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Old 01-13-2015, 02:59 PM
 
Location: Washington, DC
100 posts, read 129,737 times
Reputation: 126

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Hi Everyone,

My husband and I are considering renting a TH in the Amberleigh neighborhood near the Springfield metro. There is a walking trail from the community to the Springfield metro (Barry Rd. to Metro path) about .7miles. I am not familiar with this area at all, and while driving through I saw some McMansions and then passed several trailers.

Questions:
1. Do you know if the walking trail area is safe for walking (early morning and after dusk)? This trail leads to the metro is through the forest and then down Barry Rd.
2. If you have experience riding the Franconia Springfield into DC, has there been an issue after the Silver line opened? I read on Yelp that due to the 12 minute apart trains during rush hour, this is causing overcrowding and delays once you hit Rosslyn. On WMATA trip planner estimates 35 minutes from Franconia to Farragut West, but that doesn't account for delays or the 12mins+ waiting on the platform.

Thanks in advanced for taking the time to respond to my questions!
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Old 01-13-2015, 08:51 PM
 
Location: Tysons Corner
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You can take yellow from Springfield during Rush at times as well if I remember correctly. When you take yellow you get into DC faster but you would have to switch backwards on the Blue/Silver/Orange to get to Farragut, but that can be faster than waiting for a blue line train sometimes if the Yellow line is already there.
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Old 01-14-2015, 07:50 AM
 
Location: Chester County, PA
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Yes, Yellow Rush Plus trains and Blue Line trains alternate every 6 minutes during rush hours - so one Blue Line train every 12 minutes and one Yellow Line train every 12 minutes. Of course, if you're going to Farragut West, the question that would come to my mind would be what's quicker? Waiting 6 minutes for the next Blue Line train or transferring to a Silver/Orange/Blue at L'Enfant? Probably about a toss up for Farragut West. One thing you can do in the mornings is see what times each trains are scheduled for. For example, I know Yellow Line trains depart Franconia-Springfield at 8:06, 8:18, and 8:30 with Blue Line trains departing at 8:00, 8:12, and 8:24. You can try to time you departure time to catch the train you want if you know the schedule. The times are fairly reliable in the morning, but not so much in the evening on the return ride home. There, I often use Metro's next train website to see how close the next train is.

I have no personal experience with the particular walking trail from Amberleigh, but I would think it was generally safe. Of course, you're going to want to exercise caution like you would anywhere if it's dark or late, but I certainly don't hear about any crime.
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Old 01-14-2015, 07:50 AM
 
Location: West Hollywood, CA from Arlington, VA
2,768 posts, read 3,503,117 times
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I can't attest to the trail's safety but I used to wait for the VRE train platform right next to that trail and there were tons of professionals who walked through there so I assume it's safe. Kingstowne in general is very safe.

I don't think the trains are really that crowded because Metro made every other blue line 8 cars to help alleviate any possible crowding. Rosslyn is extremely crowded. Almost every time I take the blue or orange line home we wait outside of Rosslyn for a train to clear the tunnel.

Since you're going to Farragut West, I would just take whatever comes first. Blue line would be slightly quicker, but you will also probably be delayed a minute or two at Rosslyn anyway. It's really a wash either way.
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Old 01-14-2015, 09:37 AM
 
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What time would you be walking to/from the Metro? I've done this walk at various times, and while I would not characterize it as unsafe, it does get a bit desolate if you're outside of normal commuting hours. If "after dusk" means 6PM or 7PM, you'd have lots of company and you should feel comfortable. If "after dusk" means 10PM, there's a good chance you'd be the only one on the walking trail.
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Old 01-14-2015, 09:48 AM
 
Location: Washington, DC
100 posts, read 129,737 times
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Thanks everyone for your feedback. Good pointers on the yellow line and the routine morning schedule, I'll keep that in mind.

pcity - Mornings it would be around 7 a.m. and evenings no later than 6pm. Do you take this path, and if so do you feel safe, and is it fairly occupied? I'm concerned about walking through the forest when it's not lighted out (winter days).
I searched this forum and saw a thread a few years ago about muggins on the metro path in 2013, but the person was caught. Do you know if bikes are allowed on the path?
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Old 01-14-2015, 11:29 AM
 
Location: West Hollywood, CA from Arlington, VA
2,768 posts, read 3,503,117 times
Reputation: 1575
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheriex333 View Post
Thanks everyone for your feedback. Good pointers on the yellow line and the routine morning schedule, I'll keep that in mind.

pcity - Mornings it would be around 7 a.m. and evenings no later than 6pm. Do you take this path, and if so do you feel safe, and is it fairly occupied? I'm concerned about walking through the forest when it's not lighted out (winter days).
I searched this forum and saw a thread a few years ago about muggins on the metro path in 2013, but the person was caught. Do you know if bikes are allowed on the path?
I've seen people bike on the path.
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Old 01-14-2015, 12:10 PM
 
Location: Washington, DC
100 posts, read 129,737 times
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Thanks Gomason. Do you take this path to the metro for work? I guess I'm just trying to judge whether it's a good option before I lock in a 2 year lease and have to do the walk everyday.
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Old 01-14-2015, 01:05 PM
 
3,307 posts, read 9,338,960 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cheriex333 View Post
Thanks everyone for your feedback. Good pointers on the yellow line and the routine morning schedule, I'll keep that in mind.

pcity - Mornings it would be around 7 a.m. and evenings no later than 6pm. Do you take this path, and if so do you feel safe, and is it fairly occupied? I'm concerned about walking through the forest when it's not lighted out (winter days).
I searched this forum and saw a thread a few years ago about muggins on the metro path in 2013, but the person was caught. Do you know if bikes are allowed on the path?
I would feel safe at those hours. There might be some points where you're alone but it wouldn't be for long stretches. The trails and Barry Rd. are lit. Bikes are allowed.

If you were uncomfortable with the walk, there is also a bus option that runs up and down Beulah, Fairfax Connector 231/232. I've never taken it but I don't think it would take very long to get from Amberleigh to the Metro.
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Old 01-15-2015, 08:13 AM
 
Location: West Hollywood, CA from Arlington, VA
2,768 posts, read 3,503,117 times
Reputation: 1575
Quote:
Originally Posted by pcity View Post
If you were uncomfortable with the walk, there is also a bus option that runs up and down Beulah, Fairfax Connector 231/232. I've never taken it but I don't think it would take very long to get from Amberleigh to the Metro.
I used to take it. That would be like a 7 minute bus ride at most.
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