Jaden Cloobeck

Annapolis’ “Main Street, USA”. We loved enjoying meals and walking on both Main Street and West Street. I recommend both streets on your Annapolis adventure.

Full disclosure: I’ve volunteered at DC History Center in the past. Heads up, the research library is only open Tuesday and Thursday by appointment (as of this writing).

The big picture: The DC History Center is a hidden gem of DC’s museum landscape.

Why you should go: the staff is helpful, the exhibits are informative and it’s a budget-friendly way to understand DC’s neighborhoods, culture and political status

The bottom line: if you are interested in DC local history, photography or beaux-arts architecture, then this museum is for you. Remember to check out the basement floor and the second floor to get the whole experience!

Big picture: if you’d like shade from beautiful trees on an outdoor walk, Roosevelt Island is a good choice!

How to access it: the pedestrian bridge is a short walk from the Rosslyn Metrorail stop

Put on your explorer’s hat: they have infographics of Theodore Roosevelt’s life in the park to contextualize the beautiful monument! I consider Theodore’s monument to be a hidden gem of D.C. monument landscape.

Situational awareness: if you’re on foot, watch out for bike riders along the way! I’m unsure if there are restrooms or tables to eat

The bottom line: I highly recommend checking out this park if you’d like a forest experience near D.C.

Summary: Convenient location (if you’re fine with noise) + amenities (when they work). Management can improve on communication.

Recommendation: I discourage people from living at Gables City Vista unless they fix the persistent false fire alarms. There have been at least 9 alarms in 11 months, sometimes in the early morning.

Detailed Pros
- Metrorail (red/green/yellow) and bus accessibility
- 20 minute walk to Downtown DC
- Vista Green outdoor space is unique perk if you like walking without leaving your building
- Living less than a block from a grocery store (Safeway) and restaurants
- In-Unit Washer and Dryer + dishwasher
- Up to date oven/stove/fridge/freezer
- Maintenance team is quick to fix things within the unit
- Online rent system is convenient and easy to set up autopay
- Fitness center and community room are nice
- Package room: notified when packages arrive
- Receptionist can be helpful
- Underground parking lot

Detailed Cons
- Living near busy NY Avenue = you often hear police/emergency sirens
- Application fee is unnecessarily expensive
- No help finding roommates
- Utilities not included
- Unfurnished, so I rented furniture
- No substantive community social events
- Sometimes smells like weed in elevators and in hallways
- Bugs can be an issue. Keep your air conditioning on in the summer to avoid this!
- Walls are somewhat thin (I can hear my neighbors sometimes)
- Heater/air conditioner is a little loud
- Wi-Fi does not always work in the gym
- Occasional false/test fire alarms go off in the building without being notified in advance
- One of the elevators is occasionally out of use, which is tough when there are three elevators and one is sometimes reserved for move-ins

Good to know
- Move-in was chaotic: I had to switch units because my original unit was not ready. Got a better unit for original rental rate.
- Amenities can take weeks or months to get fixed such as business center printer/computer, 2 out of 3 fitness center ellipticals
- Loading dock and freight elevator reservations good for moving (have movers enter on K Street, not L Street)
- Lots of dogs in the building
- Near multiple DC public library branches (MLK and Northwest One)