Shirlington House

Current Resident 234172

Resident • 2001 - 2004

Absolutely awful

I've lived in Shirlington House for approximately three years. Due to my job and the potential for relocation it was not practical for me to buy a home so I have done my best to tough it out at Shirlington House.<br><br>Unfortunately I have come to the end of my rope with this complex. While the walls are made of concrete which provide excellent sound protection, everything else has quickly deteriorated. The heating and cooling units don't work because the thermostats are cheap, the water is constantly being shut off for hours at a time and the parking lot is rampant with broken glass and traffic from the low income housing projects on the hill.<br><br>I'm a single man so the non-residents who hang out in the parking lot are not a concern, but more than once I have witnessed a single woman being "cat-called" by individuals sitting on the embankment or walking among the cars in the lot.<br><br>I have had my car broken into 4 different times while living at Shirlington House. When I have raised the issue with managment they have told me to call the police and that they have no responsibility. They have also many times encouraged me to purchased a garage spot for $40 a month to avoid the "hazards" of the parking lot. It's troubling to me that they see this as an opportunity to make more money, instead of protecting the property and well being of the residence.<br><br>The folks at the front desk are generally pleasant, but the managers have treated me as a second class citizen upon more than one occasion. I will not claim they are patently racist, but I am constantly reminded of my ethnicity by their mannerisms.<br><br>The laundry room is always a wreck and at least one dryer on floors 4-7 has been broken for the last two years. When this issue is raised with managment they refer you to the sub-contractor, who does not return phone calls. <br><br>All in all, I wish I had not moved in and that I had moved out earlier. I'm thrilled to be leaving Shirlington House and I encourage others to avoid this complex at all costs.

Current Resident 293072

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Not a bad place

After reading some of the reviews of Shirlington House I've come to the conclusion that I must be easy to please or something. <br><br>The apartments themselves are ok. They are spacious, and mine was remodled just before I moved in so all the amenities were new. Additionally the walls are pretty thick so outside noise is kept to a minimum.<br><br>The outside and hallways of the complex are another story. It looks like a prison when you walk down the halls, they are painted a nasty gray color and some of the paint is chipping so don't expect to wow your friends there. <br><br>As for security and safety, I haven't had any problems, no vandilism or anything.<br> <br>Parking can be a problem if you come home late at night as they have barely just enough free parking for all the residents, but you can get a assigned space in the garage for like only 10 bucks a month or something like that.<br><br>If you need something fixed maintenance usually comes pretty quickly. Additionally, I haven't had any problems with the office or front desk staff. I think they will basically treat you the way you treat them. If you just smile and say hello to them every once in a while and be cordial you would be suprised how willing they are to help you out when you need something. <br><br>My biggest issue with the place is that it's not on a metro line, but you get what you pay for. FI it was we'd be paying an extra $300 a month at least. There is, however, excellent bus service right in front of the complex, and we are on the very end of a bus line so when it picks you up you pretty much go directly to the Pentagon without having to stop every 30 seconds.<br><br>

Current Resident 961618

Resident • 2001 - 2004

Management STINKS

I have lived in multiple apartment complexes and this one happens to be the worst due to the apartment management and their lack of competence and consistency. During my 3 ½ years at this building, I have learned that the leasing business must be pretty bad as their leasing agents have gone from mediocre to awful. The apartment excluding the apartment management was actually decent except for the multiple patch marks that were horribly patched and painted over. The building needs some major work as paint along the walls on the 2nd Floor and other floors is not only chipping away, but leaving large holes. The 2nd Floor garage landing is awful…it is nothing more than cinder blocks that have been painted over. <br> <br>My issues with the apartment management, when I moved into the place, my apartment was not toured with a leasing agent. Security is a large weakness at this place and I blame the apartment management for the false sense that they provide residents in that they always have the front desk occupied. It is too bad that the person behind the front desk may not speak English, be awake, or be actually employed by the apartment management. The two exit doors on the east and west side of the building are barely secure, if even locked. <br> <br>The neighborhood may look friendly, but you may think twice. The police station only a few minutes away is there for a reason. My girlfriends’ car was vandalized twice sitting outside of the building. The first time, her license plates were stolen and the second time someone poured beer over her new car. <br> <br>Ah, I will be sad to not have the Carlyle Grand within walking distance, but I will be happy to be away from the Shirlington House. <br>

