Apartment Suggestions/Recommendations (Jefferson, Fairfax, Idylwood: apartment complexes, to rent, condos)

[t0nic]

I will be moving in from out of state for a position in Fairfax and am looking for suggestions on where to live.

I am looking for a studio/1 bedroom apartment that will allow me easy access to both Metro but also be somewhat close to 50/66 if possible (not really as big a deal).

Basically being from out of state I am pretty clueless as to which apartment complexes would be recommended and which ones are better then others since I've never lived in the state before

Any help or advice about what apartments I should look at would be immensely helpful.

Edit: Oops just read the sticky!

-Where you are working (Fairfax main office but consulting in DC)
-How much you are willing to spend on housing (I figure rent will be 1000-1500 so that is what I am targeting)
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate (hour or so)
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: Mostly small city feel
-Community amenities important to you: Only looking for washer/dryer in unit really
-Pie or cake? Apple Pie!

[NVaNative]

I live in a one-bedroom apartment in the Archstone Monument Park community in Fairfax Corner. It's great! The community is across the street from Wegmans (grocery store), a 10 minute walk to Fairfax Corner where they have a movie theatre and restaurants, a 20 minute walk or quick drive to Fair Oaks Mall, and a quick drive to Fair Lakes where they have shopping and restaurants. I felt the need to get the "El Presidente" of apartments, so my rent is around $1500, but I believe the one-bedrooms in the community start from the mid-$1300s. There are a few other apartment communities in this area too: Archstone Ellipse, The Reserve, Camden at Fairfax Corner, Camden Monument Place (I think...), The Jefferson, and the Lincolnian.

Fairfax Corner is right beside the Route 50 exit off of 66. The nearest Metro stop is Vienna (orange line), and it is 2 exits down 66 from Fairfax Corner.

[smaug20000]

If I were you, I would also consider renting a condo from an owner. There are condos next to the Vienna, Dunn Loring and West Falls Church metro to consider. The condos near Vienna and Dunn Loring are the newest. If you want the cheapest, then I used to rent in Idylwood Towers which is 1 mile from the West Falls Church metro. Maybe you should just ask a realtor or search Craigslist to check into this option too. I found that renting a condo from a private owner, I got a lot lower rent than from a complex and a very nice living space.