Benefits of living in Arlington, VA versus Washigton DC (Reston: apartment complexes, rent)

[BCORLEONE]

Hello All,

I am visiting the area this week, and I'm wondering if there are certain benefits to living in Arlington versus Washington DC. Since i'm considering living in both areas I'm trying to see if there are hidden costs/benefits associated with each area. So basically:

1) Are the income taxes less in Virginia vs. DC
2) Is food/utilities cheaper in Arlington vs. DC
3) Are there fees to be paid when crossing the bridge to get to from DC/VA
4) Is entertainment/nightlife more expensive in either area
5) Parking costs

I'm looking for any information that people may overlook when deciding on living between the two areas, doesn't necessarily have to be related to costs.

For instance I heard if you have children and live in DC, your children will be allowed to pay in-state tuiton costs for any college in the nation.

Any other information that you can provide (not related to the questions I asked) is welcomed as well.

Thanks for your help

See you in one of those areas

[mlv311]

I can only answer a few of your questions, but I'm sure others will help.

1 & 2) On your question about taxes (all types), check out this Washington Post article: Raw Fisherfrom Marc Fisher's Blog - Do the Math: District's Taxes Aren't the Worst - washingtonpost.com
3) You don't pay a fee to cross a bridge into DC.
4) Entertainment and nightlife costs are comparable.

The one thing I remember when I moved from DC to Arlington was the big difference in public services: the public library system in Arlington has a huge inventory and is excellent, schools have an excellent reputation (unlike DC), and the customer service when going to government offices was better overall.

[Azmordean]

For most people making $50,000 plus, the taxes will indeed be cheaper in Virginia. Crime is, generally speaking, higher in the District than in Virginia. As mlv311 mentioned, schools, libraries, and other community services are likely to be better in Virginia. Parking is probably easier in Arlington overall - the newer highrises there tend to have underground parking - a lot of places in DC are older and you may be left with street parking as your only option. Finally, rents are likely to be a bit cheaper in Virginia (at least cheaper than the nicest parts of DC).

With all that said, DC is certainly "where the action is", which too a young dude like me is pretty attractive. Personally I am leaning toward Arlington though, partly because I think it provides easy access to DC for partying / nights out, and is itself a walkable neighborhood, but is a bit less hectic and a bit more convenient than true "in the city" living. The other thing is I'm a bit political, and don't like the idea of only really having a vote in presidential elections (DC has no senators, and only a non-voting Congresswoman).

Also.. I don't think you can go to college anywhere if you live in DC. There is the University of the District of Columbia which may be "in state," but I have no idea if its a good school or not. Otherwise you'd be out of state. If you have kids, Virginia may be a better choice all around - the public schools in Arlington and Fairfax are excellent, and Virginia has some of the best state colleges in the country in Virginia Tech, William & Mary, University of Virginia, and George Mason.

[claremarie]

DC does have a tuition assistance grant program that allows eligible D.C. residents to attend out of state universities at in-state tuition rates. Not all state universities participate in the program, and there are certain residency requirements and other restrictions.

You can check the DC government website for details, but like many D.C. government functions, the information is rather hard to find.....

Of course, the D.C. public schools (including UDC) are not very good.

[ACWhite]

A huge advantage of living in Arlington (in addition to great schools) is a (for the most part) very responsive county government and police force. For example, if your trash pickup is missed, call the county and they'll get it the next working day (usually). Police arrive within minutes of a call and are polite and professional; they regularly meet with the neighborhood citizens' associations to provide updates and get inputs.

[TheseGoTo11]

Arlington is all the benefits of urban living - the metro, the bars & restaurants, pedestrian neighborhoods - with reasonable schools and much lower taxes than DC.

And in many areas it's actually a shorter trip to downtown Washington than many parts of DC.

[sundevil85]

Cross the river into Virginia, and you are about 99% less likely to be murdered.
Schools? No comparison; although I respect Michelle Rhee, and I hope she is giving those slobs a piece of her mind.

[Moth]

I would add that you will have two Senators and a Congressional Rep who can vote.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by BCORLEONE

Hello All,

I am visiting the area this week, and I'm wondering if there are certain benefits to living in Arlington versus Washington DC. Since i'm considering living in both areas I'm trying to see if there are hidden costs/benefits associated with each area. So basically:

1) Are the income taxes less in Virginia vs. DC
2) Is food/utilities cheaper in Arlington vs. DC
3) Are there fees to be paid when crossing the bridge to get to from DC/VA
4) Is entertainment/nightlife more expensive in either area
5) Parking costs

I'm looking for any information that people may overlook when deciding on living between the two areas, doesn't necessarily have to be related to costs.

For instance I heard if you have children and live in DC, your children will be allowed to pay in-state tuiton costs for any college in the nation.

Any other information that you can provide (not related to the questions I asked) is welcomed as well.

Thanks for your help

See you in one of those areas

Do you have (or want to have in the near future) children? If so, none of those other things matter as much as this - Arlington County schools are some of the best in the nation. DC's, while Michelle Rhee is doing what appears to be an excellent job reforming, are some of the worst.

If you have to spend $20/yr to send children to private school in the district, I'd think that'd outweigh any cost savings you'd get on potential commutes and parking costs.

[NOVAmtneer82]

I live in Arlington along the Orange Line corridor and absolutely love it. Arlington has all the urban amenities one could want however if you need the true city feel with regard to museums, pro sports, art galleries, etc. than all you have to do is hop on the Metro and head on in.

The nightlife scene in Arlington is quite fun and somewhat underestimated by many. There are many great bars in the Clarendon area along with Ballston. TONS of young singles always running around the area, the apartment complexes honestly feel like college dorms only nicer. When I first moved here I figured I would always be going into DC for nights on the town but my friends and I usually spend an even amount of our going out time in Arlington or the city. I also really enjoy being close to Tysons Corner which has a lot of awesome shopping and great restaurants (the only drawback is the horrible traffic).

Going into the city is very easy from the Orange Line corridor, we frequently just hop on the Metro and head right to Adams Morgan, Penn Quarter, U street, or cab it over to Georgetown.

As far as living conditions go, many Arlington high rises and complexes are similar to those found in many DC neighborhoods, the only difference in Arlington you have fewer historic rowhouses (newer townhouses instead) and more abundant parking. A few friends from work live right in DC and the parking is absolutely horrible, they can sometimes spend nearly an hour just looking for an open street space, usually several blocks away from their apartment. Rent prices are similar if not more expensive in DC depending on the neighborhood. Food and other costs are pretty much the same, that is EXPENSIVE.

Also where did you say you were working again? Living in DC is great if you work right in town however it's quite a long and very congested commute if you work out in say Tysons, Reston, Fairfax, or the Dulles corridor. Although the commute from Arlington to those areas isn't cake, it would still be far better than from DC. There are no fees (yet) when crossing from VA to DC and vice versa although I constantly hear it being discuessed in the news, hopefully it won't be implemented.

Hope this helps..