Current Resident 206208

Resident • 2004

I like it

I just moved in here last week and I really like it. I'm in a renovated executive studio with a make-shift wall, which is basically like a one-bedroom without a bedroom door. I think the one-bedrooms are bigger with a section just for a dining room table, but the "studio" has more than enough space for one person. <br>I have enough room for a loveseat and a sofa, with plenty left over for a dinette table. My bedroom is huge - I have a full sized bed (a queen could fit easily), a computer desk, a walk-in closet, and a nice dresser with plenty of room to spare. <br>I am very comfortable here, and as a single female, I feel very safe. There's a bus stop right outside with a quick ride to the Pentagon metro. It's very quiet - I can only hear my neighbors if I'm in my closet. The air conditioning works very well (almost too well sometimes!) and the maintenance staff is quick to fix a problem. <br>I'm on the ground floor so I have a concrete patio the size of my apartment (very big) - although the fence is broken at the moment. However, there is plenty of room for a grill, table and chairs. <br>The apartment is very bright - big windows, and the staff are very nice. I'm really happy here - and the town of Shirlington, which is within walking distance, is a huge plus. <br>Cats are allowed, up to 2, no dogs. It's a great place to start out - and if they don't hike up the prices too much I'll be here for a while more. I hope this post was useful!

Current Resident 437220

Resident • 2002 - 2004

not bad for the money

I've lived here for 2 years. First in a one <br>bedroom, then in a renovated 2 bedroom. <br> <br>Apartments: Newly renovated apts. are nice, get carpet, the "wood" floors are awful, A/C has to run all the time to cool the place and I have 4 a/c units in there. Walls are thick, fairly quiet place to live, I have a nice view of the monument and pool. Apts near the front where I lived before are noisier. Nice size places. I really like the apartments. Ventilation sucks. Maybe non existent is a better word. Sometimes I smell my neighbors cig. smoke seeping in and the hallways can smell like everyone's dinner. <br>Staff: I like them, they are fairly courteous and I have a friendly relationship with them. <br>Maintenance: No complaints here, they let you know before they come in. <br>The building: Its awful. The elevators are quick, but that's the only good thing. The walls are dismally gray, poorly lit, old carpet, paint peeling, no security, doors sometimes don't shut all the way to lock and I've spent 2 minutes trying to get my key to open the lock, I complained and the locks were never fixed. I mean why can't they repaint the hallways, put more lights, new carpet, fix the doors. They are renovating all the new apartments which are great inside but doing nothing to the building itself. <br>Amenities: No exercise room and a depressing pool which gets little sunlight and is surrounded by old pool furniture and a chain fence. <br>Parking: There are not enough spots and once when it was full I had to pay $5 to park in a guest spot because I was not a guest since I live there. If you arrive after 9pm, don't expect to find a nice spot, just be glad you get one at all. If you don't have a sticker, or park in the fire lane, expect to be towed, even if you leave the car there for 5 minutes. They even towed the front desk ladies car once. Parking in the garage is $40, sometimes the door breaks and is stuck open. Its not fully enclosed and dust, dirt and pollen blows into it. <br>Building is near the metro bus stop which is nice. But not near the metro at all. <br>Water is turned off once a month, but I'm at work when its off so I don't care. If I was home, I'd be pretty upset. <br> <br>All in all its a great place to live, but the building itself needs major work, luckily the apartments are pretty nice. Its far better than the britany from what I've read and WAY cheaper than crystal city. I will probably move to crystal city and eat the higher rent. I like having a metro and first impressions are everything, when you bring someone to your apartment they will think its a crap hole once they see the building, but once inside the apartments themselves are fine. <br> <br>Though security seems lacking, I've never had my car damaged, or my apartment damaged. The store can attract some shady characters. <br> <br>Note that in arlington heat can't be turned off until a certain date (may something or other). Shirlington house has old heat and they can't give you heat and air at the same time, this means your air won't be turned on until may and its going to be a hot miserable beginning of the season until its turned on.

