Thinking of moving to NOVA (Alexandria, Fairfax: rent, school, university)

[OT4eva]

I am from Connecticut and I just accepted a job in Potomac, MD so I will be moving in a few weeks. I am not familiar with the area so I've been trying to research areas to live in that won't be too far from Potomac. I am a single female so I am ultimately looking for an area that is safe, but is also a good area for singles. I was thinking about Alexandria, Silver Spring, Germantown or maybe College Park. I don't know about the areas, but are these good areas to look at relocating? I am also looking for a place where the rent won't be expensive. Any suggestions?

[CaliTerp07]

Very very very different feelings in those areas. What are you looking for?

College Park is a university town. There is really nothing there except the university and businesses that cater to students. I have a soft spot for it, since I went to Maryland, but I still wouldn't live there today. Just not a lot going on for someone who's not in school.

Silver Spring has a pretty neat downtown with bars and high rise buildings, metro access and an urban feel.

Alexandria has a quaint "Old Town" area in the city proper. I love that area, but it will be a trek to Potomac. It also has suburban sprawl in the county portion (still has an Alexandria mailing address, but is technically Fairfax County, not Alexandria City). Still a trek to Potomac.

I think I would stick to looking in Maryland unless you have a reason to live in Virginia. If you can avoid a long commute crossing bridges into other states, you will thank yourself for it once you see the traffic here

I am not familiar with Germantown.

[spencgr]

The only place you mentioned that is NoVA is Alexandria. And if you are looking for "less expensive rent", you won't find it anywhere close to Potomac on the NoVa side.

I recommend re-posting on the Md Suburbs of Washington sub-forum. They will likely have many more suggestions.