Meridian at Courthouse Commons

Current Resident 873640

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Not great

As with any apartment, there are pros and cons, however, this apartment seems to have a lot of cons. The major PRO is the convenience to the metro. It's about 2 blocks to the metro, which is great! And the police station is up the street, so I always feel safe. The landscaping is pretty, and they do have a pool and a newly remodeled gym. However, there are the CONS to deal with. This place is extremely expensive. I know Arlington is not cheap, but my 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment is $2700. That does not count utilities, paying $20 for guest passes to the pool, etc. Parking is an additional cost. Maintenance is pretty quick and responsive, but the quality of the work isn't the best. The staff is a complete toss up. I've dealt with one person who seemed compotent and polite, the rest of them are pretty insufferable though. Also, expect the rent to go up every year. If it wasn't for the $400 move-in fee, it would probably be cheaper for me to move out of my current apartment and move into a different one in the same building. At least there would probably be some kind of specials or promotions. But, I just found out that even if I move within the same building, I will have to pay $400. AND, I will have to pay the application fee again, even if I am just moving across the hall. These people are complete opportunists and will charge you every chance they can. While I like living there for the convenience, it sure is a lot to put up with...Honestly, make this your last choice.

Current Resident 443263

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Not so bad

I'm in agreement with both sides of these responses. My wife and I have lived here for two years now and have not had many problems other than price and the sometime college dorm lifestyle lived by many residents. The daily maintenance staff has always been helpful and responsive. We've not had any problems with management and the facilities are nice. If you can't put up with a little noise here and there especially on the holidays then this place is not for you. I could definitely do without the irresponsible, spoiled college kids who think mommy and daddy still clean up after them. Probably gonna move when our lease is up but would recommend this place. Can't beat location!

c308

Prospect • Visited 2008

Rude staff

I was going to rent this place. However, something happened. I called in and asked about information. I was told there would be no application fee. However, after I checked the apartment and filled out application, the staff told me there would be $400 moving fee. I wanted to make it clear with the person I called, so I said to clarify that with manager on Monday. I called in and asked another staff to hold off my application. I didn't take application back with me, which was stupid, because the staff submitted appliation and I didn't get refund.

Current Resident 649258

Resident • 2007 - 2008

AWFUL!!!!!

I moved to the Meridian for the convenience of the close metro. NOT WORTH IT! Not only is it extremely over-priced, loud, and dirty, the staff is horrible. The Merdian does not care about customer-service, but instead focuses all of its energy on making as much money as possible. My biggest complaint would have to be the large mouse in my apt, and the very slow/half-assed response I received from the staff. I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy. HEINOUS!!!!!!!

Current Resident 885788

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Worst Apartment Complex Ever!

For the price that you pay (try $1550 for a studio not counting utilities or parking), one would think you would get quality staff and not have ridiculous charges constantly placed. For one, they are ALWAYS doing work on everything and will block off entire floors for days. They also have a severe bug problem -- but you'd have to beg tooth and nail to get an exterminator. The staff is the worst... absolutely disgusting and unhelpful. They will close early, hang up on you when you're locked out and do everything in their power to be rude and condesending to you. I moved out 2 months early just to get away from them! Charges you might expect -- $40 to pay online each month you opt to do so, $75 per large piece you want disposed of (even though Arlington County doesn't charge them and YOU are responsible for bring the item down). $20 for a guest pool pass. $50 for parking. Some weird submetering charge each month that will go up higher and higher each month without any explanation (bldg says go through company. Company says go through bldg). You'll also pay $100 for a lost key fob or parking decal. The fob cost $15 to replace in my new condo... same fob... and the parking decal, same material, at Gold's costs $10. So... The door people are nice but constantly on the phone or away from the desks. The day I was set to move into the apartment my keys weren't ready, and yet I still had to pay rent for the next couple days. Luckily, I was not using movers until 5 days later. On the day of my move-in, the "guy" with the keys to the freight elevator and loading dock was "running late" and I had to pay my movers an extra hour. --------- at the front desk in Phase 1 is a moronic egoist who will do everything he can to prevent you from speaking to management. I will stop now. The point is DO NOT LIVE THERE. I have lived in many apartments in the last 10 years in Boston, NYC and D.C./ Virginia. I have never in my life encountered such poor management and a rip off. I would say that this place should be investigated by the Better Business Bureau.

