DC vs NoVA (Arlington/Alexandria): The better choice for a recent college grad (Reston: best neighborhoods, sales)

[The_Fairfaxian]

First of all, I'd like to thank all who responded with my Federal Government thread. Even though it was pretty helpful, now I have a new problem: Even though I've only been there for an entire week, NO ONE in my workplace is even near my age! So it makes it absolutely imperative that I find a place to live with people around my age who are social and are willing to meet new people!

I've narrowed it to DC and nearby Arlington and Alexandria. The questions I have now include:


Would DC or Northern VA (Arlington and Alexandria) be a better fit or is there even a real difference. I posted a similar thread on the DC thread, but NO ONE responded, signaling some sort of subtle sense of being unwanted from my perspective. I'm not sure if it's because of my personal reputation, what I asked, or what?

Where exactly should I move to (neighborhood and possibly street) where there are plenty of recent college grads who are looking to branch out and make new friends.

Should I look into a group house/row house or an apartment too find people around my age (18-24). Most of the places I've looked into seem to want more professionals in their late 20s and early 30s than recent college grads.

Are there any specific apartment complexes that are known to have the "dorm like" feeling that promotes people with little connections to make friends easier.


it seems that once I escape a rut, I'm in another one! Sorry if it seems like I'm pondering on all of you on this site but I'm really frustrated with my lack of social connections, especially in a city where "young people are apparently abound and looking to make new friends on a constant basis and are having the best years of their lives while doing it." I just want to compensate myself for what I felt I was blocked from when I was in my (second) college.

[ChristineVA]

My best friend's daughter graduated from VT last December. She has finally moved out of the house and into an apartment in Clarendon. Apparently, that is *the* place to be for recent college grads. It did take her awhile to find a roommate and she met her through her other friends but it took awhile. I don't think the apartment is dorm-style by any means and I don't get that there's a lot of socializing going on in the apartment complex itself. They just walk to the local "scene" at night.

I'm also not getting that she is meeting new people through hanging out in Clarendon. They mainly hang out with the same people they went to college with but amidst a crowd of like-aged individuals.

The Federal Government is very "old." The workforce, that is! I'm 45 and I consider myself one the younger people there! My friend, who is an engineer always jokes about this. He says that "19 years ago when I was hired I was one of the youngest, if not THE youngest person here. 19 years later, I'm still one of the youngest here!"

[lqda4]

I talked to a friend (relatively young and single) recently. Found out from his Facebook page that he is seriously into Yoga these days, and he is good at it (lost weight and fit). I teased him about it and he gave my a straight-face answer - he took on yoga to socialize/meet young and athletic women. This guy is in Sales and he does have a very good point. Just something I want to pass along to the singles. :-)

[rgb3]

Arlington. Hands-down.

[Tone509]

Arlington, specifically Ballston and Clarendon.

If that's beyond your budget, look into the apt complexes along Columbia Pike. It won't be as glamorous or convenient by transit (although I hear numerous bus routes run along it) but it will put you into affordable striking distance of the "Orange Line" haunts.

As far as DC goes, there's almost "too many" choices, most of which would be predicated on one's budget. If I were in my 20's, I'd probably consider the U Street area. You're never too far from anything in DC, especially if you live in the NW.

Whatever/wherever you choose, I would agree with you that sharing with a roommate would not only give you some "instant" friends to run the streets with but also dramatically reduce your expenses.

[claremarie]

Don't take the DC Forum lack of response too personally. Not too many folks seem to participate on that one.
You can find what you're looking for in any number of places in both DC and northern Virginia. Much depends upon your budget and your personal preferences for housing type, neighborhood feel, safety, etc.

[The_Fairfaxian]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Arlington, specifically Ballston and Clarendon.

If that's beyond your budget, look into the apt complexes along Columbia Pike. It won't be as glamorous or convenient by transit (although I hear numerous bus routes run along it) but it will put you into affordable striking distance of the "Orange Line" haunts.

As far as DC goes, there's almost "too many" choices, most of which would be predicated on one's budget. If I were in my 20's, I'd probably consider the U Street area. You're never too far from anything in DC, especially if you live in the NW.

Whatever/wherever you choose, I would agree with you that sharing with a roommate would not only give you some "instant" friends to run the streets with but also dramatically reduce your expenses.

