Fairfax Square Apartments

Current Resident 921639

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Office staff unresponsive and disorganized

Problems started when it took nearly 3 weeks to get my lease leaving me going to the DMV for my VA license at the end of the month. Every time I called I got a different reason why I hadn't received my lease (5 calls, 5 different reasons). Whenever I call with a problem, the office staff will make up some excuse as to why the problem isn't actually a problem. It took several months to resolve a problem with the hot water. They don't tell you this but the bill for the gas (except for furnace gas) is split between all residents in the building. Sound-proofing in the buildings is not great.

Current Resident 153426

Resident • 2004

I like it

I moved in May 2003...and I´m about to renew my lease. I moved in once I saw a special in the washington post. I have a one bedroom and I currently pay only $808! Its going up $50 this May but that cool. There aren´t any other apartments that are in the same class as this one. I have a washer and dryer that I´ve never had problems with. I live on the top floor, so I also have a fireplace (that I only used once and set off the fire alarm.) I enjoy having a separate living and dining room. The only noise I hear is when I´m in the bathroom...this old lady doing some tribal chants at 7am everyday! They just tore down the pool last week, so I don´t know if we are getting a brand new one or what.

Current Resident 903161

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Not highly recommended

I´ve lived here for six months and am really just biding my time until the lease runs out. The walls really are very thin, and the pipes back up to each other, so you can always here when someone is using their sinks or showers. My brother-in-law came to drop something off one day when I wasn´t home and literally searched the apartment to find where I had left the water running, but it was the apartment next door. Also, laundry facilities back up to each other, so you can hear your neighbor´s washer and dryer. The neighbors seem safe- a lot of -------- and asian, though (not that there´s anoything wrong with that). Easy entry to Rte. 236- there´s a light. Maintenence is ok, but don´t get locked out on a Saturday night- we had to wait two hours, and then gave up and stayed at my sister´s. Oh, and when we got locked out it was because our deadbolt had stuck- we had the keys! No one from the office called to apologize or even acknowledge that we had had a problem. Also, the parking is not lit very well. I try not to come home too late at night, because if I have to park far from the building, there isn´t much to light my way. Also, be very careful- if you even park close to a yellow curb they tow your car and the leasing office will have no idea- I walked out one morning and hyperventalated because I thought my car had been stolen- called the leasing office and they told me they had no idea where my car was and that I could call the towing company- maybe they had it (thakfully the did!!). And there is no security on the outside door- people can enter your building as they want, which is kind of unsecure!! Windows are very drafty, and there is no real place to put your bed except by the window. I know I sound very negative... I´m sorry! I love the location!! It is so close to four different groceries, there is a Catholic church around the corner, and it is convenient to anyplace I need to go! That´s the one good thing I´ll miss!

Current Resident 230428

Resident • 2003

Really like it - plan to stay a long time.

I moved in late August 2003 and this review is being written in December 2003. I moved in to one of the upgraded one bedroom apartments on the top floor with a fireplace, W/D and new appliances for 1100 a month plus gas and electric utilities. <br> <br>Electric is individually metered but gas is some kind of split among all the tenants in either your building or the whole complex - not sure exactly how split is done. So far both have been reasonable, almost cheap, but don´t know about heavy winter months like February yet. <br> <br>Fireplace burns wood and adds nice touch to living there. Upgraded apartments have all new appliances and cost $50 extra. Fireplace also costs extra so my 1100 a month apartment could have been 1000 a month with out the new stuff or fireplace. They are worth it to me - very nice. <br> <br>Noise, neighbors, security not a problem, they are all very good. If you get home late (after 10PM) you might have to hunt around for a parking place but I always find one. Earlier it is not a problem, you can park right by your unit. <br> <br>Office staff are excellent and friendly. Important repairs are made before you can blink - very quickly. Repairs that fall into the "it would be nice" catagory are pretty slow - so if it is a minor thing forget it - do it yourself. <br> <br>I love the location - it is close to everything and I have no communting problems. Lots of trees, a nice clean pool and quiet apartment. I don´t worry about security or anything. I plan to live here along time if rent is not overly increased. <br> <br>I highly recommend this complex to anyone that can afford it. I had almost no credit so they asked for a deposit based on my lack of a credit history. Anyone normal would not need a deposit. I got $500 off the first month´s rent as a move-in incentive.

knopfler

Resident • 2000 - 2003

Highly recommended!

