Searching for a place in Alexandria (apartments, rentals, condo)

[MDude25]

I'm looking for a place to rent in Alexandria. I'm looking for a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment for a 1-year lease.


Several things I'm looking for:

1) Walkable location
2) Metro accessible
3) In or near Old Town
4) Rent price: Max $1,600, I would prefer $1,500 or less a month.
5) Good quality apartment, good conditions, amenities (internet, cable, central AC/Heating, dryer/washer would be nice), parking, etc.
6) Near supermarket, stores, restaurants, etc.
7) Paracel service, decent concierge, and customer service...


Several places I'm considering are the Meridian at Carlyle and Station at Potomac Yards.

I would appreciate your suggestions and recommendations.

Thank you

[Mnseca]

Originally Posted by MDude25

I'm looking for a place to rent in Alexandria. I'm looking for a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment for a 1-year lease.


Several things I'm looking for:

1) Walkable location
2) Metro accessible
3) In or near Old Town
4) Rent price: Max $1,600, I would prefer $1,500 or less a month.
5) Good quality apartment, good conditions, amenities (internet, cable, central AC/Heating, dryer/washer would be nice), parking, etc.
6) Near supermarket, stores, restaurants, etc.
7) Paracel service, decent concierge, and customer service...


Several places I'm considering are the Meridian at Carlyle and Station at Potomac Yards.

I would appreciate your suggestions and recommendations.

Thank you

The best way to find an inexpensive place in Alexandria is Craigslist and/or just driving around Old Town and looking for signs in windows. A lot of places are just homes that are rented out, and aren't advertised anywhere else. There are also a couple of apartment buildings that don't seem to advertise anywhere.

[MDude25]

Originally Posted by Mnseca

The best way to find an inexpensive place in Alexandria is Craigslist and/or just driving around Old Town and looking for signs in windows. A lot of places are just homes that are rented out, and aren't advertised anywhere else. There are also a couple of apartment buildings that don't seem to advertise anywhere.

Good point, I'll definitely do that.

[HomesForAllVA]

You should reach out to and work with a Realtor to find a great rental in the area. We have access to properties that are being rented by individual homeowners (think condo vs. apartment). One benefit is that it's one-stop shopping. They will set up the appointments and take you to see multiple properties in one day. (Much easier than you trying to coordinate with homeowners who can only let you in on their schedules.) In some cases (not all) condo rents are all inclusive (utilities, etc included). Apartments (again not all) like to charge additional fees - everything from parking to utilties - some even charge an extra monthly fee for pets. I think the two places you are considering are both nice choices - I think that you are responsible for your electric in each.

[Badger21]

Your expectations are unrealistic. You will not pay below 1600 a month for a studio to live near or in Old Town Alexandria let alone for a 1BR and the amenities you just described.

1600 a month would get you most of what's on your list so long as you get a 2BR and talk a roommate into also paying 1600.

[MDude25]

Originally Posted by Badger21

Your expectations are unrealistic. You will not pay below 1600 a month for a studio to live near or in Old Town Alexandria let alone for a 1BR and the amenities you just described.

1600 a month would get you most of what's on your list so long as you get a 2BR and talk a roommate into also paying 1600.

Expectations are somewhat flexible, everything is case by case. I've seen some places for just under $1,600 that offer most of the things I'm looking for. Then there are places around and $1,500 that have about half of what I'm looking for... I've been reading reviews about these places and there are always good and bad experiences people are having so I am gathering a list of potential places then will schedule appointments to see them.

1600 a month would get you most of what's on your list so long as you get a 2BR and talk a roommate into also paying 1600.

That's if you're renting a townhouse in Old Town, I am not doing that. However, I do know someone currently renting (from private owner) a townhouse in Old Town for just under 2k. Maybe she got lucky...


I'm actually still debating whether I should just pass some of these desirables on my list and get a place with a less expensive rent in Alexandria so I can save more money. I'd still like to hear recommendations from people about rentals.

[jeff22152]

Originally Posted by Mnseca

The best way to find an inexpensive place in Alexandria is Craigslist and/or just driving around Old Town and looking for signs in windows. A lot of places are just homes that are rented out, and aren't advertised anywhere else. There are also a couple of apartment buildings that don't seem to advertise anywhere.

I second this recommendation, provided that you are somewhat flexible on items 4 and 7 on your list. The suggestion to contact a Realtor is also a good one.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by HomesForAllVA

You should reach out to and work with a Realtor to find a great rental in the area. We have access to properties that are being rented by individual homeowners (think condo vs. apartment). One benefit is that it's one-stop shopping. They will set up the appointments and take you to see multiple properties in one day. (Much easier than you trying to coordinate with homeowners who can only let you in on their schedules.) In some cases (not all) condo rents are all inclusive (utilities, etc included). Apartments (again not all) like to charge additional fees - everything from parking to utilties - some even charge an extra monthly fee for pets. I think the two places you are considering are both nice choices - I think that you are responsible for your electric in each.

If the landlord is not agreeable to paying the Realtor's fee, then the tenant is responsible, correct? And, generally, does that fee equal to one month's rent?

Originally Posted by MDude25

I'm looking for a place to rent in Alexandria. I'm looking for a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment for a 1-year lease.


Several things I'm looking for:

1) Walkable location
2) Metro accessible
3) In or near Old Town
4) Rent price: Max $1,600, I would prefer $1,500 or less a month.
5) Good quality apartment, good conditions, amenities (internet, cable, central AC/Heating, dryer/washer would be nice), parking, etc.
6) Near supermarket, stores, restaurants, etc.
7) Paracel service, decent concierge, and customer service...


Several places I'm considering are the Meridian at Carlyle and Station at Potomac Yards.

I would appreciate your suggestions and recommendations.

Thank you

It will be difficult finding that level of amenities for $1600.

I've never heard anything bad about Carlyle and it's located a nice area of Alexandria. A 1br is $1750 though and there is no mention of parking, so that may be an additional fee.

The Potomac Yards apartments are almost all newly built and I haven't heard anything about those. I suppose the area is growing and it will eventually become more "walkable" but right now, it's mostly walkable to a few grocery stores and a shopping center anchored by Target, Staples, Best Buy, etc. There is not yet a metro stop, although there is one in the planning stages.

[WildParrot]

Carlyle is a nice central location, but Potomac Yards is a little further out & not convenient to the Metro. But the closer you are to downtown, you will be paying more for the location, hopefully the tradeoff is conveniences to everyday life.

[reenzz]

Set your standards lower. You are looking for a luxury apartment at trailer park prices.