Current Resident 150375

Resident • 2003 - 2004

depends on what you´re looking fort

Advantages: free parking, relatively inexpensive, withing walking distance of Shirlington Village, convenient trash chutes, free utilities, convenience store on first floor <br> <br>Disadvantages: monthly (if not more frequent) shutting off of water for maintenance - really annoying!!, replaced windows in 2003 and now there´s a huge air leak around my windows, old building with very small bathtub and toilet that requires frequent maintenance, parking spaces difficult to find if you come home after 8-9pm, maintenance to masonry occurs first thing in the morning is really loud and creates an insane amount of dust inside the apartments (even if follow recommendations to shut off heat), after hours staff can be rude - daytime staff usually helpful, can hear neighbors´ telephone conversations - but building is pretty quiet overall <br> <br>essentially - this is good place to live if you´re on a budget but if money is not tight I would definitely live elsewhere

ajpuggs

Resident • 2004

Good value

I really like living here after 8 months i have few complaints. <br> <br>Upside: great location, busstop right across the street! New kitchens/bathrooms and spacious apartments. Allows cats. Quiet area with nice view. New windows. <br> <br>Downside: Not near a metrostop. Laundry is down the hall, not always available and pretty far from my apt, but at least it is available on my floor. Beware of an apt. near the market though, I hear idling trucks all of the time and loud people from the other nearby complexes hanging around. Only 1 bathroom available with 2 br apts. No gym, but I joined one really closeby that is way better than any apt. gym I have seen. <br> <br>I may even live here again, the only reason I am considering other places is that I would like to be closer to the metro.

Current Resident 809528

Resident • 2003 - 2004

I searched several months for an affordable, spacious 1 BR close to DC. I was losing hope until Rusty, at Apartment Finders (703) 370-3733 encouraged me to look at a couple of more places including Shirlington House. I was at Cascade at Landmark, but the rent was too high, and the industrial vac and car stereos outside my balcony disturbed my rest. Shirlington House is affordable and very spacious 820 Sq Ft. Everyhing is new, to include the huge picture windows. I like the walk-in closets, convenience store and controlled building access. I met some pleasant neighbors at the Christmas party. I complained once about some loud music. It was stopped in 5 minutes. There is still ongoing renovation, but that is the price of progress. Tell Angie B. that Rachel H sent you.

SiouxBoy

Resident • 2001 - 2004

Second Times the Charm

This is my second time living at the Shrilington House, and I must say I´m very happy with the renovations they´ve made to the apartments. After viewing the model, I was sold. <br> <br>I have to be honest about some of the negative posts here; yes it´s not the Ritz, yes sometimes the staff can be a little rude (mainly the after hours staff). However, the main staff has always been professional and at best honest, which even if it´s not what you want to hear is better than promising work or something they can´t deliver on. <br> <br>The apartments themselves are very large and comfortable, and the new kitchens, windows (even though they do leak some wind when it kicks up), bathroom, and bedroom celing fans really make it feel like you should be paying more rent than you are! <br> <br>We´ve lived at Jamestown Village for a year, and I must say that that experience made us long for a nice, comfortable, and affordable place like Shirlington House. Many people complain that it´s overpriced; I argue go anywhere in at least a 10 mile radius and find better for cheaper. This was the deciding factor for us because other newer places were smaller and wanted almost $1,600.00 for a 600 sq. foot one-bedroom with no utilities at all plus paying for an extra car just for basic parking. <br> <br>I would recommend Shirlington House for anyone either just starting on their own, or like us saving for a home and wants a very affordable, comfortable, and convienient place to live. Having the Shirlington Village in walking distance is always a plus! <br> <br>So, take everything with a grain of salt when reading these reviews, but take it from someone that came back; this really is a nice find!