We lived in Fairfax Square for three years prior to buying our first home (go us!), in one of the two-story townhouse units. The staff were always on top of things - and once they know that you pay your rent on/ahead of time, they´re total sweethearts. Repairs are always done free of charge and promptly. <br> <br>Make sure, if you´re thinking about buying a house, to ask to include a clause in the lease contract for a $300 and 60-day notice buyout provision in the case of a home purchase by any one of the tenants who are on the lease. It doesn´t come automatically on the lease but they´ll stick it on without any hassle if asked. <br> <br>The previous reviewer was correct - the attics on the townhouses are HUGE. We may have paid $1700 ($1670 plus a $30/month cat fee) for a 3 BR, 2.5 BA townhouse, but there´s a third story of storage to be had. <br> <br>Best part of Fairfax Square is that they don´t have a security deposit. Yes, you read right. They have a non-refundable move-out fee, which if memory serves is in the $250 range. You don´t have to worry about cleaning the place upon exit far far better than you ever did when you lived there, all to reclaim your security deposit - cause there t´ain´t one. <br> <br>Parking is good, though make sure to alert all visitors that parking in a numbered spot is a hazardous act; there are some real parking ----´s for tenants. This isn´t a problem with the complex; in fact the management has on request sent letters to overzealous tenants telling them to chill. Again, make sure your rent is in on time and they´re total sweethearts. <br> <br>Highly recommended! <br>Brian

Current Resident 27407

Resident • 2001 - 2002

nice but expensive

nice place,expensive though.the bad part is that some of the people at the rental office are unfriendly and rude.

Current Resident 508403

Resident • 2002 - 2003

It could be better but it could be worse

I have lived here for a year now and don´t have too many complaints. I live in one of the tuckaways and don´t experience much noise. We do however hear the people moving around above us which usually isn´t a problem unless you want to sleep in late. After 10pm parking can be a problem especially on weekends. I don´t have any complaints about the maintenance staff, they always come by within a day of the request and stuff is usually fixed while they are there. What is nice about the maintenance here is somebody is always on call so if you have an emergency at midnight somebody will come by. <br> <br>The rent is high but that is because of its location in reference to GMU, I66, and the Beltway. Having the CUE bus stop infront of the complex is also very convenient. The office staff overall is helpful, but some of them can be arrogant at times. <br> <br>This place is ok. I don´t have too many complaints about the complex, but I am not going to make this my permanent residence.

Current Resident 765579

Resident • 2003

It´s okay but would not recommend.

I moved in the beginning of this year. So far it´s been so-so. <br> <br>Gas bill is pretty high due to the centralized heating/ac unit not properly dispensing heat to each of the rooms. <br> <br>The garbage disposal rules are ridiculous. There isn´t a specific dumpster to toss your trash. You have to put it on a corner during "allowed times". If you are caught by the local snitches, you will get a fine. <br> <br>Parking is pretty bad. If you come home late you´re pretty much SOL. <br> <br>The walls are paper thin. You can clearly hear people upstairs and next door to you. Also, the floors creak a lot. Not helpful when you want to sleep in on Saturdays. <br> <br>Rent is pretty pricy. The whole Fairfax area is pretty much. But for the price I´m paying now, I´m finding a better place. <br> <br>Maintenance is okay when you´re able to reach the office. <br> <br>Landscaping/Grounds are very nicely kept. <br> <br>Neighbors are friendly, fairly safe as well. <br>

