Job in Chantilly, Where to live? (Arlington, Reston: apartments, insurance, condos)

[rmdaero]

Ok, so i got a job in Chantilly and was wondering where a good place to live would be. My budget is no more than $1600. I was looking to get a roommate so I was looking at 2br/2b but i may end up going with a 1br. I am a 21 yrld recent grad. I was looking at the Ballstown/Arlington area as many have suggested for young professionals but it is fairly expensive and I am afraid of the commute. I come from right outside of NYC so I am kinda used to traffic really do not want to deal with it.
That led me to look at other apartments/condos along the orange line. Particularly the vienna or dunn loring stop. What are your thoughts about those areas? How easy is it to get into arlington/DC from the metro in the evening if lets say i wanted to go to a bar/club etc.?
Also, to save some money i saw some nice Archstone condos in fairfax and vienna for a reasonable price. Any thoughts? If not next to a metro, how do people generally get to Arlington/DC? I heard there was a shuttle to the metro but i do not know how convenient that is.
How is the Reston/Herndon area for nightlife? I was also thinking of that area as an option. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[nite777]

There is no nightlife in Reston/Herndon unless you consider a restaurant bar or billiards bar nightlife.
If 1600 is your budget you should come close to finding a 1 br apt in arlington...if not, at least a studio if you're open to that. if you have a roommate, 1600 should be more than enough for your share of a 2 bed apt.

Depending on what part of arlington you're in and what part of chantilly the job is, the commute may be up to 45 min each way. there can be some volume leading up to 495, but after 495, 66 west should be pretty clear. i would recommend living in arlington if you plan on going out a lot.
people living in vienna/falls church/dunn loring have the option of getting on the metro but most people i know drive for a night out on the town. living here would save you a couple hundred a month, give you a shorter commute, less gas, cheaper insurance, fewer miles on the car.

[stpickrell]

It depends on how much you're *really* going to go out. Only you can answer that question.

I'd recommend Ballston, areas along Lee Highway in Arlington, or Falls Church -- closer to your work, Arlington folks don't lie, WB 66 in the mornings is pretty bad until you hit Glebe Road.

After the first year, find out how much of this going out stuff you can really afford/want to do, and then move closer in or further out as suits your tastes.