The Aspen

4thfloorrenter

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Not so bad considering...

I am moving out at the end of the month, but only because I recently bought a townhouse. I've lived in my 4th floor apartment with views of DC (mostly in the winter when the trees aren't full) for a year. <br><br>I don't live near the trash chutes and wouldn't recommend getting an apartment near them. There are roaches in the hallways, and near the door to the trash room. Its kinda gross to see the squished ones on the walls, but I only saw two in my apartment during my year long stay there.<br><br>The windows are terrible. When the wind blew (even slightly) my apartment was very very noisy.<br><br>I love the parking, I always find a spot near an entrance which I can't say for the other apartment buildings I've lived in. The store/dry cleaner are great, so handy to have in the building.<br><br>I have had no problems with management, probably because I never deal with them. I had to call emergency maintainence and even though it was midnight they were at my apartment in 5 minutes and fixed the problem.<br><br>This is place is great for the right people. People who keep to themselves, don't mind rules that aren't broken, and can deal with having to buy roach traps. For the price (which includes utilities) this was the perfect place for me to save some money and live for a year.

GoodbyeMadCow

Resident • 2003 - 2005

Beastly Managment

Do NOT Live Here Unless You Enjoy Being Abused. The Horrible Fat Cow that mis-manages this building is udderly MAD. She thinks nothing of running perfectly good tenents out the door, Just so she can feel a moment of evil pleasue in her ability to make another human (and I am being quite generous in calling human) being miserable.<br>This witch would have felt right at home in a concentration camp. The turnover in this building is enourmous, and mostly becuse of this tenent-hating harpy. I've suffered through almost two years, and I can not wait to leave at the end of my lease. Be Warned!!!

Current Resident 878507

Resident • 2005

insultingmanagement

It is such a shame that a decent place like this is run so unprofessionally. The whole staf (owners and managemnt) are so out of touch and unfriendly that makes it unbearable to live here. the idea of passing by that office is so repolsive, that I rather use other enterances to avoid any possibility of facing them.<br>As much as I love my view, but trust me it is not worth it. I am out of here.

Current Resident 948257

Resident • 2003 - 2005

Been here 2 years now

I actually really like the Aspen. I have a wonderful view of the Potomac, large balcony, good size apt, there's a pool, a gym, and a little store as well. I have never seen a roach in my apartment, that may be because I'm on a high floor and not too close to the trash chute room though. I have personally never had a run-in with the management here, actually they have always been very nice to me so perhaps some of those complaining were late with rent or something else, who knows. <br><br>Anyway, I know I can't find another apt. this size with the view I have for a better price. Parking is always easy but it can be tricky to get a guest pass, you have to call the office early in the day usually. I do agree with a previous posting, it is silly to have to pay a few bucks to have a guest at the pool. I mean, can't you just have a friend visit you at your apartment pool and not have to pay for it!? <br><br>Overall I have enjoyed my time here and plan to renew when it's time. If you are considering moving here I'd recommend the higher floors, maybe 8 and higher.

Current Resident 949280

Resident • 2004 - 2005

nothing wrong with the aspen

I have lived in the aspen for almost a year now, and soon I will be moving into a 2 bedroom apt. I can't say I've ever had any problems living here other than ants, and I've never seen a cockroach. I put ant traps around the kitchen, keep my floor cleaned, and washed my balcony with bleach and water which seemed to help. There are some newer people in the rental office now which are really nice, the older lady is still there but i've never had a run in with her. I wish the pool would stay open later, but it seems to close at the same time at most apts. The kitchen, bathrooms, and air conditioning aren't really updated, but they all work, and have you seen the other apartment buildings which go for the same price as ours!?!?! ick! Also, when I got a new vehicle I had a temporary pass for about a month, but only lasted for 15 days at a time, when I forgot to get it renewed or forgot to put it in my window they would only give me a warning. Oh, and the maintance guys are great, always fix things the same day or next, and if you treat them with respect they are very kind.

Current Resident 136520

Resident • 2005

Decent place, poor management

Nice view, reasonable price, good sized apartment, pretty safe neighborhood.<br><br>However, there are problems with bugs/roaches, and the appliances are quite old.<br><br>Management is completely rude, and very difficult to deal with. If you have to go to them for any reason, you are in trouble. Also, make sure you give 60 days notice when you move out, or they will keep extending your lease without your consent.