Current Resident 230508

Resident • 2003

It´s what you make of it...

I have lived at Shirlington House Apts. for just over 3 months and have found that the place equals the effort put into it. Yes, if you treat the front desk staff with disrespect, they will return the "favor" in kind. However, to those of you who have consistently discouraged others from living at SH - and degraded the complex - because of this - what would you do if someone treated you in an unmannerly fashion? The road is two-way, is it not? <br> <br>As for wafting smells, the building was built in the 1950s, if I recall correctly. Hence, there ARE NOT intra-apartment air ducts! The convection circulation system is room (or apt specific, for those of us in efficiencies), unless you are referencing hallway recirculators, of which there are several per floor. <br> <br>Cochroaches? I´m neat and clean - very much so, though not "abnormally" so...On my floor (6), I´ve seen nary a bug, let alone a huge Caribbean Palmetto that I´ve heard angry residents discuss. No, I haven´t seen them in the hallways, garbage areas, the loading dock (which I have used extensively as I continue to populate my apt with furniture), or at any of the key-entrances. I offer this objectively: prior to your blaming an apt house for "bugs" perchance to review first your own living circumstances. <br> <br>As for parking, consider that an oversight of construction efforts from half a century ago. I can say honestly that I end up parking within 4-5 spots of the same place each night, and that´s after 10 hours of work and up to two tutoring sessions (home arrival normally = 8.10pm). And my spot - unassigned/first-served) is close enough to the building that I can fire off my remote lock from my apt. Look around for spots, please! Additionally, the underground lot has plenty of available spaces. I hate to assert this, but if you´d clean up your apartments and stop spending money on roach traps, you´d probably better enjoy allocating those funds to underground spaces. <br> <br>Noise? An issue? I´m surrounded by folks with systems...I can hear their crankage in the hallway, but not once I shut my door. The walls are double-layer sheetrock (1/8th" metal sealer on opposing sides) and a wetwall. That makes for relatively good sonic muting. <br> <br>Service? I´ve had several maintenance calls...All were completed excellently on the first or the second attempt. And each service was kindly written on slips left in my apt, often directly referencing the list of concerns I´d printed for the front desk. Perhaps it´s because I´ve actually spoken with the folks who "do your bidding" rather than treated them as servants. They´re people, after all, who have to balance work/family just as you likely do! <br> <br>Gosh, folks, I realize that not all of you have newly-applianced kitchens/baths/etc. However, I´ve seen plenty of nice places in the building without renovations that are clean, neat, and wonderfully decorated. Plus, our new windows are very nice, the installers rehung or refit blinds that didn´t fit as a result of the installs, and aren´t many of our apartments large in comparison to those in, say, Pentagon or Crystal City? <br> <br>If you really don´t like living here, and continually assert that there are other avenues of greater value/interest/etc, then why not pursue or engage them? Complaining incessantly will not improve your situation when there really are myriad positives at this complex - as well as at other locales. <br> <br>And for the negatives that do exist, running to the front desk with a disrespectful attitude and a clipboard of "demands" will get you probably what you deserve: the same in return. Be kind. Come on, the world is already a nasty enough place.

bigrod

Resident • 2003

PLEASE DISREGARD 11/5 POST. ACCIDENT.

Please disregard my post on 11/5/03. I made that review regarding "SHIRLINGTON OVERLOOK" not "SHIRLINGTON HOUSE" accidentally. By the looks of things, I would gladly leave Shirlington Overlook to live in Shirlington House (Yes, SO is that bad). So if you are currently looking for an apartment, don´t even bother looking into Shirlington Overlook. Again, I posted here before by accident and although I had looked into the possibility of living in Shirlington House, I know nothing about actually living there. Sorry.

