Elme Communities

If I could give this place less than one star, I would. This place was great when I moved in 6 years ago, and it was a Bozzuto managed property. But Elme Communties has taken what was once a nice place to live and turned into a moldy, bug-infested, broken down trash heap. The property manager does nothing. The maintenance crew are doing their best to hold the place together with chewing gum and paper clips. And now, my partner and are I desperately trying to get out of this place, and we ARE BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY THE LEASING OFFICE. They refuse to sign and submit paperwork to the new property, like the refuse to do anything that resembles work, and that is the only thing preventing us from moving out. Multiple open lawsuits haven't even persuaded the property manger to stop gossiping about tenants with other staff.

This place was pretty bad, tenants were super loud and the walls were thin so we heard everything. If you do this place try and get a top floor unit.

The good - free shuttle to the Pentagon City metro during work hours, helped me during my internships in DC. Big floor plans. Cheapish rent for Arlington, and only about a 10 minute drive to the school. Good Irish place nearby.

The bad - loud neighbors, kind of scary, reported rats/bugs, rent doesn't include utilities, cannot control heating/cooling, hard to find parking for friends. There is cheap parking BUT you will not get a spot if you don't park before people get home from work at about 5/6pm. You can buy a reserved spot for 75/month but they usually have a waitlist. The area is technically safe but I had some scary experiences getting into the apartment, and had my boyfriend come get me when I'd come back late from class. There have been some crime incidents on columbia pike (carjacking) so be safe.

I've lived at this apartment complex for almost four years. While it has generally been a positive experience, with kind neighbors and friendly staff, I feel it is a lot of money for what it is. It's nice that utilities are included, but these are at the total control of the building, making for some extremely hot days when the building turns off the air conditioning before the pre- and post- summer heat waves. The utilities we do pay for are very expensive; it costs roughly $5.50 to do one load of laundry (if the washers are working), and if you wanted to park your car at this building, it is an extra $250 per month. Generally, it is a nice place to live.

As long as you stay neat and clean then your apartment will too. Maintenance gets back to you in decent time. Many families live her so I feel safe to be in Virginia compared to DC.

its just OK.

***DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY***
The following review comprises input from six (6) current residents of Riverside Apartments in Alexandria, VA (an Elme managed community).
Unexpected Rental Costs | A Case of Misleading Estimates:
They bait you with false advertising on the cost of rent. Upon signing my lease, I anticipated a monthly payment of around $1900 a month. However, to my surprise, the first month’s rent amounted to $2300! Additionally, the estimated utility costs were initially quoted at $50-$75 a month, but the reality proved otherwise, with actual costs ranging between $125-$200 monthly, which blatantly contrasts with the initial estimates provided. For individuals adhering to a budget, this apartment community may not be the most suitable choice. The unpredictability of the annual rent renewal, which can range from $50-$450 per month, poses another potential financial challenge! It is noteworthy to mention that some tenants have experienced substantial rent increases of $700 a month over a span of three (3) years. Compounding the frustration, the lease renewal letter is delivered to you just two (2) weeks before the end of your lease term, which is a rather short period. This is despite the lease agreement stating that we are required to provide written notice at least sixty (60) days in advance. This timeframe is insufficient, particularly when faced with unexpected excessive monthly rent increases. In addition to their existing charges, they impose a substantial fee of $750 for each additional tenant added to the lease. This is accompanied by a recurring $50 application fee per person. Furthermore, should you wish to relocate to another apartment within the community (due to issues with neighbors or to downsize to a more economical apartment) a significant charge of $1500 is applied for such changes. These fees are unwarranted!
The community is spacious, with a parking lot that is disproportionately large compared to the number of residents. Yet, despite the ample space, they still charge $20.00 for standard parking and a whopping $40 for a reserved space.

It is an okay place to live. Below in rent in some of the other places I was looking at.

An absolutely amazing place to live for the best price and with the best staff.

I’ve had no issues living here! I feel safe and it’s very close to everything I might need and only a 10 minute drive to Emory.

I LOVE my complex. Formerly Madison Druid Hills, this complex houses a large number of young adults in their 20s-30s. There are also a lot of young professionals and a few young families. The maintenance team literally comes out in hours after you submit a request and everyone at the leasing office is amazing if you ever need anything.

It is an okay place to live. Below in rent in some of the other places I was looking at.

Riverside continues to face a high crime. This crime includestheft of autos, as well as car parts, particularly tires, tire rims, air bags & catalytic converters. KIAs, Hyundais, Hondas, & Toyotas are the most targeted cars. Residents are subject to assault. The property manager's idea of bolstering security is firing security companies. Riverside has had 3 in 3/4 year. I met the new security team chief for Planned Security Service, Planned Companies subsidiary. He mapped out "the battlefield." He understands the challenges in providing security. The property manager collaborated with the last security company to repel the criminals. The property manager considers bolstering security as firing successive security companies. He told residents he has no responsibility for tenants’ safety, their cars or other property, let alone keeping them from harm. He hires a series of security companies to give the appearance of security. The new company has 1 car. This is insufficient. The threat posture is high. Riverside has multiple entry points, as opposed to 1. That would be preferable. It has no guards at entry points to conduct checks. Perimeter security is deficient, having extensive, exploitable gaps. Criminals enter through unguarded entry points & porous perimeter. Riverside has inadequate CCTV. The property manager pledged to improve ill lit parking lots. Riverside leaves service entrances open & unsecure The property manager allows malefactors easy access. He knows homeless sleep in the community center at night & parking lots. 1 business staffer said if a resident wanted to avoid getting attacked he should not go out after dark. The security company can’t compensate. Its personnel cannot be everywhere. They have no security experience. The security team can’t compensate for porous perimeter, poorly lit parking lots, inadequate CCTV, & failures to provide adequate security at entry points to buildings. Security may be fired. The property manager has a responsibility to provide a statistical criminal statistics & direction trends. He does not. He has access to data. There is a lack of transparency, a failure to communicate security threata. The property manager passively witnessed a rat infestation at Building 3 in winter. Rats were scurrying, helter kilter on the loading dock, the building’s back side, sidewalks, everywhere. They hid in a warren holes & tunnels. DeAndre Dun & American Pest worked miracles. The drove away rats, using Rodenticide & Ditrac to kill them, leaving dead rodents. They need help, but didn’t get it. The elements washed away rats’ hiding places. American Pest needs help from Riverside to clean mountainss of trash, hauling it away quickly. The property manager hasn’t helped, being able to use clean crews to rid the building of garbage, wash down the loading dock with strong cleaning fluids. He hasn’t taken responsibility. He says it isn’t his fault, saying rodents come from the river & are to blame. He almost provide a welcome mat to overwhelm Building 3. 1 night I saw 9 rats in 15 seconds. You can’t get worse than that. Riverside Apartments needs rescuing & a new property manager. Elme Communities should replace him & revamp management at Riverside. Indeed, the property manager hasn’t fixed the marred elevators, with marks,scratches, stains, bad ceilings, floors and sides. He hasn’t ended intermittent power & electricity outages. Again, the property manager must fix this or Elme Communities remove him & overhaul operations.

The Kenmore is a great place to live. Great price for the area, especially since it's a safe area. I see people walking around all the time late at night.

I really like living here. My studio is very spacious and utilities are included in the rent so it's affordable overall for the area. Lots of restaurants nearby, including Target, Giant, Streets Market. There are two metro stops within walking distance (Cleveland Park and Van Ness-UDC), plus access to buses. The community is welcoming, racially diverse and safe.

Good housing, updated appliances. Has community events, and very diverse.