Moving to Northern Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria: for rent, low crime, townhouse)

[barbie42]

Hi, my husband just started working in Arlington, Va. therefore we will be moving to Northern, Va. soon. We are looking to rent a townhome i a quiet neighborhood with a low crime rate. Please let me know if you have any advice. Thanks!

[stpickrell]

We'll need to know:
1) your budget
2) where in Arlington your husband will be working and how long he will stay at that job
3) if you will be working
4) how important schools are to you
5) what is an acceptable commute (and whether public transit would be ok)

Nearly all of Northern Virginia has a low crime rate by national standards. There are some parts where you could probably leave your door unlocked during the day, and others where I wouldn't leave a laptop or a GPS in my car overnight. But getting beaten, assaulted, etc.? Unless you plan on running with MS-13 or having a drug dealing brother-in-law moving in with you, the risk is fairly low by national standards.

Good luck.

[barbie42]

No children and he will be working at the Pentagon. Don't want to travel over 40 miles one way. Lokking to pay not over $1500 per month. Preferably a townehome.

[stpickrell]

Remember 40 miles in Northern VA traffic can end up being 90 minutes. I would be looking around South Arlington, the closer you are to your job the better. Most if not all of South Arlington is safe. Maybe some of the parts of Columbia Pike east of Glebe might work for you??

[CaliTerp07]

stpickrell is right--40 miles can easily be 90+ minutes.

$1500 won't get you a town house in any part of Arlington or Alexandria (I looked last year when we wanted to move!). The minimum price there is around $1800 for an older place in a less desirable area. Your commute would be 10 minutes though--so it depends if that's worth it to you. The extra hours on the road will end up costing you more in gas and maintenance on your car anyway.

[stpickrell]

Also consider somewhere along the Blue or Yellow lines. 45 minutes on a Metro train is way less stressful than 45 minutes on the road.

[qmoosa]

I heard that dept of transportation building new highway connecting Howard county to Loudoun county. when it will finish. any one knows? Thank you

[qmoosa]

My son in 9th grade my daughter in 8th. where are best high school in Loudoun county. I am thinking to move either Ashburn or Leesburgh va. Thank you

[vermonter16]

You need to start thinking 2,000+ for renting a townhome or move further out. Just for example, I commute from Manassas every day to Arlington (about 1.5 miles from Pentagon) - 27 miles. With no traffic it takes me about 30 minutes and with traffic leaving at 2:30pm each day - on a great day - 40 minutes, on a regular day 45 - 50 minutes. On a bad day - 1 hour +.

[Guamanians]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

stpickrell is right--40 miles can easily be 90+ minutes.

$1500 won't get you a town house in any part of Arlington or Alexandria (I looked last year when we wanted to move!). The minimum price there is around $1800 for an older place in a less desirable area. Your commute would be 10 minutes though--so it depends if that's worth it to you. The extra hours on the road will end up costing you more in gas and maintenance on your car anyway.

It is possible to find a townhouse for $1500 in Arlington or Alexandria. You just have to look a little harder.