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

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

BETHESDA APARTMENT

OF THE

WEEK

1 BR/1 BA  THE METROPOLITAN (click for listing) - $1801 a month

This week's apartment is not cheap.  But the outstanding location right by the Bethesda Metro Center, washer and dryer in-unit, large closets plus storage, fitness center, 24-hour concierge, and pool are among many reasons to round up a roommate or two, and make it work!

SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

Spend lavishly, or just make everyone think you did!

You can't spend more lavishly than at Bethesda's Design Within Reach.  So if you're searching for a multi-arm lamp for that living room sofa, you're going to have a choice:

SPLURGE

Serge Mouille 3 Arm Floor Lamp from DWR - $7,380

FAKE IT

Ore 5 Arm Floor Lamp from Kmart - $93.60

Where do you stand?  There are people in Bethesda who could write that check for the Serge Mouille without a second thought.  And they'd be getting a 1952 design classic, the finest materials, and... it's made in France.

But the rest of us will have to Fake It this week, and save over $7200(!!) in the process.  Get to know your local Kmart in Aspen Hill for handy bargains like this.  5 arms beat 3 any day!

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

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

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

BETHESDA APARTMENT

 OF THE

 WEEK

1 BR/1 BA  FAIRMONT PLAZA (click for listing) - $1750 a month

This week's unit is once again in Fairmont Plaza, but with a slightly cheaper rent than last week.  Apartment 701 faces north towards the Doubletree and NIH.  Just to rehash a few critical benefits:  Location near top restaurants, nightspots and Metro.  Washer and dryer in-unit!!

Just reviewing listings, many downtown units were offering 200 square feet less than this, but for a far higher price.  A third candidate was in The Promenade, which is a fancy building, but I know you are seeking the true urban experience.  The Promenade has great amenities, but is over a mile away from downtown.  You'll also encounter a lot more people your age in the Fairmont than in the Promenade.

Please note that parking is an additional $130 a month.  It's fairly steep, in total, but 2 roommates can make a go of it.  This is what is considered "affordable" in downtown Bethesda.

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SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

Spend lavishly, or just make everyone think you did!

This week, let's turn our attention to the kitchen area of your apartment, and more specifically, entertaining.

Whether you are a cook yourself, and ready to hand-prepare dozens of fancy hors d'oeuvres, or just fire a box of frozen snacks in the microwave, you need something to display them on for guests, right?

That's when the 3-tier stand comes out.

SPLURGE

3-Tier Stand from Le Creuset - $90.00

FAKE IT

CooksEssentials 3-Tier Rotating Platter from QVC - $21.97

You can't ever go wrong with high quality products from Le Creuset at Bethesda Row.  People who know cookware will think you're smart, and the cookware is going to last.

But you can save a lot by faking it this week.  After all, how many young people are cookware snobs?  And maybe being a guy makes me biased, but isn't an automatically-rotating tray a lot cooler than some fancy piece your parents or boss will probably appreciate more than your friends will?

My verdict is to Fake It this week, with a nearly-5-star rated conversation piece of a 3-tier stand, on clearance to boot!  You can do a lot with the $70 you'll save.

FIRST-TIME RENTER

TIP OF THE WEEK

Parking.  Is it above ground, or in a garage?  Are there assigned spaces?  How secure is the parking facility?  What are the street parking policies nearby?  And most importantly, how much is the parking fee per month?

The exasperating world of parking is an oft-neglected consideration, but the wrong policy or fee could turn your dream building into a nightmare fast.

So do your homework, and you'll avoid nasty surprises.

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

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!

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

Welcome to the second 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 them in the comments, or send me an email.

BETHESDA APARTMENT

OF THE

WEEK

1 BR/1 BA   THE CHRISTOPHER - $1550 a month

This is a 520 square foot, 5th floor condo at the two-decade old The Christopher, at 4808 Moorland Road.  The Christopher is a luxury building located in the center of downtown Bethesda.

You would be about a 1-minute walk from the Bethesda Metro station, in Apartment #501.  Besides being one of the most convenient buildings for a Metro commuter, there are 2 other prime benefits to this building.

First is the fact that a parking space is included in your rent.  Just ask tenants of some other Bethesda buildings what a cost savings that is.  In some buildings, the monthly parking payment can seem like a small rent.

Second, is that The Christopher has a pool, fitness center, party room and front desk security.  In a word:  amenities.

What's a short walk from The Christopher?

A Safeway grocery store, Chipotle, FreshBikes bike shop, Caribou Coffee, Original Pancake House, and two of Bethesda's top 5-star restaurants:  Black's Bar and Kitchen, and Woodmont Grill.  You're also only a few blocks from the most popular nightspots, and Bethesda Row.  You can ride the free Bethesda Circulator to and from Bethesda Row, also.

The most important part of making your decision, is to see the unit for yourself.  Good news:  the unit is being shown mid-morning this Sunday, September 2.  Just call Scott Phillips at 410-707-1133 to arrange a visit.

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SPLURGE OR FAKE IT

Spend lavishly, or just make everyone think you did!

