The Parker at Huntington Metro

We were initially excited to visit The Parker, as it came highly recommended by my best friend who is also a former resident there. However, our experience with Kenia Lazo was disheartening, to say the least. It was evident that she looked down on us when we mentioned our request for a WDU unit. We believe that all prospects, regardless of their financial situation, should be treated with respect and courtesy. She was dismissive, pretty much asked us to leave and come back with a filled-out form and give it at least 30 days, at that point we had not even seen the unit. She did not even smile at us or show a welcoming demeanor, we were literally wasting her time from her attitude. Furthermore, Kenia failed to inform us that all prospects needed to provide IDs during the leasing tour with the 2 confirmation emails we received prior to the tour, that lack of clear communication alone should have allowed her to make concessions on allowing my sister to tour without an ID, especially that me and my friend had our IDs. This lack of communication created an unnecessary inconvenience for us. I understand the need to adhere to company policy at all times, but I believe if we are going to hold people to a certain standard, we must hold ourselves to the same standard or even better. When we brought that to her attention, she said “Thank you for that feedback, I will bring it to upper management.” I understand the importance of clear communication and ensuring that potential tenants are informed of all necessary requirements. Kenia's dismissive attitude and the implication that management would support her disrespectful demeanor were unacceptable. When we told her we would get in touch with the manager, she was very stand off-ish, asking us if we wanted his number or email, more-so like even if we reach out to him, he will side with her attitude and dismissive demeanor. Even after my friend made it clear he had the manager's information, she still said, “I could give you his number and email again” Maybe as black people with accents asking for WDU units, we do not meet her ideal clientele requirement. In my own role, I make it a priority to foster a welcoming environment for all prospects, whether they are interested in a WDU or Conventional unit. everyone reserves the right to be treated like any other prospect. It is disheartening to encounter such a different approach at a property that came so highly recommended. I believe in treating all prospects fairly and equitably, as of today, right now, I am not confident that The Parker aims to do the same. I sincerely hope that this incident can be addressed promptly to maintain the positive reputation of The Parker. No potential tenant should feel belittled or dismissed during their search for a home.

The Parker has been a pleasant experience so far. The common spaces are always clean and the staff is really friendly. Depending on where your apt is located it can get a bit noisy but You kind of get used to it. The building does a foot job of communicating things to patrons which is nice and they have cute activities every now and then. The apartment gym is well equipped and the pool is a good size. It’s also right near the metro and near cool stuff like the Hoffman center, National harbor and obviously DC.

