Living in Alexandria on a GS 5/7 salary (Springfield, Fairfax: cheap apartments, rent)

[NawfalKulam]

I am considering a career as an accountant for the federal government. I would start as a GS 5 or 7. My question is:is that enough to live on minimalistically, in Alexandria?
Considerations:
-I will rely solely on public transportation. I will have no car but I might buy a motorcycle.
-I will live in a studio or with roommates.
-I have substantial student loans but I will most likely establish an IBR so my payments will be <500.
-I am single with no kids.
-I hope to buy a condo sometime in the future but it is not a priority now.

[ChristineVA]

So that's starting at a range of about $37K-$45K.

If you are working for the federal government, you are eligible for the transit subsidy. Not sure what the limit is on that currently but it should cover most, if not all, of your transportation costs.

In my opinion, to be comfortable with loan payments, food, and nominal utilities, you will probably need to find a multi-roommate situation where you can get a room for about $900 per month.

The good news is that if you are a good employee, you should move up relatively quickly in the federal government. There is a big push to hire accountants (has been a push for several years) due to all the auditing going on. I'm actually surprised that you can't come in any higher graded than that.

[NawfalKulam]

I found some rooms for $700-900. I even found a feww studios for sub-$1000. With no substantial work experience, could I get in at a higher GS?
Would you recommend getting an affordable motorcycle?

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by NawfalKulam

I found some rooms for $700-900. I even found a feww studios for sub-$1000. With no substantial work experience, could I get in at a higher GS?
Would you recommend getting an affordable motorcycle?

Yes, if you can afford it, a motorcycle might be nice so that you can get around and not be totally reliant on public trans or Uber. But only if it doesn't break your budget.

Are you a recent college grad coming in on the intern program? If so, then that is probably the way to start. If you have work experience, you can come in higher. There is an associate's program (similar to internship but employees have previous work experience). They generally come in as GS-9s.

[NawfalKulam]

I will be graduating soon but i have some internship experience.

[manitopiaaa]

I survived in Alexandria as a G-7 a few years ago. It's doable but I lived in Arlandria (which has cheap apartments). Anywhere else and you'd have to find something rent controlled.

[Old Guard]

I do not think the important question is if you can survive on GS5 - GS7 salary but if and when you can expect to get promotions?

[brooklynborndad]

From what I can gather, motorcycles can use the express lanes on I95 free of charge, and I presume will be able to do so on the I395 express lanes once they are in effect (currently they are HOV3, open to motorcycles, no tolls) If you are comfortable commuting on your motorcycle, that makes some areas that are a difficult commute for most into a relatively good commute. You can easily commute from West Alexandria near Landmark, or from the parts of Fairfax southwest along I 95 (Springfield, Newington, Lorton)

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

From what I can gather, motorcycles can use the express lanes on I95 free of charge, and I presume will be able to do so on the I395 express lanes once they are in effect (currently they are HOV3, open to motorcycles, no tolls) If you are comfortable commuting on your motorcycle, that makes some areas that are a difficult commute for most into a relatively good commute. You can easily commute from West Alexandria near Landmark, or from the parts of Fairfax southwest along I 95 (Springfield, Newington, Lorton)

Interestingly, when I asked VDOT on their Facebook page why motorcycles are exempt they said it was due to the size (maximizing space and motorcycles taking up less of it). That doesn’t seem right to me.

[Deeman804]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

Interestingly, when I asked VDOT on their Facebook page why motorcycles are exempt they said it was due to the size (maximizing space and motorcycles taking up less of it). That doesn’t seem right to me.

I always thought it was because their engine was smaller so less pollution like HOV cars. That’s based on zero facts though.