Making a Life Without Driving a Car

"I do miss definitely having a washer and dryer in my apartment," Jortland said. There is a laundry room in the basement with 12 washers and 14 dryers.

That the building has a laundry room instead of in-unit machines is its one drawback, Leskova said. "It is a little uncomfortable," she said, but added that the machines work well.

Within the past few years, the building has undergone a renovation with a new lobby, fitness center and community lounge in addition to spruced-up hallways.

The end of construction has been welcome for Potts. "I used to call this lobby 'Hotel Beirut,' " she said. "It looked like we were in a war zone."

Jortland chose his apartment 15 months ago because of its location, price and size, he said, adding that the units were bigger than some of the apartments he looked at in other buildings. "It was, at the time, the best value in Bethesda," he said.

However, he added that rents have increased with the completion of construction this year; he is considering a move.

Diana Holland, the property manager, said rent increases varied depending on how long individuals have lived in the building -- newer tenants generally faced bigger increases. She also said demand for apartments has increased because other buildings in the area have gone condo and because the renovations at Triangle Towers added amenities.

Potts plans to stay. Her rent increase wasn't too much, and the lifestyle is worth it to her. "I really like it here. I like the people who work here. When we do events here, they go all-out."

But that doesn't mean the community is overly friendly -- Potts said she doesn't know too many of her neighbors and she doesn't feel she has to. Still, there is the occasional building party, and "there is always a feeling of doing good for the community," she said. For instance, when their mail carrier's home burned, residents raised money for her, Potts said. "Nice people live in this building."