Apartments north of Belvoir w/ decent commute (Richmond, Alexandria: apartment complex, to rent)

[Phillyfan1]

I will me moving to NOVA in 2 months and am in need of a 1 bedroom apartment within a reasonable distance to Ft. Belvoir. I will be staying here during the work week and going away on the weekends. Would like to stay below $1200 with some utilites included. Any suggestions on decent places in the Landmark/Vandorn area or will I be limited to the Richmond Highway neighborhoods. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[xilu0306]

I think the Bren Mar apartments on Edsall rd has 1 br at $1200. You can check the 22312 area code, there are lots of apartments on Edsall rd by exit 2A off of 395. I live in the apartment complex next to Bren Mar and commute to Belvoir some days and it takes less than 15 minutes. You should also see if there are any families looking to rent out their rooms in the area. My coworker is in the same situation as you where he works near Belvoir but has family in NJ. He rents a room near Kingstowne for maybe 700 a month.

[MattVA]

There are several nice apartment complexes in the Kingstowne/Franconia area that are very close to Fort Belvoir (much closer than Landmark). I'd suggest doing a search for apartments in those areas.

[FindingZen]

The closest apartments may likely be on or near Richmond Highway (Route 1) which passes by Fort Belvoir. However, despite the growing amount of midscale retail along that stretch, the attitudes of a good number of apartment residents there can leave something to be desired. That's why Kingstowne is mentioned very often although it's a bit further away. That said, the closer to the Alexandria "mixing bowl" of highways you are, the more you may appreciate your neighbors. Belle Haven Towers would be a good start; Riverside would be even better although it might go above $1200. Both are a 15-20 minute straight shot down Route 1 to Fort Belvoir. You would hit a lot of lights but you would also be going against most rush-hour traffic.

[The Dissenter]

I work on the afforementioned Rt 1 area just North of Belvoir. I would not live there if i had other similar priced options. I live in the Landmark/Van Dorn area and it isnt squeaky clean but it is MUCH better than the Rt 1 area. I live next to 395 and my commute is around 25 minutes (that is considered a great commute here in metro DC) with traffic taking 395 s to 7100 to rt 1 north.

With that said I would defintely pick Kingstowne/Franconia if it is in your price range.