedEx packages that come in. I have not had very many dealings with the office staff, but they always are courteous when I see them in the hall. I had one maintenance problem & it was fixed within a dayThere is a laundry room on each floor & although $1.75 per load (washer & dryer) is high, you would pay more in gas & time if you hauled everything to a laundry mat. RE: public transportation ... the Braddock Metro station is appx. 2 miles from the apt. bldg. There is a bus stop 1/4 mile from the bldg. and you can catch the bus to either the Braddock or Pentagon metro stations. RE: Pets ... the Aspen only allows cats. There is a $250 non-refundable pet deposit plus a fee of $25 per month per pet addtl. rent (limit of 2 cats). Although I will say that paying the extra per month 'pet' rent annoys me, it seems to be the norm for this area. I am quite happy with my stay so far at the Aspen and would definitely recommend the Aspen to others seeking a reasonable, safe place to live.

LucyBearR

Resident • 2005 - 2009

Great Experience!!!

I have lived in the Aspen House for almost 4 years and have had an excellent experience. My apartment is a great size (~750 sq ft for a 1 bedroom)--excellent closet space, dishwasher, wall-to-wall carpet, VERY large balcony, free parking, all utilities paid for, and cats allowed. The gym is newly renovated, and although small, serves it purpose. Gym has brand new cardio equipment and weights and flat screen TVs. I have never had a problem with pests. When I first moved in, I saw 2-3 roaches, but after setting up traps, I have not seen a single one since. The building sprays the trash chutes every Thursday, which helps this problem greatly. Beautiful views from all sides of the building--one side is facing DC and you have a clear view of the monuments. Pool is good with lots of lounging space around it. Pool passes for guests are sort of expensive though. Building is generally quiet. Some of my neighbors play their music loud, but I cannot hear it inside my apartment unless it is my next door neighbor. There are laundry facilities on each floor and the laundry facilities are always very clean. New entertainment room is very fancy! The cons are that the leasing staff is not super friendly, but I have found that I rarely need anything from them, so it does not really matter. The maintenance staff is very friendly and fix everything quickly and with little hassle.

Current Resident 815055

Resident • 2008

Great place!

My boyfriend and I moved into the Aspen about a month ago and we absolutely love it. The price is affordable, our apartment is amazing, and the staff is very nice. We have not had any problems since we moved in--even when our garbage disposal broke maintenance was here the very next day. We would recommend this place to anyone!

thegreenboot

Resident • 2008

Updates at the Aspen

The Aspen has undergone some major improvements in a relative short time frame. They have all new doors walls in the balcony units, updated or renovated kitchens and baths, a convenience store / dry cleaner on the first floor, a new fitness center, office center with free WiFi, a new home theater room, men s and women s sauna, a large pool, 2 of the 3 elevators have been renovated and updated with the 3rd under construction right now. They are located on top of a hill in the Del Ray area of Alexandria; they are the highest structure in the area and offer great views of DC, The Potomac, or the Masonic Temple on Kings Street. They are only two blocks from the Metro bus and the DASH bus stops, they are two miles from the closest Metro station, 2 miles from parks, chain store shopping and entertainment. All utilities are included in monthly rent. The Pro's of this complex go on and on. The complex has cons, albeit few. The building was built in 1963, their loading dock / trash dumpster area is filthy, and their corridor decor on the floors looks dated and the corridors are poorly light due to the use of the new "green" CFL bulbs which may use less energy but poorly light a long corridor. The short term renters are found mostly on the lower floors 2 - 6 and are hard on their units, but the upper floors 7 -17 are mostly long term renters and are much more gentle on the building. Large parking lot but very few shaded spots to be found. The cost for washing and drying clothes on site is higher than most places, the daily visitor parking pass requirement is inconvenient, plus the fee for additional pool passes is very unusual. By in large the Aspen is a good bang for the buck, plus being able to watch the DC fireworks on the fourth of July from the comfort of your own unit is tremendous. They offer the most square footage for the best price.