Current Resident 400822

Resident • 2002 - 2003

What a Dump

I´ve lived here for just about a year, and I cannot wait to move out. It´s a shame, because the apartments aren´t that bad, but the management is a NIGHTMARE. Imagine the worst customer service you´ve ever received. Now double that. That´s the staff at Shirlington House. The maintenance guys shout to each other down the hall, knowing full well that everything they say can be heard in the apartments. I´ve actually had the pleasure of listening to them rant about "whitey" keeping them down! The folks at the front desk are just there for decoration. There´s a woman there named Elizabeth who actually yells at you if you complain. It´d be funny if it weren´t so infuriating. I couldn´t recommend this place to anyone.

Current Resident 796

Resident • 2003

The Bad outweighs the Good

I wouldnt reccomend shirlington house, the front desk staff are rude and gave me incorrect information that resulted in a guests car getting towed. Also, unbearable noise starting at 9 in the mornings as they redo some apartments. Management inconsiderate of residents, the water has been cut off for a day at least 10 times in the 6 months i´ve lived here, sometimes with notice, sometimes without. I was skepical of others reviews till i lived here, its really unpleasant. The advantages are thick walls mean i never hear neighbors tv or voices, close to bus route to metro, handy convenience store downstairs, and good move in deals, however was told that on signing a new lease my rent would go up very high.

Current Resident 68717

Resident • 2002 - 2003

Absolute NIGHTMARE

I am moving out of Shirlington house in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait. There is nothing about this place that makes it in any way "good". <br>There are no windows in the halls and they are dark and cavernous...very depressing. The amenities and location are not worth the price in rent. I am moving to a place in DC that is a luxury apartment in comparison for about $200 more a month. <br>Nothing EVER works...AT LEAST 2-3 times a week the elevators do not work...AT LEAST 2 times a month there is some "apology note" that the water will be turned off for maintenance...I understand that sometime work needs to be done be come one, not 2 times a month! <br>The only think I can say that is good about this place is that it is kept relatively clean, the trash room is emptied daily and the hallways are vaccumed etc...hoever, the trashrooms are cleaned, or so it seems to me between 7:30 and 8:30 during the weekdays...and they LOCK the elevator so that they can stop and load at each floor...I don´t know about eveyone else but at that time in the morning, I am trying to get to work so I can afford to live in the hell hole! <br>As an overview...I cannot WAIT to never come back here, I cannot believe that I made it through whole year, I guess the experience has made me stronger. I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone. <br>

mbarbee

Resident • 1999 - 2002

Okay Place

I thought the place was ok. It was my first apartment. I have no horror stories to tell. I´ve read a few other reviews and I can agree it was a quiet place. I lived there for 3 years and my first requests were a little slow being addressed, however for the most part, maintenance requests were always filled within a day. I never had a problem finding parking in the open free lot. Sure if you come home late, you may have to park in a far away space, but a little extra walking will not kill you. <br> <br>Rent increased dramatically the first year. But not so much the last year. Actually only about 10-20 dollars was offered for renewal when I moved out. The reason I moved out was because I wanted to move to DC and live near a Metro be in a more bicycle friendly place where I didn´t need a car. Where I am at now makes SH seem like a great place, but that´s another review. <br> <br>24 hour front desk was nice. Staff was always nice. Packages were accepted. No complaint about that. Hallways were clean. Nice large closets. Frequent bus service during rush hour to Pentagon. Not a luxury place, but adequate for its level of rent.

