Quote:
Originally Posted by heynello
It's always been my dream to live in Washington DC. I don't know, something about the city draws me in and I find myself spending a good amount of my time on Google Maps/Earth just looking around. I feel like I know the neighborhoods, and I've looked at apartment listings and surprise, surprise (not really) it's expensive! I live in southern California and it is rediculously expensive but it seems DC beats that. All the cheaper apartments I can find are SE, which I've heard is probably not the best place to move into. I know to stay out of Anacostia but is it really all that bad? I'm desperate. I might have to end up living there for a while before I can afford someplace else (which is possibly never).
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!  |
It's always been my dream to live in D.C., now I am. I commute from Camp Springs, MD., and I have seen so many misdirected posts about where I live that I am reposting what I feel about Chelsea West Apartments.
To anyone who is looking at this complex, please disregard the information about high crime, etc. I believe that people say that because of the racial demographics, not because they live in this neighborhood and in this apartment complex. And before anyone gets their panties in a twist, I am white. And rather than would someone's friend stay or move in again, here are some details so you can make up your own mind.
I love this complex for many reasons. 
* It is quiet.
* It is dog friendly, and the dogs are all friendly.
* People say hello, even if they don't know you.
* The kids are well behaved and respectful.
* It is a very short walk to the Metro, even in rain or snow. People coming in from Reagan or Union Station can catch Metro to here without a problem.
* Despite short walks, neighbors who see you walking will give you a lift if is raining, snowing or very hot.
* The road is a loop around the Metro, so unless someone gets lost, little traffic.
* Indoor pool is nice, although I wish Maryland law would allow it to be open year-round without a lifeguard.
* Emergency power works fine (only one in our two years here was it needed, and it was a major, major outage in the area).
* Stainless steal appliances; gas stove; side-by-side refrigerator
* Wonder master bath with shower/tub and separate shower
* Master bedroom has walk-in closet and separate linen closet.
* Both of our bathrooms have linen closets.
* Our third bedroom has a smaller walk-in closet but still a nice size.
* Lots of windows.
* Lots of power/cable/phone plugs.
* Decent storage (although I would redesign the kitchen and add outdoor storage unit)
* Excellent parking in garage.
* Excellent dog walking sidewalks/streets
* Nice office amenities, including they get packages and notify you that they are there. We also can use the fax, etc.
* Pay rent online and request maintenance online.
* Full-size stackable washer/dryer with extra room in the laundry area to story vacuum, etc.
* Close to Andrews Air Force Base (and a lot of fun during Air Shows, which is when there is a lot of noice. Otherwise, you don't really know it's around).
* 15 minutes from the National Harbor, which has some fantastic restaurants and a few places to shop, including Fire and Ice, which is great.
* 30 minutes from Waldorf; 20 minutes form CostCo in Brandywine and 25 minutes from Costco near Pentagon City
* 15-20 minutes to D.C. with no traffic; 20-40 minutes with traffic; 30-60 minutes when people go crazy and cause traffic problems. My average commute in a car has been 30 minutes during the week.
* 5 minutes from the Beltway
* 5 minutes from a grocery store and Macy's (although a small one)
What I don't like about the place: 
* The cabinetry could be better quality.
* The builder cut some corners, which the management is now paying for (such as the cabinets).
* Instead of light beige carpeting and tile, they should have put in sound-reducing wood floors.
* Low lighting in the hallways.
* Patio is big enough for two chairs and a small side table.
* No place to store bikes except in the apartment (or on patio if you are on other than ground-level floors).
* No place to secure things like mopeds.
* Changing management company/complex managers happened at least four times in the last two years -- although I must say that we recently had a complete changing of the guard and issues I have been trying to get fixed for one year were fixed in one day with the new regime. If they keep that team here, maintenance has hope.
* We had a problem with thugs taking complete tires that had the most expensive rims on them. They would leave the cars up on blocks. NOW WE HAVE OVERNIGHT GUARDS AND LOTS OF SECURITY FOR THAT REASON, SO DON'T LET THIS DISTRACT YOU.
* Our street is not recognized by Google maps and it seems delivery services around here live and breathe by Google even when we provide them with better directions.
* Excellent parking that you have to pay for, so that means many people go on the cheap and park in visitor slots, which ticks me off. They really should include parking in the price so we can have the guest slots. We and others entertain a lot.
* We came from a complex where there were six resident parties a year. This one has very few and they are ill-advertised or conceived.
* The newsletter seems like it is produced by national headquarters and is not relevant to where we live. I could really solve their problem, but they haven't asked.
* The apartments meet minimum American Disability Act requirements but are not easy to maneuver (because of the carpeting) or accessible to people who use more extensive motorized assistive devices. They also told us to pay for the bathroom improvements. I refused. They didn't push the issue. The bigger issues of mobility is getting into the bedrooms. Look at the layouts and you will understand if you use devices. You can do it, but it's not easy. Again, minor modifications during the building of the place and it would have been perfect. But, obviously, they didn't care to make every apartment accessible, which would have given them a much higher rating.
So, if people in the know want to add to this list, then go for it. But at least be specific and don't generalize. I've lived in many apartments, and I could give bad reviews to all of them. I prefer to be fair and state what I feel are good things and what I feel are things that can be improved. And, no, I don't work for this company. I'm a federal employee.
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