New job at the Pentagon need housing (Columbia, Laurel: apartment, for rent)

[AaronJS]

Greetings, I am in the process of getting a position at the Pentagon and am looking for housing. I see housing is VERY expensive. I have a budget of $140,000 to purchase or $700/mth for rental. I would like to keep the commute to less than an hour. I do not mind public transportation. I thank you for your assistance. Aaron

[pcity]

Commuting from MD to Pentagon can be annoying and expensive. I'd live near the Pentagon on Columbia Pike in VA, get roommates, and take the bus. Your commuting costs will be zero since the government kicks in for public transit costs. You can take the money you save on commuting costs and put it towards housing.

[Iggier]

Originally Posted by pcity

Your commuting costs will be zero since the government kicks in for public transit costs.

Not entirely true. The federal employee subsidy had risen in Jan. 2009 to $230/month max thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. But, the increased subsidy ceases at the end of this year, and its unlikely it will be extended. This mean the max subsidy will probably revert back to the former amount, $120/month.

Besides, the OP didn not state that he would be a federal employee, only that he was taking a job at the Pentagon. The federal employee transit subsidy does not extend to contractors, though his employer might offer a similar benefit.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by Iggier

Not entirely true. The federal employee subsidy had risen in Jan. 2009 to $230/month max thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. But, the increased subsidy ceases at the end of this year, and its unlikely it will be extended. This mean the max subsidy will probably revert back to the former amount, $120/month.

Right, but if he lives where I'm suggesting he lives, his commuting costs will be under $120 a month and therefore fully paid.

Besides, the OP didn not state that he would be a federal employee, only that he was taking a job at the Pentagon. The federal employee transit subsidy does not extend to contractors, though his employer might offer a similar benefit.

Valid point. Should have asked him that.

[Forte]

honestly, given your budget and your work location you'd be best at looking for housing in the charles county or prince georges county areas. you could definitely find a house/townhouse in charles county or pg for that price and rent should be right around that price as well. if you stuck to dc with that price range you'd likely be living in a not so good area or sharing an apartment.

[AaronJS]

Thanks for all the information. The position is a Federal one. I have a wife and 8yr old boy.

[Iggier]

Originally Posted by AaronJS

Thanks for all the information. The position is a Federal one. I have a wife and 8yr old boy.

Well congratulations then

[kjg1963]

I don't think you will find any 2 bedroom apartment for 700 month in the DC metro area. You may possibly find a smaller townhome to buy for $140,000 but maybe not in the best areas. I do know that where I live (Laurel) there have been a few townhomes listed for under 150,000 but many of these were built in the 70s and probably need alot of updating.