God I want out of Nova. (Richmond, Arlington: home, transfer, living in)

[oneasterisk]

Not sure if you're able to move up a bit further north, but that's what I'd suggest. If you think about it, the higher cost of rent is counteracted by the less amount of money/time spent on your commute. Less money spent on miles/maintenance on your vehicle too.

I also feel your pain with the roaches. When my family and I first immigrated here we lived in a ghetto town home. We kept ours clean, but we can't say the same about our neighbors. We had some good luck using a product like: Walmart.com: Combat Platinum Syringe Large Size Roach Killing Gel, 1ct: Household Essentials The roach motels never really worked, but the gel stuff killed them after a while and really lessened the numbers.

When I lived in an apartment in Alexandria they periodically had the maintenance guys apply a gel product. I asked them if I could buy it at the store, and he said it was an industrial version not available to the public. It came in a tube like the stuff I linked above. I never saw a roach in that complex so the stuff must have worked.

My brother currently works at a federal facility as a security officer. I told him it'd be a piece of cake to find a similar job up here considering the amount of federal buildings we have in the area. One perk is they have a really great living arrangement. His wife works for the apartment complex so they get a huge break on rent. Imagine paying $275 monthly on a 2bd/1bth apt in this area!!!

[ChristineVA]

I live in Woodbridge too and I get what you mean, although, I don't *hate* it. But sometimes when you think of going somewhere on a Saturday you just sort of sigh. Yet, summer is over and I had to drive over to Maryland yesterday for a bridal shower and it was a PIECE OF CAKE. Easy commute. YAY, summer's over!!!!!!

I do caution you to be careful about dreaming of greener pastures. Certainly, there are people that are just not going to like a particular place. You need to figure out if that's what is going on here or it's you.

As for roaches, yuck. I will say that my friend's daughter has an apartment in Arlington (in the ever popular Clarendon area) and no roach problems at all. In fact, the management seems very proactive in preventing those things. Last year they had a bedbug "scare" or suspicion and they brought in bedbug-sniffing dogs and a company that checked the building top to bottom.

Have you tried looking in that area?

[Carlingtonian]

Listen and learn.

[Caladium]

Maybe you could spend today looking for a new place closer to work and in an area with sidewalks. If nothing else it could be amusing to explore a little.

[Megadell]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

I live in Woodbridge too and I get what you mean, although, I don't *hate* it. But sometimes when you think of going somewhere on a Saturday you just sort of sigh. Yet, summer is over and I had to drive over to Maryland yesterday for a bridal shower and it was a PIECE OF CAKE. Easy commute. YAY, summer's over!!!!!!

I do caution you to be careful about dreaming of greener pastures. Certainly, there are people that are just not going to like a particular place. You need to figure out if that's what is going on here or it's you.

As for roaches, yuck. I will say that my friend's daughter has an apartment in Arlington (in the ever popular Clarendon area) and no roach problems at all. In fact, the management seems very proactive in preventing those things. Last year they had a bedbug "scare" or suspicion and they brought in bedbug-sniffing dogs and a company that checked the building top to bottom.

Have you tried looking in that area?

I dunno what area that is. Though I likely don't really make enough to live there. It can be a small place, I'd just like it to be clean.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Megadell

I dunno what area that is. Though I likely don't really make enough to live there. It can be a small place, I'd just like it to be clean.

My friend's daughter moved up there from Woodbridge to Clarendon when she was making $45,000. She got a roomate and took the smaller of the two bedroom apartment. She paid about $895 per month and this included utilities as well as a free parking space.

The roommate left, this girl now makes around $60,000 and she has taken the larger bedroom which costs her about $1,000 per month and found another girl to take the smaller room. She is about 25 and very happy living there. She really just LOVES the walkability and her close proximity to work.

[breakingfree]

Originally Posted by Megadell

I dunno, I'm just kind of venting, and bored out of my skull on a saturday. I fully realize it is what you make of it but I can't seem to make out anything I want to do. I wish I drank so going to clubs would be appealing. Being sober in a building full of drunk people is not fun, it's depressing.

You and me both, brother (sister?). Some of these kids forget they're not in the dorms anymore.

I know it sucks to cave to their obnoxious behavior, but I ended up buying earplugs. Works like a charm, for the most part.

[Megadell]

I use to live in Fairfax, right down the street from what was Skyline mall. Seriously though, they turned Skyline into a damn Target? Oh I was pissed when I drove past that. Hmm, I didn't realize Jefferson Middle school was in Arlington.

[Megadell]

Originally Posted by breakingfree

You and me both, brother (sister?). Some of these kids forget they're not in the dorms anymore.

I know it sucks to cave to their obnoxious behavior, but I ended up buying earplugs. Works like a charm, for the most part.

Brother.

Can anyone name any affordable apartment complexes in Arlington? Like....1500 max for a one bedroom?

[MountainMen]

Originally Posted by Megadell

I use to live in Fairfax, right down the street from what was Skyline mall.

Wasn't Skyline Mall inside the Beltway, not even close to Fairfax?