I have been living at the Gardens for three years now, and I would like to commend Property Manager Robin Moody for her hard work and dedication to the residents. People can sometimes be demanding, but Robin consistently rises to the occasion with professionalism, patience, and care. She, along with Alex, Roxanna, and Blanca, work tirelessly to keep the Gardens a wonderful place to live. Their efforts truly make a difference, and I am very grateful for all that they do! read more

I've lived here for 5 years and really love it. Management (Robin) is so kind and helpful and Alex the maintenance supervisor is almost immediately responsive to any issues. There's a nice variety of ages and families and my neighbors are friendly and helpful. I enjoy walking my dog around the neighborhood. read more

A terrible place to live if you work from home, or just want a quiet afternoon. They use multiple 90-decibel, gas-powered leaf blowers 3-5 days a week, year-round. So much for their corporate "sustainability pledge" -- it feels like a complete joke. The workers are sent out with loud leaf blowers and no apparent hearing protection, while the equipment kicks up pollen, dust, and fungus spores along with heavy gas fumes. It's unpleasant for residents and unnecessarily harmful to the environment. This has been going on for years. Robin Moody, the property manager has been nonresponsive to all concerns. Moreover, Alexandria has enacted a ban on the use of these loud, gas-powered leafblowers. A lot of the times, the workers are patrolling completely empty sidewalks. When there are a few leaves, they could easily be cleaned up with a broom or a rake. The manager has spent some funds to have murals painted on some of the buildings, she could also spend money to acquire leaf blowers that are in compliance with the law, and also ensure that the landscaping contractors are in compliance, too. This should have been resolved long ago, especially given Borger Properties' sustainability pledge. read more

My glowing review of The Gardens of Del Ray was written when the staff was caring, competent, and committed to a positive resident experience. My wife and I moved out recently, after being there for five years, and I don't know what made me happier: owning our first home or leaving this apartment community. When we first arrived, the management and maintenance staff were amazing. They were always out on the property, they handed out little gifts at holidays, they knew our names, and were just friendly as can be. Fairly well everyone there was best friends with the maintenance man. He was amazing. Just, the friendliest, nicest person in the world. Suddenly, they were all gone. Each subsequent manager was worse and worse, until we never even got notice that a manager had changed. Once, I walked in to speak with the manager, and was told that person (the last "New Property Manager" email I got) was gone and someone new was there. In our last two years there, I couldn't have picked the manager out of a lineup with a gun to my head. What Borger Management doesn't know - or maybe they do and don't care - is that our favorite maintenance person told us all how they threatened to fire him for being too friendly and chummy with residents, so he quit. He came and said goodbye to all of us at the dog park, where he liked to hang out and, you know, get to know us. By the way, the dog park amenity was the main draw for us. It become so comically bad that we stopped going. They wouldn't replace the mulch. They said there was no money in the budget to replace it, and that they had to get approval. Then what were we paying a pet fee for!? Two drops of rain turned it into a mud pit. After about two years, they stopped stocking poo bags in the poo stations. They said non-residents were using them. So? Again, WHAT WERE WE PAYING $35/MONTH IN PET FEES FOR THEN!? Parking is a nightmare. They handed out parking passes like candy. Our neighbors at one point had four cars with passes. We didn't conjecture on that. We just asked them. In the small, wonky parking lots along Bellefonte, frequently cars would park outside of the lines, which literally can block the exits. One morning, I missed a meeting because someone felt the need to block the parking lot exit. I called the tow company, and they basically told me that they weren't allowed to tow. When I called Borger, they said they didn't want to tow because "it might upset residents". I don't care! Park illegally and get towed. The gym become a joke. I would submit maintenance requests to have the machines maintenanced. They would close the tickets and not fix anything. I bought gym machine grease online and greased them myself. Frayed wires were on every machine. I put a small piece of blue tape on a frayed wire deep inside a machine compartment. It was there for at least a year, when the machines recommended more frequent maintenance. The best part is that despite not upkeeping any amenities, they consistently tried raising our rents 10% each year - oh, except the year they NEVER SENT US A LEASE. That's right - just never sent it. Then tried to blame us the next year for not being proactive. I'm not a property manager. That's not my job. Look, it's bug free (for the most part), quiet, in a nice neighborhood, and near Del Ray. But you're essentially paying for four walls. Don't fall for any of the amenities, as they're not as advertised. I was one of if not the first lessees post-renovation, and I don't know if anyone was there longer, so I saw it all. That place went from high-quality to a huge dud in my time there, and as I said, I was so thankful to move out, that had we not bought our house when we did, we were fully prepared to just leave. Spend a few extra dollars and move to a newer, nicer apartment in the area. read more

