What is a reasonable commute to Fairfax??? (Arlington, Chantilly: apartments, rent)

[lyssagirl]

Hello all, I REALLY need some insight people...Im trying to find a 1 Br apt. in the $700-$900 max price range, I am not too worried about crime, I currently live in Baltimore (i dont think it gets any worse) HA! Anyways... I might decide to go with Manassas (seems affordable), if you have any suggestions on apartments, other cities near fairfax that are affordable and reasonable commute, please provide...

I havent read anything positive about 28 and 66...what would a commute from Manassas to Fairfax be like if I am working a job from 930am-630pm. I currently live in Reisterstown, Maryland (baltimore county) soooo I know that VA traffic is horrible, but Ive never had to deal with the b.s traffic, until now since I got this new job which will require me to move. The job is in Fairfax near Fair oaks mall. I need a place by the end of November...please help, Im appreciative of any feedback i can get!

[OrangeFish]

I suggest looking on Craigslist and see if you can get a basement apartment. I'm not familiar with the commute from Manassas but others here can offer their insight. If I were working in the Fair Oaks area, I would try to center my housing search in the city of Fairfax as well as Oakton and maybe Chantilly.

Welcome to Virginia and congrats on the new job!

[JfromReston]

In that price range your best bet is a to share an apartment with a room mate in an apartment in the Fair Oaks mall area - try Craigslist.

[Borge]

Yeah, your best bet is to share an apartment in the Fair Lakes area or rent a basement.

[blu_monk]

700-900 1bd room apartments in fairfax do not exist. 1200-1400 seems to be the going range, for the cheapest 1bd.

[lyssagirl]

Im not looking for that price in fairfax, i know it doesnt exist...however I am finding apts for $800-$900 range that I am okay with, but they are all in Manassas....from the looks at other posts... it doesnt look like a great commute....but for the price i might have to suck it up. What time would I have to leave for a 930am start time coming from Manassas????

[lyssagirl]

Originally Posted by OrangeFish

If I were working in the Fair Oaks area, I would try to center my housing search in the city of Fairfax as well as Oakton and maybe Chantilly.

Welcome to Virginia and congrats on the new job!

Thanks....I will look into Oakton and Chantilly!

[novahousehunter]

66 will still be congested in the 9:00 hr so I would say maybe leave 8:30 - 8:45, just to be safe? (Sort of depends on if you're exit 55 Fairfax or exit 62 Fairfax or in between)

I live in Manassas and I really don't dislike it as much as most of this forum does, though I do work from home and think I live in a better area than some parts of Manassas. Search this forum for many discussions of the pros and cons of Manassas . . . .

I think part of why Ffx is so expensive is that it's hard to find apartments that aren't fairly new/big/nice. I had my own apartment in Arlington for 700/month (7 yrs ago--no idea what it is now) that was a little older, smaller, less updated, but in a great location, and when I moved to Ffx to be closer to work I was amazed that all the apartments were big/new/expensive--there was no cheap option. I ended up in a group home that was a blast though.

If living alone is important to you, you might also luck out in Falls Church, since it has some less expensive areas that are probably comparable to Manassas socioeconomically and would give you the reverse commute.

[bmwguydc]

Just be wary of apartments in the Fairfax-Oakton area that are too inexpensive, as there's a reason for that. You could share a house, however, in that range, I would imagine.

Manassas to Fair Oaks is bad, but not the worst commute of your life most days. 66 is a pain in the neck, but sometimes 29 is faster, even with the lights. Route 29 also goes right through the Fair Oaks area, so it's not too terrible a ride. And, if you're in the Route 28 Corridor in Manassas as opposed to 234, you can take 28 north to New Braddock Road, follow until you reach Clifton Road, turn left, cross over Route 29 and be in the Fair Lakes-Fair Oaks area without too much fuss, even given the traffic.

For 9:30, you might need to leave by 8:15, depending upon which part of Manassas from which you will be leaving. After it becomes a routine, you will know better if 45 minutes is better for your commute. It's not the same as being wedded to Route 66 to get to the Metro or to Tyson's Corner, so I think that Manassas would work for your situation.

[DiderotsGhost]

Originally Posted by novahousehunter

I had my own apartment in Arlington for 700/month (7 yrs ago--no idea what it is now) that was a little older, smaller, less updated, but in a great location, and when I moved to Ffx to be closer to work I was amazed that all the apartments were big/new/expensive--there was no cheap option. I ended up in a group home that was a blast though.

If living alone is important to you, you might also luck out in Falls Church, since it has some less expensive areas that are probably comparable to Manassas socioeconomically and would give you the reverse commute.

Even most of the dumpier 1-BRs in Arlington go for at least $1100/month now. Falls Church probably isn't much better.