Nice places to live...

[Tiamat]

I just got a job in Alexandria, VA (near King St. Metro Stop) and my brother works near Ft. Belvoir. I figure we'd just save money living at the same apartment for a couple of years while we save up for a downpayment. For 90 days, we will be commuting from Baltimore to live out the rest of his lease.

Just wondering if there were any recommendations for a good place to live in the Northern Virginia area. Rent I am looking for is $1400-$1900 per month for a 2BR. I think he will be buying a car soon, I do not have any intentions of buying a car for at least a couple of years.
I tend to like places where grocery stores, shopping, and "stuff to do" is easily accessible (similar to Boston, MA were you can walk 10 minutes and get whatever you need).


Thanks in advanced!

 

[Veramocor]

For more affordable areas take a look along the VRE line, Manassas or Fredericksburg lines. I take the VRE into the King Street station for work from Manassas Park. Close by grocery stores and shopping. I'm renting a 3 bedroom townhome for 1350. 35 min tain ride into Kings st station. Nothing to do but go to the movies unless you drive into DC. Basically all of NoVa is pretty boring it seems.


Because your brother works at Ft. Belvior I'd suggest the woodbridge area. Easy* commute up rt 1 for him and you can take the VRE.

* By easy I mean one rd, the traffic will suck.

 

[Tiamat]

Thanks for your input. Any non shitty ways to get to Ft- Belvoir by car? I think 95 gets somewhat close?

 

[Shadow Conception]

NOT Woodbridge-Woodbridge. Look more along the Lake Ridge part of Woodbridge. Non-Lake Ridge Woodbridge is Ghettoville. I'd say you'd be able to rent a good townhouse around this area.

Also, I-95 is a total bitch during rush hour; it has gained much notoriety for its horrible traffic.

 

[Tiamat]

I-95 is very bad by Boston, MA. I didn't know how bad it was by DC.

Are you guys saying that 1400-1900$ isn't enough to get a place in Springfield, Alexandria, or Arlington? Or are those places not recommended to live in?

 

[mchammer187]

you should be able to find something in those places for around 2K they are just on the more expensive side of your range

Ballston is pretty good if you are looking for a trendy area

Springfield/ Franconia is your best bet if you want the shortest commute for both of you though

If you want a place thats easy to get around on foot than

look into crystal city, ballston and alexandria

 

[Tiamat]

Thanks, I just don't want ghetto. I'm used to paying 1k$ per person here in Boston for a 1920 era building with warped floors and closet-like kitchen and living space. I'll keep all these cities in mind.

Right now I'm just looking through craigslist because I don't want to deal with realtors. Any other resources I should be consulting?

Thanks!


P.S. I think a compromise in both my bro's and my commute would be the nice. I dunno what commute times we are looking at though. In the ideal world, it would be about 30 minutes for each of us, but I understand that traffic in N. Virginia is not even close to ideal...

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Thanks for your input. Any non shitty ways to get to Ft- Belvoir by car? I think 95 gets somewhat close?

From Manassas Park? It will be hell no matter which way you go because all the back roads are backed up with people avoiding 95/66 and the only other crossing of Bull Run/The Occoquan between Manassas and Woodbridge is Yates Ford road.

 

[Tiamat]

I'm gonna check out Springfield - Franconia. There is a metro stop that is convenient for my work, and its a 10 minute drive for my bro. Seems like it could work out for a decent short commute...

 

[dbk]

lorton...