Job in Arlington need advice on Nearby Areas (Alexandria, Reston: apartment, rent)

[flyingfish]

New job in Arlington near metro at Rosslyn blue/orange lines. I am currently living in another state and need to move to NOVA. I was thinking of somewhere in Prince William but advice I got in my original post was that the commute would be too much, (even to drive and park at a metro station and take that in to work) since I would prefer a 30min max commute to a metro station.

So I am now looking at Fairfax. Rent range 1200-1400 for two bedroom and I would prefer a house versus an apartment.

I've found the Weichert and Long & Foster sites and have looked at a few but I don't know about neighborhoods. I've bookmarked places that I liked in Reston, Herndon, Chantilly, Centreville and Alexandria.

Is anyone familiar with those two agencies? If I contacted one of them would they be able to take me to see several places in one day? I don't have a lot of time to get this move done.

[CaseyMac]

I think you need to heavily consider the commute times here. Under 30 minute commute times to Rosslyn mean you would need an inside Beltway location (McLean, Falls Church, Alexandria, Annanadale and of course Arlington). Western Fairfax is so far and 66 is HORRIBLE. Please do not underestimate how bad it can get here traffic-wise.

You mentioned you found some places in Alexandria. Which neighborhoods? It's more fun to llve in the Alexandria City part of Alex versus the Fairfax portion.

You may know this, but if not here is some good news about where you'll be coming to: Arlington in a word is awesome. Rosslyn is a neighborhood of Arlington and like Crystal City (another section of Arl) is a concrete, M-F jungle. But up the street is Clarendon with tons of bars and nightlife and down south is Pentagon City with a mall, etc and then further south is historic Old Town Alexandria, also full of bars, restaurants and nightlife. There are so many cool things to do in this area....and that is why when you live closer to work, you get more time to enjoy the great things close-in DC offers.

Best of luck to you and I hope this post helps you somewhat.

[flyingfish]

The Alexandria listing does not have zipcode or specific address so I have no idea what section it's in. From your post I should pretty much scrap the other listings I have bookmarked because they are further out in Fairfax and see if I can find ones that I like in the cities you mentioned.

The plus you mentioned about Arlington, actually I don't care about since I'm one of those people that like to stay in, does not go to bars and hates shopping.

[CaseyMac]

OK--well I then have more Arlington-pluses for you....lol. If you like living in a place that is unique, Arlington is the place. Most of Fairfax is an expensive version of places you'd see in the suburbs of any Middle American city. Arlington has an urban/suburban mix with all kinds of eccentric/eclectic stuff about it. If you like to stay in, maybe you like a good book and we have a great library system here. We also have good takeout options too--so if you want a pizza but not from a nationwide chain, you have tons of options here in Arlington. Good luck to you!

[bonsaisue]

My husband is going to be starting a job in Arlington in Feb or Mar of next year. We live in Los Angeles now. I've been lurking at this forum for a week or so now, reading past threads and trying to get a sense of where we might want to live in NoVa; it's been quite helpful so far, so thanks everyone!

I'm trying to get a handle on proximity now. It seems worthwhile to find a place on the metro line, since his job will be right at one of the stations. I'm wondering about the difference between commuting from Alexandria or Fairfax/Vienna or Fall's Church. Is there a big difference between being on/near the metro line in the surrounding areas and being right in Arlington? Also we've got an infant, but even though school's a few years off we'll need to think about that. I've read that Arlington's school system is more highly regarded than others in the area, but that the difference maybe isn't all that significant. Any advice - either on the housing hunt or the school situation - would be appreciated!

[satuartett21]

I would like information concerning the housing and schools. Have kids but they wont follow until school gets out-Is a 100K a good starting salary? Just trying to make good decisions?

[flyingfish]

@CaseyMac - Thanks. I've done some additional searches and discovered the Alexandria zip for all three places I am interested in is 22309.

[DC Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by bonsaisue

I've read that Arlington's school system is more highly regarded than others in the area, but that the difference maybe isn't all that significant.

I cant imagine who told you that. Fairfax County schools are among the best in the nation. Of course some are better than others.

My advice to you: live as close to the job as you can. There is much to love about NOVA, but the traffic IS terrible. Keep the commute to five miles or less if you can.

Ballston might be another place to consider. It's got its own Metro stop and is one of the more happening places around here.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by bonsaisue

I'm trying to get a handle on proximity now. It seems worthwhile to find a place on the metro line, since his job will be right at one of the stations. I'm wondering about the difference between commuting from Alexandria or Fairfax/Vienna or Fall's Church. Is there a big difference between being on/near the metro line in the surrounding areas and being right in Arlington? Also we've got an infant, but even though school's a few years off we'll need to think about that. I've read that Arlington's school system is more highly regarded than others in the area, but that the difference maybe isn't all that significant. Any advice - either on the housing hunt or the school situation - would be appreciated!

Vienna is probably the furthest of the locations you're considering and even then it would be about a 30-minute train commute to the stations in Arlington.

As far as schools go, the consensus here seems to be that while Arlington's School District may be better than Alexandria's, Fairfax County as a whole blows both of them away with its national recognition.

[Tone509]

Originally Posted by satuartett21

I would like information concerning the housing and schools. Have kids but they wont follow until school gets out-Is a 100K a good starting salary? Just trying to make good decisions?

It depends on where you want to live, the size of your household, where the breadwinner(s) will be working and the type of dwelling you prefer. I can say that it may be hard to find an affordable SFH in the cities of Alexandria, Arlington or Fairfax County on a $100K salary. Your chances will improve in Loudoun County as well as Prince William and Stafford Counties; the flipside of that could be a lengthy commute, especially if you're working in the usual job centers in Fairfax County.