MY FIRST BETHESDA APARTMENT - A YOUNG PERSON'S WEEKLY GUIDE TO APARTMENT HUNTING IN BETHESDA, MD - BETHESDA APARTMENTS, RENTALS

Welcome to the third installment of My First Bethesda Apartment:  a weekly, urban guide to the intimidating task of apartment hunting in Bethesda, and scoring and tricking out your dream pad once you find it.

Have questions about Bethesda - restaurants, stores, where to find "this or that?"  Just post a comment, or send me an email.

BETHESDA APARTMENT(S)

OF THE

WEEK

We have a tie this week!  In fact, there was a three-way tie, but I whittled it down to two.  They are in different buildings, but both were built by Nathan Landow:

1 BR/1 BA  FAIRMONT PLAZA [Click for listing] - $1795 a month

If you read the debut edition of My First Bethesda Apartment, you already know what makes Fairmont Plaza a great building for a young, single person, or two roommates.  But this unit is even swankier than that one was.  Especially for the ladies, because it has the deluxe floorplan with 5(!!) closets.  And a double, wraparound balcony that's not only great for entertaining, but means you have floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding door access from your bedroom.

Some notes about the listing:  There actually is no "desk" per se in the lobby, but there is a building representative on duty off the lobby during the listed hours.  He or she can receive packages for you while you're at work, for example.  Also, I believe pets are allowed in the building, but this particular unit's owner is specifying no pets.  Which is smart from an investment standpoint, but I clarify that so that people won't think the building has a no pet policy.

On to Apartment #2!

The Seasons 

Studio   The Seasons - $1425 a month

This is a large, 600 square foot studio in The Seasons, at 4710 Bethesda Avenue.  It's 50 sq. ft. smaller than the Fairmont Plaza unit, and The Seasons itself is twice the age of Fairmont Plaza.

So why is it tied with the Fairmont listing?

Price, size, Landow materials, and location, location, location.  The Seasons is a football throw away from Barnes and Noble at Bethesda Row, Landmark Bethesda Row Theatre, the Capital Crescent Trail and the many nearby restaurants.  In just the last 2 weeks, a Zipcar station was added right outside of Barnes and Noble, so you don't even need a car.

Floorplan - click to enlarge

Much like Fairmont Plaza, when you enter the lobby, you'll immediately know you're in a Nathan Landow building.  You won't find cheap floors, or the 1940s-style "health facility" interior design of lesser buildings.

You also get a 24-hour service desk, balconies, parquet floors (in the units, not just common areas) and a fitness center.

One thing to know if you are coming from outside of the area:  a major construction project will be ongoing next to The Seasons for the next 2 years.  It should not affect people too much after business hours, but you know how those things go!  So be sure to check which side of the building you are on before leasing [construction will be next to the west side of the building (Woodmont Avenue)].

You also have the Zen Tara Tea shop, a boutique, and a Jimmy Johns sandwich shop right outside the front door.

To tour The Seasons, call 301-652-6688, or stop by the lobby at 4710 Bethesda Avenue.

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SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

Spend lavishly, or just make everyone think you did!

We've been talking about roommates splitting a 1 BR apartment over the last 3 weeks, and that usually involves a living room sofa bed of some kind.

So let's examine a couple of sleeper sofas:

SPLURGE

Ava Tufted Sleeper Sofa from Urban Outfitters - $749

FAKE IT

Ektorp Sofa Bed from IKEA - $649

The Ava sofa sure looks more posh and expensive.  And sophisticated.  But there are downsides.  First, it stains and damages easily, while the IKEA sofa has a machine washable cover.  Second, reviewers say the Ava is extremely firm as both a bed and a sofa.  So it's one to avoid if that would be a problem for you.  The IKEA reviewed better for comfort on and off of the retailer's website.

The best thing to do is to try sofa beds in the store.  Finding a comfortable sofa bed can mean not only getting double duty out of one expenditure, but saving that much more money for other expenses.  Faking it will save you $100 this week.

FIRST-TIME RENTER

TIP OF THE WEEK

When planning to lease your first apartment, make sure to budget beyond rent and your deposit.  There can be a number of fees required after you sign the lease, so don't get caught short and lose the apartment.  Find out what utilities average if they aren't included, too, and what level of cable service you'll have.  Are there any fees?  These are all questions the leasing agent should answer before you sign anything.

Have a great weekend, and let me know if you find the apartment of your dreams, in the Richest town in America!