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| Apartment Name | | | Reviews | | | Rating | |
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| 1. | | | Archstone Fairfax
8301 Anderson Drive
Fairfax VA, 22031 | | | 3 | | | 2.0 | |
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| Recent Review: | | Uncooperative and unhelpful staff, flooding (twice in one month),carpets are already pulling up, leaks, bugs, noisy neighbors, litter everywhere, drunken neighbors, abandoned cars, too few visitor's spots, no holder for toilet paper, PLUS an increase in rent and they are no longer including utilities.Most miserable renting experience so far. |
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| 2. | | | Archstone Monument Park
Oakdale Crescent Ct
Fairfax VA, 22030 | | | 2 | | | 1.0 | |
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| Recent Review: | | Further dealings with the office regarding policy changes, rent escalation and other personal reasons has pushed me to a point of hatred for the apartment. The manager is always "unavailable".I refuse to deal with Asst. Mangers because as we all know they arent capable of making any decisions.They are merely there to "handle" the tenants that are filling this company's pockets.Numerous messages and requests for the manager to return a phone call at his convinience has resulted in 0 replies.Needless to say, we will be moving out during the lease contract even though I have to pay penalty. Not only will I not recommend the apartment to anyone, I have (and will continue to) inform anyone looking for an apartment to not consider the apartment and all apartment with the name of Archstone. |
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| 3. | | | Archstone Monument Park
Oakdale Crescent Ct
Fairfax VA, 22030 | | | 2 | | | 1.5 | |
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| Recent Review: | | I used to enjoy living in this community when it was called the 'Preserve' and owned by another company. Once archstone took over, the management of the community and the service has gone to the dogs. There is not enough parking, the customer service is really awful. No one even asks you if you need any service if you walk into their office. Its that bad. I stayed here for 3 years and at the end of the stay they ripped me apart on the cleaning bill even though I had cleaned the apartment. They basically charge you for getting the apartment to the original condition without any consideration for normal wear and tear. I would strongly discourage anyone going here. They do not have any recreational facilities either like tennis courts or open grounds. Archstone should seriously reconsider its image if it wants to attract customers. |
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| 4. | | | Circle Towers
9411 Lee Highway
Fairfax VA, 22031 | | | 16 | | | 2.1 | |
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| Recent Review: | | I apologize in advance for the length of this review, but I feel that every detail is important for anyone who is considering living at Circle Towers.I did read the reviews of Circle Towers on this site before moving in, but naively thought "maybe it's just a few hard-to-please residents" and was persuaded by the great location and affordable rent.The story:Living here has been very disheartening.In hind-sight, I wish I had been more observant and less optimistic about this complex.I moved to Virginia from Pennsylvania and began a new job in the area.The price and location were great, and due to a clerical error in the leasing office, our 2-bedroom 2-bath was given to us at the price of a 2-bedroom 1-bath.Everything was looking up until we (my roommate and I) tried to move in.--Elevators--When you move in to Circle Towers (which you can only do on Saturdays), the leasing office posts a sign on the elevator stating "This elevator is in use for moving from: " (and I believe it either lists) 7-12, or 12-5.So you basically have exclusive use of one normal (not freight) elevator for five hours to move in (which wouldn't normally be a problem).Except in our case, when we were told, "We're sorry, we've already booked the elevator for two other groups" (though they knew we were moving in that day as well).So while one elevator is in use all day by two other groups of residents, my roommate and I have to be "that guy" that is loading all of his crap into the remaining elevator that everyone is trying to use to get to their floor (12 stories high) during a beautiful Saturday in the middle of summer.It took us eight hours to move in to a two bedroom apartment.Since then, the elevators are frequently not working, and when they do work, they are incredibly slow (it appears whatever logic they are programmed with does not coincide with human logic).Quite often people will get in an open elevator going the wrong direction because a) it is the only working elevator OR b) you have no idea how long it will be until you see the other elevator again.The best part about waiting for the elevator is that you get to smell (12 floors x ~15 apartments per floor x ~2 people per apartment = 360 people's) trash, because the trash cute is 5 feet away from the elevator chute.You come home from a long day at work and think about making dinner as you enter the complex, and then you lose your appetite waiting for the elevator.--Security--The resident services office has a television monitor that displays the many "security cameras" located throughout the complex.It was only after seeing this monitor that I realized there are "hidden" (slightly visible) cameras in the elevators.Surprisingly, the elevators show obvious signs of vandalism (such as writing including racial slurs carved into the wall above the buttons and all over the gold placard advertising the Circle Towers Shops).Several times I've entered an elevator that has had all of it buttons pressed (exacerbating an already frustrating problem).However, even with the security cameras, it appears that nothing is ever done about these problems.The front door of my tower used to lock, but now a gentle tug pops the lock open without effort.Upon entering the "secure front door" you look directly into a security camera (and think, "Do they even notice or care anymore?")Likewise with the door leading in from the parking garage, the door does not fit the frame correctly and rarely closes properly unless someone intentionally pulls it shut.