I lived in a Barac property in NW DC for almost 10...

I lived in a Barac property in NW DC for almost 10 years. I moved in right after finishing university in DC, and stayed because I worked in a non-profit (and while the cost of living was going up around me in Columbia Heights, my rent stayed very, very affordable). There are some pros for living in a Barac property: it's inexpensive for pretty large units with really gorgeous charm and hardwood floors. I rarely needed repairs but if I did, they were ok and the people in the office were nice to me. My neighbors were very nice, families, and older, long time DC residents. I feel like we really looked out for one another. The cons however: old, unrenovated buildings - bordering on dilapidated. washers flooded, and i ended up just taking my clothes to the laundromat. bed bug issues all around me no matter how many times they sprayed. I never had an excessive mouse or roach problem -- I'm super neat and clean, but I could see how it could easily get out of hand, because some of my neighbors bordered on hoarding and you can't control animals moving from apartment to apartment (Tip: before moving in, seal every crevice). the walls were paper thin. coughing, arguing, kids throwing balls, music-- I could hear it all. It was a poorly managed and unsafe building. Our door telecom never worked, and there was literally a sign on our back door that said "Please don't do drugs in the hallway." I needed a cheap place. I got what I paid for. The key-- lower your expectations.