Current Resident 140767

Resident • 2004 - 2005

ROACH SEASON HAS BEGUN

I moved into the Aspen in Sept 04 onto the 7th floor. From day one, I have seen multiple roaches both in my hall-way AND in my apartment in the kitchen and on rug (heading for the 1 inch gap under front door). I discussed the problem my first day here with the two management ladies (an older lady and younger lady at the time- no idea if either are still here). The younger ladies (the one with the unfortunate nose) initial response was to suggest that I had brought the roaches in with my belongings when I moved in, and that I needed to be better about keeping food put away in the kitchenin the meantime I should go purchase roach-traps myself. She was very condescending about the whole ordeal. I dont know how many times she tried this ridiculous accusation in the past, but she was unsuccessful in shoveling that crap on me. She agreed to have someone come in and put down traps. The traps caught plenty of roaches, but the problem was not and continues not to be solved. Over the winter, the number of roaches decreased but management had nothing to do with that. Regardless, they are now back in full force. I can say with confidence that ROACH SEASON has officially commenced this year. In one night last week, I found a total of 6 roaches in my kitchen. Two were inside my dishwasher that had completed washing dishes 3 hrs prior and was still sealed shut. Two were on my clean counter, and two were in my cupboard that has canned food only stored. I am by no means a dirty kitchen person  more closer to the neat-freak side.<br>It is absolutely disgusting. Roaches spread their larvae and feces everywhere they go  think about it. I find it hard to believe I am the only one in the whole building who has this problem. I understand that any big building with a garbage chute is going to have some sort of pest issue, but there are things management can do to contain it. It is simply out of control here, and I am out of this crap hole when my lease expires in Sept. Unfortunately, the next place I move into will have grounds in accusing me of bringing the roaches in with my stuff  Thank you ----pen for that. <br>I have heard from others since my dealings with management that the old one is impossible to deal with, but I must say the younger lady has learned how to be a horrible and bitter manager quite well.<br>

Current Resident 310616

Resident • 2005

Nice place to live

I have been living at The Aspen since April of this year. I think it's a nice place to live. The rent is great, the neighborhood is nice and all the residents I have encountered were all pleasant. I haven't had any issues with management. Any problems that I have had in my apartment thus far (simple things like my fire alarm needed a new battery, my oven pilot went out) have all been taken care of in a very timely manner. The only thing that I thought was a bit much is the fact that I had to buy my own drapes and pay for any guests that may want to visit the pool. I haven't had any unwanted guests in my apartment or on my floor for that matter. I'm sorry that others have had unfortunate experiences at The Aspen. I really like it here and would recommend it in a heartbeat.

Current Resident 626568

Resident • 2004 - 2005

The View is Not Worth the Pain

Hey,<br>The View is nice, and as long as nothing goes wrong and you never have to deal with management, it's an OK place to live. The first time you ask or need anything from the management, she will make your life hell. I have never seen such a toxic attitude before.<br>The pool closes before anyone has time to get home from work (6:00 pm), and there is almost no guest parking. If you lose your pool pass, you can't swim for the rest or the year. The whole atitude is that the tenants are the enemy. It's just not worth it. I have already given notice.

Current Resident 649632

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Pretty good

The good - I have lived here for a year now. I have an amazing river view and a spacious apartment with a huge balcony. The building is very quiet and safe, in a nice location. Neighbors are pleasant and quiet. I have never seen any roaches or bugs around. Plenty of parking available. <br><br>The bad - The management is not very pleasant, but I haven't had to deal with them very much. It is annoying to have to pay with a certified check if your rent is late, though. I wish it were a little easier to get a guest parking pass, but there is room on the street to park. Our dishwasher and microwave are kind of old.

mjrav42

Resident • 2004 - 2005

No problems

I am amazed at all of the bad reviews. I guess we all have our own tolerance levels - but I have never had a bug problem. I live on the 17th floor - so maybe it's a lower floor problem...the closer you get to the trash collection area. I love living here - it's an older building - so of course some of the things are old. Every time I have had to call maintenance - twice - they responded same day and w/out problems. Someone posted that the pool is "never open" - that comment was posted in April - HELLO - the pool doesn't open until Memorial Day - it's an outdoor pool. What did you expect? Anyway, I would recommend The Aspen.

Current Resident 693156

Resident • 2002 - 2003

It is ok...but other apartments may better suit you.

Stayed here for about two years, and it was a good place to get started, but they had a serious problem with roaches. Daily to weekly I would see roaches in the hallway, specifically on the second floor. I believe that they have done a lot of changes since I have lived there, but there were definitely some problems with the apartment at the time.

Current Resident 815172

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Can't say I loved or hated it. OK for temporary housing.

