Living in Alexandria - Do I need a car? (Arlington: apartment, car insurance)

[terimaa]

I am moving to an apartmenmt in a condo community in Alexandria. It's located very close to King St and N. Beauregard. (google maps: tinyurl.com/2tnxvx)

I'll be attending evening graduate classes in Foggy Bottom. To goto school from my apartment, I can take buses to Pentagon (10-12 minute ride) and then from there a 10 min metro ride to my destination in DC. This is all sound and dandy.

Although, I will also be looking for a job and will be working during the day (9-5) and there is a 50% chance the job will be based in the suburbs and will likely require a car. Is it resonable to think that the best approach would be that I could drive to work and then leave and park at a metro station and ride into DC?

So I am wondering, If I should just get a car now and be done with the headache. I am also thinking, I will probably need it for other things like social activities and daily regimen stuff.

Thoughts?

p.s. I currently don't own a car.

[The Dissenter]

actually a lot of people in alexandria dont need cars. for about a year i went to class and work w/o a car. King and Bgard is actually a good location to be w/o a car. Express buses to the pentagon and to the king st. station stop there. Provided that your classes dont end at 1 am you should be able to survive in alexandria w/o a car.

[terimaa]

Thanks Alan. Although, may I ask where approx. did you live and what made you get a car afterwards? I assume both your school and job were metro accessible? My school is, but the job probably won't be.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by terimaa

Thanks Alan. Although, may I ask where approx. did you live and what made you get a car afterwards? I assume both your school and job were metro accessible? My school is, but the job probably won't be.

I lived in the Landmark area off Duke St. My job was in Baileys X-roads and my school was NVCC. All metro (or bus) accessible. I got a car b/c i got a job that reqiured quick travel on some days.

[VLT]

The only thing that would concern me is to go to and from your job in the suburbs. Do you already know where that will be?

[Zack]

An inexpensive car probably wouldn't be that bad an idea, parking is usually inexpensive in that area. The buses and rails are good for getting you to and from work or school, but all the other things (groceries, doctor, late nights, etc.) will get annoying waiting 30 minutes for a bus at off times. If you are comfortable that most necessities are within close enough walking distance than you could go without a car then do so, but otherwise having one is just good even if you don't drive a lot.

[itrade]

North Beauregard and King? Get a car. Never ever rely on WMATA to get you around on time. Ever.

[FairfaxCoResident]

Hi. I've lived in Arlington County and Fairfax County for seven years and have not needed a car. My husband has a car but for myself, I don't need one.

Although if something is out of the way, I can take a cab. In the long run, it's much more cost efficient. You can put the $ you save into a mutual fund.

Currently I'm living in Mt. Vernon (Alexandria) and work in N.E. D.C. (near Union Station).

The only thing that is inconvenient is groceries. Peapod has been helpful, or I've taken a cab. $30/mo. is cheaper than $200 in car insurance + gas + taxes + that payment.

So yes, it is convenient but it's not 100% completely necessary.

[mollyanna]

Yes, you do need a car.

[ahqanaut]

Transpo early on will probably be nice to have, but parking lots/decks/etc can be hell on a nice car...don't invest in a super shiney nice new car til you absolutely know that you need it.

What I'd surmise from this advice is that if you can afford it, a car would be helpful, but can be expensive to house/maintain...i wouldn't let the job issue push your decision one way or the other....seem to be lots of jobs around (at least in the service sector if that's what you are aiming for)...before the car, perhaps check the help wanted ads when you are about ready to move and start lining up interviews...if those pan out and location requires the car, well, then get one!