Current Resident 158619

Resident • 2008

Positive Experience

Lived in a Studio in the Phase II of Meridian Building for 2 years. Biggest Cons: can be hard to find guest parking on the streets in the evening...esp. as more high rises are built (building sells guest pass for $5/24 hrs), could hear neighbors once in a while when next to the glass window/wall thing, sometimes hall smelled like weird cleaner but that didn't bother me too much, A/C isn't the best in summer (never really cools down unless it runs 24/7) and can be loud, construction noise sometimes from adjacent high rises being built Pros: Clean, maintenance was VERY good about fixing things right away (I had a massive flood from upstairs neighbor and my entire apartment was fixed in 2 days), never had a problem with leasing office, no bugs/vermin, Mostly very quiet halls/residents, nice parking garage, gym was fine, 5th floor apartments flooded in heavy rain.... Stay on 6 or above and you are fine. All in all, the Pros outweighed the Cons and I would recommend it as long the "Cons" aren't a HUGE deal to you.

Current Resident 180660

Resident • 2007 - 2008

great location - customer service? not so much!

I hate everything about this place, from the building itself to the management office. The hallways are so stinky! The leasing staff is lazy and RUDE. The front desk attendants (both day and night) are not very professional. I would give this building a 2 out of 10 for customer service. And believe it or not, you will be dealing with management more than you think. If I were to make a pros and cons list, the location of the building would be the ONLY thing on the pros side.

kdonovan

Resident • 2005 - 2008

really disappointing

I have lived here with my now-husband for the last two and a half years. We will soon be leaving for a nearby apartment complex that is slightly more expensive, but of a much higher quality. Consistently, we have been disappointed with management's handling of several issues. Without fail, when things happen here such as vandalism and noise, NOTHING is ever done about it. Noise and vandalism appear to be an increasingly problematic issue, due in part to the young age of most tenants, yet I haven't seen or been notified of the installation of more security cameras, or front-desk occupation 24-7, or any follow up on noise complaints. We've called the police before to file reports about vandalism to our front door and for ridiculously blatant, noisy neighbors. It is definitely like living in a dorm. In general, management is not helpful at all- here's an example: bills were being sent for our apartment to the management office and somehow never got placed into our mailbox. A YEAR LATER we got a collections notice stating we had neglected to pay this one bill- however, we had never received a single bill in the first place, because the management office neglected to take the simple action of forwarding it to us. Another example: my car stalled the other day in the front entrance to the complex's parking garage. Finally, after THREE PHONE CALLS to the maintenance/management departments, two hours after the car stalled, a maintenance person came out and offered to push the car out of the way until the tow truck arrived. I was very disappointed in their slow response and real lack of interest in the situation. I really do NOT recommend living here to anyone. Go to another apartment complex in the area- it may cost a bit more, but it's WORTH IT!

Current Resident 425899

Resident • 2005 - 2008

Overpriced college dorm!

So many complaints, so little time: I lived below ground level and got flooded 3 times b/c they have poor drainage and bad insulation against inclement weather; I moved up to a higher floor and now I contend with floods from the apartment above me (bad plumbing), and loud bassy music from next dooer; every weekend you find beer botles/cans all around the grounds and inside the building; cheap construction (cold in winter, hot in summer even w/central air). PLUS the doors shut so loud that it sounds like your neighbors are constantly slamming their doors. They also hate it when you complain about anything. They treat you as if they are paying YOU and not the other way around. Not a good place for families and working professionals.

Current Resident 857955

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Nice looking BUT Cheap Fixtures and Cheap Management Company

The building looks nice and modern, but the fixtures are really cheap. My toilet must have overflowed 5 times in the time that I've lived here. The same is true for the person who lives above me and the person two doors down from me. The management company is happy to take your money when you move in but good luck getting back anything owed to you for whatever reason. The most redeeming qualities of the apartment are it's location and the washer/dryer in each unit. The gym just received an overhaul, but it's still not spectacular. I've seen better apartments but I've also seen worse. I think that this place is good for short term, but I wouldn't do it for longer than that.

Current Resident 774678

Resident • 2008

Compares well with nearby high-rises

I'm relatively new, but I find this a nice place to live - I looked at MANY apartments in Arlington, and you get a good level of space, convenience, and general appearance of the property here for the rent. Rent isn't cheap, but it seems comparable to area apartments for the price - I viewed at least 7 different buildings and many apartments in those buildings. Positives: clean, good common areas & workout room, spacious & bright apartments (many with sunrooms), enough parking, extra storage available (for a price). Negatives: narrow parking spaces, low bathroom counters (the apartment seems to be sized for someone 5' tall), entry doors allow a lot of noise (but this is common in many newer apartment buildings).

Current Resident 643520

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Worst place I've ever lived

The staff is terrible and the management is worse. The only good thing about this place is the door man.I agree with previous things said -- they are liars, cheaters and they do not treat you like human beings.

