Looking for home close to metro (Arlington, Alexandria: apartments, condominium, hotel)

[shannon71]

Hello,

I am thinking of taking a job in DC. I lived in Alexandria (right across from the Huntington Metro) for four years from 2000-2004. Anyway, I need to find a place that is close to shopping and walkable to the the metro because I have an eye disease and cannot drive. My potential job is near the Foggy Bottom metro. I can spend up to $600,000 and am looking for a condominium or townhouse. Can anyone recommend some good areas that will accomodate my needs?

Thanks, Shannon

[saganista]

I suppose I'd check first in the Ballston Corridor...so much is packed in there that most things are walkable from anywhere. There are four Metro stops right along the main drag (Ballston, Virginia Square, Clarendon, and Court House), and any of them would have you in Foggy Bottom within 15 minutes or so.

[claremarie]

What Saganista said.

[pgwiz1]

Agree with saganista. If you want to live near shops/grocery store, I would look in Clarendon. The clarendon shops and whole foods is right there. You also def. want to live on the orange line, since foggy bottom is on the orange line.

[ersatz]

Foggy Bottom is on the Blue Line too. Not too many living choices near Arlington Cemetary and National Airport. Pentagon is not recommended for walkability.

Pentagon City has lots of condos within walking distance. It has a big Mall and several strip malls with grocery stores etc.

The Old Town Alexandria stops of Braddock Road and King Street have some very nice living areas that might be (just) within your price range and the area is known for its very pleasant walkability with loads of shops and restaurants. Old Town is a very pretty area with a harbor at the end of King Street. There's even a free shuttle bus that runs up and down King Street to the Metro station.

There are shops and apartments and condos within walking distance of the Van Dorn metro stop. However, the area is slightly dodgy. In addition to being somewhat ominous at night, you have to play dodgem with traffic along Van Dorn when crossing over to go to the metro.

Franconia-Springfield has the Mall and associated shops but not really any grocery stores within easy walking distance though bus service is available.

If you are willing to settle (as I did) for an area not within walking distance of a metro station but with lots of frequent bus service that will take you to the metro, then your options expand considerably. There are lots of nice walkable neighborhoods with easy walking distance to shopping, theaters etc. and good bus service links. Check schedules and make sure that you have 24/7 buses on your route, as some of them only run M-F rush hour only. I have the same concerns as you. I rented a hotel room for a month and researched the area thoroughly as well as visit my top choices in a day and night time setting. That worked out well and I have been very happy in my choice.