We lived here for 2.5 years and would have stayed if we didn't have to move out of state for work! Apartment was nice, wood floors, clean, no bugs. Maintenance was unbelievable...Alex would have things fixed within 2 hours most of the time (not that we had many issues, but normal stuff like garbage disposal or washing machine issues). He was so friendly and helpful, I wish he could have moved with us! They have fun (and free) events, the Christmas party is always fun! It is expensive yes, but the area can't be beat. Pharmacy, dry cleaner, library, elementary school, multiple playgrounds/parks, so many restaurants, and 300 miles of bike paths all within a 1/2 mile walk. Airport ten minutes away, grocery stores within 2 miles, it really couldn't get any better. Everyone is really friendly, everything is well kept, it's worth the price! read more

My wife and I moved here (with our daughter) without hesitation once they were renovated. Our experience was priceless and amazing. The managers are amazing. I swore off "complex"-like communities, but, in this area and with this price, this was difficult to overlook. I am glad we went with it. For the past 10 years, I have lived in over 10 different apartments/homes, experiencing just as many property managers/landlords. I can't emphasize this enough, but I have NEVER experienced such amazing managers. They are caring, responsive, responsible... and they genuinely mean to be. My wife and I had ample room with the three of us (in a 2 BR, 1 BA). The places are beautifully renovated, obviously clean, and very energy efficient. We were saddened to move, but had to as we needed more space (we will be a family of four in a few months). If we didn't have to move because of that, we wouldn't!! Highly, highly recommend... plus, the gym is so convenient and nice, and for this price it is hard to beat in Del Ray (and close to the Metro). read more

I lived at the Gardens for 15 months after they were renovated and only moved out because I bought a house. I've lived in a ton of apartment complexes over the years, and The Gardens at Del Ray is unequivocally the best. The appliances were modern and energy efficient, the layouts were fantastic, and Santiago solved all maintenance concerns almost immediately. The front office -- Kim and Jessie -- were excellent to work with as well. Jessie even remembered my name and said hi while I was clearing snow off my car one winter morning. I'd only spoken to Jessie maybe two times before then! Their commitment to the resident is evident; we even received a bottle of sparkling grape juice over the winter holidays. My neighbors were quiet and respectful. I never had any issues with anyone and always felt safe. The apartments are in a great location -- my fiancee and I walked into Del Ray and Old Town all the time. I also enjoyed the access to various bike and running paths. My only complaint is that you're forced to pay $25 per month for valet trash. I can see how this is a HUGE help for folks that live far away from the dumpsters, but I literally passed by one on my way to my car. The Gardens are wonderful apartments managed by wonderful people all for a fair price. I moved from Centreville to Alexandria in early 2014, and my total rent only went up 100 dollars for a similar apartment! In short, live here if you can. You won't regret it. read more

