Young proffesional moving to Alexandria VA need advice (Arlington, Orange: apartment, to rent)

[rossjw]

I have a friend a recent graduate moving to Alexandria VA and looking for an area to rent an apartment. He's working at the patent office which is on Dunaly in Alexandria VA. Right now just looking for a general neighborhood that would be good. Main concerns are

1. The place has a younger crowd where you can meet people
2. The place has an active night life, near by bars, restaurants, cafes
3. The location is safe
4. Moderately close to the patent office location
5. Moneys not a huge concern

Thus far just heard good things about Arlington

If anyone has any suggestions on other locations or comments on Arlington that would be great. Really don't know anything about the area and any information would be helpful. Thanks

[CaseyMac]

Based on what you describe, the Ballston or Clarendon sections of North Arlington fit the bill. Old Town Alexandria would certainly be closer, but the 30 minute drive down the GW Parkway is probably worth it for your friend. Metro also serves the Patent Office and Ballston/Clarendon. The nightlife is so abundant on the Orange Line corridor in Arlington that one not even need to venture into DC!

I'm not as familiar with the rents, but they will be high as I'm sure you are expecting. But hey, it's Arlington and where else can you mesh urban living without all the unsafe and aggrivating aspects of living in the District proper!

[Tone509]

Old Town Alexandria itself would be perfect except that it leans towards catering to 30-40somethings... that's not to say that 20somethings don't live there but it admittedly doesn't quite reach the critical mass of Arlington.

That said, since your friend's budget is not an issue, they should consider the Carlyle complex which is walking distance from the Patent Trademark Office as well as the Metrorail that can taken for a short ride to the Ballston/Clarendon corridor. The attractions of Old Town are a healthy walk away as well.

[Iaponte]

I totally agree, Ballston or Clarendon will be a great place to live. You get that nice urban life style in a beautiful and safe neighborhood. A one bedroom, one bath can go for $1300 - $1600 a month. You can find a nice condo, which should include your utilities.

[Azmordean]

I have to disagree with the others here. Ballston is NOT that close to Old Town Alexandria. Every morning your buddy would have to ride to Rosslyn on the Orange line, then CHANGE TRAINS to the Blue line, and ride all the way out to King St, then walk a few blocks to the USPTO.

I would live in the Carlyle area. It is very urban, RIGHT next to King St / Old Town Alexandria, which is one of the coolest parts of this entire area, and is literally about 3-5 minute walking distance to USPTO. Old Town has great night life and restaurants and shops, and certainly a greater volume of them than Arlington. Yes, the crowd is more mixed age-wise, but from what I've seen there are still plenty of young folks. And you are right near the King St. metro, so if you want to go into Ballston, or into DC, its easy to do so via Metro.

I guess, personally, I'd rather have my commute be a 3 minute walk than a 30-40 minute affair which includes a train change. To me, it makes much more sense to have the easy commute, and ride Metro to Arlington on the occasions you want to go out there instead of in Old Town.

[daaaaave]

Personally I found Ballston/Clarendon very homogenic. The nightlife is good, but you will have that homogenic feel plus smoking is still allowed in VA. I'd recommend living in DC. It's really not as scary as people think. I do not think the commute would be that bad as you have the Rock Creek Pkwy one way outbound in the morning and one way inbound in the evenings, but I have not driven that route.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by jahutch

I guess, personally, I'd rather have my commute be a 3 minute walk than a 30-40 minute affair which includes a train change. To me, it makes much more sense to have the easy commute, and ride Metro to Arlington on the occasions you want to go out there instead of in Old Town.

I definitely agree. I would look around Carlyle, Braddock Road, and Crystal and Pentagon Cities before Ballston and Clarendon. It's just not worth it with that commute. Maybe Rosslyn if you wanted a happy medium between the two, but that's as far away as I'd go.

Think about it this way: You're going to work 5 days a week. How many times are you going out to clubs and nice restaurants? Maybe 2 or 3 times? Why waste so much time commuting?

[Flamingo13]

I would look in Alexandria - that's where the work is. There are lots of things to do, a younger and mixed age community in the area (as well as older, but nothing wrong with that). Easy metro to DC of so desired, etc.

[rsj9]

I'm in a situation similar to your friend. I work at the patent office, and highly recommend living in the Carlyle neighborhood within walking distance of the office. I love walking out the door 5 minutes before I have to be in the office. Meanwhile, I have friends commuting anywhere from 30 minutes (if they're lucky) up to 2 hours. Night life is close by in Old Town, or a short ride on the Metro anywhere else. Trust me, it's much better to take a slightly longer ride elsewhere on weekend nights than to make that trip 5 days a week at rush hour.