Belle View Condominium — Local services in Groveton

I first moved here as a child with my mother when these were rental apartments in the 1970s. We chose this place because of the natural setting - the trees, the sense that you are not cut off from nature. I “came home” and bought my own unit here a few years ago. I LOVE it here.

The garden apartments are solidly built and are spread over 50+ acres of park-like setting. Huge well maintained courtyards with mature trees and professional landscaping are throughout. It’s a great walking community - flat and beautiful. So many people here have dogs and enjoy walking them on the grounds.

You are walking distance to a small shopping center with a Safeway, CVS, shops and restaurants including two pizza places, a terrific Indian restaurant, a Roy Roger’s and a subway, a really cool little local place with the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had, a bike shop, a music shop and more.

You are a short walk to the parkway and bike trail with parks for picnics.

You are 5 minutes driving to Old Town, 5 minutes to Beacon Hill shopping center, and less than 10 minutes to National Harbor.

The main thing for me has always been the grounds, the trees and how walkable it is. The environment is calming because of the greenery. It’s so comfortable here. That’s why I came back, I feel like I can breathe -it’s like a secret oasis even though you are close to everything. It’s safe and quiet. I never feel nervous walking around at night.

Down sides? Yes. The units are on the smaller side. Cell service can be spotty. There are no in-unit washer/dryers. As older garden units they are not designed for accessibility and you need to take stairs up to your unit - something to consider as you age especially if you’re above the first floor. And it’s a condo - which means imho being annoyed. In my opinion ALL condo associations attract people who enjoy finger-wagging and policing other humans. Libertarian they are NOT. They will tell you when it is time to take down your Christmas tree. They have some rules that don’t make sense - like, a hard limit of 2 pets regardless of size. So, I could have a neighbor with two huge mastiffs, but even though I live in one of the few largest units (3 br) I won’t be permitted to adopt a 3rd 10-pound cat. Makes no sense at all. They’ve outlawed playing ball or frisbee in the huge courtyards, which makes me sad for the children of this community. I remember as a child how much fun me and my friends used to have in these courtyards playing tackle football, badminton, etc. I mean, they could just make it make sense and say just use nerf balls so you don’t break windows. But I think they don’t want people walking on the grass. The courtyards are to look at, not to enjoy. Yeh, I know - property values, maintenance expenses etc. Ugh. But these huge green spaces just BEG to be used. With that said, our culture has changed over the decades and most kids just want to be indoors on their devices.

And then on the other hand, they don’t do some things that would make sense. I’m constantly walking by steaming piles of poop from sociopaths that don’t pick up after their dogs. This could be dealt with by requiring genetic testing of the dogs because then you can figure out who is responsible for creating a public health hazard for kids and forcing you to deal with tracking stinking dog poop into your home. Instead of simply putting out repeated entire-community admonitions in the newsletter and over the mailboxes. Stop finger wagging at EVERYONE and find out who is responsible.

But that’s the downside of ANY condo. What are you gonna do?

This place was more fun when it was rental apartments way back in the day - with fewer restrictions on use of the common areas. But I also acknowledge that the thing I most love about the community - the green - would be less green if people were playing tackle football in the courtyards like back in the day. The grounds are well maintained and everything is a trade off. Belle View remains a truly unique, beautiful gem of a community and it’s a great place to live. I do...

Condos date from 1950. Pros: they're cute and clean properties; low-crime neighborhood. Generally nice neighbors. Good management & maintenance services.

Cons: Several buildings are in a radio dead space, so bottom floors have poor cell phone coverage, even trouble getting local radio stations - some residents stand on the sidewalk to use their phones. THIN WALLS; unless your neighbors are quiet, you will hear them. Through kitchen walls, word-for-word conversations can be heard; pots being stowed in cupboards; footsteps; animal barking; etc. "Hot" water is included, but is just "very warm" water -- At peak shower times (winter mornings), I've had a lukewarm shower using the "hot" tap alone. Water pressure is passable - not great/just OK. No Verizon fiber bundle available; one is stuck with Cox. central air ducts added (post 1950) make the ceiling of entryways very low and LOUD!!!! If you plan on spending lots of time in your condo (e.g., studying, working from home) you may experience hearing loss from the loud hum of the turbine fan motor that has no...

I finally got my car back on July 10, 2020 after dropping it off on May 29, 2020. And after having it back for a little over two weeks I still have a problem. It sounds as if my tire is flat and my steering wheel shakes after I get above a speed of 50 and push my breaks. Again this is a 2020.

I called to speak to Mr. Dunbar and waiting for his return call. Mr. Dunbar has helped me along with Mr. Soto and I really appreciate them for there service.

I have no other transportation so I want my car fix today or tomorrow and return to me...