Potomac Towers

Current Resident 228296

Resident • 2006

Very convenient

I moved in July and I consider myself lucky. The location is great, it's a safe and up-scale neighborhood and only 15 minutes walking to the Court House Metro station. The apartments are decent in size, and clean. There are no bug issues and that's very important to me. <br><br>I called the maintenance for minor issues and they were responsive. If you're looking for something fancy and luxurious, that's not the place to be, but if you're for a clean, nicely designed place then this is a good option.<br><br>In terms of the price, I pay 1280 (prices could slightly differ according to the apt design) for a 1 bedroom. Now, for the Courthouse area that's only 2 stops away from DC, that's a deal! All utilities are included. They are flexible if you want to bring a friend to sleep over for as many days as you want. Parking is available all the time. You can park at the parking area dedicated for the building, which is huge. Other extras: swimming pool, dry clean place, grocery store, beauty salon. <br><br>The drawbacks are: you have to sign a one year lease, the move in wasn't pleasant as they required me to pay one month in advance and didn't trust me to get the funds the next day (which I didn't have at that time), they're also inflexible if you ask for special favors (for example if you pay late) but that's expected if you live in a 10 store building that has so many residents. <br><br>Overall I would recommend this apartment, it's not the best in the area, but for the investment that you're making, I think that you're getting a substantial return. <br><br>

Current Resident 372448

Resident • 2006

good location but building is in dire need of renovation

Management will only respond to "easy" problems. Appliances are a big problem as they are old - very very difficult to get them to replace if broken.<br><br>

engineer_chick

Resident • 2006

New resident's assessment

I've only been at Potomac Towers 2 weeks, so maybe I'm not in the position to give a fair assessment yet. But here is what I think so far:<br><br>I have a studio (paying $1090/month with all utilities included), and it's quite spacious and attractive. It's L-shaped with a dining area, so it doesn't feel like you're trapped in a single room. There's lots of closet space. The oak parquet floors are gorgeous (I hate carpeting!) and I have a huge window with a wide windowsill-- perfect for plants. <br><br>My view overlooks the pool, and while I'm sure the pool won't be as nice to look at in the winter, I'm also looking at a large expanse of trees in the background. It's so nice to see all that green! Far in the background I can also see Georgetown and the National Catherdral, which is a neat thing to point out to guests. <br><br>My kitchen is small, but I'm really into cooking and I haven't found the size a problem yet. Despite its small size, there are plenty of cabinets and it doesn't feel cramped at all. More counter space would be nice, but I have a kitchen table so it's not a big deal. I think the 1 and 2 bedroom units have bigger kitchens with more counter space. The kitchen has a gas range, which is so much better than electric in my experience. No dishwasher unless you get a 2-bedroom unit, but I think a dishwasher is excessive for a single person anyway. <br><br>There are card-operated laundry facilities on each floor-- I did my laundry today and they were the first dryers ever to get my clothes completely dry the first time. The parking is great-- there's a huge lot with free parking for residents (you get a decal) and for guests (you can ask for guest permits). There is usually some free parking on North Adams Street as well. <br><br>Other facilities include a pool, gym, convenience store, and hair/nail salon. I've only used the pool once so far, but it was really nice. The gym is small but does the job. I always wonder who uses the hair salons in these apartment buildings, but I guess someone does. I think there's dry cleaning too. <br><br>The front desk is staffed 24 hours, and I feel safe as a young single girl in the building. The management and staff seems nice so far-- they were very accomodating when my move in was running late. There seems to be a lot of different people living in the building, everything from young professionals to couples with young children to the elderly. The area seems pretty safe-- it's in a residential area a few blocks away from the action on Wilson Boulevard. If you're not familliar with the Courthouse area, it's a great place to live, especially if you're young. There are lots of resturants, stores, and bars/clubs a short walk away. <br><br>The area (Courthouse) is convenient to everything. It's about a 5 minute drive to DC, and it's very close to Lee Highway, George Washington Parkway, 66, Wilson Boulevard, 395, and 50. The metro is pretty close, too. It's about an 8 minute walk away, though it involves crossing Lee Highway which can be scary. It's the ideal location for someone who has a car but sometimes likes to take the metro or walk somewhere. There's a Giant a few blocks down Lee Highway, and a cute little Italian grocery next to it. There's also a very nice Whole Foods on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon that you could walk to. Still, if you're relying heavily on the metro and having stores in walking distance, I'd recommend the River House apartments in Pentagon City instead. <br><br>Overall, I think Potomac Towers is a really good deal for the area. I did a lot of shopping around before I settled on Potomac Towers, and I don't doubt that I made the right choice. I'll update this review if anything changes during my time here. <br><br>Update 8/19: I have been having some bug problems. Although the windows have screens, there are gaps in between the screen and the window. I had my windows open one night and a million bugs got in that way. Fortunately they're harmless little things that just fly around the lights. They don't bite or get into food so they haven't been bothering me much. I've been spraying Raid all over the place and I'm not going to open my windows until the fall. <br><br>Some more positive things-- from the parking lot you can hop on the Custis Trail which makes it easy to bike or jog to the Key Bridge, where it links up with the Mount Vernon Trail. The Mount Vernon trail is great and from it you can get to Theodore Roosevelt island in just a few minutes. <br><br>I also wanted to mention that I NEVER hear my neighbors. Maybe they're just quiet people, but I'm inclined to think the apartments here have good soundproofing because I've had people over late with music blasting and no one has complained. <br>

