Moving to McLean/Tysons Corner, Where to live? (1 brd apart.) (Richmond: apartments, leases)

[oleo]

I am moving to NOVA to start a new job in McLean right next to Tysons Corner. I have no idea where to live.

I don't mind driving 20-30min to get to work.

I am looking for a nice 1brd apartment that is in a safe neighborhood with other young professionals living there.

I would like to be near a Whole Foods Grocery Store, or high end grocery store.

I have no idea what prices are, I'm looking to spend $1k a month on rent.

Thanks for your help.

[diertac]

For that area, I would look in Fairfax, Merrifield, Falls Church and Vienna.

The problem with TC is that it's a *mess* no matter where you live. There's no simple way in or out. Tons of lights and traffic.

I used to live out in Reston off the W&OD. There were days when I could ride my bike on the W&OD to the "toilet bowl building" in McLean in 30 minutes. Driving would take me 45 minutes to an hour.

[VRE332]

Did you think this decision throughly? No offense, but It's a funny trend when out-of-state people take these job offers in McLean and Tyson's corner and don't realize what the cost of living is. In addition, it takes 30 minutes to just get out of Tyson's Corner during rush hour.

I would say start looking into the Falls Church area for an apartment. Be ready for some serious sticker shock, no matter what you think your salary is worth, think again.

[oleo]

Sorry. I'm not from out of state, I've been living in Richmond, VA all of my life.

My salary will be $55K, so I'm not sure how far that will get me.

[diertac]

Originally Posted by oleo

My salary will be $55K, so I'm not sure how far that will get me.

So... how do ya feel about roommates?

[oleo]

Originally Posted by diertac

So... how do ya feel about roommates?

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone up there and I need to make a decision soon because I start in January.

I don't want to meet some stranger off the internet, so I'm willing to pay a little more for a small 1brd.

[Hester Prynne]

$1,000 may not get you too far in TC. But some suggestions might include Idlywood Towers off Leesburg Pike -- condos there are privately owned so you'd have to look through Craigs List, I think. There is a Whole Foods w/in walking distance, though the neighborhood has a bit of a rough edge at times.

There is also The Colonies. Again, condos there are privately owned so I'd start looking for classified ads. Colonies is a bit old, but you might find a deal. Gates of McLean will be more than $1K a month, but that's another option. Fountains of McLean is the same deal -- 1BD/1BA runs around $1250. Good luck!

[NOVAmtneer82]

Here's the deal...

Northern VA is an expensive place to live. I'm sure being from Richmond you already know or have heard that. However, you don't need roommates on 55K per year up here. Does it help save some money? Yes. But it is by no means necessary.

That being said, if you are only willing to spend $1,000 per month on rent you are going to have to look VERY hard or further away from Tysons. There are very few (if any) 1 bedroom complexes in the immediate area in that price range.

I don't pretend to know your financial situation but is there any way you can't up that to perhaps $1,250 or 1,300? You can indeed find places in that price range in Tysons, Falls Church and north Arlington. They won't be in brand new complexes or have the top modern amenities but they do exist.

Some people who are unfamiliar with the area bite the bullet and pay the higher prices for a 1 bedroom (some through temporary leases) and then get together with a group of people and rent a house or large apartment later on. Some meet a lot of new people and still decide to live alone. You will be fine either way.

As far as the commute time....Be aware that you are working in Tysons Corner. It can sometimes take 20-30 minutes to get through a few stoplights.

[Denton56]

Try Reston. I know a young man making about your salary, works in Tyson's Corner, and he lives here:
Reston apartments - The Sycamores

He loves it because it's close to grocery stores, Whole Food and Harris Teeter, and walking distance to Reston Town Center with lots of shopping and restaurants, movies, ice skating, etc. The apartments are also right next to the bike path. His apartment is very nice, including eat in space in the kitchen, walk in closets, and dishwasher and wash and dryer in every apartment. It's a 20 or 30 minute drive to Tyson's Corner during rush hour. Lots of young people live in the apartments around Reston Town Center.

[saganista]

Originally Posted by Denton56

It's a 20 or 30 minute drive to Tyson's Corner during rush hour. Lots of young people live in the apartments around Reston Town Center.

It's a 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 or 60 minute drive to Tysons during rush hour. Assuming there are no accidents. There are lots of young and other people around Reston Town Center alright, and that's a nice area, but I'd still try to skip it on account of the commute. Something in the Falls Church, Dunn Loring, Vienna, Oakton areas would work better on that score, and if the housing budget can be stretched maybe a little, it might be worth it...