Current Resident 395654

Resident • 2000 - 2002

expensive and meany service

This place is relatively very safe with friendly neighbourhood. But it is very expensive and rental office people or reallt not helpful. One more big disadvantage is parking after 10PM any day is a nightmare and they do not want to take care of it. Heat is run my gas which is very expensive

Current Resident 641856

Resident • 2001 - 2002

One of the safer and larger places in NOVA, huge attic too--though pricey

We live in the largest unit available, and for the money, it´s difficult to find anything better if you´re not into the "clubhouse- style" newer apartments. I know that most newer complexes are poorly built, and just have that corporate look, so I tend to prefer older buildings to newer ones. We´ve lived here for 1 year, and although the units were all built a generation ago, and don´t have the "clubhouse" feel, the grounds are well kept with lots of trees and the management has been efficient at taking care of anything you report. They are exceptionally vigilant and always polite, and I´ve dealt with quite a number of different people in the office. They have always greeted and treated us with courtesy and friendliness. All repairs have been timely and effective. There was a problem with replacing microwaves that were recalled, and I didn´t have one for almost 9 months. But all other maintenance issues are handled within a day or two. They also review the house after a year and fix/replace what is necessary. Our rent was not raised for next year, though they do want a $100 raise to give you 60-day leave clause. I would suggest you negotiate with management about the lease requirements if that is a problem. We did get a move in special, and that was equal to half a month´s rent. <br><br> <br><br>One of the big plusses is the LACK of any bug problem, and the fact that the older, brick buildings here are better soundproofed than many new apartments. Sure, I can sometimes hear my neighbors, and occasionally a group of college kids are having a party, but that is a rare event and the management has very strict rules about noise pollution. Most of the George Mason kids are very nice and not at all rowdy partyers on the grounds. Sometimes my neighbors downstairs play music loud, but I can hardly hear it. The building is solid. Once and a while there are kids playing their radios loudly while fixing/washing their cars, but if you tell them turn it down, they do. There are a lot of families here, and I haven´t seen any troublemakers. All of the children I´ve met have been polite. <br><br> <br><br>One of the things I´ve grown to like about the townhomes is that they are treated like homes. Packages are left at your door by the postman. The neighborhood is safe, and well-lit, and given the problems that Fairfax, Centerville and Chantilly and Annandale have seen with crime recently, I was concerned to find a safe neighborhood for my family. The pool has a lifeguard on duty at all times, and is very clean. They also pick up trash every day (except Sunday) right in front of your house or apartment. The managment is extremely vigilant about garbage pickup--and they do not tolerate people leaving trash out on patios, balconies or walkways ($25 fine). Balconies are smallish and the playground in the back is small too, with only a swing and a jungle-gym/slide unit. Parking is ok. We get one space reserved, despite the fact that we rent a 3 BR 2.5 BA townhouse, but usually--almost always--we find an unreserved space very close by. <br><br> <br><br>Most impressive is our square footage, which is virtually unbeatable, and though we pay on the higher side of NOVA rent--the townhouses also include a MASSIVE attic. I would say the attic is at least 20 x 10 feet, and can hold a small two bedroom apartment full of furniture and books all by itself. This was the main selling point for us--we loved having that storage space, especially with a 3-year old. The attic actually SAVES me the $200 it would cost for a storage unit large enough to hold all my extra stuff--so the rent is really about $200 LESS than what we pay, making it more reasonable for this inflated market. We also have over 1400 square feet, NOT including the attic. It was one of the biggest apartments that I could find AT ALL in this area, and didn´t seem to be all that much more expensive than much smaller apts, especially considering that I could not find an attic like that anywhere for less money. To live further out in Loudon county I would have had to pay at least $100 more. <br><br> <br><br>There are some disadvantages. The windowboxes in our apt.actually reduce wall space and square footage in the bedrooms upstairs just a little bit. ALso, the dishwasher is a poor unit, though the stoves are GAS (hooray!) and cook well, and the W/D is acceptable and nicely sized. My two major complaints are the A/C upstairs and the bathrooms. In many older buildings like this, the A/C works GREAT downstairs, but poorly upstairs. My office (third bedroom) upstairs is cool, despite my computer being on most of the time; but the master bedroom is very warm in the summer and I need a fan to keep it cool at night, even with the A/C on. Also, you pay Gas for the entire block of townhomes and split it, so that even if you are away for a month, you will pay for gas (but my utilities have been reasonable, nonetheless). The A/C unit does create some vibration downstairs that affects the balcony doors, but I can live with it. <br>The second complaint would be the bathrooms. They are all small. The downstairs lavatory is almost--butnot quite cramped. The master bath is also very small, has no medicine chest (no bathroom here does) and absurdly- placed towel racks. All the bathtubs are ridiculously shallow. If you love a good bath, you will be very, very disappointed there. One must put medicines and toiletries in stackables on the bathroom windowbox. It´s your only option. The full bathrooms do have built-in, space-saving hampers, which are convenient, if not also very narrow. <br> <br> There are lots of cable hook-ups all over the house, and phone lines too. This being an old building, people have made many modifications to the wiring, giving you lots of options. Electricity here is excellent. I have high-speed cable upstairs--wonderful! Water pressure is very strong. There are 4 big double closets in the bedrooms and one big under-the-stairs closet downstairs which is good for general storage.<br> <br> <br><br>The final word is that I would definitely recommend the two-story TOWNHOUSES; I have not lived in the apartments (tuckaways under the townhouses, which are basement-like) or the standard apts., which are one floor and smaller. But when you consider the decent kitchen and washer dryer in the unit, ceiling fan, and the massive attic and floor space, this is definitely a very good value. My wife and I spent days researching and calling apartments all over the county last year, and couldn´t find anything better. We thought to move this year to save money, and after doing our homework again, in a much better renter´s market, we still can´t justify moving to another place: the monthly rent may be a bit high, but if you can do without the clubhouse scene, I´d strongly recommend this complex. It´s so close to 123, Braddock Rd., 495 and 66, that once you know your way around, traffic isn´t as bad as it´s rumored to be (I moved here from NY). I have friends who live in the apartments, and they like them very much (and they are considerably cheaper, if also equally smaller). Definitely worth a look. <br><br> <br><br>

