Apartment Review for Elise Apartments - Washington, DC

Generally: Apartments are ridiculously expensive for what you get, but that's par for the course in Foggy Bottom. Good news is they're fairly large, so splitting a studio or one-bedroom is probably feasible. Location really can't be beat, but service and facilities are so-so. Service: Things take forever to get fixed. Security/Safety: Recently the management company installed a security system with cameras covering the entrances, but for years, zero security. No package reception or front desk to monitor who goes in and out. Also, back entrance has poor lighting and plenty of hiding space for a mugger. The kitchen stoves are, frankly, dangerous. They are old-fashioned gas stoves with pilot lights. Unfortunately, while most older stoves with pilot lights have a safety valve that shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out, these don't--so the gas continues to run and accumulate in the kitchen if a pilot light is out. Cleanliness/appearance: Kitchens are kind of gross--there are gaps between the counters and the fridge and stove which are too narrow to be able to clean, but wide enough that food, etc. constantly falls in. Don't want to imagine what's living in those cracks. Floor is also really hard to keep clean. Grounds are OK--nice in the front, but the back should just be replaced with cement, since all the back lawn does is get mud all along the walkways and back stairs when it rains. Noise levels: Large undergrad population in the building can be annoying--very loud at times. I don't recommended the building for professionals who need to get up early, or serious students, for that matter. Laundry: Laundry units are in building, but quite expensive--$1.75 per load, so at least 14 quarters for a full washer-dryer cycle. Price: Again, v. expensive but fairly typical for the area. What really annoys is that there's no reward to being a long-time tenant. Leases are only for one year, and every time the lease comes up, they raise the rent by as much as 10%. Sooner or later I'll be forced out by the ever-increasing cost. Location: Can't be beat. Safeways, Trader Joe's, GWU, M street, White House, etc. all within easy walking distance, and it's right across the street from the Foggy bottom metro. Summary: If you have the money, live somewhere nicer. If you don't have much money, live somewhere more affordable. Good for one or two years of school, maybe.