I’m hoping to move closer to DC in a few months, and it’s nearly impossible to get reliable information on apartment complexes and management companies just from the internet*. I’d like to start a thread in MPSIMS asking if anyone in/near the city lives (or recently lived) in an apartment building that they’d recommend, but I imagine that people probably won’t want to reveal where they currently live on a public message board. So, I would solicit PMs from those willing to share that information. Which means that there might not be much “meat” to the thread (though I suppose it could turn into a discussion about what makes for a good apartment complex). It also means that the thread is likely to sink quickly, but if I can get even one or two good recommendations it’ll be worth it – to me. Is it ok to start a thread knowing that most of the replies will be PMs?
*Apartment rating sites are next to useless: a lot of the positive comments are from leasing agents and not actual tenants, plus those sites tend to skew towards people with complaints. So I don’t trust either the positive or negative reviews.
So, your point is? I have relatives who have apartments in the Watergate, and I have relatives who live in the “bad” parts of town. Which would you like? I can give you both. Your choice.
I just want to know if that kind of thread would be ok, or if it would be likely to get closed once a mod saw it. I’m not actually asking yet. (But when I do, I’ll ask to hear only from current/former tenants – not “I know someone who lives there.” But thanks.)
They are more likely to ban me, than you, over this one. Your proposed thread should be OK. Unless a mod comes on and says “No!” you shouldn’t have a problem.
BTW, I should have mentioned that IMHO is probably the best forum for what you describe, but you’ll have to wait for a mod to weigh in, for an official word on that.
Yeah, we can understand why people wouldn’t want to say “I live at the Sheltering Arms and it’s a great complex.”
Or even “I have a wonderful place in Adams-Morgan.”
So yes, I think if you would like to solicit real-life information via PM that would be fine. If people feel comfortable enough to say something publicly, that’s okay too but that’s their choice to make.
I don’t have a problem with it but let me check with my brethren and get back to you.
Thanks, TubaDiva. 
We’re good with this.
Hope you find a nice place to hang your hat.
Great; thanks again!