Have lived here for three months, and loved every minute of it. The location is fantastic -- just a short walk from the shops and restaurants of Del Ray, while tucked in a quiet few blocks between Mt. Vernon Ave and Commonwealth. The community is wonderful. I have yet to meet anyone unfriendly here. There is a good mix of young families, young professionals, and some older folks as well. People keep to themselves, Parking is seldom an issue for us, as we live right by a lot. There appears to be abundant street parking as well. The units themselves are very energy efficient -- our utility (e.g. gas, water, electric, trash) bills have been below $100 each month. My biggest complaint about apartments I've lived in around Alexandria has been the poor quality windows. The windows here are fantastic, and largely contribute to our utility savings. The hardwood floors, mentioned by other reviewers, are fantastic. The molding is a great touch. We have had no pest problems (e.g. roaches, spiders, other bugs). Some nights with open windows we'll get a mosquito or two coming inside, but that's it. Rent is very reasonable for the area, especially for a two bedroom. The hardwood floors are lovely, and the kitchen is the best I've seen at this price point. Our unit has a washer/dryer and dishwasher, and wraparound countertops. Some reviewers may not like the valet trash service as they live right near a dumpster -- for us it would be quite a hike to bring our garbage to the dumpster and is well worth the fee. Community Management is very good. The office appears to be a shop of two full-time staff (excluding maintenance). They're a small but mighty shop, and I get the sense that they have more work than hours of the day. As a result, you may need to stick with them on some things and call more than once. Lockout maintenance requests can be slow to respond, so keep your keys on you. read more

We lived at the Gardens for two years and loved our time there. The office and maintenance staff are great and the location is convenient to Del Ray and Old Town. Anyone interested in renting in Del Ray should consider this place! read more

Great garden apartment in heart of Del Ray! Joy and Robin are an excellent property management duo, and Alex is a super responsive maintenance guy with a great sense of humor. (Thank you all!) Neighbors are respectful and friendly. The building and neighborhood are clean, quiet and safe. Amenities inside the units are upgraded to one's pleasant surprise. Lots of bright sunlight coming through the windows. Bicycle racks in basement are convenient. The parking lots and street parking are more than sufficient for the number of residents. I've never had a problem finding a space for my vehicle in one of the actual lots. The rent is affordable and beats other Del Ray garden apartments in terms of value. I'd definitely recommend this apartment complex to friends. read more

I lived at the Gardens for about a year and a half and had a great experience there, from the location to the building management to maintenance to neighbors. Joy and Robin are an excellent team who are always quick to respond to concerns; the one time I had a major issue that didn't get resolved the first time, Robin even brought by a gift card as an apology. Alex, the maintenance tech, is responsive and friendly. And there's parking next to the building! Honestly couldn't have asked for better, and I'm only sorry I couldn't bring the Gardens team with me when I moved. read more

Sadly, I had to leave the Gardens of Del Ray way too soon. This humble apartment complex in a lazy Del Ray neighborhood provides the best lifestyle that Northern Virginia has to offer. Lets start with the neighbors Because the staff is so pleasant and maintenance is instantaneous the residents are laid back and friendly. I can honestly say these were the best neighbors I've ever had in an apartment building. There are just enough community events that everyone is acquainted without the feeling of cliques existing. Neighbors gather at the dog park and bar-b-que areas as well as the gym. It won't be long before you will feel like you are meeting someone you know on every walk through beautiful Del Ray. The buildings are very quaint and old but updated and meticulously maintained. And the name is correct, each building is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The neighborhood is the most walkable you will find in NOVA and families riding their bikes need not worry about excessive traffic. Still these apartments are only minutes from DC and Old Town, It is also only minutes to jump onto the beltway, 395, I66, Route 1 and many other connecting VA roads. Last but certainly not least...if you are coming from OHIO you will be shocked by the rent, but if you have lived anywhere else in NOVA you will be delighted with how reasonable this beautiful apartment complex in the very best neighborhood in VA is. read more