Well, let's say you had bought that Crate and Barrel end table for your living room last week.  Now you have to put a lamp on it.  I'm not an interior designer, but just a guy who knows what he likes when he sees it.

I like architecture and other designs from the 50s-70s.  And many of the best came to us from California.  Recently, I heard about a new furnishings store at 510 H Street in DC called Hunted House.  On their home page, they have a living room set-up that is somewhere between a 1960s California home, and a classic motel.  In other words, it's great.  They have a cool 1960s lamp in the picture, but it's not available for sale.

So I found the closest California-inspired 1960s lamp they had for you:

SPLURGE

Volcanic Eruption Table Lamp from Hunted House - $98

FAKE IT

Hollywood Table Lamp from Target.com - $71.99

This week, faking it will only save you $26 or so.  So take your pick based on what you can afford.  The target lamp does have a 3-way touch sensor switch.  Either one brings a bit of vintage, golden-age California to your room.

FIRST-TIME RENTER

TIP OF THE WEEK

What is the real Bethesda?  Are you moving here on short notice from outside of the area?  And you want the hip, downtown lifestyle and convenience other college grads and young professionals move here for?  Beware of ads touting "Bethesda" apartments, when you see descriptives like Pooks Hill, North Bethesda, Grosvenor, White Flint, Montrose, etc.

Those aren't in downtown Bethesda, and don't have the nightlife or restaurants the real downtown has.  When in doubt, Google Map the address, and make sure its really Bethesda.

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

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

Welcome to the first installment of a new series:  My First Bethesda Apartment!  This is an ongoing urban guide to the intimidating and challenging task of apartment hunting in Bethesda, and scoring and tricking out your dream pad once you find it.

If you're new to Bethesda and have questions about restaurants, stores or where to find "this or that," leave a comment, or send me an email.

Any suggestions or comments are also welcome, in the hopes of presenting more of what you, the reader, would find most useful in this series.  So, without further adieu, let's get started.

BETHESDA APARTMENT 

OF THE 

WEEK

1 BR/1 BA FAIRMONT PLAZA [Click for listing] - $1,780 a month

Why start with Fairmont Plaza?  This particular offer sounds like a fair deal, and it illustrates two points about apartment hunting in overpriced Bethesda:  1)  Sometimes it's worth paying slightly more, rather than cost-cutting in a low-quality building on the edges of town, and 2) With rents so inflated, one way to beat the system is to lease a condo from someone who owns one.

$1,780 isn't bad if you split it in two, and one person takes a fold-out sofa bed in the living room (maybe that person should pay less than half!).

What you're getting in return is one of the best buildings in Bethesda.

Start off with location, location, location.  Only Upstairs at Bethesda Row is closer to more things, and rents there are out of this world.  If you want to go out to bars at night, and literally be steps away from your apartment, Fairmont Plaza is the place to be.

As one of the Nathan Landow buildings - and I've been in just about all of them now - you are going to get high quality finishes, floors and countertops.  Marble lobby.  Ceramic tile.  Oak parquet floors.  Raised-panel wood interior doors.  Balconies.

Amenities are sparse in terms of there being no pool, no fitness center...

But how about this:  In-unit washer and dryer!  No more loose change or cards that don't register.  No finding your clothes thrown out of the dryer by the crazy tenant down the hall.  Big closets?  Check.  Gourmet kitchen?  Check.  Gas stove?  Right-o!

I notice this listing says you'll get the use of a large, wall-mounted flatscreen TV, so you can save TV money.

Convenience?  First of all, if you're uninsured or underinsured healthwise, you have a CVS Minute Clinic right across Wisconsin Avenue.  A 24-hour 7-Eleven with Redbox rentals right across from the (controlled) lobby entrance.

Dining?  Steps away, you have Starbucks, Black's Bar and Kitchen, Woodmont Grill, Tastee Diner, Jetties, BGR and Bold Bite .

Nightlife?  Just as close, are The Parva, BlackFinn, Hanaro, Rock Bottom, Union Jack's, and more.

The first floor of the Fairmont has a yoga studio, hair salon, and French pastry shop.

And Veterans Park, farmers markets and the Taste of Bethesda will all be yards away.

It's worth checking out this weekend, if someone hasn't beaten you to it!

Fairmont Plaza, 4801 Fairmont Avenue

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TRICK OUT YOUR PAD

Spend lavishly, or just make everyone think you did!

Most apartments have a bar area attached to the kitchen.  Which means you'll need bar stools for casual dining or entertaining.

SPLURGE

Ice Cream Bar Stool from Loft Living - $129

FAKE IT

Scooper Barstool from Target.com - $49.99

Verdict:  They look the same, but what a savings at Target, and the reviews average 5 stars.  I think Target is the right choice here, and you can get more bar stools so all your friends can pull one up when they come over.

FIRST-TIME RENTER 

TIP-OF-THE-WEEK

Don't forget Renter's Insurance when figuring out your budget!  The yearly cost is far less than the value of all of your stuff, should there be a fire or water damage.

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