maryh77

Resident • 2006

Great value

For the area and what you get, these apartments are well-priced. They may be a bit dated, as I saw one complaint, but you get excellent, friendly, immediate service, hardwood floors, a nice pool, an exercise room, and LOTS OF SPACE for your money. I lived here for two years and I cannot recommend it enough. If you looked at it once and shrugged, look again. It's a bargain.

Current Resident 468335

Resident • 2004 - 2006

A good place to live

I've been in Potomac Towers for two years now. <br><br>My overall experience living there has been good. Have not had any significant problems. The maintenance problems I have had were fixed in a timely fashion. The staff are courteous and helpful. Most live on-site, and contrary to another poster's "opinion", the ameneties of the staff are no better than anyone else's (and yes, I've been in a couple of the apartments of the staff). <br><br>The decision not to turn on the AC until mid-May this 2006 year had to do with Arlington county guidelines about turning OFF the heat. If the lows get down to the 40s for so many nights in a row, then legally, the apartment building must keep the heat on and cannot turn on the AC. In other words, the decision was based on legal restrictions, and had nothing to do with the management staff on-site, so please get your facts straight, people.<br><br>All in all, you get a pretty good set up for your money. Footage is generous. There is an on-site gym, though small. A full-sized swimming pool. An on-site convenience store & dry cleaning service, and an on-site hair & nail salon. <br><br>There are locked bike racks in the basement so you can hang & lock your bike. There are also additional storage rooms on-site that you do not have to pay any additional amount for.<br><br>They allow for cats, but not dogs. <br><br>They have cleaning staff on the premises 7 days/week, and they are all very professional.<br><br>There is also front desk staff & service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.<br><br>All in all, it's one of the best buildings that I have lived in, especially in the DC metro area. MUCH better than my last place.

Current Resident 665497

Resident • 2006

Not up to par anymore

it's may and hot and still the management will not turn on the ac. i'm sure the owners and management are home enjoying their ac.<br>too many cockroaches!!! maybe they should think about remodeling since they've increased the rent about 70$ this year. yes, prime location but OLD building and old management staff that cannot handle change. how do they justify not turning on the ac when it's been over 75 degrees for a week. Maybe the county of arlington should be notified. <br>Maintanence staff sucks! especially the new guy. It's like the repairs are coming out of his pocket book (salvadore!!!)<br><br>

missdirect

Resident • 2004 - 2006

This is a great building.

