Professional Woman Moving to NoVa - Need An Ann Landers to Guide the Way! (Alexandria: apartment complex, rentals)

[phddoc]

Hi everyone,

I'm a 44-year old single, ultra-professional who is relocating my company from one of the most boring cities in the country to the DC/NoVa area in about 3-4 months. I'm looking for a reasonably priced community (always the challenge, isn't it?) where there is a nightlife (not with 20-somethings), stores open late, restaurants, movie theaters, etc. Definitely need some excitement in my life! :-)

Any recommendations? I hear Ballston is great. Georgetown might be ideal, but I fear out of my price range ... Just looking to rent initially and hoping to keep rent at about $1000 a month if possible. A studio apt. is fine for me.

Also, where are the DC hot spots for high-level networking? Where do the politicos go after work? Where are the best places to meet well-connected, professionals? (Not really interested in dating - looking for solid, high-level business contacts. I run a very savvy PR and personal branding firm so would be looking for clients.)

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

[JfromReston]

I you won't find anything to rent in Ballston or Georgetown for $1000. I understand rentals out here in Reston are above the $1000 range too!

[normie]

What sort of business do you own? And do you have a network already established in Virginia. Nova is a very network oriented place, I don't think it's smart to just move here and start a business if you don't already have contacts.

[robbobobbo]

Agreed, $1000 a month is on the low end. That's not Ballston or Georgetown, more like garden apartments or average old highrises. Maybe some places along 16th St NW or Connecticut under $1200. Capitol Hill is hit or miss, safe one block, scary the next. Maybe this is an option: The Townhomes on Capitol Hill - Cooperative Housing in Washington DC

You might want to post on the DC forum for answers about where the movers and shakers meet. Maybe Michaele Salahi could help with moving among the social circles

[claremarie]

"I'm looking for a reasonably priced community (always the challenge, isn't it?) where there is a nightlife (not with 20-somethings), stores open late, restaurants, movie theaters, etc."

If you also want "safe for a single woman" and "reasonably close to DC," you're not going to find it for $1000. In DC, you can find these things (except possibly the movie theaters) in Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, etc. but not for $1000.
Conversely, you can find places for $1000, but the safe ones will be out in the further suburbs, far away from the nightlife. But lots of movie theaters!

[CAVA1990]

You might try Del Ray in Alexandria. There are some small apt. buildings along Mount Vernon Ave. with nice fairly new studios renting around $1,000. It's reasonably safe and there are lots of decent shops and restaurants. Not sure about movie theaters but the Birchmere music venue's not far from there.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

You might try Del Ray in Alexandria. There are some small apt. buildings along Mount Vernon Ave. with nice fairly new studios renting around $1,000. It's reasonably safe and there are lots of decent shops and restaurants. Not sure about movie theaters but the Birchmere music venue's not far from there.

There's actually three movie complexes within a few miles of Del Ray: Regal Cinemas Potomac Yard, Old Town Theater and AMC Hoffman Center.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Tone509

There's actually three movie complexes within a few miles of Del Ray: Regal Cinemas Potomac Yard, Old Town Theater and AMC Hoffman Center.

And don't forget Shirlington, which has a lot of nice restaurants too. None of these are walking distance but a short drive from Del Ray.

[phddoc]

Originally Posted by normie

What sort of business do you own? And do you have a network already established in Virginia. Nova is a very network oriented place, I don't think it's smart to just move here and start a business if you don't already have contacts.

I have a PR firm and do have contacts in the area already. Will be teaching at a couple of the universities while I'm building our client base in DC/NoVa. That's the easy part for me. The difficult part is learning where to network and where to live. I'm reading a lot of scary posts about the area being crime-ridden. I hope that's not the case.

I really appreciate all of the terrific suggestions!

[phddoc]

Originally Posted by claremarie

"I'm looking for a reasonably priced community (always the challenge, isn't it?) where there is a nightlife (not with 20-somethings), stores open late, restaurants, movie theaters, etc."

If you also want "safe for a single woman" and "reasonably close to DC," you're not going to find it for $1000. In DC, you can find these things (except possibly the movie theaters) in Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, etc. but not for $1000.
Conversely, you can find places for $1000, but the safe ones will be out in the further suburbs, far away from the nightlife. But lots of movie theaters!

Great advice - thank you! Actually, I was hoping to find a condo to rent (maybe a lease-purchase if I really fall in love with the area). If you or anyone here happens to know how to locate condos for lease, that would be amazingly helpful. I'd much rather rent from a private condo owner than an apartment complex.

You guys (and gals!) are the best!