(Fortunately, this "security feature" has been a lifesaver when I've forgotten my keys).--Crime--Around March, 2005, I came home from work and saw a police sketch of a person stating he was wanted for an armed robbery he had committed a few nights before (in the parking lot at CT).Not very reassuring to say the least.My girlfriend recently moved to Virginia from another state.After 15 hours of driving her vehicle and a trailer, we pulled into Circle Towers (around 10:30 PM) and got a guest pass for her vehicle.(When you get a guest pass, you release Circle Towers from any damage or liability that may happen to your vehicle while it is there, which I understand they do as a CYA move).The next morning we came downstairs around (8:30 AM) to move her stuff into storage and found her passenger window smashed in and her radio ripped out of the dashboard.In the sarcastic words of the police officer who filed the incident report, "Welcome to Fairfax County."He then gave us an unhelpful history lesson of the area surrounding Circle Towers, stating that most of the surrounding properties are HUD housing and are occupied by minorities and there are anywhere from 8-15 homeless people living in a storm drain across the street (as if those reasons somehow explain or justify why her vehicle was burglarized).I've lived here for 2 years and didn't see that in any of the CT brochures.--Parking--This has been a major heartburn for me because I don't have guests over that often.Though, invariably, when I have a guest over, they seem to get towed for asinine reasons.My brother and his wife were over for dinner one night.They got to the parking lot 5 minutes after the towing period began.Their car was gone.We called the number on the sign for the towing company and, sure enough, they had been towed.When they paid the $90 towing fee, the ticket that the towing guy had written up showed that he towed them 3 minutes after the towing period began.My point:the management has a disgusting relationship with the towing company whereby the towing company is allowed to (encouraged to?) sit like vultures and start reeling in the cars like it's a towing competition or something.My girlfriend had a parking pass for 2 weeks which expired.We got another parking permit for a week that expired on Friday (this past weekend).On Sunday morning (12:30 AM) she parked in the visitor parking area (as instructed by resident services when we got the parking pass).We hadn't removed the expired permit, so she got towed.Regardless of whether the permit is valid or not does not matter if she is in a guest parking area during weekend hours (when guests are permitted to park there).So now I'm out $100 (the towing costs have gone up).Upon speaking with Shirley in the Leasing Office, I was told "guest parking is in the underground area only."I've never been so discouraged to have visitors over before in my life.The parking garage (where my car is parked) floods every time it rains, and it remains flooded for about 3 days afterwards.The ground is slick due to the mixture of rainwater and motor oil, and very difficult to walk on when you're on your tiptoes (so you don't ruin your nice business shoes).After telling the leasing office about this, I was given the option to either park outside (no guaranteed parking space) or put my name on a waiting list (that already had about 50 other names on it).And I was told, "Were aware of the problem and we're working on it".The solution thus far has been to put up little plastic trays where there is a drip and run PVC pipes to the nearest support column so it isn't a complete waterfall in the parking garage.(The parking garage sits under what used to be a fountain area on the plaza level, which has since been removed and paved over to help with the garage flooding).--Swimming Pool & Fitness Center--The system in place for pool passes and access to the fitness center is archaic.In order to get a pool pass, you have to fill out a form (every year, for liability purposes) then wait for Resident Services to make up these little slips of colored, laminated paper.Then, after some time, you can pick them up from the Resident Services office.This year, it took about a week before we could use the swimming pool without having to go to Resident Services and getting a temporary pass.Very annoying and inconvenient.For the fitness center, every time you want to work out you have to go to Resident Services and sign your name and drop off your license, then get a key, go across the plaza and work out, then come back and sign out, pickup your license and drop off their key.I understand that they are doing this for liability reasons, but it is very inconvenient for someone that likes to work out a lot.--Packages--Recently CT began a new policy where you must show your ID and sign for any packages that get dropped off at Resident Services.However, in your mailbox, you get a slip saying "There is a package for you at Resident Services", but it doesn't tell you who it is for!So my roommate checks the mail, gets this generic slip and (instead of going to our apartment) stops at the plaza level (resident services) to pick up the package.Then they say, "The package is for your roommate--he'll have to come back with his ID and sign for it."This is so annoying to have to stop at Resident Services just to find out who the package is for, and then not be able to pick it up.