Job in Reston: What is the best rental option in your opinion??? I'm on a tight budget. (Arlington: townhouse, transfer)

[th5555]

Maybe it's a no-brainer, but if you are experienced living/working/driving in the NOVA, MD areas, I NEED your advice!

I begin a new job in a large Reston consulting office at the end of August. I'm not sure whether I'll be working mostly in Reston, traveling or both - depends on the business I guess.

Until my husband can sell our home in another state and transfer with his job, I will be renting a room for 6 months (maybe longer), traveling back home on holidays.

I see a couple of options for now:

RESTON: Rent a room (BR w/bath) with utilities included (or at the most $50/month add'l) for $500/month in Reston townhouse from 1 to 3 miles from the office from a choice of 3 or 4 professionals w/rooms available (One person has a dog & cat, one would need me to move out 11/30 due to their marriage, etc.).

GAITHERSBURG: Rent a room from a friend $500/mo (someone I know and trust) in a Gaithersburg, MD 4 BR/3Bath townhouse (no pets, no other renters). I am accustomed to driving 30 miles one way in city traffic (45 mins - 1.5 hours) sometimes leaving early to get to a gym before work.

What are the pros and cons of renting/share in Reston, VA vs. Gaithersburg, MD on temporary basis (until my husband can join me here in 6 months or so)?

Cost of Living-
Sales Tax-
Tax - Car Tags-
Driver's License-
Parking-
Travel impacted by weather/snow very often-
Quality of living-
Commute Gaithersburg to Reston to work & to Dulles airport (If I decide to live in Gbg with a friend rather than living in Reston)-

Thanks a million for helping me weigh my options!!

[RIGHT] [/RIGHT]

[JfromReston]

Welcome to Reston - as this is only temporary I would go with Reston so that you can get a flavor of our wonderful "town". Gaithersburg is not a pretty commute.

[MichelleEdward]

Welcome to Reston - as this is only temporary I would go with Reston so that you can get a flavor of our wonderful "town". Gaithersburg is not a pretty commute.

[CaliTerp07]

I'm going to guess we work for the same company (large consulting firm in Reston...)

Depending on the level that you got hired into, you'll probably only go into Reston the first week you work for the company. You'll go through new hire training, discuss projects with your HR rep, and likely start work on client site the next week. (If you're hired in as an analyst, then you'll actually spend 4 weeks in Reston, but if you're in the services work force or a higher level in the consulting workforce, it will only be a few days)

Of the two choices you gave, Reston is the better option. However, neither is very good, in my opinion. I know of 15+ projects in the area, and they're ALL within the beltway, or very close to it. There are large projects in L'Enfant, Arlington, Federal Triangle, and Kingstowne. Smaller projects in China Town, Annapolis, Fort Meade, and Baltimore. I don't personally know of anything in the Gaithersburg or Reston area, except internal work in the Reston office.

The good news about living in Reston is that your commuting expenses will be reimbursed to wherever your project is. The company will pay the difference between your commute to the company's office and your commute to the project. ($.50/mile plus tolls, I believe). If you have a friend or family member's place you can stay at for a week or two when you first move out here, I might do that, and then find a place near your project for the remainder of the time.

Just my two cents. Traffic makes me really cranky though, so the idea of commuting from Reston to downtown DC each day makes my skin crawl. I don't want to sit in that every day.

[hilsmom]

Go with reston - the gaithersburg to reston commute is NASTY!

Or maybe you could look at options in Tyson's Corner or Vienna? that is a little closer in given the scenario of possible commutes within the area.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

Just my two cents. Traffic makes me really cranky though, so the idea of commuting from Reston to downtown DC each day makes my skin crawl. I don't want to sit in that every day.

Actually many people who work in DC and live in Reston take the bus to West Falls Church and hop the Metrorail there into the city (at least until the slowpokes actually get some progress done on the Silver Line!) I agree, though, that Reston is quite a haul from the District. As a city boy I've languished way out here in the exurbs.

[JfromReston]

I live in Reston and commute to DC daily. It usually takes 45 minutes with a slug (rider) on I-66. I'm enjoying the summer, two days this week were under 35 minutes.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by JfromReston

I live in Reston and commute to DC daily. It usually takes 45 minutes with a slug (rider) on I-66. I'm enjoying the summer, two days this week were under 35 minutes.

I'm presuming you take 267 to 66? The tolls aren't cheap.

[cdmurphy]

Originally Posted by RestonRunner86

I'm presuming you take 267 to 66? The tolls aren't cheap.

$1.75 each way isn't bad.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by cdmurphy

$1.75 each way isn't bad.

$3.50/day x 5 days per week = $17.50/week or $70/month. I guess for me that's a lot of money.