Anyone rent an apartment in Arlington, VA?

[finite automaton]

I'm looking to get an apartment in June '09, and want to make sure that I get the best bang for the buck. I'm looking to spend at most $1200/mo on rent and utilities and have no problem spending less.

I tried checking out reviews at apartmentratings.com and all it did was make me more confused. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks.

 

[sjwaste]

$1200/mo? Are you planning to live alone? If so, you might be able to get a small studio somewhere in north arlington. Otherwise for that $ you're living elsewhere.

 

[finite automaton]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
$1200/mo? Are you planning to live alone? If so, you might be able to get a small studio somewhere in north arlington. Otherwise for that $ you're living elsewhere.

Yes I am planning to live alone, at least to start. I've already found plenty of apartments for this price, but they all get poor reviews (maybe that's the reason? )

Edit: I'm looking at apartments out in Manassas and they seem to be better for the money. It's ashame since it's not quite as convenient, but I guess that's what you pay for in Arlington.

 

[sjwaste]

Ok, here's the deal:

Unless you're moving from SF or NYC, this is probably the most expensive place you've lived. Housing, especially, just costs more around here. Be prepared to spend way more than you ever thought you would for a clean apt that's close to anything.

In order of desirability -

North Arlington, near the metro (East Falls Church to Rosslyn, going West to East): Most desirable. 1br will be well above $1200/mo. Maybe jr 1 br or studios within like a 15 min walk of the metro will fall into your range. See buildings like Potomac Towers (north of the Courthouse metro). Prices go up as you go towards the city, so EFC is cheapest.

North Arlington, elsewhere. Basically anywhere else not realistically walkable to the metro. Usually these are houses, but towards Clarendon, Courthouse, and Rosslyn, you do find some older buildings. These are probably what you're finding, places like Sheffield Court or Rosslyn Heights. Make sure you don't lease any of these places sight-unseen. Inspect thoroughly and do not settle for seeing an equivalent, make them show you the exact place you will be leasing.

One cheaper place I can recommend is Ballston Park. I doubt they have a website. Half the place is designated affordable housing, but it's actually a decent place. I think a 1br is between 1200 and 1300/mo, 10 min walk to the Ballston metro, if you live on the upper side. Basically, insist on a place close to the intersection of Glebe and Quincy. The place sprawls about half a mile south of that, no longer walkable to the metro.

Arlington divides into N/S at Route 50.

South Arlington. No metro, just busses. Definitely not a younger area, a bit more crime. Try and not live near/on Columbia Pike. Actually, try to avoid the whole south arlington area if you're a 20-something looking for a cool place to live, this won't be your scene.

If you'd like, let me know about the places you've found, and I'll tell you if I've heard anything.

 

[dabuddha]

I lived in Arlington for 3 years before moving out to Alexandria. I stayed off of Columbia Pike for that time (5 minutes from Pentagon City) What sjwaste posted is good advice. If you do have a few places in mind, post em here so we can tell you anything we might know about them.

 

[kstu]

find a roommate

 

[sohcrates]

yeah, post some you're looking at. i could barely find a plan on my own in alexandria for less than $1300 / month. for arlington, plan on probably $1400-1500

 

[stash]

I live in North Arlington in the Ballston area, but my brother lives on Columbia Pike. It's really not that bad, and it's pretty cheap. He's not far from the Pentagon, which is a major Metro hub. His building runs a shuttle to the Pentagon, but I believe it's also walkable.

I live in a large one bedroom (1100+ sq ft) that original was about 1800 a month (4 years ago), including all utilities, plus $65 for a parking space in the underground garage. It has laundry in the unit. My girlfriend moved in about 7 months ago, and the rent was raised to about 2000/month including utilities and a parking space for each of us.

The building is great, and in a sweet neighborhood. But most places around here go for a lot more than what we pay.

 

[sjwaste]

$2000/mo for a large 1br? Nah man, that's the upper end of a 1br in Ballston. $2400 will still get you a smaller townhouse in the area.

It matters when your lease comes due. I've done a 1br for $1450/mo in the winter that goes for $1750 in the summer. Sign a winter yearly lease or a shorter term to bring it due in the winter, that way you don't compete with peak demand (new grads coming to town for work).

 

[stash]

Also why are you looking now for June 09? The market will probably change dramatically between now and then, not to mention that nobody will rent to you now, because there's no way of knowing availability.

 

[stash]

$2400 will still get you a smaller townhouse in the area.

How much smaller And with utilities it would be higher than $2400.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: stash

$2400 will still get you a smaller townhouse in the area.

How much smaller And with utilities it would be higher than $2400.

Usually 3br (one of the br's being really small). Also, almost nothing includes utilities around here. The prices I'm talking about are rent only, and that's normal for the area in my experience.

Out of curiosity, where were you renting at 1br for $2k a month in Ballston? The only place I know getting that is Quincy Plaza, and I didn't think they included utilities.

 

[Cutterhead]

My wife and I live in a large 1 bedroom apartment in Northern Alexandria, just off Route 7 (which separates Arlignton/Alexandria there). We've been in this apartment for over 2 years and all in all it's not bad. Over 1,000 sq ft with a washer and dryer in the unit, runs us about $1,500 + utilities per month.

That may be a bit above your range, but as others have said, you should be able to find a studio or smaller 1 bedroom apt in your range with a little searching.

When I first moved down to this area fresh out of college in 2004, I lived in a small studio apartment in Falls Church for a couple years. It wasn't the best but it was affordable; only $800 per month and that included utilities. The same apartment today would certainly cost more (easily over $1,000) but still within what you are looking for. Just keep checking craigslist and also keep an eye out for move-in specials. I got 1 month of free rent when I moved into the studio in Falls Church, and I got 2 months in free rent when I moved into the apartment we live in now.

 

[zzuupp]

Originally posted by: finite automaton

Yes I am planning to live alone, at least to start. I've already found plenty of apartments for this price, but they all get poor reviews (maybe that's the reason? )

Edit: I'm looking at apartments out in Manassas and they seem to be better for the money. It's ashame since it's not quite as convenient, but I guess that's what you pay for in Arlington.

Whereabouts do you think you'll be working?

Manassas -> DC = not a fun commute , but if you only have to go Tyson's Corner then ok.

Also, think about looking at anywhere close to the metro, IMHO it's worth it.

 

[sjwaste]

Yeah, where you plan to live vs work is a big deal too. Let us know.