Yes, Another "Where Should I Live?" Thread (Arlington: real estate, apartment)

[michiganbob]

Sorry to bother all of you with this question once again, but I have searched this forum and haven't found answers to quite the questions I have, so I am going to ask: where should I live?

Looks like I will be offered a job with the Federal Gov, working in DC with the closest metro stop to my new office being L'Enfant Plaze. My spouse and I are in our late 40s, no kids at home, so schools are not important. Not sure how long we will stay, so likely will be renting for a while. (She does not have a job yet and will likely follow in a few months.)

Need 3 bedrooms, central AC, at at least a small, fenced yard for our dog (under 8 lbs.) and don't really want a long commute via the Metro. Looks like the most direct shot is on the Yellow or Blue lines.

From a distance the Alexandria area looks good and the real estate agent I am working with has been pushing the Kingstowne area where a number of nearly new townhouses matching the description above are available in the $2000/month range. We can pay that much (maybe a little more) but, of course, would like to pay less. (Newer would be good because the spouse has allergies and asthma.)

Searching online on Craiglist and other sites, these types of THs seem to be the most common type of dwelling available in this price range. (Can't do a condo or apartment 'cause of the dog. Sometimes I just want to open the back door and let him out on his own for a few minutes.)

We like to go to the movies, go to book stores and libraries, eat out on the weekends and would love to be close to a Whole Foods or some store similar to that. (We have nothing even close to that where we live now.) She would like a very safe area AND quiet, too, but I think that's asking alot in NOVA. A walkable neighborhood would also be nice, but sounds like that might be hard to find, so I would settle for being close to a park to ride bikes and/or walk around.

Suggestions?

[Skapov]

Silence.

I hope no one replies, afterall, I can't believe you can't narrow down your choices to 2 or 3 based on the vast wealth of data in these forums (and while working with a realtor no less!).

[irisheyes13]

Originally Posted by michiganbob

Sorry to bother all of you with this question once again, but I have searched this forum and haven't found answers to quite the questions I have, so I am going to ask: where should I live?

Looks like I will be offered a job with the Federal Gov, working in DC with the closest metro stop to my new office being L'Enfant Plaze. My spouse and I are in our late 40s, no kids at home, so schools are not important. Not sure how long we will stay, so likely will be renting for a while. (She does not have a job yet and will likely follow in a few months.)

Need 3 bedrooms, central AC, at at least a small, fenced yard for our dog (under 8 lbs.) and don't really want a long commute via the Metro. Looks like the most direct shot is on the Yellow or Blue lines.

From a distance the Alexandria area looks good and the real estate agent I am working with has been pushing the Kingstowne area where a number of nearly new townhouses matching the description above are available in the $2000/month range. We can pay that much (maybe a little more) but, of course, would like to pay less. (Newer would be good because the spouse has allergies and asthma.)

Searching online on Craiglist and other sites, these types of THs seem to be the most common type of dwelling available in this price range. (Can't do a condo or apartment 'cause of the dog. Sometimes I just want to open the back door and let him out on his own for a few minutes.)

We like to go to the movies, go to book stores and libraries, eat out on the weekends and would love to be close to a Whole Foods or some store similar to that. (We have nothing even close to that where we live now.) She would like a very safe area AND quiet, too, but I think that's asking alot in NOVA. A walkable neighborhood would also be nice, but sounds like that might be hard to find, so I would settle for being close to a park to ride bikes and/or walk around.

Suggestions?

I live near Kingstowne in zip 22315 and think your agent is giving you some good advice. If the price was right, we would actually have liked to move in to Arlington but when we were looking, the prices were higher then they are now. Thei area is relatively quiet, has plently of places to dine out, there is a library about 1 1/2 miles from us and the blue line metro very close by. Too bad you are not looking to buy because there is a TH in our neighborhood for an excellent price and we stopped in during a recent open house and I loved the place! Not knowing how long you will be here though, renting is probably a good choice.

[VRE332]

Michigan bob... I highly suggest you rent for about a year, do your research and find something. Please do not come down here and purchase a home right away. It's not Michigan down here

[pcity]

I think Kingstowne works very well for what you described:

-somewhat short commute: walk or bus or drive a mile or two to Springfield Metro, get on Blue line, transfer to Yellow.

-a decent amount of the townhomes are less than 20 years old and have small yards

-depending on where you live you may be able to walk to shopping, and if not, then movies and shopping are a very short drive away. There's no Whole Foods in Kingstowne but there are both Whole Foods and Trader Joes a short drive away in Springfield.

-Kingstowne is safe and most of it is fairly quiet.

[michiganbob]

Originally Posted by VRE332

Michigan bob... I highly suggest you rent for about a year, do your research and find something. Please do not come down here and purchase a home right away. It's not Michigan down here

Sorry if I wasn't clear in my original post . . . I have NO plans on buying anytime soon. Will rent for at least a year or two.

And, yes, I understand it is not Michigan. BTW, anyone want to buy a house in Detroit for $1?

[novahousehunter]

You might also want to cross post on the DC forum, as there are neighborhoods there that would give you a lot of your requirements (walkable, close to metro/work, small yards) especially given that schools aren't a priority. The criterion that would be harder is the newer home--many of those are even historic. Just a thought.

[michiganbob]

Originally Posted by pcity

I think Kingstowne works very well for what you described:

-somewhat short commute: walk or bus or drive a mile or two to Springfield Metro, get on Blue line, transfer to Yellow.

-a decent amount of the townhomes are less than 20 years old and have small yards

-depending on where you live you may be able to walk to shopping, and if not, then movies and shopping are a very short drive away. There's no Whole Foods in Kingstowne but there are both Whole Foods and Trader Joes a short drive away in Springfield.

-Kingstowne is safe and most of it is fairly quiet.

Pcity:

Thanks for the input. I have read a lot of good things on this board about Kingstowne.

Anyone else have any negatives about KT . . . even minor ones?

Thanks!

[oneasterisk]

Depending where you live, you might be near or see daily the ugly high tension power lines in Kingstowne.

[Yankeesfan]

Kingstowne is perfect for what you're looking for.
Kingstowne Residential Owners Corporation