mnursy

Resident • 2008

Its not bad at all

I've lived here for 6 months so far and I'm really enjoying it. And I know that I can only comment on so much since I've only been here for a short while. So here we go: I live on the 4th floor btw. The roaches, when i first moved in there were some in the kitchen and bathroom. It was weird because i would see them and it was alot (3-4) and then for awhile they would disappear. Now, i have NOT seen a single bug in my apartment for atleast the last 4 months. They are in the hallways. BUT then you can ask anybody, it comes with apartment living. I mention this first because this was the main complaint here. Not saying its ok with the roaches but they will be there wherever it is you move to. Staff ofcourse were super sweet when we were being toured and signed on, not anymore. But hey they still do what they are suppose to do, I've had the repairman here the same day (provided you call early in the AM) to do repairs in my apartment from changing light bulbs to unclogging the tub to fixing the dishwasher. Parking is great, guest parking and getting the pass has not been bad at all. I do have company a lot. Now for big groups I cannot comment. Noise, sure I don't hear my neighbors above but unfortunately I REALLY hear my neighbors beside me and they can get loud. So that sucks. They're not loud all the time thank god. The NEW fitness center is awesome!!! The rec room is great! You can't beat free internet. I'm female and I pretty much live by myself and I have to walk around the parking lot late at night from my car but I've felt safe, so far. Pool is okay. Honestly after I've signed the lease and went on this website, I was freaked out and felt like i made such a horrible decision, but so far its been awesome. I do think the security deposit and pet deposit is too expensive. Besides it is weird when people moan and groan how much this place suck and stay for 3-5 years. When there are alot of other decent & somewhat cheap places to rent. So i'm probably gonna get hell for posting a somewhat positive review. so Flame (me..) ON!

Current Resident 250243

Resident • 2006 - 2007

I didn't like here at all

I used to live there for a year or so, and the only thing i can say about the experience is I really hated it!! my only memory of the buliding is the diguesting roaches and water bugs... and of course whenever you reported that to the management, there were giving you those dirty looks that made you feel you were from Mars....and don't you know that we human being are just friends of roaches and we've been living together forever, why are you so freaking shocked to see roaches in your apartment....?! anyways, it's horrible experience, and i was soooo upset with those management ppl. I don't even recall what "management work" they ever did excect giving out guest parkings...and you have to renew that on daily basis, if you had a guest coming here for a weekend (Fri-Mon), you'd hv to get the passes 3 to 4 times... what a hassle! Anyways, i've been out of there for a while, but still i would not recommend the place at all!! the Aspen sucks!!!

FedEmplID

Resident • 2006 - 2008

It's an ok place.

The Management is helpful at first, but overall, theyre not helpful. The AC unites also tend to leak in the summer. Ours leaked two summers in a row and then the management did nothing to take out the stains or the mold that had grown underneath. I sent a sample to the city so that they could analyze it to see if it was harmful. There are also roaches everywhere. You pretty much have to take care of them yourself. The good news is that the walls are incredibly thick and I never hear my neighbors. The security doors never work though and more than half the time the front gate doesnt work either.

aeschylus

Resident • 2004 - 2007

I'm happy here

A lot of you need to be more objective in your reviews. The upper floors are an entirely different story, and in which case I CAN recommend the Aspen. I've lived here over three years (dang you overpriced DC area housing market *shakes fist*) and here's my observations: - I've seen one roach, and I'm certainly not a clean freak. Of course where there's one, there's more, but a) haven t seen them and b) it s a 40 year old residential building... - Crime. Never seen or experienced it. Yes, there are some dilapidated townhouses in the immediate area that have a few shady residents, but there's also million dollar homes right down the street too [ref: zillow.com]. If you do a crime data search for the 3200 block of Landover St, 122A district for the past year it'll result in 9 incidents (no murders or rapes) - yes, it'd be nice if it was 0, but this is the real world. Plus, for Alexandria overall crime has decreased 51.7% from 1997 - 2007 [ref: http://alexandriava.gov/police/]. In short, it's pretty safe here. - Anytime I've had a maintenance issue, they always check it out and fix it that same day. I'm always cordial with the management staff and they respond in kind. Overall it's a very solidly built building. Seriously - I never hear my neighbors. Even walking in the halls, it's always quiet. - In-house gym. Only sparingly outfitted; I go just for the treadmills (2x), so if you do any semi-serious or more type workouts, you'll probably want a gym membership. - No Metro *rail* in the immediate area. I usually go to King St station (7min drive), park in the nearby neighborhood for free, walk a block and viola. There's a library (Duncan) - 3-5min drive. Potomac Yards - 8min drive, Shirlington - 8-10min. By navigating neighborhood streets, you can hit 395N or S within 8min with no stoplights or traffic. Grocery stores galore; there's Giant, Shoppers, Harris Teeters, and Whole Foods - all within a 8-15 min drive. - Never bothered with pool or sauna, so can't comment. There's a 'library' where you can borrow/take and trade books. Mostly 'eh', but on occasion you can find something interesting - of course this is in accordance with my own tastes; others may rave about it. - Yes, laundry room (each fl, 3wash/3dry each) is expensive and I weep each time I use it, but there are laundromat's available in the area if so desired. I'm too lazy for that though. In conclusion, *concerning the upper levels*, I can recommend the Aspen. Yes, it's an older building and not as fancy as some of the newer ones springing up everywhere, but you can't beat the combination of price, square footage, all utilities, and location.

