Relocating to Del Ray (Alexandria) (apartments, home, job market)

[tebster]

Hi all-- I am in mid 30s, single, female. I'm currently living in SW Florida, was in Santa Monica, CA for 5 years and grew up in Olney, MD. I want to head back to MD/DC/VA area and think the Del Ray area near Old Town Alexandria might be a good fit for me. I like being near the water, boating, being outdoors, live music, culture, good restaurants, etc. And I love historical neighborhoods! Any overall thoughts on the area... what are the people like, social life, dating scene, job market (ideally trying to get in a TV production company as a producer/writer and can also work in Communications/Marketing/PR) etc? (I'm currently employed and can work from home so I'm not pressed to find a job right away.) I saw a decent apartment on E. Glendale Ave, off Mt Vernon Ave in Brenton Court apartments. Anyone know anything about that complex? Is it relatively safe to walk home at night from Braddock Metro? Does anyone know how the street parking around Mt Vernon Ave and Glendale is? Any suggestions on good driving routes to Olney, Gaithersburg, or Bethesda areas? Any comments on any of the topics I've mentioned would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by tebster

Hi all-- I am in mid 30s, single, female. I'm currently living in SW Florida, was in Santa Monica, CA for 5 years and grew up in Olney, MD. I want to head back to MD/DC/VA area and think the Del Ray area near Old Town Alexandria might be a good fit for me. I like being near the water, boating, being outdoors, live music, culture, good restaurants, etc. And I love historical neighborhoods! Any overall thoughts on the area... what are the people like, social life, dating scene, job market (ideally trying to get in a TV production company as a producer/writer and can also work in Communications/Marketing/PR) etc? (I'm currently employed and can work from home so I'm not pressed to find a job right away.) I saw a decent apartment on E. Glendale Ave, off Mt Vernon Ave in Brenton Court apartments. Anyone know anything about that complex? Is it relatively safe to walk home at night from Braddock Metro? Does anyone know how the street parking around Mt Vernon Ave and Glendale is? Any suggestions on good driving routes to Olney, Gaithersburg, or Bethesda areas? Any comments on any of the topics I've mentioned would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

IMO Del Ray is Northern Virginia's version of Greenwich Village, albeit on the milder side. Mt. Vernon Avenue is a fun, funky main drag of (mostly) local restaurants, grocers, cafes and alternative heath practices. You may meet new people at a lot of these places but a good portion of them may be younger spouses who may have kids in the nearby elementary school.

I don't think Del Ray is particularly a job hub. The good news is that you're close enough to take the Metro to places that are. I'm not familar enough with Brenton Court to say yea or nay. I would exercise common sense caution if coming home late night from the Braddock Road Metro but I don't see it as particularly dangerous.

To get to Bethesda, Gaithersburg and Olney from Alexandria will require getting on the Beltway (I-495) if not also Route 270.

[NvaWrtr]

Hello,
I actually know someone that lives on E. Glendale and have walked from the nearby metro at night and felt fine although I did walk it with someone with me. There are some nice shops and restaurants along the street nearby. I always find parking with no problem when visiting my friend.
As far as the people in that area, I would agree with the above poster that the area has a lot of young families. I usually would see a husband and wife with toddlers or pushing a stroller. I would also see young couples walking their dog but also see young professionals walking back from the metro.
As far as job market, there are a couple broadcasting stations in the DC area as well as in VA (WJLA, WETA, WUSA). Other than that I'd say a big draw for the job market in the NOVA/DC area is government work or government contracting work.

[tebster]

Thanks so much Tone509 and NvaWrtr! I really appreciate your feedback!