Elme Communities

***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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

15-20 minutes from GWH and 30-40 minutes from the VA DC

The apartment experience has been wonderful! Parking is secure and free for tenants and guests. Gym and pool are average but included within rent. I love that there are sidewalks to walk on around the property with a ton of greenery, so it feels like a little neighborhood. Dog parks and valet trash are also included in rent. Management is responsive and helpful. It's a 10-15 min drive to school. The only reason I haven't ranked it higher is because it's rather far from night life on the weekends, but my priority was being closer to school.

Great location, close to metro and lots of restaurants. Very residential neighborhood. Not a luxury building but there are some amenities (free printing, gym) and management is typically very responsive to concerns.

gym has monument views. Cables, dumbbells up to 65, lat pulldown, leg press, leg ext/curl. no barbells or smith.

management always fixes an issue within 24hrs. the microwave turntable stopped working and they literally installed a new microwave within days.

the study spaces suck.

No criticism of the apartment. You get what you pay for! I found this to be one of the cheapest apartments around the area.