<p>D wants to live off campus next year and has talked about either the Berks or Avalon. I am concerned about the cigarette smoke in the buildings. I know DC does not regulate smoking in apartment buildings, and these buildings do not have any smoking regulations that I know of. I would appreciate it if anyone could respond with any first-hand knowledge of how bad the second-hand smoke is in these buildings. Also, does anyone know of smoke-free options within walking distance of the school?</p>
<p>The Berks and Avalon are privately owned buildings very close to the school. AU does have some apartments in the Berks that are still considered “on campus” housing but the majority of the apartments are not through the school. The Avalon is the nicer of the buildings and is situated across the street from the Berks. I have heard rumors of mice and roaches in the Berks, but perhaps that is just an urban legend. Since these are off campus apartments I doubt that there are any smoke free options. I doubt that any privately owned apartment buildings would provide a smoke free option. </p>
<p>NewJerseyMom is spot on. Having lived in the Berks and gone to Avalon quite a bit, I don’t think there’s any reason to fear second hand smoke. To my recollection, no one has ever smoked inside the buildings so I wouldn’t worry too much. I have experienced lots of roaches in the Berks but I heard it only pertains to the West side and more so on the lower levels (I lived in the basement). </p>
<p>Thanks NJMom and bk - that’s useful information. Would you say that most of the residents of these apartment buildings are AU students?</p>
<p>My D has lived in the Berks for 2 years. I think that most residents are students or recent grads, although her next door neighbors are an elderly couple. Yes, she has experienced some bugs, although the management has sprayed her apt a couple times. But over all, she’s been pretty happy. It is very convenient to classes and management has been responsive to her and her roommates (I’m sure that may not be a universal opinion). As a parent, I’ve been happy because it is cheaper for her to live in the Berks than in a dorm. And it’s given her a taste of independent living. She has friends in Avalon and supposedly, it is nicer than the Berks, but I’ve never seen the apartments. </p>
<p>Thanks megpmom. D called the Avalon today and was quoted a rent, but the woman also told her prices change quickly and spaces fill up fast so they should come in ASAP. D is looking for housing for the Fall, so I don’t understand the rush. Can anyone comment on whether there is truth to what D was told, or was this just a sales pressure tactic?</p>
<p>The Avalon is the most highly desired apartment near AU so I don’t think it was a sales tactic. Spaces in the Avalon do get filled up pretty quickly before the start of the semester so your D should look now or sometime in the summer if she’s going to stay in DC. Also, just like the person told her, the price would probably change if your D is looking for housing now rather than in the summer when there are fewer spaces. I think it is a bit early to be looking for fall housing, but the sooner the better I guess. There are also other apartments as well like Greenbriar, McLean apts, and Idaho Terrace Apts all on Massachusetts Ave. which are great for students because they can take the bus to and from school (or walk).</p>
<p>I heard that the Avalon now requires a deposit as soon as you put in an application. If they find you an apartment and you don’t take it you lose the deposit. If they do not have an apartment for you, then you get your deposit back. I know of someone who is living in the Avalon this year and they raised their rent so much for next year that they are not renewing their lease. </p>
<p>My sons were not enamored of either the Berks or the Avalon, so lived at Vaughan Place/McLean Gardens instead. A block or two farther, but nicer apartments and a little bit quieter–and a whole lot cleaner, at least compared to the Berks.</p>
<p>Thanks bk, NJMom and boysx3. If the Avalon is so unreasonable, we’ll have to look at alternatives, like McLean Gardens.</p>
<p>Definitely check out Vaughan Place</p>
<p>Hey. I was just curious, do any AU students live in the downtown area or dupont area? Is that somewhat popular? Would you recommend that? </p>
<p>Some students live far from campus in order to save money. Since Dupont Circle is pricey, I don’t think that many students opt to live there. Besides the price, you need to take the metro to get to school, which makes the cost even higher. </p>
<p>The problem with living so far from campus, in addition to cost, is that you’d have to find a place to put yourself on those inevitable days when you have one class at 10, another at 4 and a meeting of some sort at 8, and don’t want to spend the interim periods in the library. And for many, those between-class hours are prime naptime! (Many a time my D would have an early morning class after staying up late the previous evening and decide to come right back to her dorm to catch some more zzz’s before resuming her day.) Besides, there’ll be plenty of opportunity for the daily grind of commuting after graduation–no need to take it on any sooner.</p>
<p>caw421, those areas are expensive and not particularly student-friendly. Students are more likely to live near campus and go to those areas to go out–which they do, a lot. It’s just a quick ride on the metro–Du Pont is only about 4 metro stops from the AU/Tenleytown stop. So, students take the free shuttle from campus to the metro station (or take the 10 minute walk) and then about 10 minutes on the metro to DuPont.</p>
<p>Students who live too far from campus end up sacrificing a lot of campus life. As MommaJ noted, it’s nice to be able to have a place to spend down time during the day, whether to sleep, study, take care of things like laundry–whatever. Also, so many things happen late in the evening–a lot of study groups, club meetings, intramural sports, a capella practices–so that everyone can participate. Not to mention all of the informal fun that happens on campus.</p>
<p>How difficult is it to get housing on or near campus after freshman year ?</p>