One star for a great location--it's nestled in adorable Del Ray and walking distance to shops and restaurants; it's also a reasonable distance to the Braddock Road metro. A second star for being very dog friendly, including an on-site bark park. But as for those other three stars: The buildings are quiet old and are seemingly updated only at the surface level--nice appliances, new bathroom fixtures, etc. The skeleton of the buildings do *not* seem to have received the same treatment. We found out the hard way that there is no insulation in the exterior walls and, as a result, moisture builds up very easily. Within a few weeks of moving in, the lower portion of the exterior walls were crawling with mold because of moisture build up. To their credit, the staff addressed this concern very promptly, but not before several of our irreplaceable belongings were ruined. Further, the apartments seem to have constant water/plumbing problems. In the last month, the water has been shut off completely at least 10 times. I'm not counting times when they shut off water during heavy rainstorms to prevent sewage back-up, which is inconvenient if not understandable. These other times have been on perfectly sunny days with no warning when there is no rhyme or reason for a lack of running water. In fact, the only reason seems to be when you need water the most--like in the middle of doing your laundry or as you're showering before a job interview. They have yet to offer an explanation as to why this happens. The most we got was a shrug from a maintenance workers. The outdated facilities are *not* worth the steep rent, in my opinion. If you enjoy first-world luxuries such as running water, I'd suggest you look elsewhere. read more

Super cute apartment complex, in an awesome neighborhood, and super reasonable rent (yes, it's close-in Alexandria so rent is definitely not "cheap", but you're not going to find less expensive rent in a comparable location with comparable amenities in NOVA!) The buildings are an excellent combination of being older--so you get great character like original wood floors--along with being recently updated, so you get kitchens with all the bells and whistles, in-unit washer/dryer, central heat and air, and newly re-done bathrooms. As someone who's lived in some cheaply-built new construction, and some really poorly-maintained older buildings, I can say that the Gardens at Del Ray is the perfect combination of new and old. The complex is also super pet friendly (we might be the only people in our building who don't have a dog--but we have two cats!), and has off-street parking (plus easy, non-regulated street parking for guests). My boyfriend and I have been in our unit for a year and a half, and we've had to submit a grand total of two maintenance requests--both were handled incredibly quickly. read more

We lived in the Gardens at Del Ray for nearly 4 years after fleeing a townhouse rental in the neighborhood. We couldn't have been happier at the Gardens. The staff is friendly and extremely responsive! We were some of the first tenants after the gut renovations. The renovations were well done, but not overly 'luxury'. We were looking for a nice, clean, safe place to live but didn't want to break the bank on rent. The Gardens at Del Ray fit the bill for us. The neighbors were all friendly, and the resident events were fun! It's true that even with renovations the buildings and infrastructure are on the older side and somewhat sensitive. We did lose water on occasion (a handful of times over the years), but not for long! It was also clear that the plumbing issues had a lot to do with tenants and what they were flushing and due to overwhelmed pipes during heavy rains. The staff were on it, and kept us aware of issues. We've lived in a lot of apartments over the years, having moved from NYC, and the Gardens is definitely one of the best we've lived in. Robin, Joy, and Alex were a pleasure to work with. We'd recommend the Gardens if you're looking for a reasonable place in Del Ray (which are hard to come by). read more

I initially liked living here because the rent was fair and the apartment was in decent shape. If you like having your water on and having hot water, this is not the place for you. I made multiple complaints about the water temperature and I was told by maintenance that the water was shared by multiple tenants. The water would often go cold in the winter after only 5 minutes of showering. This doesn't work with a baby. They would come to "fix it" and nothing changed. My water was shut off more than 10 times and I only lived in the apartment for a little over 1 year. Also really read the CONTRACT that they have you sign. It's extremely one-sided to a fault. If you need to move out early, they require 2 months advanced notice and then they offer a penalty fee of 2 months rent. In the state of Virginia, you are not allowed to penalize a tenant for moving out early. You can hold them to a very bad contract, but not a penalty fee. If you have any unpaid fees after 30 days, the Gardens will turn you over to IQ Data International, a collection agency. Read their reviews on Yelp. I didn't enjoy working with Joy Barcia or Robin Moody. They do the bidding of Borger Management and don't have any desire to help you. read more