UDR Presidential Greens: Why so cheap? (hardwood floors, section 8, apartments)

[toredyvik]

Hey guys, I'm looking at UDR communities to move to, and I was wondering - why is Presidential greens in alrlandria so cheap? Is it ghetto there? is it too close to the airport? When every other 1 bedroom by udr in the area is going for $1400-1700, Presidential greens 1br's are like $800!

[normie]

I don't know if I'd call it ghetto, but it's a lower income area that has some crime issues.

[toredyvik]

hmm, i wonder if it's worth moving there then- I guess I'll have to take a visit!

[FindingZen]

You might do better do consider some of the low-rise apartments further south in Del Ray. Generally speaking, if rent for a 1B is being offered below $1000 around here, that's not a positive sign. Either you're staring at a long commute or there are some neighborhood issues.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Generally speaking, if rent for a 1B is being offered below $1000 around here, that's not a positive sign. Either you're staring at a long commute or there are some neighborhood issues.

Yup.

[wsamon]

also make sure that there's no income requirements for moving in there. A lot of these cheap rentals are subsidized. Aside from the obviously lower standards you can expect from your neighbors, you may very well make too much money to be allowed to live there. I don't remember, but I think the max is something like $45k for a single person or $52k for 2? Regardless, my first job out of college at $50k about 6 years ago priced me out of living in supplemented housing.

[toredyvik]

yeah thats a good point. i'll keep in mind the rent control idea, that's often a scam, the apartments advertize low rates but do not say that they are section 8, etc

[wsamon]

Another pretty cheap place to consider is Lloyd's. They're pretty cheap and not easily found on a lot of sites. A friend of mine lived there for several years, and I roomed with him for about 6 months. Like most places in the area, it's got old bones, but it's fairly well kept up, and pretty safe. It's a brick building and has decent hardwood floors. I think they may have replaced appliances in the last couple years too. It's basically right in between the Ballston and Crystal City metros, and there are buses close by that will take you to either. The biggest drawbacks, and the reason why I wanted to leave, are the old plumbing (but functional), laundry facilities that you have to walk outside to another building to use (at least in the apartment we had), and parking that can sometimes have you walking what amounts to a block or two to get to your apartment. It's in a pretty quiet residential area with lots of single family homes. We used to go for quick jogs at night and never felt unsafe. Don't expect to walk to too many places, but a 10 minute drive will put you on the rt 1 corridor or into Balston.

[rop12]

If you are still looking try New Brookside just down the block - they include utilities. I rate them about 1 1/2 stars better. Especially if you are really looking to stay at price with better quality of management.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by rop12

If you are still looking try New Brookside just down the block - they include utilities. I rate them about 1 1/2 stars better. Especially if you are really looking to stay at price with better quality of management.

As the original poster submitted this thread 18 months ago, they have made a decision by now.