Where Should I Live? (Arlington, Alexandria: apartment, for rent, house)

[Julie120]

I am a recent college grad that just started working in downtown DC (near the Mall). I'm living with my parents (who live in Manassas) and I have been taking one of the commuter buses to get to work. I would like to move somewhere closer in, closer to people my own age and close to shopping and public transportation (bus or Metro). I am making about 38K. I don't plan to have a car any time soon, but will eventually get one.

Where should I look? I would like to stay in Northern Virginia if possible but would definitely considering just moving into the city itself.

[patriot201]

With that salary, you will definitely need to have a roommate or two. I'd look along the Metro line, or within walking distance, in Arlington.

[ACWhite]

Even with a roommate or two, it will be tough to find a decent place on a Metro line in Arlington or in the city, and still have enough $ for retirement, savings, food, etc., as well as fun. My advice would be to thank your parents and stay there awhile until you have saved money and gotten some pay increases, then look. In the meantime, you can use the same public transportation to visit friends.

[sonnymarkjiz]

Yeah I think with that budget, Arlington is out the question. Unless you want to live like a hermit.


Maybe try finding an apartment in fairfax. It's a bit cheaper and your commute to work will certainly be better than manassas. That's a hike! Or even in Alexandria/Springfield, they have cheaper places there for rent. That would be doable to work too and not too far from Arlington/dc to go out on weekends.

[Hesky]

I think living with your parents is a great chance to save and build a strong foundation that will be really helpful when the time to move out does come. You'll be better off in a couple years. When I got my first job out of college I had to relocate. If I had been able to live rent free for a while longer I would have.

I have a few friends who do have families here. A few of them moved back in with their parents after their first attempt to live solo after realizing it just didn't make sense financially. When you don't have a lot of experience living by yourself, its easy to underestimate the cost of living alone vs the cost of living rent free.

[jazzmanjoe123]

I have a friend who lives in Columbia Heights DC and pays $800 for his room in a shared house that he found on craigslist... that could possibly work for you..?

Are you in nonprofit?