So overall, I love living here although there could be improvements easily. Upon looking for apartments, this one instantly stuck out due to the visual appeal. I'm a single male and rent a 1Bd/1Ba for about 16 months as of 8/2018. Will probably be here at least a few more years. CLEANLINESS/VISUAL APPEAL: -People do not curb their dogs sometimes outside -Halls are usually clean -No pests -Generally no sanitary issues -The stairwells and garage leak water through when it rains however which is only inconvenient but not an issue STAFF: -All staff encounters I had have been positive -Leasing office isn't the best at replying to email/computer communications but phone or in person is fine -Maintenance has fixed all issues with only minor issues (only have had small jobs though) AMENITIES: -Very dog friendly (free poop bags, places to walk dogs, pet spa, play area) -Pool -Grills/patio areas -Some units have balconies -Higher-quality appliances and fixtures -Lounges/business room (can be reserved) -Pool tables PARKING: -There is very limited street parking, which is free (~12 spaces) -The garage is 6 levels, 5 for residents, 6th floor for guests which required a printed parking pass -They DO enforce towing via contractor at random times -Parking is split between reserve/unreserved spaces (not sure about NEW prices but I think they're like $125 unreserved/$150 or $175 reserved -They've added more reserved parking spaces so like maybe 20-25% of the garage is reserved so last night, I accidentally parked in a reserved spot and got towed -The garage has these horrible speed bumps and it either takes forever to go up/down the garage (I park on level 5) or you're gonna destroy your shocks -It's a garage though but street parking is highly unreliable so you HAVE TO pay for it unless you don't have a car LOCALE AND VICINITY: -RIGHT NEXT TO Huntington Metro terminal (yellow line), literally across the street -I-495 interchange right down the street -BP and Speedway around the corner -Easy access to Telegraph Road, N Kings Hwy, and Richmond Hwy (US 1) -Some small convenience shops along Huntington Ave -Latin food mart (Bestway) decently close -No good places within a moderately short walking distance -I'd hate this place if I didn't own a car, but with a car it's perfectly fine -WITH A CAR, easy access to stores of all type (all the ones on Richmond Hwy, 3 Walmarts, 2 Costcos, Giant, Safeways, Kohls, Lowes, Wegmans, etc.) -Overall a safe location, not glamorous or anything and some ghetto people in the area but not dangerous NEIGHBORS: -Your place is only as good as the people you live with -People often trash or dont' replace the luggage carts so they end up in weird places and you can't find them -People trash the trash room (apparently knowing how to recycle is really difficult, hint: soiled washcloths aren't recyclable) -Most people are quiet and polite in the halls -No really noisy neighbors, in fact I hardly ever hear anyone from inside my apartment -Most people are around late 20s-40s from what I can tell, some with small families PRICES: -This place is in Fairfax Cnty so they have a Workforce Dwelling Unit (WDU) program (subsidized housing for lower income $60k) -A 1Bd/1Ba WDU runs around just under $1600 -Normally, a studio runs around that price if not slightly more so a great deal if you can snag one -Normal 1Bd/1Ba is like $1900-2100 I believe -Parking pass fee was $75/mo but pretty sure it went up -Some amenity fees/admin fees annually -Trash went up from $5/mo to $20/mo because people trash the trash room and throw away a lot of stuff -Water and electric is sublet through a 3rd party but bill comes with the rent bill (~$5-10/mo water and $40-60/mo electric, which I use higher than average electricity) -Internet is separate (Verizon FiOS or Cox) PROS: -Fancy (quartz counters, machined vinyl wood floors, modern fixtures, high ceilings, etc.) -New-ish (built 2014) -No pests/rodents (for me) -Clean -Safe CONS: -Neighbors (kinda) -Car is strongly preferred -Price -Most things regarding parking

Unfriendly and unresponsive staff. When the leasing office inconveniences you, they’re unapologetic. I understand things happen but It’s off putting living here knowing that the leasing office is rude and unhelpful. camera’s don’t work on my floor. I had flowers stolen outside of my door 20 minutes after leasing buzzed them up and nothing could be done about it. The garage gates are always broken, lack of security. They recently changed locks on our doors and was told by management they would leave my new key in my mailbox. They didn’t, making me have 0 access to my apartment, making me contact them to get it. Another inconvenience management lacks concern, empathy for. I enjoyed living here with the original leasing staff when I first signed my lease 9/2022 but the recent turn over has truly been an unfortunate downgrade.

Beautiful apartments, friendly and helpful staff, and trails nearby. Love using the gym. Great location next to the metro. Can hear noise from the hallway/ apartments above (much more noise than past apartments I've lived in), but have adapted to this. We have an east-facing apartment and it has great sun in the morning. Nice, big windows with Juliet balcony in each the bedroom and living room.

The Parker has been a wonderful for us in the short amount of time we have been here. The front office management team especially has always been helpful for us very responsive and friendly at all times. Our baby was home from the hospital with some medical complications and The Parker had been fully accommodating of everything we have requested. The community is great and convenient to all the essentials that we need. The staff does a great job in taking care of the premises and although we are searching to purchase a home, the sense of assurance that we have a great place to live at the Parker is a good feeling. I highly recommend for anyone in search of a great apartment and community overall.

This property really needs to find better leasing agent! The leasing agent I encountered, Ahmani, is literally rude. I tried to do walk-ins but got turned down due to they have incoming appointments, which is totally understandable. But at least they should be friendly and polite about it, and that lady is no where near being polite. I will not be renting here solely because of this. From my renting experience, the leasing team will function like management/service team to resident. If you don’t want to be talked down to by the people who suppose to “serve” you, don’t move here.