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I agree with both of these recommendations. I don't have a GPS here because I take a perverse pride in being a local who "shouldn't" get lost, and then I try to take shortcuts because of horrific jams and end up spending 10 minutes wondering how to get out of Anacostia/Wheaton/Burke. A GPS really is an excellent investment here.
Wegmans is amazing. I occasionally take my friends who live in DC and who don't have cars on field trips there. It's huge, and often crowded, yet the chaos has a controlled feeling about it. The selection is great, and in some areas they rival Whole Foods in their selection of vegetarian/organic/gluten-free foods. The Whole Foods you will be near in Courthouse is kind of a madhouse, to be honest, and parking is scary. Unless you plan on buying several bags worth of groceries, I would walk and not drive.
Also, if your building is wired for Verizon FIOS, I would strongly recommend it over Comcast, which is the default cable/phone/internet provider for Arlington. The quality of the product is better, the service is less maddening, and I *think* the costs are comparable (but I don't know, as my building doesn't have FIOS yet).
Welcome to the neighborhood, btw! I live between Rosslyn and Courthouse, so if you have any questions about things in your immediate vicinity, feel free to PM me.
Thanks for the welcome to the neighborhood. I don't think we have the option of changing our internet provider since we are doing corporate housing and they provide everything.
I highly recommend the ADC Northern Virginia map book. A GPS might help you get from point A to B, but studying the "big picture" in the ADC book will really give you a sense of the area and how the different parts of it fit together. You can get it at just about every convenience store, grocery store, Target/Wal-Mart, and bookstore.
The exits are what will get me, when we were there before we were in Pentagon City and went to Alexandria to the WalMart and on the way back took the wrong exit and ended up at the gate of the Pentagon. I kept telling my husband they were going to arrest us.
LOL, I remember the first time that happened to me. Rest assured, they will not arrest you as long as you turn around by the time you get to the guard shack. People make that wrong turn all the time, it's no big deal.
IMO the Pentagon and Arlington Cemetary are the two most confusing places to drive to/around. Once you get a feel for them, you'll be an expert on the whole area. And believe me, the rest of your neighborhood is definitely easier to navigate. The only other thing that might throw you is a few roads have "Glebe" in the name. So if you do get lost and you see a street sign that says Glebe, make sure you get the full street name before you try to find it on the map.
Georgetown Pike is gorgeous, but some of its exits are confusing right now due to construction. I'd take other routes for your first month or so.
I highly recommend the ADC Northern Virginia map book. A GPS might help you get from point A to B, but studying the "big picture" in the ADC book will really give you a sense of the area and how the different parts of it fit together. You can get it at just about every convenience store, grocery store, Target/Wal-Mart, and bookstore.
I second Cdmurphy's advice. I always have my GPS and ADC map handy in the car. There have been a few times when the GPS offers directions to a location where the road is closed and there are "no alternatives" according to the GPS (like my first trip to Pirate Cove).
I use Rand McNally's Thomas Guide. Its bigger more accurate than the other ADC road guide.
I find its really hard to find things here because there is a claustrophobic curtain of tree leaves here-its very hard to see any strip malls, office buildings, etc, beyond the trees. So be sure of your location if you are looking for a specific address-its probably beyond a forest of trees
Welcome to the neighborhood! I live in one of the apt buildings about 1/4 mile from you!
It's such a great area to live. Your kids will love all of the activities going on--especially since there is so much to do within walking/biking distance.
You should take them to the Rosslyn Outdoor films--they show a movie for free in the outdoor park every Friday this summer once it gets dark. They're all 80's-themed this year Here are the listings: Film Festival | Rosslyn BID & Rosslyn Renaissance
Also one note -- why are you worried about driving all over town? Most of the reason why those apartments go for a premium price is because you live 1 block from the Court House metro. You can take it all over the place--it's just a few steps farther than the parking garage in your building!
And Whole Foods is an easy walk-- yes it is 1/2 a mile, but sheesh! That only takes about 8 minutes at an average pace. While you live here, definitely take advantage of walking/biking/metro-ing to do most of your shopping, browsing and social activities. I'm not saying you'll never need a car, but your days will be much less stressful (and good for you!) if you go by foot to run errands
Welcome to the neighborhood! I live in one of the apt buildings about 1/4 mile from you!
It's such a great area to live. Your kids will love all of the activities going on--especially since there is so much to do within walking/biking distance.
You should take them to the Rosslyn Outdoor films--they show a movie for free in the outdoor park every Friday this summer once it gets dark. They're all 80's-themed this year Here are the listings: Film Festival | Rosslyn BID & Rosslyn Renaissance
Also one note -- why are you worried about driving all over town? Most of the reason why those apartments go for a premium price is because you live 1 block from the Court House metro. You can take it all over the place--it's just a few steps farther than the parking garage in your building!
And Whole Foods is an easy walk-- yes it is 1/2 a mile, but sheesh! That only takes about 8 minutes at an average pace. While you live here, definitely take advantage of walking/biking/metro-ing to do most of your shopping, browsing and social activities. I'm not saying you'll never need a car, but your days will be much less stressful (and good for you!) if you go by foot to run errands
I am already planning on getting me a folding shopping cart for my forays to the grocery store. We all enjoy walking so it will be fun for us.
Thanks for the link to the outdoor films they sound like fun.
If you don't have one, get a GPS. It has helped me overcome my fear of getting lost. Oh, and if you come this way (Fairfax/Fair Lakes area), check out Wegmans . It has become my personal favorite for everyday grocery shopping.
I also have to agree with mlv311. We moved here about a 6 weeks ago and would die w/out my GPS. In fact, we lost it after a trip to Boston (don't ask...) and upon my return I had to figure out how to get home from the airport having only lived here for 3 weeks (with kids, but w/out husband who has a better sense of direction than I do). Needless to say I headed out to Costco the next day to purchase another Garmin (~$220). Funny thing is that I got LOST on the way to Costco to get the new GPS. My 4yo figured out that I was lost and chimed in with "recalculating".
Wegman's is AMAZING! You have to go there just to go there. My oldest loves to head there for shopping and then a bowl of chicken noodle soup in the food area. Great prices on canned goods and amazing produce. Be sure to get a map upon entering the store if you have specifics on your list!
I too LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Garmin Nuvi. I haven't used my big ADC map since I got the NUVI.
I was in Costco today and found them on sale, one was only $167! WELL worth it, imo.
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