Advice on PTO Move (Arlington, Alexandria: foreclosures, showing, apartment complex)

[joeg327]

I'm in the process of hiring into the Patent & Trademark Office in Alexandria. Since I have to go through a training period, I'm considering getting a room to rent while I search for an apartment or townhouse for the wife and dog (100 lb Lab Mix). I grew up in Detroit, so city living won't be a surprise for me. Can anyone give me some advice on sources for rooms to rent, housing near the Metro (I plan to commute to the PTO), anything I should know about the area? Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
JoeG.

[VRE332]

I have a friend working at the PTO, and the hours he puts in are insane. I would wait to see how that job goes before jumping into a house.

[joeg327]

I don't think we will be looking for a home right away. My thought was to get an apartment for the first year or two, close to the PTO for the commute. After two years, the PTO allows work from home for most of the week. During my interviews, it has been mentioned that there is plenty of overtime available, if wanted, but not required. I'm not adverse to work, so we'll have to see how it goes. It's quite apparent that the cost of living is much higher in NOVA than the Detroit area. A lot is dependent on the salary and initial bonus offered for the position. With my education and experience, I initially qualified for the highest GS pay scale being offered, but actual dollars have not been discussed.
When it comes to a house in our future, I might consider a "fixer upper". I'm quite the handyman, like working with my hands and can tackle most update/repair jobs around a home.
I was hoping to get some input from this forum on rooms for rent, apartments in Alexandria (or close to the Metro), or tips about the area. The wife and dog will probably remain in Michigan until I can get settled and we decide what to do with our Michigan home. The housing market is horrible here with the highest number of foreclosures in history and 8% unemployment.
Thanks for your input!

Joe G.

[jahutch]

Yeah, I was looking at a Trademark Examiner position with PTO at one point, and I talked to a guy that worked there, and he basically said overtime is available but almost never necessary, and that if you do it much it is to some degree frowned upon (as the govt doesn't like to pay OT!). I also think you can get comp time instead of OT, which in my mind is golden.

Now of course, the patent side may be different, but I can't imagine its THAT different. As for places to rent, I only know the apartments around there. They are all expensive. The more reasonable are the carlyle mill (~1450 for 1br) and meridian at carlyle (similar for 1br with 1 month free rent incentive).

[Tone509]

You might want to consider some apartment complexes near the Huntington Metro which is a four-minute ride from the King Street Metro near the PTO.

Belle Haven Towers, Riverside Park and Huntington Gateway are within walking distance or short shuttle bus ride (usually provided by each complex) to and from the Metro. I don't think Riverside accepts pets but I'm not sure of the other two. The population at all of these places consists primarily of professional commuters. The immediate area is decidedly unglamorous due to the nexus of interstates and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge crossing over to MD.
South of Route 1 is strip mall nirvana with plenty of supermarket and lower-to-mid-scale restaurants and retail.

Basically, it will "get the job done" as you transition into the area for a couple years. You may find that to buy a SFH, even a "fixer-upper", will likely require you to move dozens of miles further out into the suburbs. Consider pet-friendly townhome or condo communities when that time comes.

[slduvall]

Try Craigs list for rooms for rent. For the PTO office you might want the Eishenhower stop on the metro not the King Street stop. As for looking for places when you decide to buy/or rent, my husband works in the Hoffman Building, just down the street from the PTO and we live in Kingstown. There are lots of Apts/Townhouses in different prices ranges here. The commute is very easy just up Van Dorn to Eishenhower via car but you will have to pay to park, or easy access to Huntington metro which is the yellow line. Of course by the time you drive to that metro it almost seems easier to continue on to work. If you are getting the money for the metro then of course you will want that. If you are look on the western side of Kingstowne and/or Springfield (where you will find more fix'er ups) then there is the Springfield Metro, which is blue line and you change trains.

[jsosh]

Just thought I'd pass along our experiences in regards to moving to the DC/VA area. My son took a job with the PTO office in the Fall of 06 - He has enjoyed working there - he feels the hours are great! My daughter is in the process of moving to the area also as she just took a job in the area too. (We live just south of Flint Michigan)

Both of them found their places to live through Craigslist.com - although both of them chose to live in places that they shared with others - My son originally lived in the Ballston area which was about a 45 minute commute on the Metro. He decided he didn't care for the commute and now lives in Alexandria - on the bus line but not near the Metro rail- He needs a car to get groceries etc but didn't when he lived in Ballston. the closer to the Metro rail the higher the rent it seems.

So we would recommend craigslist.com as a start - we also contacted the Alexandria chamber of commerce who sent us info - Also try out the website Apartments Arlington, Silver Spring, Fairfax - Apts for rent DC, MD, VA - ApartmentShowcase.com you can get information on line from them and also they can send you a book showing different apartments in the area (you can also pick these up near all metro stations.) Also there seems to be a lot of people renting out townhouses etc. and condos Personally I would recommend going with a short term lease if you can as once you familiarize yourself with the area, you can make a better choice as what is right for you.

If you have any questions that you think I might be able to help you with, email me @ *******- put in the subject PTO move so that I won't mistake it for spam. I don't check this website frequently as my search is over for the time being.

Isn't it said how every one is leaving Michigan? Good Luck!

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by jsosh

Isn't it said how every one is leaving Michigan? Good Luck!

same thing in NY and Ohio

[joeg327]

I have received a lot of valuable information from all of you that took the time to reply to my posting. I completed another "leg" of the interview process by answering an on-line "job compatibility" questionnaire from the PTO. Both my wife and I are excited and anxious about a possible move from Michigan. Both of us were born and raised here, but with the poor economy, job market, and housing situations, we have to look to our future together. Since we enjoy being outdoors, I imagine our weekends will be spent hiking or playing golf. I imagine playing golf will be as expensive as everything else in the NOVA area.
I have checked Craig's List frequently and find that the pricing for apartments to be in line which other Internet searches on Rent.com and the Washington Post websites. Of course, we will take a "road trip" to the area before we make any moving decision. Can someone recommend a good Motel to stay in the area. We have stayed at Motel 6, since most allow pets. I found one in Fredericksburg that might work for us.

Thanks again,

JoeG.