Information Request: Alexandria, VA

[minendo]

I plan to apply for a summer internship with the USDA in Alexandria, VA, but I would like information about the area from anyone that lives there. A few of my questions are listed below: (Please provide any information you feel may be helpful to me.)

What is the area like?

Approximately how much would it cost for living? (1 bedroom apartment)

Any other information?

Thanks in advance.

 

[pyonir]

bump

 

[BDawg]

You probably should just look up some apartment prices and check out Monster's transfer calculator.

I know Alexandria is expensive though.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: BDawg
You probably should just look up some apartment prices and check out Monster's transfer calculator.

I know Alexandria is expensive though.

I have, but I really wanted some input from people near that area.

 

[rh71]

Ahh... close to the home of the Washington Capitals.

<-- jealous.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: rh71
Ahh... close to the home of the Washington Capitals.

<-- jealous.

Too bad I'm a die hard Devils fan.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: rh71
Ahh... close to the home of the Washington Capitals.

<-- jealous.

Too bad I'm a die hard Devils fan.

You have PM.

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: rh71
Ahh... close to the home of the Washington Capitals.

<-- jealous.

Too bad I'm a die hard Devils fan.

Bah.

Avalanche forever!

 

[Triumph]

If you rent your own 1 bedroom, you're looking at 1,000 dollars and up a month, especially if you're only going to rent for a short term. Short term leases are typically more expensive than a 12 month lease. I suggest you find a roommate, there's tons of listings in the Washington Post. There are more detailed listings on Yahoo here.

 

[Triumph]

Oh yeah, I hope you enjoy gridlock.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: Triumph
If you rent your own 1 bedroom, you're looking at 1,000 dollars and up a month, especially if you're only going to rent for a short term. Short term leases are typically more expensive than a 12 month lease. I suggest you find a roommate, there's tons of listings in the Washington Post. There are more detailed listings on Yahoo here.

Thanks for the info. I was planning on a 1 bedroom because my GF would be coming with me and she hopes to also find a job out there.

 

[Linflas]

You are lucky there are a ton of apartment complexes in the area where you will be working. Some close by keywords are Seminary Road, 7 Corners, Baileys Crossroads, King Street, and Shirlington. There is no Metrorail close by that area so you would be dependent on the bus if you want to use mass transit. Triumph is correct in telling you to look for a rooming situation since it will only be short term.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Oh yeah, I hope you enjoy gridlock.

Hey I warned you plenty of times about the vile traffic here back when you were planning on moving here.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: Linflas
You are lucky there are a ton of apartment complexes in the area where you will be working. Some close by keywords are Seminary Road, 7 Corners, Baileys Crossroads, King Street, and Shirlington. There is no Metrorail close by that area so you would be dependent on the bus if you want to use mass transit. Triumph is correct in telling you to look for a rooming situation since it will only be short term.

Thanks. I am really hoping that they will offer me a full time position since I will be only three classes short of graduation in May. All three of which I can finish up during the summer.

 

[nitsuj3580]

well, I just moved to the area 6 months ago and looked at a bunch of places in Alexandria but ended up in Arlington instead.

Pretty much every place I looked at in Alexandria were 1 bedroom apartments for ~$900 a month. They were fairly decent I thought. Some places I looked at are Virginia Village, Orleans Village, Landmark Terrace, umm..and a bunch more but those places I mentioned all wanted $900/month and that included utilities (gas, electric, water).

I ended up in Arlington cuz I got a good deal on a place closer to where I work. The place I'm at now had a special that weekend on a one bedroom unit they wanted to fill for $966/month down from the usual rate of $1225. It's a lot nicer than the places I mentioned and Virginia Village was probably my second choice.

However, I'll probably be moving to Alexandria myself once my lease expires sense that's where most of my friends live. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. Good luck

 

[Fausto]

CDC does the summer intern thing as well if you're interested.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580
well, I just moved to the area 6 months ago and looked at a bunch of places in Alexandria but ended up in Arlington instead.

Pretty much every place I looked at in Alexandria were 1 bedroom apartments for ~$900 a month. They were fairly decent I thought. Some places I looked at are Virginia Village, Orleans Village, Landmark Terrace, umm..and a bunch more but those places I mentioned all wanted $900/month and that included utilities (gas, electric, water).