Current Resident 674054

Resident • 2002 - 2003

MMMMM, Fine

Since day one this place has not seemed like home, it has just been a residence. The chalky white walls and battleship gray doors are not my first choice in decor. The kitchen sink makes a weird gurgling noise followed by soapy liquid filling in the basin. Not really sure what that is from, maintenance dose not know either. The dishwasher is in the kitchen but next to the dining room carpet. It is hard to avoid splashing and the eventual ugly staining of that portion of the carpet. The walls are about 95% sound proof. That is a plus, but with that goes rock hard walls that make it hard to hang pictures. A drill or a lot of nails WILL be needed. Most of my friends in the building have opted out of wall decorations. The views are good from the upper floors. The side of the building facing the pool is the best by far. Not only can you see the Washington monument in the distance, you can see the highway department building and trucks, school bus parking lot and if you are lucky you can have a big tree blocking your view from everything. Do not expect to live in Trump tower just because you pay a hell of a lot more then you should. There is nothing special about anything in the apartment. <br> The hallways are kept clean by the staff. At times the smell of the trash rooms linger, more so then not depending on what floor you are on and how close to the trash room you live. Some apartments have hard wood floors. If you get one remember your every move will bother the people below you, trust me. <br> The front desk staff is fine. They handle them selves as professionals. From 3:00pm and on there may be a significant language barrier. My experience is, do not call the front desk, go down there and spend time explaining what you need, you will "May" save time in the end. Parking can be a challenge at times. Pay the extra $30 a month and get an assigned spot. You will be happy you did. <br> The grounds are, UMMM, well the grass is not dead. Do not expect to WOW your friends with an outside tour. I would not recommend living here. For this area you can do better and save $$$. I am moving on account of the rent increase I was told I would have upon resigning a lease. It is just not worth it. <br> <br>

Current Resident 110782

Resident • 2002

Good Starter place

Not the greatest place you will ever see, but for the money it works. great location, decent sized apartments, bus tarnsportation right out front. Metro proximity can be an issue, but that is true for a lot of Arlington. If you are just moving to DC its a good place to start.

Current Resident 430702

Resident • 2002

Good experience so far

So far I´ve really been happy in the building. I was on a very tight budget and the building fit it. My apartment is very spacious and its a great location. The management team is a little clueless. Each time that I call down to request maintainence they question me like my mother. (Are you sure that you turned on the water before running the disposal?) <br> <br>It isn´t the most well-maintained building that I´ve seen, but for the money that I´m paying it´s okay. I love that I can get an assigned parking spot for only $12.50 a month!

Current Resident 547076

Resident • 1999 - 2002

THIS PLACE SUCKS

Poor management - always changing, inflexable, rude front desk staff, no concern for residents, smelly hallways, no cold water in the summer. Maintenance enters apartments without your consent regularly to "fix" things. Corporate-owned. <br> <br>Huge rent increases!!!! <br> <br>Good location. Right price for a temporary place and good for nothing else. <br> <br>

Current Resident 557337

Resident • 2001 - 2002

Can´t really reccommend

I have lived in this apartment building for a year, and will resign my lease this month only because I can´t afford to move, despite the fact that my rent has increased and I don´t really like the building. <br> <br>I love my apartment, it is a studio that has lots of space and a large closet, and is located near both the laundry room and the garbage/recycling room (this is a big issue -- the building is really big and many apartments are very far away from these things). I also really like the area, there are many great restaurants just a couple blocks away, and grocery stores and anything else you´d need in a hurry less than a mile. <br> <br>I do not love being at the mercy of the bus. If you have a 9-5, M-F job, the commute would not be bad as the buses run very often during rush hour. However, I am a graduate student with 2 jobs and my school/work schedules don´t always correspond to rush hour times; I often find myself having just missed a bus at the Pentagon and having to wait half an hour to an hour for the next one. When going somewhere, I almost always get there half an hour early because it´s either that or get there late. <br> <br>My biggest problem with the building, however, is the way I´ve been treated. I had a friend temporarily staying with me after he moved, until he found a place of his own to live, and the front desk refused to accept his mail even after I explained the situation. They also would not allow me to purchase a 30-day guest parking spot for him, even though the apartment complex rule book states that one can be purchased. I was also told that since I am in a studio, I was not allowed to have 2 adults living there -- regardless of the fact that he was not permanently living there, and that the studio is as big as many one bedrooms I´ve seen.

