7/21/26
get away!
I've lived at Cortland Columbia Pike for less than a year, and I can't wait to leave. Even more telling, 10 of my friends also moved here around the same time, and every single one of us is moving out before or at the end of our first lease. That should tell you everything you need to know.
The management and leasing staff are, without question, the biggest problem. The office is frequently unattended, getting a response is unnecessarily difficult, and even basic resident concerns seem to be... too much to ask. Every issue is met with an apology, but almost never with an actual solution.
Package theft has been a constant problem. Packages disappear regularly, and when residents ask management to review security footage, we're told they can't unless we provide an exact time the package was stolen. How are residents supposed to know that when the outdated package notification system doesn't even send accurate alerts for when packages are scanned in? Instead of fixing the broken process, the burden is placed on residents.
The parking garage has also been a nightmare. For months, residents dealt with broken garage doors that management insisted were an "uncommon" issue. If it's still happening nearly a year later, it's clearly not uncommon—it's an ongoing failure to address the problem. Meanwhile, we're constantly told the area is safe, yet the garage remains unsecured because management can't seem to hire a reliable company to fix the doors. As a result, cars have been broken into, tires have been stolen, and residents have been left to deal with the consequences.
The most frustrating part is the complete lack of follow-through. Promises are made, apologies are given, and then... nothing changes. The same issues continue month after month.
I've never been so eager to move out of an apartment. Seeing so many residents leave at the end of their leases is honestly concerning, and after living here, I completely understand why.
Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. There are far better apartment communities in Arlington that actually care about their residents. Living here has been a constant source of frustration, and signing this lease is something I genuinely regret.
Review from Apartments.com
Property Manager at Cortland Columbia Pike responded to this review
Hi Natasha,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologize that your experience at our community has left you feeling frustrated and disappointed. Providing a positive living experience for our residents is our priority... , and we take concerns such as yours seriously.
We would like to address some of the claims raised in your review. Our leasing office is staffed during business hours and is not left unattended except in limited circumstances, such as when multiple scheduled tours require our team's attention elsewhere on the property. We strive to remain accessible and responsive to resident needs, and we regret if that was not your experience.
Regarding package concerns, package theft is not a widespread issue within our community, and packages do not regularly disappear. If a resident believes a package has been lost or stolen, we strongly encourage them to contact the leasing office so that we can review the situation. While we may review security footage as a courtesy whenever possible, any suspected theft should also be reported to the police, as law enforcement is the appropriate authority to investigate criminal activity. Additionally, if a package is not scanned into our package room system, it is generally because the package was not received by our team or entered into the package management system.
We also understand the frustration surrounding the garage doors. Since the change in management, we have been actively working to secure a vendor capable of providing a long-term solution rather than continued temporary repairs. We are pleased to share that a vendor has been selected, and the garage doors are scheduled for full replacement in the near future. This investment is intended to improve reliability and reduce recurring repair issues for residents.
While garage door malfunctions have certainly been inconvenient, incidents involving vehicle break-ins or theft are not solely connected to the condition of the garage doors. The Arlington Police Department is aware of criminal activity occurring throughout the surrounding area, and such incidents are unfortunately not limited to our community or garage. Nevertheless, we continue working to improve security measures and resident safety whenever possible.
We also want to assure residents that our team is committed to finding solutions when concerns arise. While we may not always be able to resolve every issue immediately, we are determined to address challenges, improve processes, and provide better service wherever possible.
Finally, we would genuinely welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss your concerns further. If you would like to visit the leasing office, we would be happy to sit down with you, review your experiences, and better understand the issues you've encountered. Honest feedback helps us grow, and we are always looking for ways to become a better management team for our residents.
Sincerely,
The Cortland Columbia Pike Team