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Old 10-19-2010, 02:59 PM
 
Location: The Port City is rising.
8,868 posts, read 12,347,038 times
Reputation: 2603

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Lets take a hypothetical couple. 50 something. Their employment anchor is in DC (near the Navy Yard, actually). No kids at home anymore, so they don't care about schools. Lets say they want to live somewhere where they can walk to, well, as much as possible. For commuting and general lifestyle they want to be near either a metro station or a FREQUENT bus line. They like density, they like hustle and bustle. If career considerations didnt tie them to DC they would live in NYC. Except they also like Baltimore - they love quaintness, cute historical areas.

They would like at least a large 2BR condo, and for no more than 300k. Luxury would be nice, but isn't absolutely necessary. Walkups are out, however.

Note this is not us, well not exactly us, as we aren't about to move just yet. And might have some issues fitting into a 2BR condo until we do some more decluttering. But consider it idle speculation.

Please do not say "move to Baltimore" as that thread has already occured in the Baltimore forum. Please do not say "move to DC" as that thread will soon occur in the DC forum. Answer, as well as possible, in terms of NoVa.
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Old 10-19-2010, 03:10 PM
 
216 posts, read 623,247 times
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It sounds like you would enjoy Old Town, but the budget is a major limiting factor.
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Old 10-19-2010, 03:14 PM
 
Location: The Port City is rising.
8,868 posts, read 12,347,038 times
Reputation: 2603
Quote:
Originally Posted by buildinginva View Post
It sounds like you would enjoy Old Town, but the budget is a major limiting factor.

yes, and yes. We adore Old Town Alex.

Other ideas? I suspect the usual suspects along the orange line, from Rosslyn to Ballston, while making up in activity what they lack in history, are also too pricey, and are perhaps too much oriented to a young crowd.

Maybe Falls Church? The Columbia Pike corridor? Shirlington?
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Old 10-19-2010, 03:18 PM
 
Location: Ashburn, VA
989 posts, read 2,808,016 times
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Okay, I won't say "move to Baltimore"... I have nothing more to add...
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Old 10-19-2010, 03:19 PM
 
Location: The Port City is rising.
8,868 posts, read 12,347,038 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdcrim View Post
Okay, I won't say "move to Baltimore"... I have nothing more to add...

Check my "threads started" and you will see the answers I got wrt Baltimore.
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Old 10-19-2010, 03:56 PM
 
Location: Home is where the heart is
15,402 posts, read 28,514,209 times
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Is there any reason this couple wants to be in Virginia? Nova seems too out of the way for people who work in DC and enjoy going to Baltimore. I know you don't want to hear this but I can't really recommend a town in Nova when the truth is I'd forget about Nova completely and focus on the towns in MD.

Annapolis might be an interesting choice.
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Old 10-19-2010, 03:57 PM
 
Location: Northern Virginia
4,489 posts, read 10,771,669 times
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If you crave a city lifestyle, I don't think you'll find it in NoVA. Certainly not on that budget. I know you said not to tell you to look at DC or Baltimore, but really I think those are your better options. Unless you're tied to NoVA for some reason, why are you even considering it?

Maybe Pentagon City? You'd have to get lucky to find something under $300k though. And it's not quirky or quaint, but it is convenient and walkable.
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Old 10-19-2010, 03:58 PM
 
389 posts, read 1,211,371 times
Reputation: 151
i don't have anything to add, but yes i would like some kimchi
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Old 10-19-2010, 04:27 PM
 
2,734 posts, read 5,352,799 times
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Del Ray is walkable and quaint but small town as opposed to urban. And it's above the $300K maximum unless you're willing to live in a questionable area/house.
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Old 10-19-2010, 06:05 PM
 
Location: The Port City is rising.
8,868 posts, read 12,347,038 times
Reputation: 2603
Quote:
Originally Posted by normie View Post
Is there any reason this couple wants to be in Virginia? Nova seems too out of the way for people who work in DC and enjoy going to Baltimore. I know you don't want to hear this but I can't really recommend a town in Nova when the truth is I'd forget about Nova completely and focus on the towns in MD.

Annapolis might be an interesting choice.

As I said, there already is a suitable thread in the Balt forum, and there will be one in the DC forum. This forum could use some interesting discussion - even if NoVa is not for this hypothetical couple, at least we can have a discussion of the best such spots in NoVa.

Also, for the sake of argument, lets assume this couple has been living in NoVa for 17 years, and has friends in NoVa. And while they are empty nesters, they expect their child to continue to return on vacations, and the said child has friends in, or who will also be returning on vacations to, NoVa.

As for Annapolis, aside from being off topic, I think its not as good for this hypothetical couple as Baltimore. Firstly the hypothetical committed DC commuter in the couple prefers sitting on a train to driving in traffic (and is vaguely aware of transit options from Annapolis, and suspects they are not ideal) Second said hypothetical couple also have some old friends in Baltimore, and particular emotional fondness for it, the city where they met.
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