Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
Specs: 1-bedroom, 700-square foot apartment
Sublease: 6-month sublease (begins either mid-July or 01 August 2013 until 02 February 2014)
Rent: $1,776 per month locked in (price can be negotiated for the right renter)
Laundry: Stacked washer and dryer in unit; dry cleaning can be dropped at the front office for a fee
Parking: free street parking; $50 a month to park in the lot
Location: 10-minute walk to Clarendon and Courthouse Metros; close to Ballston
Amenities: Nice gym, outdoor pool, common areas, lounge, BBQ grills, grassy courtyards for dogs and lounging
Pets: Extremely dog friendly (to dogs of any size) with a dog park
Staff: Excellent complex with friendly office and maintenance staff
Detailed Assessment
My wife and I just purchased our first house! While this is VERY exciting news for our family, we still, unfortunately, have 7 months left on our current apartment lease. We've loved living in Sheffield Court and know you will, too, if you take over our lease.
We are looking to sublease our recently renovated, 700-sq-ft Lincoln-style apartment in Sheffield Court (check the link for the homepage and click on the "Floor Plans and Pricing" tab. Then scroll down for available units until you see the "Lincoln" unit http://www.equityapartments.com/virginia/alexandria-arlington-apartments/clarendon/sheffield-court-apartments.aspx).
Our place is nicely located on the top, third floor with an excellent view facing Wayne Street. The appliances are all less than two years old, with a recently remodeled kitchen. The apartment has lots of light most of the day, with a nice sized living room and master bedroom with light-colored carpets.
Perhaps one of the best-selling features of the place is its location. We are, and I've timed this, only a 10-MINUTE WALK from both the Clarendon and Courthouse metros, as well as a number of amazing bars, restaurants, gyms, etc.! Here's a really good read for those not familiar with the area, which describes the big city feel of the area without all the crazy hassles of D.C.
(http://m.washingtonpost.com/local/echo-boomers-flock-to-the-district-arlington/2013/06/21/4c32bf84-d763-11e2-a9f2-42ee3912ae0e_story.html?wpmk=MK0000200).
Also, if you need to drive into the city, the backside of the complex faces route 50 with quick and easy access to downtown.
A little about the complex. All units are located in 3-story garden apartment buildings constructed in the classic Arlington red brick architectural style with lots of common green space and trees. Click on the link and the "Photos" tab for some pictures of the units' interior as well as the exterior and common area (http://www.equityapartments.com/virginia/alexandria-arlington-apartments/clarendon/sheffield-court-apartments-photos.aspx).
The complex is great for students and young couples, with a very safe and quiet environment. In fact, we never hear our neighbors or any sort of traffic. This is mostly due to the location, but at least partially due to the fact that we live on the third floor.
Historically, the 37 buildings that make up Sheffield Court were originally created as housing units for soldiers stationed to Ft. Meade and the National Capital Region (NCR). Though the buildings were created years ago -- as most were in Arlington and northern Virginia -- they have a very sturdy brick build created to last.
Sheffield Court is also one of only a handful of places in the area that allows dogs and cats with very limited restrictions on breed type. Indeed, when we were searching for a place, we found the complex to be one of the only truly dog friendly places, with a dog park, ample dog bags strategically located around the complex to pick up waste, and staff that love to interact with them.
Regarding amenities, have a look at Sheffield's description by clicking on the following link and the "Property Features" tab. Briefly, the pool and gym are really nice and convenient. Same for the rec room and lounge areas.
(http://www.equityapartments.com/virginia/alexandria-arlington-apartments/clarendon/sheffield-court-apartments.aspx)
The maintenance staff is very responsive and friendly. Parking on the streets around the complex is free, or you can pay $50 a month for a spot to park in the lot just outside our building. Fully reserved spots are available at a higher monthly price. We found that paying the $50 a month, almost always guaranteed a parking spot right in front of our building's front door! This is great for unloading groceries and any other heavier items.
As for the lease, we currently pay $1,776 per month for the rent. This figure is particularly tempting because the rent just jumped $250 a month for new tenants. If you take the sublease with us, you would be locked in at our rate until February 2nd 2014! This is quite a deal.
All in all, this place is perfect for young professionals, couples and students, considering the location, price, and amenities. Email me if you're interested, and we can set up a time for you to come out and have a look. Hope to hear from you soon!