I lived at the Aspen for 13 months (during 2004). The management is okay, but not the nicest. I found the service to respond quickly during the week; during the weekend they only deal with emergencies (like leaks, no water, power, etc). One unforgetable situation happened while moving (in and out). They have big dumpsters in the middle of the loading dock. I tried speaking to management so they would move them on the day of my move and they refused. They said that I had to move them. These are huge dumpsters, filled with water and gargage. They also have broken wheels, so they are hard to move. I had to get 4 neighbors to help me. Another bad memory was the heating/cooling. They have old convectors systems. These provide little heat, are noisy, and have to be on 24/7 to do anything. The common areas are very clean. Pool is great (but understandably, access times are limited). They have a small gym with new machines and a large working sauna! One month I forgot to pay on time and received a letter threatening me with eviction. This building is good for temporary housing. Prices are good, considering it is close to everything. I never got my car towed, but rules are strict. One of the best things is the little (expensive) store in the first floor. I did not mind paying the prices because they held the FedEx/UPS packages for me (but not US mail). I heard about roaches from people living close to the gargabe room. I never saw an insect in my apt. Knowing what I know, I would consider living there if I had to again.

meghanisleaving

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Many Challenges to Live in the Aspen

Although the Aspen does have a great veiw and a OK Location, that is not enough to make up for the many problems that a tenent will experience, almost all caused by the worst management team on the east cost. Building maintance is crippled by the skinflint managers doctrine-live with it or move. The only things she will spend money on are large leaks. For get about windows (horrible leaks-in one newsletter the manager brags about how nice it is that the tenents arn't responsible for heat, at $100,000 per month)Old appliances, moldy convectors, roaches and a parking policy that TOWS resident's rentals and guests even when they have passes properly displayed.<br>The pool is never open, and god forbid if your direct deposit or web bill-pay should have a hiccup-big penalty'$$ and you will be required to pay with certified funds. The nastyness is so bad that there are almost no tenents in the building for longer than 2 years. Those few old-timers keep a very low profile and they HATE the management. I've even met contractor's who work on the Aspen, and they can not stand the management.<br>I'm leaving as soon as possible, and I wish I had never seen ths horrible place.

AlliKat

Resident • 2004 - 2005

I love this place!

I'm shocked at all the bad reviews! I've never seen a bug remotely near my apt. I did see one once in the stairwell by the door to the outside. That's why they offer free pest control service......all you have to do is request it. There were a couple of ladies in the office that weren't overly friendly but they don't seem to work there anymore. I find the others to be very friendly. Despite the number of people that live in the building they know my name and where I'm from originally. Oh...and can I mention that my apt was absolutely spotless when I moved in?!! There was that bad smell of cat urine in the closet but......its mostly gone now.....and that is the only negative thing I can say! I did get a little cold in the winter but that was just me......I bought a thermometer and checked, my apt never dropped below 70 degrees if I had the heat turned up. My neighbors are nice, one has lived there for years and plans on staying. I plan on staying! Don't be deceived by the bad reviews the Aspen is a great place for the price. Especially if you have a view like mine, looking out over the river.

Current Resident 35520

Resident • 2005

Roaches Abound, Fear Factor!

The happiest residents in this place are the roaches and boy do they have it good! Since they cannot seem to fumigate this place, it is teeming with them. It is the grossest thing ever, especially when you see them in the halls, the trash room, the laundry room, and the worst place, your own apartment. Don't walk from this place, run!<br>You should probably take a shower as soon as you walk out of the leasing office! Do not move in here. The rent is cheap but not worth the price.

bridgett

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Look Elsewhere-be Warned

Nice Building but really rude and inconsiderate management makes it not worth the trouble. <br>I'm moving at the end of my lease.<br>By the way, I met a couple of people who were told to leave when they complained about the poor management. I havn't been here that long, but a lot of the quality people I met are leaving, and the many of the newer tenents are not people I feel safe living with. There is also a post on this site about a murder here in the Aspen, both the Victim and the killer were tenents, but the management has ever told us anything about it. <br>Be warned.

Current Resident 403304

Resident • 2004

I am out of here at the end of my lease

I too, have seen the quality of the building decline. When I first moved in three years ago the building was fumigated weekly, and roaches were no problem. While I have no issues with the maintenance staff (they are wonderfully responsive) management is terrible and unpleasant to deal with. I find that I do not trust them to enter my apartment without supervision. I would strongly urge you to continue looking in the area - the cheap rents are not worth the hassles you will get!!

enoughofthiscrap

Resident • 2004

Artic Blasts Spoil View

The Windows in this building SUCK!!!<br>I spent all last night shivering because of the icy air leaking in through the JUNK they call a window here at the As-pen. I've lived in more comfortable tents on depolyment.<br>If I knew I was gonna need cold-weather gear to live here I woud have passed up my chance to be one of the "frozen-chosen". I'm outta here when my lease is up. Oh yeah, parking sucks too and the people who run this place are a bunch of sicko's who love to *$%# with people for the fun of it.

