Apartment Review for Portals Of Alexandria - Alexandria, VA

I am in the middle of a short-term lease at POA. I rented here because this was the first place I came across that did short-term leases and I didn't have much time to look. Next time, I'll know better to get a motel room and not rent before I see a place. The other reviews are right, except that I would not say to only live here if you can tolerate a lot, because I am a pretty tolerant person and I was at the end of my rope less than a month in. Here's the short list: -- There are three elevators for 200+ apartments, but at least one is always broken and management never notices. -- It took them FOUR DAYS to realize one of the front door locks was broken so the door wouldn't open. It took TWO WEEKS to get one lightbulb for my apt that should've been replaced before I moved in. -- The air conditioning to common areas and elevators is often lacking or broken, and the sparcity of and placement of units within the apartments makes them virtually ineffective at the hotter parts of the days. -- They say they don't tolerate littering and loitering inside or out, but if you are a single-looking female, you better get used to staring and comments. And everyone needs to watch their step -- I never go out in just sandals or flip flops. Glass is a BIG problem. -- My apartment door does not shut properly and I have been complaining since day one due to the security issue, but no impact. Same with the spiders and roaches, leaking knobs in the shower, doors that don't shut, and outlets covers and thermostats that aren't screwed down. And that's just the stuff I want taken care of. -- Speaking of the bugs: My apartment was supposed to be sprayed last week but clearly wasn't (just ask the 4 spiders and two roaches I've seen and/or killed since then). They do the hallways and don't enter apts, no matter what they say, but they'll tell you it's a $50 fine if they find a can of Raid in the apt because it counteracts their efforts. -- Last week, after a month's occupancy, I found out nothing has been fixed supposedly because mgt didn't have a key to my apartment. There is only one key?! What if I'd been locked out somehow -- automatic locksmith charge because THEY lost their copy? They made another one that day, but it's been a week and still nothing's changed. BIG PICTURE: Don't move here. The staff is friendly, but that's just a cover to deflect complaints. Between the loiterers, broken glass on the sidewalks and my broken front door, I don't feel safe living here on a variety of levels. And there is a lot of parking, but only 20 covered spaces and no garages. And unlike more reputable places, there is no out written into the lease (ex: 30 days to terminate without penalty if you change your mind). Probably wouldn't be able to keep too many tenants if they did.