Hip community without metro premium (Arlington, Alexandria: for sale, apartment complexes, rental)

[munsonroyg]

I have been reading quite a few threads on this forum to get as much information as possible about a future move (about 5-6 months from now). There is a wealth of information on here and a lot of great contributors. I'm hoping I can get some input.

My background: I'm 28 and grew up 30 miles west of DC. Currently, I own a townhome in Falls Church and I'm very familiar with most parts of NOVA. I work in Herndon and have my reverse commute down to a science. My current neighbhorhood is quite an unsocial place with mostly 40+ year-old couples and a shocking number of older single folks that never leave the house. The mile radius around my house is not exactly a hip area to walk to the gym, shops, grocery store, book store, park, etc. No one does as it's pretty scummy.

I would like to find a nice place to myself (no roommates) in a young community (mostly 20s - 30s) where there is a decent amount of walkablity. I don't need nightlife and a metro within walking distance, nor do I want to pay a premium for it, e.g. Clarendon. Clarendon would be nice, but $1800+ for rent seems like a waste to me, even though I can afford it. I just don't use the metro. I get the feeling that north of the orange line, in Arlington, and just out metro walking distance might have what I'm looking for. I'm familiar with everything along Wilson/Clarendon blvd, but not the communities North and south of there. I had friends that used to live north of Ballston and they were both old, worn-down buildings. It would be nice to have a fairly new building. A pool would be great, too. Any suggestions or insight would be greatly appreciated!

[SmerkyGrl]

Reston.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by SmerkyGrl

Reston.

Exactly! Although someone here has also mentioned the Brambleton section of Ashburn as an up-and-coming 20something haven. Also perhaps downtown Fredericksburg with the U. of Mary Washington influence nearby.

[JD984]

Originally Posted by Tone509

Exactly! Although someone here has also mentioned the Brambleton section of Ashburn as an up-and-coming 20something haven. Also perhaps downtown Fredericksburg with the U. of Mary Washington influence nearby.

Maybe Alicia Bradley can give you some pointers on sections of Fairfax City to consider. You might also want to consider Shirlington Village in Alexandria, though that will increase your current commute and I haven't checked how the rental prices compare to the places in Arlington on the Orange Line.

This will give you a feel for what some of the apartment complexes in Shirlington Village look like - some are fairly new:

http://franklymls.com/default.aspx?m...ington+Village

Tone - I don't think I'd wish a Fredericksburg to Herndon commute on anyone, as it wouldn't even be a reverse commute.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by JEB77

Maybe Alicia Bradley can give you some pointers on sections of Fairfax City to consider. You might also want to consider Shirlington Village in Alexandria, though that will increase your current commute and I haven't checked how the rental prices compare to the places in Arlington on the Orange Line.

This will give you a feel for what some of the apartment complexes in Shirlington Village look like - some are fairly new:

FranklyMLS.com Virginia & DC MLS via Keyword Search & Wiki. Homes for Sale

Tone - I don't think I'd wish a Fredericksburg to Herndon commute on anyone, as it wouldn't even be a reverse commute.

Oops, I must have skipped that Herndon detail. LOL I like your suggestions, though.

[JfromReston]

Originally Posted by SmerkyGrl

Reston.

Come to Reston and check it out - your commute will be a breeze!

[munsonroyg]

I appreciate the responses. I actually lived in Reston/Herndon 5 years ago for a little over a year and I have worked out here for a combined 6 years. As a single guy, I would never live here. It's not what I'm looking for at all.

Maybe I will have to be patient and try my luck with a room share situation, in Arlington, with plenty of personal space.

[munsonroyg]

JEB, I like the Shirlington Village idea. I thought of Shirlington as I've liked a couple of neighborhoods there I've visted in the past. I guess I need to really visit the area more to get a better feel. The commute is not as nice as Northern Arlington or East Falls Church (where I live), but not bad.

Originally Posted by JEB77

Maybe Alicia Bradley can give you some pointers on sections of Fairfax City to consider. You might also want to consider Shirlington Village in Alexandria, though that will increase your current commute and I haven't checked how the rental prices compare to the places in Arlington on the Orange Line.

This will give you a feel for what some of the apartment complexes in Shirlington Village look like - some are fairly new:

FranklyMLS.com Virginia & DC MLS via Keyword Search & Wiki. Homes for Sale

Tone - I don't think I'd wish a Fredericksburg to Herndon commute on anyone, as it wouldn't even be a reverse commute.

[TheseGoTo11]

Originally Posted by JfromReston

Come to Reston and check it out - your commute will be a breeze!

and your social life will be a drag

[SmerkyGrl]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

and your social life will be a drag

Not at all, actually. But I've noticed a lot of DC peeps take a pretty elitist stance against anywhere other than DC