Current Resident 814853

Resident • 2005 - 2007

noisy

We've lived at the Meridian for a few years, and are raising our two kids there. The apartment itself is pretty good, although two things annoy me: 1) the kitchen counter slopes down towards the kitchen, so any water that collects on the counter drips onto the floor--this is pretty common when washing dishes. 2) It takes forever to get hot water, longer than any place where I've lived. The staff is very friendly, and kind to my two kids, which I really like. Parking was bad...there's only one level where you can park and have a ramp to push up a stroller. But they started towing cars without parking permits, which seems to have helped (although this was perhaps a draconian measure). The fire alarm has gone off about 3 times now as false alarms. The alarm is painfully noisy, and has traumatized the kids somewhat. They get really scared whenever they think it might go off, and we had to sleep with them for a couple of days after the last alarm (which was at like 3 am). There's never been an apology from the company, as far as I know, for the alarms. Also, they are building a building next to my apartment. This means we can't sleep past 7am due to construction noise, which is pretty loud. My little daughter has gone from 3 monnth old to 2 1/2 in the apartment, and just plain doesn't nap due to the noise. I can't really blame the Meridian people for the noise, but geez, it's frustrating. While I'm talking about noise, my daughter was woken up last night by a gaggle of women giggling and slamming doors in the hallway. I'd say about 2/3 of the people in the complex are under 25. Most are nice, but some forget this isn't a fraternity/sorority. The enclosed balcony rooms are nice for the extra space, but have little insulation. They get quite cold in the Winter and hot in the summer. On the bright side, the neighborhood is nice. There's very little crime, public transportation is easy, and one can get by without a car. Arlington isn't known for its bohemian-ness, so you're not going to find much in the way of alternative entertainment. But if you like restaurants, pubs, or bars, it's a great place. If you have to live in an apartment with kids, the location is good for them too. A school is nearby and we walk or Metro to many kid-friendly activities.

Current Resident 76710

Resident • 2007

Loud, Loud, Loud

My biggest complaint is how loud the building is. The doors are very loud and people living here don't seem to understand that just holding the handle as you close the door will help. But, if you live on the Taft side of the building...you get to hear contant construction on a condo going up across the street. It starts at 6:30 in the morning. Had I of looked at this place while they were working, I would not have moved in. While we are supposed to have someone downstairs working the desk, it's loud as heck outside the front door at night. The weather has cooled, but I can't go to bed with my windows open because between 10pm and 3am, you get all the people coming back from the bars. Yes, there are a lot of college people living here. I don't care about that per say, but some of them are very loud. Of course there are people in their late 20's and early 30's that are also very loud. Again, I like the place, but it's just too loud for me.

Current Resident 130886

Resident • 2004 - 2007

The building management is awful! This is not the luxury place it claims to be.

The buildings and grounds of the Meridian look very nice, but it can be an unpleasant place to live. To begin with, rents are raised at every lease renewal (by a lot). Discounts are given to new tenants but there is little regard for existing tenants. The management strategy is to assume high turnover so they do little to make people want to stay -- several of my friends have moved out after feeling that we are treated like misbehaving children (lots of signs saying "dont do this" and "don't do that!"). A good example is the 4th of July, where the building should be a great spot for the fireworks...except I always go somewhere else, because we are told "don't bring guests to watch the fireworks AND don't bring food AND drink is not allowed AND the courtyard will close immediately after the fireworks AND...") Even having a guest at the pool is an ordeal to arrange, and costs $$. So I have found that the public pools of Arlington are easier to enjoy than the one at home! While many of us are offered discounts to move in, after this we are hit with fees for everything, including paying up front for repainting and cleaning the place for the next tenant. New fees are added each year -- first for water meters, high fees if you lose your key fobs (mine was stolen and it cost over $100 to replace a small piece of plastic), fees for any visitor parking (which is extremely hard to come by...requiring time to find a desk clerk, availability, etc.) The building even has an arrangement with a local towing company which trolls the parking garage and tows cars with expired tags, missing parking stickers or parking on the lines!! Since it costs about $100 in cash to get your car back, I can only guess that this is a profitable venture for the Meridian. Its truly amazing. The maintenance and cleaning staff work hard to keep the grounds in good shape, but this doesnt offset the attitude of the building management towards tenants. They also cannot keep up with the heavy use of the building by college students (vomit in the elevators or parking garage is not uncommon). It seems typical for several students to double/triple up in small apartments, which would be ok, except that the buildings are made very cheaply with thin walls and doors, so there is a lot of noise. There is plenty more that causes the Meridian to fall far short of being the luxury complex it claims to be. This includes the previous comments that there is often no desk clerk around. There is also no real security (carry a pizza box and you get in, but forget your fob and you can be stranded outside for a long time) Getting mail or shipping deliveries can be a real pain -- I have been told by UPS that they have problems delivering at the Meridian and that I should pick up at the UPS office instead, because desk clerks are not around to accept packages! For the prices charged, the frequent lapses in service, and poor attitude towards customer service, do not add up to a pleasant experience at all.

