Moving to Huntington, VA (Richmond, Alexandria: apartment complexes, rent, insurance)

[depolarization]

Looks like I may be moving into a place in Huntington VA, near the metro.

The neighborhood looks ok.

There is very little information out there from other local Alexandria, VA residents with whom I work with, most opting to live in Springfield.

Anybody know anything about the area? The nearby shoppers food warehouse?

Just something to go on. I know crime used to be bad and has gone down as far as violent, but property crime is still about the same it was 5 years ago, which is tolerable.

I rent in DC, but we'd like to own a place and housing prices here have decreased significantly.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by depolarization

Looks like I may be moving into a place in Huntington VA, near the metro.

The neighborhood looks ok.

There is very little information out there from other local Alexandria, VA residents with whom I work with, most opting to live in Springfield.

Anybody know anything about the area? The nearby shoppers food warehouse?

Just something to go on. I know crime used to be bad and has gone down as far as violent, but property crime is still about the same it was 5 years ago, which is tolerable.

I rent in DC, but we'd like to own a place and housing prices here have decreased significantly.

From some previous posts here, the Huntington area of the Alexandria section of the county has a residual negative reputation but in the four years I've been through there, I never felt uncomfortable.

I'd be careful about buying a home on the north side. The area is notorious for flooding from Cameron Run. In general, I'd sooner buy a condo at Midtown (across from the Metro) or maybe Huntington Club (next to the Metro).

Down the street around the intersection of Huntington Ave. and Richmond Highway (aka Route 1) and heading south, there are a phalanx of apartments and condos.

I might recommend a condo sooner than a home around this area.

The northernmost Shoppers on that part of Route 1 is "okay". There's a better Shoppers (as well as Giant and Safeway) further down Route 1. Richmond Highway retail in the Alexandria section consists mostly of your typical midscale stores and chain restaurants with a nod towards the international flavor (especially Central American) of the neighborhood. Like Huntington, Route 1 is recovering from a negative reputation. There are still property crime issues with some smaller business as well as apartment complexes.

That said, as it seems that you have a level of tolerance for imperfect surroundings, you may want to look into the Richmond Highway corridor. Generally speaking, homes east of Route 1, especially closer to GW Parkway, but there are some diamonds in the rough west of Route 1. I've said before here that buying a home here may be a good investment as the imminent flood of commuters to Fort Belvoir will drive up nearby housing values. Once Kingstowne becomes overheated, Route 1 from Alexandria to Lorton is next, IMO.

[dkf747]

The Shopper's Food Warehouse is no different from any other Shopper's. I used to live in the apartments behind it. I was never afraid or felt unsafe there.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by dkf747

The Shopper's Food Warehouse is no different from any other Shopper's. I used to live in the apartments behind it. I was never afraid or felt unsafe there.

Oh, that Shoppers is fine; IMO the one further south is larger and better organized. Safety was never a concern for me there.

[depolarization]

Thanks!

Yes, we're looking at buying near Cameron run (within 1000ft), but the area's been civilly "improved" to accommodate those terrible floods with plenty of culverts. It's closer to the park than to the concrete area by the Wilson bridge.

Thanks for the heads up, as I bet the Flood Insurance will have to be kicked in for the property. But I don't think so as we're no where near the Flood wall there parallel to Farrington.

We're going to try!

I think the location is good enough. Glad I can speak fluent spanish as well.

Originally Posted by Tone509

From some previous posts here, the Huntington area of the Alexandria section of the county has a residual negative reputation but in the four years I've been through there, I never felt uncomfortable.

I'd be careful about buying a home on the north side. The area is notorious for flooding from Cameron Run. In general, I'd sooner buy a condo at Midtown (across from the Metro) or maybe Huntington Club (next to the Metro).

Down the street around the intersection of Huntington Ave. and Richmond Highway (aka Route 1) and heading south, there are a phalanx of apartments and condos.

I might recommend a condo sooner than a home around this area.

The northernmost Shoppers on that part of Route 1 is "okay". There's a better Shoppers (as well as Giant and Safeway) further down Route 1. Richmond Highway retail in the Alexandria section consists mostly of your typical midscale stores and chain restaurants with a nod towards the international flavor (especially Central American) of the neighborhood. Like Huntington, Route 1 is recovering from a negative reputation. There are still property crime issues with some smaller business as well as apartment complexes.

That said, as it seems that you have a level of tolerance for imperfect surroundings, you may want to look into the Richmond Highway corridor. Generally speaking, homes east of Route 1, especially closer to GW Parkway, but there are some diamonds in the rough west of Route 1. I've said before here that buying a home here may be a good investment as the imminent flood of commuters to Fort Belvoir will drive up nearby housing values. Once Kingstowne becomes overheated, Route 1 from Alexandria to Lorton is next, IMO.

[DanPz]

Someone mentioned Huntington Club. I looked at some places there and would stay away - some good deals but the community is considering totally renovating, or more accurately tearing down the buildings and building something entirely new, which would put residents in a hotel for a year or so. I'd also stay away from new Midtown Alexandria development - they are small with cheap berber carpet, and have high condo fees. the ONE great thing about them is their location across from the Metro. For the money, you can get a nicer townhouse in the area. Actually, I would just avoid that area and go a little further afield to a nicer area -- unless you find a SFH deal in the area and are OK with the community. Too many great Alexandria-area communities to settle too quickly for right by the Huntington Metro, IMO.

[depolarization]

Originally Posted by DanPz

Someone mentioned Huntington Club. I looked at some places there and would stay away - some good deals but the community is considering totally renovating, or more accurately tearing down the buildings and building something entirely new, which would put residents in a hotel for a year or so. I'd also stay away from new Midtown Alexandria development - they are small with cheap berber carpet, and have high condo fees. the ONE great thing about them is their location across from the Metro. For the money, you can get a nicer townhouse in the area. Actually, I would just avoid that area and go a little further afield to a nicer area -- unless you find a SFH deal in the area and are OK with the community. Too many great Alexandria-area communities to settle too quickly for right by the Huntington Metro, IMO.

Any other community recommendations? Basically need something that can fit a modest price-range. I don't want a shack with water problems, mold damage and that requires a gut and rehab for $250K which is still ridiculous. Just wondering where I could find a house for around that price that doesn't need a serious rehab and the commute is still decent.

[DanPz]

Just curious - are you committed to buying without the use of realtors? If you are, I'm sure you can get a smattering of good advice here. But otherwise I'd find a realtor who knows the area like the back of their hand and can give you very specific and tailored advice depending on your exact circumstances.

[depolarization]

Originally Posted by DanPz

Just curious - are you committed to buying without the use of realtors? If you are, I'm sure you can get a smattering of good advice here. But otherwise I'd find a realtor who knows the area like the back of their hand and can give you very specific and tailored advice depending on your exact circumstances.

Done & done

[FindingZen]

It's always wise to ultimately work with a realtor. One reason why these forums are so popular is because people can get honest advice from people who know at least a little something about the various communities. Granted, that can range from actual residents to frequent visitors (sorta me in this case) to those who drive-by.