$22-$31K salary in Fort Meade area (College Park, Laurel: apartments, rentals)

[summer22]

Hello all --

I may have a potential job offer in the Fort Meade area -- good benefits and room for advancement, but starting salary is in the $22K to $31K range. (Won't find out exactly until I complete the phone interview next week.)

Best case would be a monthly income (after tax) of $1950 -- worst case would be a monthly income (after tax) of $1400.

I am looking for some realistic, yet good advice on housing. I'm a younger, gay white single male.

I'll be moving from three states away if I land this job, but its in my field, its in a lively area (DC/Maryland), and there are some real possibilities to move up within a short time.

Here are some criteria:

1. Prepared to accept a small space (basement unit, studio, or 1 bedroom).
2. Also okay with splitting a larger place with roommates.
3. Willing to drive up to 1 hour to work at Fort Meade.
4. Work shift is 1pm-8pm so please take that into account regarding drive times.
5. Prefer to have an area with some gay/lesbian presence.
6. Do not want an area where violent crime is typical.
7. Also okay with what is typically college housing, student apartments, etc. I enjoy living near college campuses for the social life, relative inexpensiveness, etc.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

[beilart]

Summer, your best bet is to look around the Laurel, MD area. It is close to Ft Meade and while the rent is extremely high in Maryland, it would probably be cheaper there than elsewhere. Most 1 bedroom or studio apts will cost around 1200 a month to get in a decent area. Try Craig's List to see what you can come up with. Also, Maryland utilities are high, so keep that in mind before deciding to actually take the job.

[summer22]

$1200 sounds like it would eat up 60% to 85% of my budget.. not leaving much for fuel or food. I have a twelve year old car so I have to keep some budget for repair bills too.

Any chances of finding something under $850 for a share in DC, a college apartment someplace, or a suburban area of Maryland?

A friend of mine found an $850 coach house in a good area of Chicago recently, so I'm guessing there have to be some affordable options in DC/MD...

[gumbo31]

Your work hours are pretty good, you shouldn't have any issues with traffic. A decent 1 bedroom apt in a decent neighborhood will cost you at least $1,000. I think you're best option would be to rent a room. You can rent a nice room in a good neighborhood for around $600.

[summer22]

Looks like College Park is only a 35-45 minute commute to Fort Meade. There's a whole page of rentals (roommate situations) on CL under $600. Would this be a good bet?

Also seeing some studios at Mt. Rainier for $675.

[beilart]

Yep, get a room mate and colleg park would be okay. If you can find a studio for 675, grab it!

[summer22]

beilart and gumbo31 - thanks.

Are any areas in DC worth considering?

One of the CL ads connected me to a website for a landlord who has a lot of units near Nationals Park. Looks good and the prices are decent for the city (low 800's.)

Would there be any downsides to that daily commute? (Southwest area DC to Fort Meade)

[kjg1963]

I live in Laurel and my daughter is looking to get her own place. There are multiple listings in Laurel for under $900 for a one bedroom and many basement rentals are being advertised for around $600. I wouldn't recommend Mt. Rainier as one poster mentioned. It's not the best area. Most likely, you will have to go the roommate route.

[summer22]

Thanks!

[SteelCityRising]

It's too bad I live just a tad too far away here in Northern Virginia because I'm also young, gay, and looking for a roomie. The rent would be $400/month (because the room in the apartment is rather small). This place would be great for you---large common living area, pool, gym, tennis courts, and lots of trees---but I would NOT wish a Reston-to-Ft. Meade commute upon you (although you would be missing both rush-hours).