--Noise--The walls are not very sound-proof at CT.Quite often (last year) my roommate and I would try to go to bed around 11:00 PM on a weeknight and the guy across the hall would have his thumping techno music vibrating the floors and walls.We filed several complaints to Resident Services, but nothing was ever done about it.Eventually we just started knocking on his door and asking him to turn the music down, and we were surprised to find that he was sleeping while the music was on!We've since given up on trying to have any kind of peace and quiet because there is a lot of noise in this area, whether it is from a neighbor's music, motorcycles revving their engines at the IHOP outside my window, police sirens, fire & ambulance sirens, car alarms going off in the parking lot (probably because of vehicles being burglarized), or people doing loops around the complex blasting loud music from their vehicle with the windows rolled down.If you need to get any amount of decent sleep to perform at a job, then this place will probably be too loud for you.--Laundry--The laundry machines were recently renovated when CT changed to MAC-GRAY machines (I believe), though it's still pretty disgusting to pull your clean clothes out of a dryer and accidentally drop them on the floor where there is a huge puddle of nasty laundry water.The Circle Towers solution to the large amounts of water on the laundry room floor was to leave a mop bucket and mop in the corner.The new laundry procedure is to mop up the excess water from in front of your dryer, then empty your clothes from the machine.And don't forget to leave the "Caution - Wet Floor" sign up when you leave, or you may be responsible if someone falls.--Conclusion--In all fairness to Resident Services, the few people that work there now are very nice and courteous, and seem to be very understanding and sympathetic to the plight of the residents, even though they are powerless to help.At least it's nice to know that someone within Circle Towers feels bad that the complex is giving the residents the shaft.In conclusion, rent is low and the location is very convenient, but you have to really be desperate in order to live here.If you really need a place (like you're new to the area) and you don't have much money and can tolerate living with illogical and inconsistently enforced rules and procedures, then maybe this place is for you.People deserve to have a place they can come "home" to and relax and feel safe.A previous review said that you shouldn't have to feel like a guest in your own home, but I definitely do feel that way now.I am excited about moving out of here and finding a place that has some concept of what "luxury living" really is, because this place is simply shameful.It's embarrassing to have to come here every day and pretend that this shelter is a home and I feel disgusted, betrayed, and violated when I think about all the crap that CT has gotten away with and ignored. |
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| 5. | | | Copperfield Square/gainsborough Ct
11120 Fairhaven Ct.
Fairfax VA, 22030 | | | 5 | | | 1.6 | |
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| Recent Review: | | PLace is falling apart.Rent is too high for what you get.Dumpster location is terribleas well as the mailboxes.Management is completely unfriendly.The windows suck... bad insulation.Parking is TERRIBLE!The place is just ghetto and I am so happy to be leaving! |
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| 6. | | | Elms At Oakton
23 Arrowhead Circle
Fairfax VA, 22030 | | | 4 | | | 2.5 | |
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| Recent Review: | | I've lived here for almost a year now (recently renewed my lease for another year).The buildings are older (which generally means bigger rooms than newer apartment buildings ... but, you have to deal with maintenance needs).My apartment backs to large trees and greenery ... very nice (in lieu of viewing a parking lot or another apartment).Of course, not all apartments have this option ... but, it is one of the things I enjoy about this apartment.There have been some problems with apartment management and/or maintenance ... but, you'll have that in most places and it just takes follow-through and follow-up.Just need to keep in mind that all of us are trying to do our job the best we can ... so, be understanding and don't stress too much. |
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| 7. | | | Oak Knoll Apartments
3979 Oak St
Fairfax VA, 22030 | | | 2 | | | 2.0 | |
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| Recent Review: | | CHEAP |
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| 8. | | | Post Forest
12101 Pine Forest Circle
Fairfax VA, 22030 | | | 1 | | | 1.0 | |
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| Recent Review: | | 2 month notice/rent penalty for early termination (transfer, etc.).Sublets are not permitted.2 month notice clause is trap for unwary if not prepared to on toward end of lease.Large rent increases.+Complex is perched over Rte 66 and noise from traffic, TV & police copters is loud/intrusive.Also in flight path to Dulles.+Flimsy construction.You can hear neighbors using bathroom, building shudders in a strong wind.Cold air pours in thru outlets/around doors in winter.+Staff superficially polite.Maintenance is ok.+Parking is often scarce on weekends.+Appliances dated. +Nice landscaping.+Car wash water off in fall/winter when most needed. +Water/sewer/trash not included in rent. |
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| 9. | | | Post Forest
12101 Pine Forest Circle
Fairfax VA, 22030 | | | 3 | | | 3.0 | |
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| Recent Review: | | I love living in this community.Everyone is so nice that works in the office and the workers all say hi when they drive by in their golf courses.Maintenance requests are filled ASAP (often the same day and even at night and on weekends!).I really love living here and the rates are great too.Always PLENTY of parking.Even guests have like 10 spots to choose from near the buildings.Community is gated, so it feels very secure. |
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| 10. | | | Summit Fair Lakes
Summit Manor Drive
Fairfax VA, 22033 | | | 6 | | | 2.7 | |
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| Recent Review: | | Been living here for going on three years, and this year they've decided to raise rent almost 100 bucks.And when I go to the main office, they ignore me for knew clients.Nice to know that once you're in, you're forgotten. |
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