I ended up in Arlington cuz I got a good deal on a place closer to where I work. The place I'm at now had a special that weekend on a one bedroom unit they wanted to fill for $966/month down from the usual rate of $1225. It's a lot nicer than the places I mentioned and Virginia Village was probably my second choice.

However, I'll probably be moving to Alexandria myself once my lease expires sense that's where most of my friends live. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. Good luck

Actually the work location he is talking about is hard up against Arlington so that is definitely an option for him as well.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Originally posted by: Triumph
Oh yeah, I hope you enjoy gridlock.

Hey I warned you plenty of times about the vile traffic here back when you were planning on moving here.

Haha, I know, but I moved here anyway. And I hate driving to work!! I'm actually moving again to somewhere north of Ft Belvoir in February, so that I can travel south to work against the flow of traffic. Should help immensely.

 

[SP33Demon]

Remember, the closer you live to the Metro, the higher the price of rent in general. My buddy lives in the Ballston/Arlington area and pays $1450 for a 1 bedroom 1 bath in a hotel there. It's a waste of money IMO... many people live in Waldorf, MD, and make the 25 minute commute b/c rent is about half there (500-600 for 1 bedroom). Although Waldorf to Alexandria is going to be about 45-1 hour with gridlock. If you're going to live in the area and decide driving to work is your best bet... always leave 1/2 hour early just in case. Rubbernecking alone just for someone pulled over from speeding can cost u 20 min's...

 

[Goosemaster]

Northern VA is EXPENSIVE AS HELL!!!!


I have lived near there for many many years and as time passes, the numbers get worse. Friends of mine say the same thing.

Check every option available once you get a chance.


Nice House and gridlock or Den-sized studio with easy access.


Good luck

 

[Goosemaster]

For reference in price costs, let me describe where I used to live.

Ever seen those rectangular prizm-shaped-building complexes with the Apex roofs?

A 2-bedroom condo in my complex was $712 including utilities in 2000

I believe our tenants were paying in the neighborhood of $1200 in Sept. of 2001

Obviously we aren't complaining


My folks live in Manassas now....I am in phili for school

 

[WileCoyote]

yeah northern va is wicked expensive.

stay out of mclean and tysons corner... too expensive to live there for most people.

during the tech boom, 1 bedroom apartments were 1,400 in alexandria, and there was a waiting list. thank god the prices are finally dropping.

alexandria is nice except for the gridlock and lack of parking, which i think a bunch of people have already mentioned. if you like artsy stuff, there is old-town alexandria - check out the Torpedo Factory (no, thats no a sexual reference). It's like a warehouse for local artists to showcase their stuff. it's on the waterfront too. it's one of my favorite places to relax, alone. there are some great dive bars in that area also. there are a few "ghetto" parts in alexandria as you get towards US1. overall, alexandria is nice, and you can go to d.c. on the weekends.

if you don't mind driving, i'd recommend living further away from d.c., like in manassas or dale city. i have friends who bought a brand new house in dale city for around $250k which would have been about $550k across the street from me (Fairfax). the good thing about these two places is that they are self-contained. all the commerical stuff is in your town - like target and TGIF. the bad thing is that you have to drive to get anywhere else.

 

[sohcrates]

Originally posted by: minendo
I plan to apply for a summer internship with the USDA in Alexandria, VA, but I would like information about the area from anyone that lives there. A few of my questions are listed below: (Please provide any information you feel may be helpful to me.)

What is the area like?

Approximately how much would it cost for living? (1 bedroom apartment)

Any other information?

Thanks in advance.

alexandria is pretty sweet. been living here for over a year now. some places are ghetto, but other's can be pretty nice. i live close (walkable to metro) in a 1 bedroom and pay 1200 / month. you can find rent from about $850 and way up from there, but depends on what you're looking for.

old town is great. lots of cool places to hang out. or jump on train and go just about anywhere

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: rh71
Ahh... close to the home of the Washington Capitals.

<-- jealous.

Capitals = hte poo

Go Canucks GO

Cheers,
Aquaman <<<<<<<<<< Canucks fan

 

[Triumph]

Another good site I've found for finding roommates is http://www.roommateservice.com. You have to pay 20 bucks to get all of the features for a month, but there are lots of listings than on Yahoo, and lots more info than in the newspapers. Might be worth the 20 bucks to you.