505 E Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22314 bad area??? (Madison: section 8, hair salon)

[glasswalls00]

hey guys! is
505 E Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22314

next to parker gray? Is this address a bad area?

I have heard braddock station area is rough. Is that true? why would people say that? any ideas?

[juniperbleu]

I think you'd be fine. The rough part is on the other side of the metro (near Madison Ave & Fayette) where there's some section 8 housing. Also, keep in mind that "rough" is relative. This is Old Town Alexandria, so even a "ghetto" in this area is safer than some nice areas in DC.

[notinnj]

I am a bit confused by this because Google Maps shows 550 E Braddock as being at the Metro Station.
I agree with juniperbleu. The areas immediately adjacent to the station and on the other side of the tracks are busy and safe. There is public housing further east in Parker Gray, but I would never call the area around the Metro "rough". A friend of mine lives in Colecroft Station which are across the street from the Station and he loves it there.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by notinnj

I am a bit confused by this because Google Maps shows 550 E Braddock as being at the Metro Station...A friend of mine lives in Colecroft Station which are across the street from the Station and he loves it there.

505 is in Colecroft (for anyone who doesn't know it, it's the brick buildings with turquoise roofs). It always looked nice to me

[Tone509]

If I were ever in a situation where I needed public housing, I would hope I were still living in Alexandria. While perhaps not luxurious, communities like those in Parker-Gray near the Braddock Road Metro appear to be well-maintained. There is also a community center being built on N. Patrick Street that will probably benefit every socioeconomic group in the area but will probably benefit some of the more idle folk the most. I would imagine there is some crime that happens there but I've never seen anything on the evening news in the 3+ years I've been here. People have to live somewhere and I'm glad to see such a diverse mix of people in a relatively popular and convenient area.

[MKing]

I agree that the area is not as bad like some parts of DC would be, but still please be careful. I gather from another one of your posts that you are a woman and what might feel fine or pretty safe from a man's point of view, can feel totally unsafe from a woman's point of view. This is 100% not meant as a negative men vs. woman thing, but it's true, as woman I think we view what we feel is safe to walk through alone at night differently than a man does. Lol unfortunately I am not a small petite woman and I imagine because of this I would not be someone's first choice as a target, (works for me ) and I wouldn't feel comfortable walking by myself later at night in this area. Just my little opinion.

As for crime I am not totally up to date on that the only thing I can remember off the top of my head is early 2007 the Travelodge hotel was on the news because of citizens concerns of the drug deals and prostitution that are there. I had to go there once, after admitting a resident to a nursing and rehab facility that had been staying there, and it was not a good scene. I was glad to have taken someone from our security dept with me. Other than that I remember earlier this year a dead body being found around Columbus and Princess, (I think, if I am remembering correctly), of course I never heard if the person was shot and killed there or if the body was just dumped there. Keep in mind there are millions dollar homes all around that area! For the record I love old town, it is charming and wonderful and expensive.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by MKing

I gather from another one of your posts that you are a woman and what might feel fine or pretty safe from a man's point of view, can feel totally unsafe from a woman's point of view.

I agree. To put my above posts in that frame of mind, I am a young woman, not exactly muscle-bound, and fairly small (5' tall). Basically, I'd probably be an easy target.

If I had to walk through the public housing, maybe I'd be uncomfortable. Colecroft, however, seems safe and very well-lit at night.

[MKing]

I agree Juniper, if I remember correctly if you are standing at the metro station to the right is Colecroft, (and I remember it looking nice), and across the street from the metro is office buildings with a mix of condos and then as you walk up the street that is across from the metro that is where the public housing begins.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by MKing

I agree that the area is not as bad like some parts of DC would be, but still please be careful. I gather from another one of your posts that you are a woman and what might feel fine or pretty safe from a man's point of view, can feel totally unsafe from a woman's point of view. This is 100% not meant as a negative men vs. woman thing, but it's true, as woman I think we view what we feel is safe to walk through alone at night differently than a man does. Lol unfortunately I am not a small petite woman and I imagine because of this I would not be someone's first choice as a target, (works for me ) and I wouldn't feel comfortable walking by myself later at night in this area. Just my little opinion.

...

Thanks, MKing. I am also interested in that area and as a woman have the concerns you described. I even have a Saf-T-Man, who can be put in your passenger car seat, but he doesn't fool many people when I try to walk around with him.

[barbbradley]

I lived at 545 East Braddock Road. Both 545 and 505 are really nice condos and apts. across the street south from Braddock metro. GREAT location. VERY safe-bike trail outside. Watch living on the west side of either bldg-metro AND train go by-very noisy. There is a courtyard with pavilion with grills. In downstairs building of 545, there is a spectacular, family-owned Italian restaurant, a hair salon and dry cleaners.

I loved it there-I owned a condo.