I lived here for 5 years, and it's a really mixed bag. The location is not bad, but its not close to the metro. The bus runs past regularly, but it can be very crowded in the mornings and getting to the Pentagon on the Columbia Pike line takes forever. I always felt safe here though, and can't once remember the police being called to my building. The place is showing its age now, but I think it must have been something in its heyday. Look at the entrance gates on S. Thomas St. and you'll see what I mean. These buildings were built by the Delashmutt Co., and the builders took great advantage of the landforms available. If they were maintained properly, the grounds could still be quite beautiful, and my hat is off to the original designer. At some point though, the owners just seem to have stopped caring.

These buildings are old, with some dating to the 1930s. The grounds in some areas are vile. The buildings are maintained just enough to keep them going. The plumbing is horrid. Laundry facilities depend on the building, but in general are insufficient for the number of apartments they serve. Some of the laundry machines must be as old as the buildings themselves. There are ROACHES EVERYWHERE. I must stress this point. ROACHES are a huge problem at Barcroft. You will have them, and possibly other insect and pest issues. We even had a flea infestation in my building once, and I have seen rats outside the buildings. A huge family of raccoons lived in the sewer near our building, and would get into the basements from time to time when basement windows were left open.

The residents are very diverse, and generally I never had issues with my neighbors. I suspect many illegals live here though. Management and staff are rude and generally unhelpful. The general manager in particular is a nasty piece of work.

All leases are month to month, and rent was raised about 4 times in the 5 years I lived there, usually at 50 dollars a pop. When I moved into a one bedroom in 2000 the rent was just under 700. That same apartment now in late 2006 goes for 900. Even by Arlington standards, this is MASSIVELY overpriced, and I would advise anyone to RUN from Barcroft at that price. Go somewhere else, even if you have to pay a bit more, and get better quality and definitely try to get a long term lease. Barcroft will raise the rent on you at the drop of a hat.

Finally, just a historical note: These apartments were built and owned by the Delashmutt family. Mr. Thomas Delashmutt is the owner of Oak Hill Plantation, once the home of President James Monroe in Loudon County. I'm sure he's a fine person, but I just wish he and his company (Delashmutt and Associates) would take better care of the property. Your residents and this property, Mr. Delashmutt, have funded your family's lifestyle for two generations and deserve better.

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