Apartment Review for Circle Towers Apartments - Fairfax, VA

Seriously, this is the worst apartment I have ever lived in. It could actually be Circles 1 - 6 of Hell as well. I would be better living in a shelter or a box on the side of 495. Let me go through my laundry list of reasons why: - Roaches everywhere! And they just won't go away, no matter how many times your apartment is "treated". The problem lies in the nasty-ass trash chutes on each floor - people pile garbage, furniture, food, pizza boxes and then wonder why we have vermin problems. Also, residents on my floor leave their trash IN FRONT OF THEIR APARTMENT DOORS! AND THEIR APARTMENT IS RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE TRASH CHUTE! Seriously, how lazy can you be? - Mold in the walls because of a antiquated HVAC system that has been in place since the early 1960 and never updated or refurbished in any way. My particular apartment had mold growing on the walls, under the rug, and it stunk like cat piss and rotting wood. And they didn't even acknowledge there was a problem - they PAINTED OVER THE MOLD! - Plumbing that is, at best, archaic. Either there is no hot water, or the water is scalding hot like a Japanese steam bath. Also, the garbage disposals have this nice habit of "backing up" the main line, which happened all over our kitchen floor. Imagine coming home to see what your entire apartment complex ate for last three days all over your kitchen. Disgusting. - Loud, disrespectful neighbors who have 10 people crammed in a 3 bedroom apartment, none of which have keys, who knock on the door LOUDLY and REPEATEDLY, and bang, yell, chant, argue, at all hours of the day (usually between 10pm and 3am). - Instances of vandalism and violence in the complex. And management keeps denying there is a problem. Well, maybe if the property management actually cared about residence, they would see that there IS an issue here and that people don't feel comfortable or safe (and don't get me started on living in a tower where the door is hanging open 95% of the time - so much for secured access) - The worst possible management and front office staff. There has been so much turnover, that I don't think that anyone who works in the office when I moved in is still there. It's hard to get a definite answer about something when each time you go in, you deal with a new "leasing consultant". I am also sick and tired of hearing the same scripted and rehearsed answers by Property Director Shirley and Property Manager Jennea about everything from parking, to the mold situation, to the laundry and everything else. There are so many issues with management that I don't have ample space to write about them here... - And the parking itself is an issue. They took away all the parking for one of the towers and gave it for commerical/retail use. This leaves residents of the tower screwed out of parking between 8am and 6pm weekdays. If you have a day off, or a non-traditional working schedule, or are deathly ill, are you supposed to come down and move your car or risk being towed? Or park over by another tower and risk getting assaulted on the way back to your residence? Just another way that Circle Towers shafts its residents...and shows that it cares more about the "bling" of the retail tenants. - The dictator lifeguards at the swimming pool. I have never had such a difficult time trying to relax at a pool in my life. And the pool itself is no box of chocolates, always being vandalized and having broken glass in it. Ew. - The general appearance of the complex has gone to the dogs. The plaza level is so blighted, and the front entry of all the towers are constantly being backed into by errant moving trucks. The landscaping is poor at best (I'm no gardener, and I can do a better job), and the plowing and snow removal is minimal (think skating rink for a parking lot). - The elevators in the building break down at least once a day. Or you get stuck. Or one is being used for moving for certain hours. Please, fix the elevators! Walking up an ungodly number of flights of stairs is not my idea of "luxury living". These are just many reasons why this complex STINKS. Seriously, I am counting the days until I move out. The rent is cheap and the location isn't bad, and if you are a student or someone without a car, it would be a perfect place. No one should have to feel like a guest in their own apartment, and the crappy management makes sure that residents here feel like second-class citizens. They market them as "luxury apartments", but be warned - they are a nightmare. Your apartment shouldn't give you an ulcer because of undue stress and emotional and mental anguish.