Where to buy for ~400k in NoVa (Arlington, Falls Church: real estate, townhouse)

[AtticusFynch]

Hi all,

I could use some advice. I've just started a job in Rosslyn, and am looking to buy a place in the area (moved from the West Coast).

Highrises are out - I have dogs. But a townhouse/row house with a yard would be ok. (Small yard is fine - it just has to exist).

I can afford about $400k max. I'm single and in my early 30s and would prefer a younger, single set. Tattoos and piercings, not popped collars and ball caps.

I dig Del Ray but it's just out of my price range it seems. Ditto for all the areas I like in the District. I wonder if there are any younger semi-bohemian enclaves a little farther out.

There are some nice places in my price range in the Huntington vicinity just south of the beltway, but that area's a bit sleepy for my taste.

Thanks in advance for and advice!

-Sean

[Fairfax Mom]

I notice most of the young professionals around her are not very boho - most of them are stuffed shirts - even in the so called "hip areas".

[barryhussein]

I saw a great house in 22044 for 449K, that is a stones throw to DC. It's also in FFX County. 7 Corners gets a bad rap because of the illegals, but this neighborhood is very quiet. Also, on a 15,000 SF lot.

[Newk]

Wow, $400,000 house on one salary, you must be ballin'!

[blossom4792]

I'd suggest Arlington - maybe bordering Clarendon? I just did a quick search on realtor.com (just Arlington) and at that price there are some small houses with yards as well as townhouse options, but I don't know the specific neighborhoods that well. I can't think of any enclaves further out that would really fit (the suburbs are kind of "preppy&quot, but others might have ideas.
Also parts of Falls Church might work.

[g3org3]

Hyattsville (Md.) is supposed to have a budding arts community, but I haven't checked it out (and am a little skeptical). Also, Ellicott City (Md., the "Old Town" part) has a New-Age/hippy streak. And there's always Takoma Park, but that may be a little sleepy, too. Unfortunately, the younger tattooed crowd further out in Va. is probably going to be more redneck -- tattoos and ballcaps -- than professional (not that there's anything wrong with that).

[slim04]

Originally Posted by AtticusFynch

Hi all,


I dig Del Ray but it's just out of my price range it seems. Ditto for all the areas I like in the District. I wonder if there are any younger semi-bohemian enclaves a little farther out.


-Sean

I just spent yesterday afternoon in Del Ray. It is not by any means a younger semi-bohemian enclave. It's a yuppy, stoller dominated area filled with affluent couples in their mid 30's to 50's. If you are a highly paid professional that wants a short commute, loves yoga, and loves boutiques and independent coffee shops and restaurants, Del Ray is your place. It's hard to believe that it was a working class neighborhood 15-20 years ago.

Takoma Park or Baltimore is probably more of what you are looking for in terms of vibe, but neither is convenient to Rosslyn.

[DC Oldtimer]

There is a small townhouse development near us where homes go in the 300-400 range. It's just off Braddock Rd near the beltway, bounded by wakefield and oak hill parks. IIRC it's called Park Glen Heights. Anyway I know one street in the development is called Highcliffe Court.

Am under the impression the homes are quite nice even though they have been there about 30 years. Not tacky at all (brick) and surrounded by woods.

Best advice... check in with the queen of real estate around here who probably has most of the listings. Her name is Debbie Dogrul. www.dialdebbie.com

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by g3org3

Hyattsville (Md.) is supposed to have a budding arts community, but I haven't checked it out (and am a little skeptical).

your skepticism is correct

[barryhussein]

Isn't that where someone tried to carjack two undercover narcotics officers?