I've lived at Potomac Towers for almost 2 years now, and I really like it. The apartment is pretty big for what I pay. The kitchen is fairly large, as well. 1 BRs have no dishwasher, but I manage. I've only seen maybe 1 or 2 roaches in the entire 2 years, and management has hired companies to spray pretty regularly. You're allowed to have 1 cat, also, so I think my cat may help take care of that problem as well. <br><br>My apartment has a great view of DC. I also really like that I can control the heat and AC when necessary, and unlike someone else on here, I think the management turns it on as soon as it's necessary. They're not required by law to turn it on until mid-May or something like that, and I'm sure with the number of elderly people living in the building, they would hear complaints if they turned the heat off in April. <br><br>I've been looking around at other buildings since I'd like to move into a 2 bedroom now, and I can't seem to find anything as good. Everything else I look at is too small, too expensive, etc. So I'm hoping to just get a 2 bedroom at Potomac Towers instead -- that's how great it is.<br><br>Also -- on rent increases -- mine only went up $50 last year. Not too bad.<br><br>Oh, finally -- my maintenance requests are always answered VERY quickly -- often within the hour that they're made. Or I'll go to work and find that it was done while I was gone. I've never had a problem.

Current Resident 110349

Resident • 2001 - 2005

Best apartment I ever lived in

This is the best apartment I ever lived in. It's price is starting to catch up with its value.<br><br>The pros:<br>-- The management is friendly and responsive. The front desk is open 24 hours a day, and that makes for a nice atmosphere.<br>-- Fellow residents can't be beat. It's a mix of young professionals and older retired or nearly retired folks. There's a strong culture of friendliness, but no one is nosy.<br>-- Maintenance was always lighting fast. I had to wait to call until I was ready for someone to show up. And the problems that were fixed stayed fixed. There were no whitewash solutions.<br>-- Parking is abundant. You might have to park in a far off spot, but there's one waiting for you every night, and it's a safe walk from your car to the building.<br>-- It's only a 15 min brisk walk to the Courthouse Metro station. I enjoyed this part of the commute. Surrounding properties are well kept all along the way.<br>-- Utilities, all of them, are included in rent. So be careful to compare apples to apples when you see the rent figure.<br>-- Laundry facilities are adequate and they finally switched to a card system. You put money on a card from your credit or debit card. NO MORE QUARTERS!<br><br>The cons:<br>-- The apartments are a bit dated. The flooring is universally worn out, but it still carries on.<br>-- A little security man harassed us from time to time about grilling in the park area after dark. We found him to be more of a caricature though and called him "Filch" after the Hogwartz caretaker in Harry Potter. I don't think he appreciated that. He threatened to call the cops but never did.<br>-- One resident on the tenth floor yells the "N" word incessantly during televised sporting events. The Olympics must have been a nightmare.<br>-- The management always waits one week too late to turn on the AC in the spring. For that one week, it's hot as hades. We actually had to overnight in a hotel one year.

Current Resident 21627

Resident • 2006

going downhill

having lived in potomac towers since 2001, i am starting to experience serious rate increases. just now, for the year 2006, they want to increase my rent by 70 dollars. how can they justify this? the place is a b-graded apartment building in a good area. oh, and let me tell you about the cockroaches, they are everywhere. no dishwasher! only for 2 bedrooms (which are really 1bedroom and a closet). management does not like to hear about the cockroach problem and most of them live on site. I'd like to see their amenities...i'm sure they have the latest available. have been asking for a new floor in the kitchen for over a year. They keep giving me a lousy answer. And when they did repair the floor, the maintenance worker (who lives also on site) complained to us that the floor is just fine. Unbelievable! Of course it's fine for him, he doesn't pay rent!<br>It's time for potomac towers to either shut down or do a major rehaul of construction. <br>Oh, yeah, the so called aircondition only comes on in May when the owners feel like its time to turn it on. This is the south and it does get hot in April not May. <br>Do not rent here! Go and buy a TH or condo. Rent in Nova is way out of control.

