Please Sticky: General Pointers If You are Moving To Northern Virginia (Alexandria: fit in, short sales)

[Tone509]

I know that exists in Fairfax at least... but it will most likely be a basement apartment.

Originally Posted by kutlass

I have to ask are there apts that are in houses like in NYC for rent in Loudoun county or Fairfax county with a private entrance.

[OrdinarySoul]

It's very easy to take evening and weekend classes while you work full time if you live in Northern Virginia, or nearby. GWU, Virginia Tech, UVA, George Mason University all have campuses right by the metro.

[andreaspercheron]

Ok, after reading these posts, I have a question - and by the way, great information! It's quite possible that my fiance may be offered a job in Middletown, VA. We are definitely planning on having at least an hour commute in any direction. That said, I've found a couple (and I literally mean two) of properties with about 5 or more acres for around $250K - $300K. Since we have horses, this is our only option to find land. We are aware that it's going to be pricey. Any one have any suggestions for any certain areas that would offer us such a property? Like I said before, we already are both planning an hour or more commute just so we can have some land.

[cardinal2007]

Originally Posted by Tone509

To be fair, SmerkyGrl's comment may have been before real estate went into the full free fall that we are now experiencing. Even so, I'd be surprised to find a (new) condo in Reston for under $250-275K.

And no, the DC metro housing market isn't as overheated as California - or NYC for that matter - but I bet we're in the top ten.

214k!

Condo/Townhouse/Co-Op - 12000 MARKET STREET Unit: T86, RESTON, VA, 20190 - Realtor.com
Not BRAND new, but 2004 is not bad, and I can't say I dislike the location, if I had 40k for a downpayment and I could see working in the general area for the next 7 years I would take a stab at it, after taxes it wouldn't be that much more than rent, if at all. Oh, it rents for around $1375/month:

Rentals - RESTON, VA, 20190 - Realtor.com

You know considering rents prices in Reston, prices are not unreasonable. Unlike here where a condo that rents for $1400/month (up from $1340/month last year) would sell for $350k (down from $380k last year), I moved to crazy land....

Move to NoVA if you want, and don't be discouraged, you can have a nice condo for less than $275k if you want. (If you move to PWCo you can buy a townhouse for less than $200k, but some people don't want that stuff to get out) Heck you can buy a used condo for less than $140k get a 15yr mortgage, pay it off in 15yrs, and never pay a dime of interest or rent ever again. It is not all doom and gloom like some posters would like people to think.

[Tone509]

Points taken. And I bet prices have come down even more since I wrote that.

Regarding Prince William County, there's a reason why one may find townhomes under $200K, most notably the long, traffic-clogged commute north into Fairfax and DC as well as other negative perceptions. So there would be some significant trade-offs.

Originally Posted by cardinal2007

214k!

Condo/Townhouse/Co-Op - 12000 MARKET STREET Unit: T86, RESTON, VA, 20190 - Realtor.com
Not BRAND new, but 2004 is not bad, and I can't say I dislike the location, if I had 40k for a downpayment and I could see working in the general area for the next 7 years I would take a stab at it, after taxes it wouldn't be that much more than rent, if at all. Oh, it rents for around $1375/month:

Rentals - RESTON, VA, 20190 - Realtor.com

You know considering rents prices in Reston, prices are not unreasonable. Unlike here where a condo that rents for $1400/month (up from $1340/month last year) would sell for $350k (down from $380k last year), I moved to crazy land....

Move to NoVA if you want, and don't be discouraged, you can have a nice condo for less than $275k if you want. (If you move to PWCo you can buy a townhouse for less than $200k, but some people don't want that stuff to get out) Heck you can buy a used condo for less than $140k get a 15yr mortgage, pay it off in 15yrs, and never pay a dime of interest or rent ever again. It is not all doom and gloom like some posters would like people to think.

[UVA1]

It seems SmerkyGrl has painted a vivid and truthful of picture NOVA (Northern Virginia). Re housing: my thoughts are if you're single be prepared to share if you want to experience somewhat comfortable living arrangements. Seems decent average share rent (w/1 or 2 others) runs between $600-$700 +/- (depending on your location and preference for roomies. I live in Burke (fairly upscale, on average, and pay $600 (free utilities and sat tv) and share w/2. Housing is extremely varied. Great job opportunities and quality of life improvements for many. All sorts of quality education here for the taking. Seems there is a srip mall on every corner

Welcome.

UVA1

[SandyeKay1]

NVA is sooo unfriendly.....The prices are 4x higher than other areas of the country that are alot nicer. Traffic is the worst...couple that with no-road courtesy!! Most people have zero manners. The restaurants are low-class even the national chains are not as good as Dallas & Chicago. A small house that looks like a tool-shed (800 sq. ft.) is $300,000!!! What a rip-off!! worst place I've ever lived...I'm ashamed to tell people I live in Alexandria, Va.
I live in a run-down dumphole efficiency for $950.00 a month.....
I've lived in Dallas and a suburb of Chicago.....a NICE one-bedroom is $500.
There is a mall on every corner and most people have manners. the job opay is the same in most fields. Only if you're in politics or forced to live here in the military would there be any reason....I'm leaving as fast as I can...
Even people in southern Virginia or the NW areas hate NVA. It should annex and become part of (DC-rated the murder capital of America).

[VEIK]

Originally Posted by SandyeKay1

NVA is sooo unfriendly.....The prices are 4x higher than other areas of the country that are alot nicer. Traffic is the worst...couple that with no-road courtesy!! Most people have zero manners. The restaurants are low-class even the national chains are not as good as Dallas & Chicago. A small house that looks like a tool-shed (800 sq. ft.) is $300,000!!! What a rip-off!! worst place I've ever lived...I'm ashamed to tell people I live in Alexandria, Va.
I live in a run-down dumphole efficiency for $950.00 a month.....
I've lived in Dallas and a suburb of Chicago.....a NICE one-bedroom is $500.
There is a mall on every corner and most people have manners. the job opay is the same in most fields. Only if you're in politics or forced to live here in the military would there be any reason....I'm leaving as fast as I can...
Even people in southern Virginia or the NW areas hate NVA. It should annex and become part of (DC-rated the murder capital of America).

Goosfraba...goosfraba

[Tideas]

hahah, why is Annadale call asiandale?

[Tone509]

While Asians are still a minority in Annandale, there are a lot of businesses owned by or catering towards them, particularly Koreans.

Just another example of the wonderful diversity in Northern Virginia.

Originally Posted by Tideas

hahah, why is Annadale call asiandale?