Current Resident 559817

Resident • 1999 - 2001

Good transitional place

Half of this 400 apartment complex are efficiencies. Tenants tend to be in their mid-20´s, early thirties, with a scattering of senior citizens thrown in. It´s a good place to live while pondering a more permanent living solution. It is not a place conducive to meeting many people or making lasting friendships. In 1999, the rent was very reasonable for the location as well as the square footage. Closet space was more than adequate as well as kitchen cabinet storage. The broom closet and linen closet were definite bonuses for an efficiency. The hardwood floors were lovely, the building extremely quiet and it was great to have an eat-in kitchen. <br><br> <br><br>What prompted my move was not the $100 rent increase after a year but the suffocating heat in the unit -- even with the thermostat turned off in winter. I also had difficulty in finding an available washer and dryer on my floor. I would oftentimes have to ride the elevator to different floors to them out. <br><br> <br><br>The biggest plus was Angela at the front desk -- truly a guardian angel. She went out of her way repeatedly to be of assistance. <br><br> <br><br>The Shirlington area is wonderful and it is an easy commute to DC. The Kennedy Center is less than 12 minutes away. I have no problems recommending this as a place to live on a temporary basis. <br><br> <br><br>I would caution you to know about potential changes in rules and regulations. There is no notification process ahead of time.

Current Resident 636325

Resident • 1992 - 2002

No consideration for long-term tenants

I´ve been at Shirlington House for 10 years and have, unfortunately, seen the building go downhill rapidly in the last several years. I´m glad to be moving. My main complaint is the high rent increases for an older builder with no real amenities. Compared to alot of summaries on this board, this building is not that bad. However, they really gouge their tenants. My rent increased 18% last year and a water bill was thrown in on top of it. It h as increased by 43% since I moved in. I´m currently paying $200 more per month than the advertised rate and $300 more per month than some tenants and the winter advertised rate. <br> <br>Here are some observations from a long-term resident: <br> <br>1. Front desk staff is very nice and helpful. Only had a problem with one package in 10 years. <br>2. Maintenance is quick and the job is done right, although I haven´t had much maintenance done. <br>3. The apartments are huge. Many have walk-in closets and parquet floors. <br>4. Noise from neighbors is minimal. <br>5. Laundry rooms have been redone, and there are working machines on each floor. If a machine breaks, it´s fixed quickly. A card system is used for the machines. <br>6. The pool is huge, and not overcrowded. <br> <br>Here´s the problem areas: <br> <br>1. There are 4 maintenance people (including a supervisor) for a 436-unit complex. There used to be substantially more people. Consequently, the building is dirty and not kept up as well. Common areas used to be painted yearly. Now they´re done whenever. <br> <br>2. The ducts are filthy. I have black dust all over my kitchen, which gets in my cabinets. <br> <br>3. They check your smoke alarm and change filters twice a year, which is pretty standard. The last 2 years or so they say they are checking for fire hazards. My neighbor was written up and inspected for two much paper clutter. <br> <br>4. I never had the unit painted because I´ve heard nothing but complaints about the painting contractor. One tenant found out that they were smoking in her bathroom. They also knocked over a birdcage with the bird in it and scratched a collectible doll. Management at the time did nothing to compensate her. <br> <br>5. There must have been a sale at the Newport News shipyard because the doors are now painted battleship gray. This gives this institutional building the appearance of a prison or mental hospital. <br> <br>6. Security was cut out a few years ago. They just locked the front doors and gave us access cards. <br> <br>7. Don´t live on the first floor no matter how much you´re tempted by the patios!! I never smelled any garbage near the 1st-floor garbage room the first 3 years I was there, but now it´s so nauseating sometimes that I have to take another route to my car. The first floor is really the only place I see bugs. <br> <br>8. There are 436 units and about 200 parking spaces. Spend $30 and get a garage space or get an assigned open space for less than that. Surface parking is a nightmare if you ever have to return at night. Street parking has been limited by sewer repairs. Don´t get a space near the dumpster in Gargage A. The garbage smell is horrific sometimes. Guest parking is VERY limited in the garage. <br> <br>9. When times are tough for the landlord, they´ve taken in Section 8 tenants. My friend lived in quite a lively wing a few years ago. There was noise, trash, and people constantly moving in and out. They lied to her about taking in these tenants, but we found out that they were accepting Section 8s. <br> <br>10. A few years ago one of two trash cutes became inoperable. Managment blamed the tenants for putting boxes down them, despite the fact that they were almost 40 years old. We now have only one trash chute. Find out where you´ll be living in relation to the location of the working trash chute, which is near the laundry room. <br> <br>11. The windows are old and single pane. During the winter it is very cold and drafty from the wind blowing through. If you´re on the pool side, you´ll also hear people in the pool. On the other side, you´ll hear 395 if your window is open. <br> <br>12. Lovely classic lobby was replaced with hideous Ikea-style lobby. Carpet was replaced , then elevator area was tiled. Then everything was torn up and retiled. There´s been alot of waste of my rent money. <br> <br>13. I´ve never seen so many move-outs as I have in the last 6-8 months. This is evident by all the garbage piling up near the garage dumpster. In fact, I saw my first rat outside the garage just this week. SH is running a rent special of $300 off the tenant´s rent who recommends someone to live here. They´ve never had to do this in the summer before. <br> <br>14. There is one jack in the entire apartment. This can be difficult if you have a computer and need a second line. <br> <br>If you get a good deal on the rent and this location works for you, then you can consider SH for a year. However, be prepared for high rent increases once they have their hooks in you. The location is nowhere near a metro, so keep that in mind as well. I´d personally keep looking. You can find better value for your money.