Current Resident 339545

Resident • 2005 - 2007

Very strict management; unflexible and expensive

I currently live at the Meridian. I love the amenities of the building, particularly the green courtyard, pool areas, and neighborhood it offers. However, I have been relocated overseas and the management company will not budge on their policy to give 60 days notice to break a lease PLUS a 2 month rent penalty fee. I offered the 2 month rent fee plus 30 days notice, but wasn't good enough. In addition, move-in and out is only allowed to be scheduled in 2 hour slots - I wanted to book 4 hours (since my movers are both packing and moving my whole apartment) but they said no, only 2 hours per day per tenant. Utterly ridiculous. Lastly, there are no utilities included, you have to buy a set of 5 guest passes for $20 if you want to bring someone to the pool, guest parking is $5 per day per car (when available!), and due to "lack of staff", there is no longer a doorman in my building after 6pm despite the fact that I partly chose it for that reason. Also have to pay a $350 "move in fee" at the beginning. Very expensive for this level of service, for a good tenant.

floressalicis

Prospect • Visited 2007

poor leasing department

We did not rent yet after having a terrible experience with the leasing department. They give contradictory information and do not explain that the application doubles as the leasing agreement - the first agent we dealt with actually explicitly stated that it was not. When rooming situation changed at the last minute, one leasing agent first said we could change units without incurring additional costs but later, the leasing manager said we would need to pay a new deposit application fees and lose our previous deposit/fees. The leasing office is unprofessional and their agents do not seem to have been well-trained. That hardly bodes well for prospective tenants.

joejoejoe29

Resident • 2007

Don't know why so many negative reviews

I liked living here. I thought it was really nice and had no problems except for the occasional keyfob/door entry breaking (which did happen far too often). I also didn't like how when you got a package, they knock on your door a couple times and then unlock it and put the package inside. What if I was doing something private? Other than that I thought it a great place to live. I'm not some apartment shill. See my other reviews of where I used to live like the God awful River Place. I've lived in a random garden apartment, Courtland Towers (my favorite), River Place, and here at Meridian. I'd put Meridian behind Courtland, but not by much.

Current Resident 544759

Resident • 2005 - 2007

Best complex in the area

This is the nicest complex in the Courthouse area. It has lots of green inside and around it, beautiful views, and ample space. The sunrooms are wonderful, a great addition to my living room, bringing more light and space. Some people use it as a additional bedroom but that ruins the beautiful layout of the apartments, IMHO. I have seen the other buildings and it is just too much cement and concrete around them, no views/green at all, while The Meridian has managed to provide ample spaces for relaxation and a very nice courtyard and gardens that makes one feel at home. Rent is on the expensive side, but that is a neighborhood trend, and here you get more for your money when comparing to the rest of the highrises in Courthouse. What I don't like is that the concierge service is not the best, sometimes there is nobody at the lobby, and they will not open the doors for visitors, so you are forced to have a phone land line just for opening your door. The pool could have been bigger; it's not tiny, but for the size of the complex, it is on the small range. Also, the complex it's not steps from the Metro, it could take 10 minutes door to rail. But still, I prefer to live with this rather than being in a place that looks exactly like an office building, pure cement, with traffic all around them. I really like this place.

jakubokins

Resident • 2006 - 2007

dont get fooled

This is a cheap place. The construction is cheap, and the staff sucks. It is Not a good value what so ever. the location is the only good thing about it...

arlingtongirl23

Resident • 2003 - 2006

Good location, okay living

Overall, this was an okay place to live. The apartments are small and cramped for two people, but we did like that we lived in a relatively new building (we lived in Phase 3, now The Prime). We had a great concierge for a while when we were there and she was helpful and sweet. Liked that you could call for a cab from the lobby and Redtop was there pretty quickly on most occasions. The thing I didn't like was the parking and towing. You spend a lot to live and park there and it stinks that most Arlington complexes are in cahoots with the towing companies (check your lease--they can tow you out of your very own garage if anything on your car expires--shock to us since we moved from out of state). The management did little to resolve issues we had--noisy, noisy neighbors had to be dealt with personally--management barely intervened. I also detested the way the condo conversion was handled. Tenants were not treated well in the process and the total attitude was so un-customer service-oriented. Not a good business practice when current tenants could be potential buyers of the overpriced condos! I guess as they are now renting at The Prime, that conversion didn't materialize (maybe I wasn't the only that felt that we were treated poorly and elected not to buy!?). At any rate, this is a decent place to live and the location was fantastic. Didn't hate it (we did stay for three years afterall), but can't say we loved it.