Current Resident 251201

Resident • 2007

I'M DISGUSTED, (DO NOT CONSIDER THIS PLACE)

Moved here a few months back and have been regretting it since. The trash rooms being the worst and probably the main reason why the place is so horrible! There are trash rooms located on each floor that have a chute and two trash cans. During the weekend the trash rooms and chute gets filled with an overwhelming amount of trash, so much trash that there's no room for anymore trash. You can literally go in the trash rooms and hear cockroaches moving around in the walls. One time it was so bad that cockroaches were falling from the ceiling. Cockroaches also are seen in the hallways on the walls, on the stairs and have been finding a lot of dead ones in my apartment! If I were you, I would spend a little more money and would go with something a little less convenient as far as location if you were even thinking about considering this dump, this hell! I am stuck until my contract ends next summer unless I'd love to pay the 2500 dollar early termination fee! Also, the cost to use the laundry room is RIDICULOUS!

Chris28

Resident • 2007

Great Rent, Location, & Square Footage, Well Worth Your $$$

The Aspen: Great rent, location, and square footage, can not beat it! Let's keep it real, back in the 1960's this was probably considered a "luxury building", fast forward fourty years later and it is obviously going to have it's flaws, wear and tear, but still worth it. I live on the 16th floor out of 17 floors, have a huge balcony that overlooks DC and Crystal City as well as the airport, surprisingly enough you do not hear the planes, sound windows (new as of last summer I may add). I moved into the Aspen in February 2007 for many reasons, first and foremost the rent is reasonable, utilities are included, the aprtments are huge, parking is onsite and not a problem at all, has a pool for summertime fun, has a gym in the basement (although rather dated equipment), there is also a convienient store and dry cleaning facility on site. My apartment is probably around 900 square feet (even the studios are huge, 650 sqaure feet). I had new amenities added when I moved in (stove, refridgerator, and microwave), laundry facilities are on each floor (3 washers and 3 dryers) never have a problem with congestion (maybe I am lucky!). The only downside of the Aspen is it is not metro accessible unless you take a bus to Pentagon City. I have read many reviews that there are roaches, yes this is true, but far and few in between as they due a monthly termnination process. I have never seen one in my apartment, bathroom, kitchen, living room, or bedroom, but quite frankly if you let your trash schute accumulate with garbage, that is what you are going to get, however I will take a roach over DC rats anytime! Overall I give The Aspen a good rating and would definitly recommend it to friends. If you want top of the line, brand new, luxury apartment this is not the place for you, moreso however a descent place with extras, then the Aspen is the place for you.

Current Resident 923593

Resident • 2007

THIS PLACE IS A DUMP.

Do not subject yourself to moving to the Aspen. Not only is it INFESTED WITH ROACHES, but the MANAGEMENT IS POOR. THE TRASH ROOM OVERFLOWS WITH TRASH THE ROACHES CRAWL ON THE CEILING, IN THE HALLWAYS, COME THROUGH YOUR PIPES IN YOUR BATHROOM SOME HOW. They are EVERYWHERE, EVEN YOUR BED! I wish there was some way to get out of this LEASE, and I am counting the days until I can get out of this DUMP. I will not Recommend this apartment to MY WORST ENEMY. Please listen to me, RUN FAR AWAY.

Current Resident 308121

Resident • 2007

Bad Move

I hate to say this, but we read these reviews and moved in anyway. The day that we were here there weren't roaches and the staff we dealt with were nice. We literally just went down to the second floor to use the sauna - there was a roach crawling on the floor of the 'Ladies Locker Room' and FIVE others near the elevator bank. We have found two in our apartment since living here, and we're NEAT FREAKS! When we point them out to the management in the lobby they actually uttered the following response: 'You can barely see them there, they blend into the floor'!!! As if this means they carry less DISEASE. There are a few things we like about living here, but the reports of roaches are NO JOKE. Even if you don't see them when you visit - they are here, trust us.

Current Resident 600670

Resident • 1998 - 2003

Was a resident

I am one of the tenants that was evicted 5 years ago from the Aspen because we contacted the owners to complain about the management. I left a review back then and have now seen that it was removed. I am not surprised. It was because I named the manager. Interesting to see that in the 5 years since, things have not gotten better...roaches, parking, crime, pool hours, and most of all manager from hell with the fake smile. Renters, beware. Is the ---- ------ wannabe security guard(joke of a guard) still there. The one nice thing was the store. The people who ran it were very nice to my family. Of course it is expensive because it is a convenience store. Wonder how long before this review is removed

Prospective Resident 735623

Prospect • Visited 2007

Safety problem

Can anyone tell us a little more about the murder case in Aspen? I asked the management, they just don't want to tell you anything?

AspenHorrors

Resident • 2007

Aspen Roach Haven

Only 4 roaches in 2 years. HOw many more do you think that you havent seen? Area is high crime . Not only is it far from subway, but only a few blocks away a baby was killed . Actually, only about 2 blocks away. Try walking around the street in front of Aspen on a Friday or Sat. nite after 10 pm. Good luck!