bookworm

Resident • 2001 - 2002

One of the best I´ve lived in

Really cannot complain <br> <br>On the negative side: Dishwashers are not at all effecient, apartments are generally showing their age. We have heavy smokers under us and can frequently smell it, nothing they can do about it. Occasionally a little noisy on the weekend due to the student population, but the management has been responsive in regards to this. <br> <br>On the plus side: Beautiful grounds, I am moving soon and hate to leave all the trees. Mantainence is very fast and friendly, usually has problem fixed in a day or two. NO BUGS!!! NO RODENTS. Price is very reasonalbe for the DC area. Two CUE bus stops on the property take you right to the metro. Grocery shopping withing walking distance (1 1/2 mi). Stackable w/d in hall closet. Large windows. Stoplight in middle of complex so you can actually make a left turn without killing youself, straight shot to I495, close to Rt 66. (but traffic can be horrid!) <br> <br>We wouldn´t be moving except I´ve been transferred cross country. We have loved this place - it has a very old-fashioned feel. If you want all the big ticket amenities (health clubs etc.) or if you´re looking for a showplace to bring all of your co-workers/cool friends - this isn´t it. If you want a home, this is a great place to try.

Current Resident 59147

Resident • 1999 - 2002

Expensive Option given the amenities

The apartment can definitely not be considered luxurious by any means. The prices are higher than other comparable apartments due its proximity to GMU. <br>The apartment is rather old and flooring creaks all the time. The management has grown increasingly arrogant in the last few years as the demand grew in this area. <br>Maintenance can be rated fair, though there could be a few more road signs within the complex. <br>Unless you have a compelling reason to live in this location, I would not recommend this place. <br>The place gets noisy at weekends due to student parties.