Current Resident 115490

Resident • 2005 - 2007

upscale college dormitory.

maintenance and the front desk (weekday staff) have been pretty responsive to requests. parking garage can be a definite perk (there's a small monthly fee for it) --however, the doors never seem to work (??), plus there are a few cars insde which definetely seem to be abandoned. aparment interiors could use a facelift.<br><br>the building's tenants seem to be comprised of students that like to host loud parties which can be heard in the halls or through the floor, walls, etc., late at night on weekends. have also had a few random knocks looking for "the party". walls are either fairly thin or neighbors have extraordinary surround sound systems. (carpeting and popcorn ceilings don't help much to absorb sound.) elevator interiors were recently recarpeted - but assuming after enough people throw up in the corner you have to?

Current Resident 364695

Resident • 2006 - 2007

It's a dump with a nice facade

I've lived here almost a year and I'm itching to get out. The idea of writing one more check to these people makes me sick. Within 6 months of living here, the apartment flooded twice. Both times maintenance was responsive, but it meant several days of having the apartment torn up to dry it out. Even after the second flooding, they still didn't replace the carpet, only the padding underneath. They also repaired a part of it with different-colored carpet so it looks terrible. <br><br>The garage doors break 2-3 times each month, meaning you have to drive all the way back around the building and then wind back through the labyrinth to get back to your assigned area. The garage is nice, but its availability means I'm not eligible for county parking sticker. <br><br>The noise is unbearable. I hear everyone who walks down the corridor unless I have stereo or TV on. And since my unit is near a door, I hear its incessant clunking and beeping all day and night.<br><br>The lobby and common areas are kept very cool in the summer and very warm in the winter. It's nice that my rent goes to keep the hotel employees so comfortable, especially when my thermostat is set to 62 in Feb to save money and energy.<br><br>The management company is having one of the lobbies renovated soon, which I think sums up nicely what's wrong with this place. Rather than upgrade the infrastructure (like repairing garage doors, etc) or not increasing the rent, they are spending money to make a good impression on potential tenants, while doing nothing to improve the lives of the current tenants.<br><br>I would only recommend this place to people I didn't like. Even then, I'd hesitate.

Current Resident 200238

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Wow. This place used to have hundreds of reviews (most negative). Also drama with property managers coming on here giving false positive reviews, identifying reviewers by name and telling them to move if they don't like it.<br><br>Anyway, as a former resident, I can tell you that it is a nice and convenient place to live and you'll enjoy it if you can afford it and if you're looking for this type of place.<br><br>In my opinion, it's not worth the money because there are hundreds of places just like it elsewhere--which reflects a total lack of character in the building, and the fact that you can live like this cheaper elsewhere if you want to.<br><br>My problems included: <br>-Expensive parking with too-small (and sometimes not enough) spaces<br>-An incident with a package being lost (even with USPS proof that it had been delivered to the building--it just didn't make it to the apartment)<br>-Too small of a pool with non-work friendly hours (which is generally not a problem but if you're paying for it as an amenity you may as well have a decent one that you can use). -I found most of the residents very rude and unfriendly.<br>-I had a profound dislike for the neighborhood<br><br>Pluses: <br>-Great location for commuters<br>-"the" view of DC from the clubroom and higher floor apartments<br>-Great neighborhood (if you like yuppie stuff)--lots of restaurants, bars, shops etc.<br>-Can't hear much noise from street or other apartments<br>-Quick maintenance<br><br><br>Again, convenient but too expensive for what you get and a little on the soulless side. It all depends on what you want.

Current Resident 518701

Resident • 2006 - 2007

A little loud, but overall a great place to live

I've been living in the building for a little over six months and I love it. It does get a little loud from time to time, but I've had very positive experiences with maintenance, the front desk, and the leasing office. I live in a one bedroom with a sunroom (that we use as a second bedroom) and there is plenty of room for my roomate and I.<br><br>The pool is fantastic in the summer, though they do charge for guests. The rent isn't terrible for the area and you can't beat the neighborhood. There are several bars and restaurants within a few blocks of the building and the metro is less than 3 blocks away. <br><br>My only complaint is that a high rise is being built caddy corner to the building so it gets very loud in the morning with all the hammering.<br><br>Overall, I recommend the building.