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Reviews of Washington DC Corporate Apartments
The Bureau of Human Resources has entered into a contract with Oakwood Apartments to provide housing for employees on PCS orders for training at FSI. This housing will be provided to Department of State employees on a first-come/first-serve basis with priority given to employees on longer term training who are accompanied by eligible family members. Participating employees will not receive the lodging portion of the per diem allowance; HR will direct these funds to pay the contractor directly. Email hrpclodging@state.gov for more information.
Oakwood Falls Church (three reviews)
First review by Bill Geschwind, Department of State
When did you stay at the apartment? For how long?
I have been there for 6 weeks and am staying another 3 weeks, from early July 2006 through early September 2006
What were the advantages of staying at the complex?
I found it to be a very convenient place to stay. There is plenty of parking, it is a VERY easy commute by car to the FSI (approx. 10 minutes and traffic isn't bad even during rush hour), good amenities on-site (convenience store, dry cleaners, business center with computers with printers, gym, BBQ grills, pool, tennis courts with pro shop, etc.). About 0.6 miles to the East Falls Church metro station, which I consider within walking distance. Nonetheless there is a shuttle there and back. There is also a shuttle on weekends to a grocery store and there is a daily shuttle to the FSI.
I usually drove to the FSI, but the few times I took the shuttle I had no problems with it. If you miss the last one, you can take the FSI's shuttle to the Rosslyn metro station and take the metro to East Falls Church - not that convenient, but at least you are NOT stranded. I found the king size bed in my apartment to be exceptionally comfortable.
There are also lots of State people staying here, which is good for socializing. Also, LOTS of ethnic restaurants in the immediate vicinity.
What were the disadvantages?
Older buildings, which in some details show their age (floors and countertops not exactly level, countertop had one tile that did not match the rest, paint on walls very thick, closet door didn't close properly), but I did not consider this to be a problem per se. The furniture makes the impression of being the cheapest of the cheap, but it is functional and perfectly serviceable.
I had no problems with mold or insects or other pests in the apartment or problems with the management. My apartment, on the ground floor of building B on the odd numbered side of the hall was reasonably quiet, however I have heard from others that if you face the basketball courts or the swimming pool it can get noisy. Washer/dryers are on every other floor of the building, and I would have liked to have one in my apartment.
Is this a good place to stay with children? Are the schools, play areas, etc. acceptable?
I don't have any children, so it's tough for me to comment on this. It appears to be a kid-friendly place since there are lots of kids playing in the pool and I see lots of families with kids here. I have no idea about the schools.
Can you get by without a car at this complex? With just one car?
It is a great place if you have a car. There is plenty of parking, although the parking lot struck me as being a bit tight in some places, and there is no additional charge for parking. The nearby Seven Corners intersection can be a bit daunting during the first few days, but you get used to it and it isn't that bad. However if I didn't have a car I think I could get by just fine here as well, since the East Falls Church metro station is about 2/3 mile away, which I consider to be in walking distance, and there are shuttles to the FSI and to the metro.
Do the rental rates fall within per diem? For how long?
For a furnished one-bedroom apartment including all utilities and once weekly maid service it falls well within the per diem for the first 60 days. After that it does not. Also, after I moved here I found out that the Oakwood started a deal with State where with the right authorizations you can get them to bill State directly without you having to pay the rent up front and having to get it reimbursed with a travel voucher.
Do you have any specific advice for people who will be staying at this complex? Are some buildings more desirable than others, for example?
The Oakwood is in an ethnically very diverse neighborhood, and it is right next door to Eden Center, which is a large Vietnamese shopping center with some interesting restaurants. Since this is my first time in the Washington area I have nothing locally to compare the Oakwood to, but I found the place to be perfectly fine for what it is. There may be better places around, but there is nothing fundamentally wrong with this one. If you are going to spend a few months at the FSI it is an excellent place to be due to its easy commute.
Second review by Heather M. Pishko, Department of State
When did you stay at the apartment? For how long?
January - March 2006
What were the advantages of staying at the complex?
The shuttle to and from FSI was terrific! I was so grateful that I didn't have to navigate myself over there. Also, I was able to bring my two cats with no difficulties at all.
What were the disadvantages?
My apartment on the top floor was always too warm for my comfort.
Can you get by without a car at this complex? With just one car?
I had one car for just me, which I used when I needed to shop for large amounts. The facility offers a trip to a local grocery store once a week, as well as regular shuttle service to the Metro. There are no grocery stores within easy walking distance.
Do the rental rates fall within per diem? For how long?
I was there for 61 days, and the rate was easily within per diem.
Third review by Rich Roesing, Department of State
When did you stay at the apartment? For how long?
Since August 2008
(staying until August 2009).
What were the advantages of staying at the complex?
NO LODGING VOUCHERS!
Free maid service, free Internet, free cable, free laundry. Plenty of
other FS families around the playground/pool/Sunday brunch if you want to
hang out with other FS folks, and if you don't, it's easy NOT to go to the
playground/pool/Sunday brunch. Lots of free community activities. Free
shuttles to Metro and FSI. Very fast, responsive maintenance. A fitness
center that's never crowded. Helpful, courteous anagement. Two-bedroom
apartments are spacious. Pets are allowed. There's a playground for the
kids, and regular kids' community activities. Did I mention that you don't
have to submit lodging vouchers?
What were the disadvantages?
Three-bedroom apartments are in the complex
across the street, which doesn't take pets. Pool closes Labor Day weekend
(too early, I think). Not enough pickup volleyball games. Laundry
facilities are down the hall, not in each apartment (but they're free!)
Is this a good place to stay with children? Are the schools, play areas,
etc. acceptable?
Yes. Small playground in the complex, but the kids
enjoy it. The Falls Church schools are good. Oakwood has a shelter at the
bus stop, where the school buses load and unload dozens of Oakwood kids.
The bike paths are close by.
Can you get by without a car at this complex? With just one car?
Metro's
a short walk away. Oakwood runs free shuttles to FSI and Metro, and does a
free weekend grocery run. I bet singles could get by without a car. My
family's too large, and the kids have too many extracurricular activities,
so we need a car. One car is just fine for us.
Do the rental rates fall within per diem? For how long?
It's
all-inclusive if you're in the State direct billing program. No money
down, no monthly payments...everything is handled directly between State
and Oakwood. Which means a family of 5 can live for nearly a year, as
we're doing, with not a penny out of pocket.
Do you have any specific advice for people who will be staying at this
complex? Are some buildings more desirable than others, for example?
Don't pack too much in your UAB. Oakwood gives you everything you need. If this review sounds like I really enjoy living at Oakwood, that's about right. I was skeptical of the idea of the new "Foreign Service dorm," but they really do a good job with this program, both State (yes, State!) and Oakwood.
Oakwood Falls Church
501 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
Falls Church, VA 22044
(703) 534-7702 or toll free at (800) 888-0808
Corporate website: www.oakwood.com