Need help with Housing - One working in Alexandria, the other in Beltsville, MD (Richmond: apartments)

[KingMj]

I have been living in Washington, DC for five years and lived in 2 apt place in the area (Connecticut Heights in the Van Ness area until the rent became ridiculous and the Cameron in ss for the last two years.)

I just got engaged to my girlfriend and we are looking to move in a new place . I'm working in Beltsville, MD and she is working in Alexandria,Va. That professional situation makes it complicated . IF it wasnt complicated enough she's making it more difficult by being cheap.

We are looking for an appartment/condo/home to rent in a safe and clean area that would limit our commute to 30-45 mn a trip . I figured out congress heights is a good midpoint but I have serious doubt about the safety of this area.

Our budget is $1500-2000 for rent . So what area will you advise us . A place near the highway will be ideal in order to reduce commuting.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Washington or the immediate suburbs are considered at this time.

Thank you very much

[FindingZen]

Since you're posting in the Northern Virginia forum , it sounds like you're willing to bite the bullet on the commute. If so, I'd suggest looking at some high-rises that are right outside the Alexandria city limits in the unincorporated "South" Alexandria section of Fairfax County: Huntington Gateway, Riverside, Cityside and maybe condo rentals at Midtown Alexandria. HG and Riverside might be considered "luxury" apartments while Cityside might appeal most to your girlfriend's sensibilities. Midtown Alexandria is only a few years old; you would have to do some research to see what owners are renting out their units.

You'd be right off the Beltway via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge as well as moments from the Huntington Metro station. The immediate area is not that exciting but you're a 5-10 minute drive to Old Town Alexandria and the waterfront with the Mount Vernon Trail that is popular with runners and bikers. Most of your typical midscale retail and restaurant needs will be taken care of further south on admittedly clogged Route 1/Richmond Highway.

[dkf747]

Does she use Metro to work? If yes, you're better off in Maryland (Silver Spring, for example)or DC. If no, then... well, I agree, you got a problem. I'm not sure where to suggest in that situation. I used to live in Beltsville, and I also once used to live in the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County, near Huntington. Actually, that area might work if you cross the Wilson Bridge and commute using 295 north up to the Beltsville area.

[mcknigs]

"Alexandria" describes a large area. It would be helpful to know where in Alexandria.

FWIW, I live in Alexandria not far from the Huntington area Tone509 describes. I commute around the eastern side of the Beltway to Beltsville to work. It takes about 30-40 minutes unless traffic is bad. You could find a halfway spot on the Beltway in PG County that could get you to Beltsville in 20 minutes. I sometimes see backups on the inner loop going into VA from PG county in the morning so, depending on where in Alexandria you GF works, it might take her longer to get to work. PG County will be less expensive than Fairfax, VA, but will probably be less fun, and harder to get into parts of DC you may now frequent. If you are contemplating having kids, I would suggest that I'd rather have kids in the Ffx schools than PG.

If money is tight and you don't like long commutes, I would avoid making the halfway point on the Beltway somewhere on the Western side of the Beltway. Tysons will be expensive and the traffic between I-95 in VA and Rockville, MD can be pretty awful.

[mmsva]

Look at renting a condo on Eisenhower Ave in Alexandria (The Exchange at Van Dorn) (there is an apt complex on the same street, I think it's called the Reserve on Eisenhower, but I'm not sure). It's super easy to get to 495. We lived at the Exchange for 2 years and loved it.

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Here's one in the Huntington area--
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[mmsva]

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