Twenty-something moving to NOVA! (Arlington, Bailey's Crossroads: fit in, apartments, rent)

[bpatel27]

Where would you live if you were twenty-something moving to NOVA and wanted to spend between $1100-$1500 on rent?

Thank you thank you for any advice!

[Azmordean]

Where are you going to be working? I think this is the key question. If you are working in DC, the coolest place to live is probably in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. Studio apartments should be in your price range. Alternatively, you could get a roommate and rent out a 2br place and have a lot more space. You *might* be able to find a 1br in this area for 1500, but it'll probably be difficult.

Crystal City is another very convenient area - it is close to DC, and very nice, with great transit access. It is not nearly as lively as Ballston-Rosslyn, but it can be cheaper, and a 1br would be in your price range there.

[bpatel27]

In Falls Church, but I want to stay close to Clarendon/Court House since it seems to be more happening. Do people hop on the metro to go out or just take cabs?

[Azmordean]

Ballston-Rosslyn corridor will be in your price range for a studio, but it'll be tough for a real 1 bedroom. I'd suggest Ballston - its happening and closer to your work. As for getting to work, you will probably have to drive unless your work happens to be close to one of the Falls Church metros. Bus may be an option as well. Taxi would be pretty pricey for that trip though.

The alternative would be to find a nice place in Falls Church. The city itself is pretty neat and walkable, and you'd be reasonably close to the East Falls Church metro (20 min walk, short bike ride) if you live in "downtown" Falls Church. That would make for a shorter commute, and a cheaper place, but you wouldn't be in the "center of it all" as much.

[DCguy03]

From living in Court House there are lots of people in there 20s here. It is a great place to live, and yes a lot of people do walk or take the metro to get around and go out. Sure, you could take a cab but what a waste of $.

Good call on choosing the Court House/Clarendon neighborhoods to live in. There are so many cafes and bars with outdoor cafe seating during the summer. It is also a nice area to go out in because it is much safer than a lot of the DC nightlife scene. Falls Church is a great town, but it is more the 30+ with kids and a dog type of place.

For your commute: Even if your employer isn't within walking distance of the East or West Falls Church metro stations, many companies around there offer free shuttles that run between the office and the metro station at commuter times. Call up your company's HR dept. to see if they have a shuttle.

[symptomatic]

i wouldnt move to nova if i was 20-something bc u'll get bored and pull ur hair out. the best advice i can offer is to get married quickly and pop out a baby so u can fit in with the other shoppers at target.

[SmerkyGrl]

Originally Posted by bpatel27

In Falls Church, but I want to stay close to Clarendon/Court House since it seems to be more happening. Do people hop on the metro to go out or just take cabs?

Why don't you just live in Falls Church? The Bailey's Crossroads area has plenty of apartment choices. I live here and am very satisfied thusfar. I only pay $1164 in rent in a very spacious 1 bedroom (almost 900 sqft) with a balcony.

[DCguy03]

I'd have to say that most people in their 20's would be bored in Falls Church. How would I know? I'm 23, and I lived in Falls Church for 6 months before moving to Court House.

Honestly, Falls Church is an excellent town to live in once you are ready to "settle down" and have a family...like the 30+ age range. It has beautiful parks, good public schools, 2 metro stations, and is very safe - All great things...for a family! But this town is going to leave you feeling out of place at your age.

To break down the pros and cons,

Falls Church Pros:

• closer to your workplace = a shorter commute.
• less expensive - you can rent a larger apt for the $

Cons:

• Not much of a nightlife scene at all.
• You will be more dependent on your car here. Even if you commute to work via Metro, there are very few truly walkable retail areas in FC...i.e. you can't just walk out your door and have a ton of bars, grocery stores, cafes, bookstores, etc. within a few blocks reach.
• Few people our age are there. City-Data's own stats reveal that the "Median age of residents in Falls Church is 39.7" source: http://www.city-data.com/city/Falls-Church-Virginia.html
• Your friends will mostly live in DC and Arlington...making your place out of the way. This makes it really hard to have friends over. Living in Falls Church will take away your ability to have a 'spur-of-the-moment' social life that makes your 20's fun.

As jahutch said, Ballston would be a great neighborhood for you because it is slightly cheaper than Court House and Clarendon, and it is closer to your workplace in Falls Church. Best of both worlds!

Bottom line - you have your entire life from age 30 on up to live in the suburbs. Go for an apartment near either the Court House, Clarendon, or Ballston metro stations and the lifestyle will fit you well. Sure, you'll have a smaller apartment in these places but as they say in the city, the city is your living room. With so much within walking distance, you don't end up wanting to stay inside all that much.

[Azmordean]

DCguy -

Good post. Just don't put the cutoff at 30! =P. I just turned 27 in April, but I really don't think I'm going to all the sudden want to be married with kids and a dog when I hit 30!

[DCguy03]

I'm with you, jahutch!

Don't know if I worded it right, but I mean that age 30 is about the youngest age of working professionals in Falls Church. I see this as a minimum, however - most 30-year olds, married or single, will still want to live in a more urban environment.

But this is all just my opinion on it. For an unbiased look at Falls Church, take a look at City-Data's statistics on this town--> http://www.city-data.com/city/Falls-Church-Virginia.html

The average age in Falls Church is 39.7. Just something to keep in mind if you're in your 20s (or 30s) and thinking of moving there.