Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Alexandria, VA (Richmond, Manassas: apartment complexes, rent)

[jackmacch]

I'm relocating in late spring from Philadelphia, PA to Alexandria, VA for work and am trying to find a place to live. I'm not familiar to the area at all and I'm trying to find a place that allows pets but isn't going to break the bank. I'd like to be within an hour of Alexandria and if anyone knows of surrounding towns and cities with moderately priced apartments and relatively low crime that would be great. I only need a one bedroom because it would just be myself and my fiance but we do have a dog.

[Vectorhead]

We need to have some idea what you can afford to pay before we can offer advice. The less you can afford, the longer your commute will be (unsurprisingly).

[jackmacch]

I'm looking to not spend more then $1000/month

[AtheistgoingtoLiberty]

Originally Posted by jackmacch

I'm looking to not spend more then $1000/month

Then perhaps just commute from Philly...

[snatale1]

Originally Posted by jackmacch

I'm looking to not spend more then $1000/month

That's not going to be easy, not being familiar with Philly's rates I just checked CNN's cost of living calculator and Alexandria (and the whole area) is 79% more expensive than Philly. I checked craigslist and set for $1000 max your looking at efficiencies, basements and old crappy bldgs. All around 400-700sq ft. If you want to get cheaper keep going south, maybe Dumfries or Manassas (not the greatest places) of even as far as Fredricksburg. But remember, the commute into NoVA/DC is one of the worst in the country, you gotta take that time and either fuel/transit costs into the equation. Could be cheaper to pay more rent than to commute. I used to work up there is it was rough. I'm in Richmond which is much cheaper and it's rare to see a descent place around here for under $1000 anymore.

[beatlecrazy]

Try Southern Towers apartments, I know I've mentioned them before but you can find a studio under even $995. Other pockets in Alexandria have cheap options. Good luck. I'm about to do the reverse - move back to Philly in just a couple months.

[robbobobbo]

Also check apartments off of Beauregard St in Alexandria. I don't know about any specifically, but I just searched and found Brookdale at Mark Center has 1 BR starting at $1,080 and they say they are dog and cat friendly (depending on dog breed). There are apartment complexes all along Beauregard. If you can bump up your rent budget a bit, it would be much better to live closer to work than to live along Rt 1 in Fairfax County (also called Alexandria)* or Prince William County, which are other options for lower-than-typical rent.

*this depends on where in Alexandria you will be working, though. If you in fact will work in south Fairfax County called Alexandria (but not part of the city), then Huntington might be something to look at.

[Germany2DC]

We're moving to the area in about eight weeks. We're a family of four and will likely rent a townhouse for a little while before we buy. Generally how much do utilities cost per month in the area? Water, gas, electric, TV/phone/internet? Would $300 be a good estimate for all utilities total?

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Germany2DC

We're moving to the area in about eight weeks. We're a family of four and will likely rent a townhouse for a little while before we buy. Generally how much do utilities cost per month in the area? Water, gas, electric, TV/phone/internet? Would $300 be a good estimate for all utilities total?

That seems a little on the low side. I would say it's probably average for gas/electricity depending on the size of the house. For a townhouse, that amount would probably include water.

TV/phone/internet are going to in addition to that and will vary based on what type of plan you get.

I have a bundle through Verizon. This bundle also includes 2 DVRs, some premium channels, and higher speed internet and I pay about $200 per month (also includes my landline).

[acgood]

For our TH with electric AC and gas heat, the average for the two combined is probably ~150 per month. Water is 100 quarterly.

Media price is up to you, you can easily get an intro fios or cox promo for about 100 all in.

So you estimate seems reasonable