If you're looking for affordable housing in Arlington, VA with all the essentials of modern living (parking, metro access, on-site laundry, pet friendly, high pressure water, and a fitness center) *without* a hidden "catch 22" like rampant bugs & mice -- you've found the right place and should submit an application ASAP before the unit gets booked. The units here go quick for a reason! And I've met residents who have been here for up to 18years!
Spoiler - if you were like me struggling to decide between other "cheap" apartments in the area like Fillmore Gardens, Dorchester, or Barcroft - this is the best of the bunch.
In all honesty, living in the "DMV" (DC-Maryland-Virginia) is tough. It's very difficult to find a "nice" place to live that won't break the bank or force you into a long commute. Worse, bugs are a problem everywhere. Unless you can afford the ritzy new high rises built after the year 2000, there will be bugs I can guarantee it -- this area is literally a swamp. I am very organized and clean, but these buildings are old and DC has the worst rat problem in the country which promotes the spread of these pests. Fortunately, Oakland Apartments has largely kept the roaches, rodents, and other pests under control--which stands in stark contrast to other complexes which have given up. To get an idea of how meticulous and timely the maintenance staff is -- just look at the lawns. They are a lush and consistent deep green.
Now for some details...
For Commuters - There is a bus-stop on site with connections via 16A or16C to the Blue/Yellow Metro lines at Pentagon or Pentagon City (10min) or to the Orange/Silver lines via ART 41 (10min). The 16Y also stops here and will take you straight into DC (45min during morning rush hour). There is a Capitol Bike Share station right across the street (which is faster than the bus for short trips). DCA Airport is also a short 10min drive away. And best of all residents get a free parking space with each unit. 2 & 3 bedroom units get two spaces. Spots are almost always available unless you are arriving after midnight. And even then there is nearby street parking if you or a guest needs an extra spot.
For the Foodies - There is a Chipotle, Wendy's, Boston Market, Papa John's, sushi and lots of hispanic and asian cuisines nearby. 7Eleven is right next door and has an amazon locker for the online shoppers.
For Families - There is laundry on-site, which is okay, but even better is the 24hr laundromat right next door. There is also a small park with climbing structures and ample grassy areas for games. There are a ton of families here, so chances are your kid under 7 will have plenty of playmates. The elementary/middle school is a 3minute walk down the road and also serves as the polling place for elections. So you don't have to travel far to vote. An underrated aspect of Oakland is safety. There are two cops which live on-site. They have reserved parking near the entrances which serves as a visual deterrent for criminals. I've had my car or seen a friend's car broken into in Clarendon and in DC. I've never had any issues here. Even when packages are left out I've never had one stolen. Another underrated aspect of these units is the wall A/C units. While other apartment complexes have centrally managed temperature control, Oakland gives you the power to control the A/C or heat any time of year. At my last apartment the A/C was shut off from mid September to mid April... and there were many weeks during that season when the temperatures rose into the 80s & 90s. It's been nice to have full temperature control.
All around, at this price Oakland is almost impossible to beat. read more