Current Resident 591319

Resident • 2001 - 2004

Disgusted by Management

I'm absolutely revolted by the Aspen Management. A tenent murders another tenent, and we have to find this out on a web page.<br>THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE ASPEN MANAGEMENT ACCEPTED A CONVICTED FELON AND KNOWN CRACK COCANE ADDICT AS A TENENT.<br>We are not safe or secure here due to the poor management. The ownwers should wake p before it's too late.

smellyAspen

Resident • 2002 - 2004

Powerful Smell of Urine in Hall

The 5th floor hallway had a large soaking-wet puddle about 2 or 3 feet wide and 4 or 5 feet long the other day, stinking to high heven of sewege and also 2 blown lights.<br>Very spooky to walk through dim light and squelch through a fetid puddle. As this is the upper parking lot entrance, and gets a lot of traffic, it really gives a terrible impression of the building. This sort of thing never happened when I first moved into the Aspen-looks like things are going downhill. I like my apartment, but the quality of tenents is also dropping, i.e. vandalism (mostly elevators) and noise. I plan to leave at the end of my lease.

Current Resident 625605

Resident • 2003 - 2004

One good review!!!

Other than the office staff, I find things at the Aspen to be very good. The maintenance staff is very good and they respond to problems the same day they are reported. I live on the 11th floor, and the noise is minimal. I live near the elevators, and that is the only place I hear noise from. I do not hear anything from my neighbors unless they're on their balconies. The balcony is great as I have views of the Potomac, the Capital, The Washington Monument, the Cathedral, etc. Unlike other reviews I've read, I have no problems with heat or water. In fact, I find my aprtment too hot during the winter months more often than too cold. I also have no problems with roaches on the 11th floor, though I've seen them on the first floor.

Ileftbadplace

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Bad Management-don't Live Here

Management the Worst I have Ever Seen Anywhere.They act like you are a cockroach, especiall the one who runs the place. Nasty, Nasty, Nasty. She will Never, Never Help you with ANYTHING.

pentagongal

Resident • 2004

No Hot Water/Low Heat

I agree with the previous posts-this place is going downhill fast. The mother/daughter team (since departed)in the office were great, and blunted the *managements* worst fits of tenent-hating stupidity. Since they quit, life has been hell. Roches everywhere, even climbing on the walls of the freight elevator, good tenents leaving in disgust and being replaced by crap tenants that commit vandalism on the elevators, a pool that stood uncovered and unfiltered, from september first to after thanksgiving, turning into a black, sludgey swamp, and now, NO HOT WATER after 12:00!!! The *management* is too cheap to run enough boilers late at night to provide enough hot water for Both bathing and heat. God forbid anyone should work 3rd shift/military. Nearly cold water and cold apartments. Leaky windows/cold drafts.I would warn anyone looking at the Aspen House to KEEP LOOKING!!!

Current Resident 641167

Resident • 2001 - 2004

The Aspen has gone downhill

I first moved in in 2001 and things were fine. Some of the office staff left, and things began to go downhill. <br><br>Roaches everywhere, as others have said, but this is the first I've heard that I have to ASK for treatment! One of the little calendars in the newsletter said treatment on the first four Mondays, so I assumed they were treating all apartments. I will be asking for my apartment to be treated. Things have gotten worse, too...first I just saw them in the kitchen sink; now, I've found them in my bathtub and on the LR carpet!<br><br>I live on Loading Dock side -- every day from between 6:30 and 8:30 am, the garbage gets dumped in the dumpster, seemingly one bag at a time. It goes on forever. When I asked if the garbage noise should conform to building quiet time, the *MANAGEMENT* began to explain just how large the building is and how I "wouldn't want the garbage to pile up, would I?" But it often does! <br><br>Re the "murder" -- when I asked about the police cars / crime scene van, *MANAGEMENT* very condescendingly said "Someone in the building passed away." That was all I ever heard about it.<br><br>Also, many times the loading dock door is not only unlocked but PROPPED OPEN, as late as 8:00 pm -- even when no one is moving in or out. This seems to defeat the "secure building" idea. Not to mention all the people who try to go in behind you at the front door and who get very nasty when you tell them to wait for the person they're visiting to let them in.<br><br>Guest parking, as mentioned, is crappy. Seventeen floors, although not all have 24 apartments. So, to be conservative, a maximum of 450 cars (some with 2, some with 1). And there's only room for 10 guest parking spaces each day???? I see lots of empty spaces!<br><br>Also, the office used to be open on Sundays, but now it's not. So I only have 1 day (given that I work) to access the storage unit. Change machine in the office, but it doesn't take new $20 bills, which are all banks seem to give. Also not available Sundays. Washers that need work, based on the huge detergent bubbles that come from the hoses.<br><br>Then there's having a whole wall of windows, but not providing covering and requiring you to purchase special "Aspen" curtains.<br><br>Layers and layers of paint, old convectors, kitchen cabinets that stick, linoleum that peels up...it goes on and on. If I saw the place today, I wouldn't move in. I'm only here until I find someplace better.