I'm actually leaning on the U Street/Columbia Heights/Adams Morgan/Mount Pleasant neighborhood, particularly because of the commute I have. The problem is this: getting the feel of the neighborhood. Whenever I walk around these neighborhoods to get the feeling, there seems to be more people in their late 20s and early 30s, the people there seem to be more cliquish then what they let off, and there seems to be plenty of diversity, but in DC, it's more of a hypocritical "everyone stays in their "place" at the end of the day" kind of diversity than "everyone can be with anyone of their choosing" kind of vibe. Compared to every time I visit the Ballston-Clarendon neighborhoods where I always notice more younger people, less elitist standoffish cliquey vibes, and more racial integration in the Northern VA sub-cities (or Northern VA in general) than in DC itself, which is one of the main reasons why I'm still considering those places, although it's slightly further from my job. I just want to make sure that it's really worth it and are my vibes accurate, both my perceptions of DC's and Arlington. Thanks for the suggestions from all of you so far - meaning if anyone wants to prove me wrong about my somewhat standoffish vibes of the DC scene, please feel free to do so.

[dlumpen]

Concur with above about Arlington. Rent with people your own age. You will have one of the best times of your life and make lots of friends. Definitely stay near the Metro and restaurants, etc. Alexandria is overbilled. Actually, the place sucks. Packed with cars, Metro too far, hostile people (I mean way worse than normal).

[ScranBarre]

Thank God you ruled out Reston! It's such a pain in the petunias living all the way out here when you're 22! If you want to go to enjoy the DC nightlife you either have to ensure you have a designated driver or ensure you are back before the last Orange Line train stops running and before the last bus between the West Falls Church Metro and Reston runs (which is earlier). Since parking is so unpleasant in the "hot" areas of the District usually this means I volunteer myself to be the designated driver to haul people 25 minutes back home from a Metro station. Reston has ZERO nightlife, unless you like over-priced chains at Reston Town Center. For such a "model planned community" I'm surprised light rail was never part of this "brilliant master plan."

[terrence81]

I think that it depends on you as an individual. They're all good choices. I'm in the same boat, looking for a place closer to the city with folks around my age. Yes most places are looking for those in their late 20s versus early. However, I think you're focusing way to much on finding recent college grads versus just finding nice folks in somewhat close to your age, if they're 5 or 6 years older that's okay. Anywho, here's my commentary for all three.

DC: Best if you work in the District. I've said before that if you work in the suburbs you should live there too. Because you're going to commute to the job more than you're going to commute to the club.

Also DC is best if you don't have a car. There are plenty of people with cars in the District but to me it costs too much money particularly for a recent grad not making tons of money. Insurance costs is double that of Virginia. A lot of the best neighborhoods are not going to have apartments with free parking. It's not unheard of to pay $200 a month for a parking spot.

So with all the negative/practical stuff out of the way I'd say that you already have the idea of where the best neighborhoods are. U street is awesome but expect to pay for said awesomeness. Adams Morgan is fun but you have to be a little more careful, same goes for Columbia Heights. Mt. Pleasant is quieter and safer than Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan. You're still a 10-15 minute walk to the shops of Columbia Heights but Mt. Pleasant stays out of the news when it comes to crime. While I think I'm a suburban boy at heart if I was moving to the city I'd pick Mt. Pleasant for sure.

Woodley Park is another option. That's the neighborhood by the zoo. It just seemed nice, safe, and pleasant but with enough going on along Connecticut Avenue to remind you that you're still in the city, plus you're like a 15 or 20 minute walk from Adams Morgan.

Arlington: Arlington is nice. Clarendon is the hot spot for college grads but getting a group house isn't the easiest thing in the world. I tried and I found it kinda expensive and competitive. The thing about Clarendon is everyone is trying to live there. Ballston and North Arlington are alternatives to Clarendon while you won't be able to walk to the bars, you're still close to the action.

Alexandria: It really depends on what you're after. Alexandria is more about being close to DC than trying to find lots of friends and hang out spots. Alexandria has lots and lots of high rises. Despite it seeming like its more suburban Alexandria is actually denser than DC thanks to all the high rises. At the same time these high rises are usually isolated fortresses with varying levels of quality surrounded by parking lots.

The exceptions are Del Ray and Old Town. Have been looking for places in these neighborhoods with no success. So look to either pay a pretty penny or live in a group home that isn't as nice you'd like. Now I will say that Old Town has an older set but I know a couple in their 20s that absolutely loves Old Town.

Either way again, all three are good choices. As far as meeting folks your own age. It likely won't happen randomly on the street no matter where you live. If work isn't an option try joining a group or organization. If you went to a big school not far from here they might have an alumni association in the area. There's also facebook try looking up folks that way to see if anyone from school lives in the area. I'm from Georgia so there's fewer classmates up here and we weren't exactly best buddies in high school anyways. Funny enough I ran into the little brother of classmate from high school in Alexandria. I didn't remember him and it was kinda awkward so maybe that's not the best example. Either way good luck!