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Realities of Foreign Service Life Vol. 1

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Reviews of Washington DC Corporate Apartments

The Reserve at Eisenhower

Reviewed by Rich Roesing, Department of State

When did you stay at the apartment? For how long?

Three months in early 2004

What were the advantages of staying at the complex?

Convenient to Van Dorn Metro stop, or just 15-20 minutes' easy drive to FSI. Plenty of shopping within a short drive. There's a nice fitness center and free Green Mountain coffee at the management office. There's a pool too, but we were there in the winter.

What were the disadvantages?

Not convenient to anything else. No shopping within walking distance. You need a car to live here. And boy, were those floors thin--we had to move out of our first apartment at the complex because the management put us (with our two young kids) above another apartment where the occupants complained endlessly about the noise. They were right to complain: ordinary walking across the floor made it resonate like a bass drum, so you can imagine how two boys under age 4 sounded.

Is this a good place to stay with children? Are the schools, play areas, etc. acceptable?

No schools within walking distance. Almost no children in the complex.

Can you get by without a car at this complex? With just one car?

With difficulty: there's a bus stop near the house, and a Metro stop 10 minutes' walk away. But for weekly grocery shopping for your family, you really need a car.

Do the rental rates fall within per diem? For how long?

Yes, for first four months, then you're a bit out of pocket. Not too much, though.

Do you have any specific advice for people who will be staying at this complex? Are some buildings more desirable than others, for example?

One building allows pets, while the other doesn't. Rent contracts have a military/diplomatic clause.

The Reserve at Eisenhower
5000 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 751-4100
http://www.equityapartments.com/market/brochure.aspx?page=overview&PropID=2293

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