Parris Landing

Best spot in the city. Period. Where else can you get a private view of the Boston harbor, a covered garage, gym, pool, concierge, computer room, entertainment room, laundry rooms, ample space, etc., in this overpriced city for a comparatively inexpensive price?
I read another bad review, and couldn’t really believe we were living in the same building. Maybe the «walk» to the trash chute is a mile-​long if you don’t hit the PL gym regularly, but it doesn’t take much effort to walk down the hall, even if you’re at the other end. And I typically just wait until I have to go somewhere to take the garbage out. The chute is right next to the stairwell and elevator. The old killing two birds with one stone trick. Perhaps it might be annoying if you have a unit next to the chutes in regard to noise, although management does lock them at night (10pm).
I’m not sure where else on the property we could have a parking garage except where it is – conveniently located in the main building. The fact that we even have one that comes with each unit is unbelievably great. There’s one building in the complex that is not connected to the others, and so it’s about a 1– to 2-​minute walk to the garage, but there are 350 units in Parris Landing. There’s no way the garage could be the same distance for everyone, and it’s not like it’s on the moon. It’s right on the property along with everything else :) It takes anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes to get to your car AND how many people in the city would KILL for a private covered parking space and not have to roam the streets at night hoping and praying they have an open spot? Not to mention, we don’t have to deal with shoveling out our car in the winter. Nuff said.
And that thing about the water being turned off? If a neighbor is doing work on their homes that involves the plumbing, they do have to turn the water off, but it’s NEVER been an issue for me, as I work during the day (they only turn off the water from 10 to 3 on a weekday – never a Monday or Friday). However, I’d say this happens maybe once every month. And management gives you ample notice to make other arrangements if you need to – they typically tell residents a month before the date so you can mark it on your calendar if it’ll be an issue. It should never take anyone by surprise.
And we can open and close our windows whenever we want. Except once a year when they wash the windows, and then only if you want them washed do you need to keep them closed. Management even offers to remove the screen for you if you’re screen-​removal challenged.
And the thing about the no A/​C from April to June 1? First of all, welcome to Boston – we hardly ever need the A/​C in May. And secondly, there are options, like getting a bypass valve, which allows you to have heat or A/​C throughout the entire year. And Thirdly, WE HAVE central A/​C!
There are some drawbacks, of course, but the same as there are with any condo. The property manager is exceptional and courteous and always listens to the residents’ concerns and keeps everyone well-​informed of everything going on on the property via phone, email, and BuildingLink. I’ve been here 11 years now because I love Boston and especially this special little nook we have – I walk to work into the city every day (we’re only a 15-​minute walk to the Garden and North End), but we’re removed enough that we don’t get all the noise of the city. Oh, and we can also take a 15-​minute boat ride into the city. A. Boat. And with a water view, where you can look out on July 4 and see fireworks going off all around you … nothing compares.

I’ve been living here for a month so far. Absolutely love it. :-)

Wow! I have lived here for a very long time. I love living here! I have met lots of friends and the management is fabulous. The amenities are great too! The pool is heated and stays open until 9PM through September. We have 3 new gas girls and who needs to go out to dinner. The gym is great and has new equipment. The convenience of jumping on the highway or the boat! The building itself is kept immaculate. City living cannot be anymore convenient. The big plus, it’s so quiet and peaceful!

I wouldn’t recommend living here to the following people: friends, family, family friends, friends of friends, frenemies, enemies, acquaintances, strangers on the street, the anonymous public that is the internet, the entire general public of the United States of America, the Canadian public to the North, the international public, everyone ever living or that has lived on planet Earth, Jesus, or the Devil.
It lures you in by making a bold, luxurious statement with its open concept, all white décor, massive glittering chandelier, and over-​sized sculptures of bizarre objects like a pacifier and rubber ducky.
But I can only assume everyone is familiar with the iconic, erudite Cher Horowitz of Clueless who describes it best, «…a full-​on Monet. It’s like a painting, see? From far away, it’s OK, but up close, it’s a big old mess.»
The layout is atrocious, meaning the garbage chute and your parking garage are both most likely miles from your unit. And if you like having running water all day every day then this place is not for you. They like to shut it off on a weekly basis. If you do like not having running water, find playing a game of ‘Can I shower today?’ exciting, or refraining from flushing your toilet for hours on end then I have great news for you: this place is definitely for YOU. Furthermore, please do not expect a clear move-​in/​move-​out procedure or for them to be ready on the day of. However, what you can expect are lost keys, a non-​existent parking pass, and an inept management office to oversee it all.
One good thing, though! I was really glad I moved out before they instituted the no using Central Air or opening your windows from April to end of June rule due to outside remodeling/​maintenance… Because living here was like Hell but now it appears it is actually going to be hot as Hell, too.

After being swooned into signing a lease at this place (who wouldn’t want to live here! it’s gorgeous) it was like a bait and switch with these people. We were told we could pick up our keys 3 times when they weren’t there. We had hauled all our stuff over to move and still, nobody knew where our keys were.
Once we finally got out keys on attempt 4, we were told we couldn’t move in until scheduling a move-​in date. You can’t move more than 6 boxes per day and you must *not* move anything after 3:30pm. If you want to move in on a weekend, forget it. You have to pay $ 200 + $ 200 damage deposit (deposit is refundable after examination) if you want to move on a Saturday, again as long as you’re done by 3:30pm. They allow zero moving on Sunday (too disruptive to the condo owners enjoying their Sunday brunch). We brought over 6 boxes each day and paid the $ 200 because we don’t have friends willing to take vacation days to help (and I don’t want to use up vacation to move!).
This place seems particularly nice as a dog owner because 90% of the people who live there have dogs, which is awesome. However, the people in the buildings who don’t have dogs, don’t seem to like the fact that there is a huge dog community here. Maybe their realitors neglected to mention that to them?
Anyway, I am currently living here and whatever, it’s nice and all, but I do have a sour taste in my mouth from this whole initial experience. I would have *loved* to know the move-​in rules prior to signing a lease so that I could budget for all of that. This info is for those of you thinking about moving there.

I am excited to be moving here on October 1^st. The location couldn’t be better and the building itself is impressive. There is a pool, gym, function room, and water taxi which makes it a great place to live close to the city.
Looking forward to my first walk over to Tavern on the Water.