Ballston-Alexandria, VA?

[JonTheBaller]

I am starting at a company in Reston in the end of July and heard a lot of good things about an area in Alexandria, VA called Ballston. Anyone know anything about this area? Any first hand experience? Thanks.

 

[SP33Demon]

It's a nice area except for ridiculous real estate prices and gridlock on 66, beltway. But really nice upscale environment, crime rate is low (this is Ballston I'm talking about specifically).

 

[dabuddha]

Yeah it is expensive. It's about 5 minutes from where I live currently. I can provide you with more info if you'd like if you PM me.

 

[JonTheBaller]

Thanks. I'm looking to buy a condo/apartment in that area, but I don't really know where to start. Should I just call a real estate agent? Any recommendations? Thanks again.

 

[sohcrates]

good luck buying a condo in ballston. most 1 bedroom in ballston START over 250K
on the plus side, you'd be doing a reverse commute. so you won't have too much traffic hopefully

i highly suggest you rent for a while and figure out what areas you like. ballston rocks, it is a very young, hip area.

 

[nitsuj3580]

FWIW Ballston is actually in Arlington, VA and yes as other's have mentioned, it's a really nice area but expensive. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me also

 

[SP33Demon]

I have a buddy who's selling a condo for 350K if you're interested... it's in Arlington, one exit from Ballston. It has 2 bedrooms/2 full baths, fireplace, really nice place. Just drop me a PM.

 

[Goosemaster]

Why not move into the suburbs...?

A commute never hurt (oaky perhaps mamed) anyone [yesterday]

 

[nanaki333]

woah! 350k for a condo? i thought the prices in loudon county were bad. it's about 250-275 for a condo in south riding.

 

[MiniDoom]

yeah just move to Herndorus, it right next to Reston and you get a house for 350k.

 

[Darkstar757]

Ballston is extremely nice. I love how quite it is the only down side to the area is the cost of housing. Get ready for 300K for anything there. I may want to go to reston or herdon and avoid the nightmare we call route 66.


I mean this is the worst road as far as traffic in the US.

 

[nanaki333]

yeah. my parents bought our house for 370k, now it's valued over 500. it's crazy what people actually pay. i'm tempted to move to maryland or gainsville where the cost of living is much cheaper. 500k house in the reston area is like 250k out in like waldorf or gainsville.

 

[T2T III]

it's crazy what people actually pay. i'm tempted to move to maryland or gainsville where the cost of living is much cheaper. 500k house in the reston area is like 250k out in like waldorf or gainsville.

The prices of homes in this area are only going up quickly because there are lots of people moving into the area - and there are not enough houses available - it's all supply and demand. It will cool down again. Give it a few more months.

Have you ever seen the traffic coming and going out of Gainesville? After Manassas, I-66 goes down to only 2 lanes in each direction. We know some people who sold their single-family house in Centreville and moved to a new home in Piedmont at Haymarket. They survived the commute for one year. They've now sold the Haymarket house and are moving back to the Centreville area.

When looking to make a home/condo purchase, you need to consider quality of life. If the Ballston area will only be 10 minutes away from where one works, then it might be a great spot to live. If you work in the Ballston area, but have a place in Loudon county and commute for and hour and 10 minutes (each way) - then, I suspect your quality of life will take a bit of hit.

 

[nanaki333]

i'm just going to rent another apartment or town house with a reliable roomate this time. maybe when i have full job security, i'll look at buying my own house. i never went to gainsville during rush hour. i've only been out that way at night and on the weekends a few times. i commute to dc right now and it takes about 45 minutes to an hour from loudon.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: nanaki333
woah! 350k for a condo? i thought the prices in loudon county were bad. it's about 250-275 for a condo in south riding.

Yup, it's a nice gated (?) community of all preppies, also one block from 66W exit and about 2.5 from 66E.

 

[toant103]

a $hitty house in Annandale that's about 40 years old with 3-4 bedroom run around $400k

 

[TitanDiddly]

Hehe, you said 'Ballston"!