Current Resident 103965

Resident • 2003 - 2006

Great Building

I've been here since June 2003. Any and all maintenance issues (leaky a/c unit; clogged sink) have been taken care of promptly (same day or next) and professionally. The staff have always been friendly and helpful. The cleaning crew works everyday (except Christmas and Thanksgiving I think), which keeps the building clean and pleasant. As another reviewer said, the kitchen appliances are older but they're in good condition - although the one bedrooms don't have dishwashers the two bedrooms do.<br><br>The grounds are well maintained. The parking lot is cleared quickly and well after snowstorms. The picnic area is clean, the grass mowed and flower beds are beautiful. The lifeguards at the pool are friendly and there are always some on duty during the season when the pool is open.<br><br>Although you can hear the people above you moving around and people loudly moving around in the halls - the building is pretty quiet.

Current Resident 815572

Resident • 2006

Very happy so far.

I have been at the Potomac Towers since September 2005 and so far I have been very happy. It is an older non-renovated building but nice for the price (all utilities are included!). The appliances are older, but I am not much of a cook so it does not really bother me. I do miss not having a dishwasher though. The heater is old-school, one of those high-medium-low does not turn off on its own kinds, but it works well. I havent been here for warm months but I am hoping that the AC unit will be about the same. Another wish would be for ceiling fans. The windows are also very old.<br>The staff is friendly. They say hello but mostly keep to themselves. Maintenance is ok, Ive only had a few issues.<br>The location is great if you work in Dc or need to get on 66. It is still within walking distance to the metro, clarendon, and georgetown. It is very quiet here as well. Surprisingly, I rarely hear the 66 or Lee Highway traffic.<br>The parking is awesome. I return home late and there is always a space available in the back lot. And it is free for visitors too!<br>The amenities could use some improvement, but if it can keep the rent low it doesnt bother me. The gym is more of a room with a few pieces of equipment and a tv but they have a huge pool. As far as I know, they do not have a business center. <br>Overall, this is a great place for price and location.

omurt

Resident • 1998 - 2005

best 7 years in potomac towers.

abyli

Resident • 2000 - 2003

good memories

I lived in Potomac Towers for three years. After that, I moved to Souther Towers in Alexandria. Sigh, big difference. I never had any problems in Potomac towers. After that, I moved to Northern NJ. I can only say, I had great memories about potomac towners. Even today, my wife still mention moving back to Potomac Towers even we are here in NJ! Fully recommend. 15 minutes walk to court house metro is a plus too.

Current Resident 182556

Resident • 2003 - 2005

great place

This is a great place. Solid construction, with no noise from the neighbors. Never had to request exterminator service, because no bugs of any kind (that was a high priority for me, when looking for places). The pool is open all summer, which is nice. Central AC, which you control, and which the building turns on when the weather calls for it. And the laundry rooms on every floor are convenient, and were recently renovated (why, I'm not sure, the old machines worked fine).<br><br>Rent increases are below market rate, i.e. unlike some places in the DC area they don't jack up the rent each year. They value tenants who stay long-term.<br><br>Free and plentiful parking. A 10-minute walk to the Courthouse metro station in a very safe neighborhood.<br><br>Great views as well. Can see the Capitol and Washington Monument from my apartment. But that's of course not the same for every place here.<br><br>I've really liked this place. Very clean, very safe. I'll regret when I have to move.

Current Resident 943019

Resident • 2000 - 2002

Loved it! I cried when I moved out to buy a house. Great staff, location can't be beat, gym/store onsite was so convenient, opportunity for very nice views, pretty and expansive grounds, and great parking situation.

Current Resident 884863

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Some serious cockroach problems. No dishwasher. Anyone can walk in and out, doesn't feel too safe. The location and cheap price is the only thing to be happy about. Lots of parking.