Current Resident 770121

Resident • 1999 - 2000

So So

I lived in an efficiency for a year. The walls are thick so you do not hear your neighbors which is a plus. However, no matter the temperature (early heat wave) they would not turn on the a/c. So in my small apartment it was stuffy and HOT. I moved out b.c they were raising my $720 rent (for not having a room) to over $900 NOT including utiliites. ALSO, just a side note to show you how ridiculous this place is, my neighbor moved out in January and when I moved out in July THEY finally rented it. No wonder they needed to increase the rent-since so many units were/are empty. In addition, the pool is hidden by trees, so if you like to relax by a pool on a weekend and get a little sun-don´t plan on doing it here! And the convenient store closes early, not so convenient. AND there isn´t enough parking at all. I found it as a single woman living alone not safe b.c when I would get home (had to work two jobs) at night, I would have to park on the road and walk up to my building. Made me mad for all the $ I was spending. <br> <br>It wasn´t a horrible experience entirely though. The front desk lady is nice, the property is cozy and within walking distance to the shops etc...BIG PLUS! Close to DC.

Current Resident 778987

Resident • 1990 - 2002

DO NOT RECCOMMEND !!!

I have lived here for 12 years and seen the management and building go into a downhill fall over the last three years. Rents have gone up dramatically ( 15% +) and now there is a water bill thrown in on top of the rent. New residents are given great incentives then socked with huge increases when it is time to renew their lease. Building management changes every 6 to 12 months and the Resident managers are not in a decision making position. The amenities advertised are not available (e.G. Sat. T.V. or Roof Antennas,and it is not on the Metro Blue Line.)Maintence is done on very poorly and never at the residents convience. If I was in a better financial position I would have moved out two years ago. Anyone considering moving here should first speak with long term residents away from any leasing agents.

Current Resident 822015

Resident • 2002

Good value for space, location, management

Bright rooms, good sq. footage, and management generally stays out of your way except when you need them. Good resident:washer/dryer ratio, convenient market downstairs, and nice tradeoff between metro access & interstate access (easy parking and quick access to interstate). <br> <br>Sure, management will sometimes change their minds about things, like they recently combined the water bill into the rent, but what place doesn´t have alterations? And now ALL utilities are included. <br> <br>Weather got hot, so they rescheduled A/C turn on. <br> <br>All in all, a good find and a great deal.