Possibly moving to Fairfax, VA (property taxes, luxury, apartment)

[Proam]

I am looking at a potential job offer and a possibility of moving to Fairfax, VA. The pay offer is $50K per annum, which is lower than my expectation but the job looks interesting enough. I just wanted to look for suggestions and some answers from people who've lived or are living in fairfax regarding the living expenses. I am not planning to buy a house and from what I have read here I possibly won't be able to afford one anytime soon. I am looking for a 1 bedroom apartment or any other kind of possibility. And also, how are the taxes?
Please suggest.

[goldenmom7500]

Hi,

I guess you mean 'Fairfax' and not Fairfax County as a whole. I would say that a one bedroom would be *at least* $1000/month, and a couple hundred more for the 'luxury' category. The living expenses are considered to be high, but in part everyone just gets drawn into the culture there - places to eat, places to go, places to shop, things to buy ...

I think your salary is OK, but I would always recommend finding a roommate situation. You can pay, say, $700-900 and live in a fantastic place, rather than spending $1000 and living in an OK, but definitely not fantastic place.

Taxes ... which ones? Property taxes are high, but do you mean state taxes or what?

[seysoldTD]

Welcome to NOVA...Fairfax and Fairfax County apartment rent is high! But I would agree with the other posting that you can share a 2br and get a better place. About $800 for sharing a 2 br. One important fact is the further you go out west to the suburbs, your rent will be less but sometimes traffic is a potential issue. If you have regular schedule hours 8-6 then traffic will be a problem, if not it might work for you. 15 miles during rush hour can take aroun 30-45.

Hope this helps!

[Proam]

Thanks guys that helps!
And yes I meant the state taxes!

[normie]

If your job is anywhere near George Mason University, you might be able to find a roommate situation or an inexpensive room to rent through the school. That would be a (relatively) inexpensive way to get your feel for the neighborhood, and decide where you want to live (if you don't like the roommate situation). Try to live near your job, if at all possible.

[goldenmom7500]

Originally Posted by normie

If your job is anywhere near George Mason University, you might be able to find a roommate situation or an inexpensive room to rent through the school. That would be a (relatively) inexpensive way to get your feel for the neighborhood, and decide where you want to live (if you don't like the roommate situation). Try to live near your job, if at all possible.

I agree with normie - it's good to live near your job, as long as your job is in a nice place (and Fairfax is definitely nice!).

[goldenmom7500]

I can't answer intelligently about the state taxes, except they are not low, but I don't know if they are high, per se. All taxes always seem high to me - not a poltical thing, just a price thing