Efficiency Apartments in Alexandria?? (spring break, apartment complexes, living in)

[brit3218]

I asked this question in the last thread but it had more so to do with the Cost of Living in Alexandria. So are there any efficiency apartments in the area? It will be just me living there so I'm really not all that picky. I just need a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, a kitchen and a living room that's near a metro station if I have to commute to DC for work. Thanks for all of your help! Every day I get more and more excited about living in Alexandria!

[jenniferprestia]

Not to be picky, but that's not an efficiency - that's a one bedroom. An efficiency (aka a studio) is a an apartment that has one living/sleeping room, a bathroom and which may or may not have a separate kitchen (if it doesn't the kitchen facilities will be part of the main living room).

As I mentioned in the other thread Mason Hall has both efficiencies and 1 and 2 bed apartments. It is (just) within walking distance of the metro (at least my daughter walks it).

[brit3218]

Originally Posted by jenniferprestia

Not to be picky, but that's not an efficiency - that's a one bedroom. An efficiency (aka a studio) is a an apartment that has one living/sleeping room, a bathroom and which may or may not have a separate kitchen (if it doesn't the kitchen facilities will be part of the main living room).

As I mentioned in the other thread Mason Hall has both efficiencies and 1 and 2 bed apartments. It is (just) within walking distance of the metro (at least my daughter walks it).

oh no you're not being picky at all. Ohhhh a studio apartment is the same as an efficiency. Where I live they just have them listed as an "efficiency apartment". If that's the case then that's al I need. I've checked out Mason hall and I like what I see for the most part but I'm also looking at other places as well. You've been a great help! Thank you so much!

[brit3218]

I've also looked at the Foxchase and Riverside apartments. I believe they have some decent studio apartments as well.

[jenniferprestia]

There are quite a lot of studios available in the area, but while you can get an idea about the area from the internet, only you can tell if you would be comfortable walking to and from the metro (possibly at night), so it's important to visit.

[brit3218]

Yeah I'll be visiting the area during my spring break around March 5 or 6 so I'm really excited!

[CAVA1990]

According to my daughter who knows the market pretty well, none of the ones you mention are all that good. Foxchase is far from Metro. Riverside is off of Route 1 (not a desirable location). She also does not recommend Mason Hall. What's your budget?

[jenniferprestia]

Well each to their own but my daughter has lived at Mason Hall for more than a year and has been very content with it. Which is not to say that it isn't a trade off with price/convenience. However, the building is well maintained, there is adequate parking, and the management staff are efficient. Also, no rodent or insect infestation problems, which can be an issue.

[FindingZen]

For what it's worth, I consider Riverside to be one of the better apartment complexes along the Route 1 corridor. In fact, all of those high-rises near the Beltway are probably more preferred that the majority of low-rise complexes further south.

I haven't been in Mason Hall but I've been past it on a regular basis. Beyond the presence of window air conditioners - a personal pet peeve, others' mileage may vary - it seems like a decent place to live. It would be a short DASH bus ride to the Braddock Road Metro station.

[brit3218]

Thanks! I'll keep looking!