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I'm interested to see what responses this thread gets... I want to move to a more urban area, but I really don't think I could afford to move to DC proper right now. Would somewhere like Arlington or Alexandria be slightly cheaper, while still providing that more urban feel?
Maybe, but not really. The "urban" aspect (especially proximity to shops, restaurants, and the Metro) tends to drive up prices. You can find a good place for a little cheaper maybe 15 minutes away from Old Town, but in Old Town itself it's pricey.
It was 2 years ago, but when my roommate and I were looking to move closer to a Metro station we looked in DC, Arlington, and Alexandria, and found the cheapest option in DC (SW Waterfront area). Our focus in VA was on Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Old Town.
I'm interested to see what responses this thread gets... I want to move to a more urban area, but I really don't think I could afford to move to DC proper right now. Would somewhere like Arlington or Alexandria be slightly cheaper, while still providing that more urban feel?
Save your money until you can move to DC. Don't settle for an inferior experience.
DC is one of those places where there really isn't much of a benefit, cost-wise, for looking for a home in the suburbs--at least desirable areas in the close-in burbs. Places in desriable neighborhoods in Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda and Falls Church will set you back as much as desirable neighborhoods in the District. That's something about the DC area I just don't understand: I can understand why a townhouse in Dupont Circle or Georgetown is expensive. I *don't* understand why Ballston and Seven Corners are as well.
Several years ago, at the height of the real estate boom, there were 3 BR townhomes in Clarksburg--Clarksburg!--selling for upwards of $700k. That was outright insanity. The prices have come down some from that range, but IMHO are still inflated.
What's the most vibrant/similar city around DC that isn't in DC?
Would it be Silver Spring, MD? Would it be Arlington, VA? Alexandria, VA?
Thinking of urban density, walkability, pedestrian-friendly, etc...all the attributes that an urban environment might have....and that would be closest to a DC city life...that isn't in DC?
Tiger Beer,
Please go to the Virginia forum for a more unbiased view. Everything there doesn't suck.
DC is a charming, quaint place--no one will deny--but please keep in mind that you will be paying very high taxes for low quality services (DMV, schools, etc) there. So what people are saying here isn't really true, you actually do save a lot of money on taxes by living in the VA burbs. You might pay a bit more on metro to get to work, big deal.
And please, if you live in DC, remember to use a private ambulance service if you ever have a medical emergency. Relying on DC ambulance can literally cost you your life!
DC is one of those places where there really isn't much of a benefit, cost-wise, for looking for a home in the suburbs--at least desirable areas in the close-in burbs. Places in desriable neighborhoods in Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda and Falls Church will set you back as much as desirable neighborhoods in the District. That's something about the DC area I just don't understand: I can understand why a townhouse in Dupont Circle or Georgetown is expensive. I *don't* understand why Ballston and Seven Corners are as well.
Several years ago, at the height of the real estate boom, there were 3 BR townhomes in Clarksburg--Clarksburg!--selling for upwards of $700k. That was outright insanity. The prices have come down some from that range, but IMHO are still inflated.
I think it's a phenomenon caused by the rapid demographic changes going on in the region. Twenty years ago, other than NW DC west of Rock Creek Park, Washington was something of a donut city. Slums downtown, white yuppies in the suburbs. That's changing, but you still see vestiges of that attitude in housing prices and the posts of some on this board. Notice in the recent real estate meltdown what's happened to housing prices in the far suburbs -- bubbles that burst. In my neighborhood, sales are off, but prices are probably down only about 10%.
Baltimore is the closest city to DC that is comparable, even though the two are pretty different. I consider DC and Baltimore to actually be a double city.
If I had to live somewhere other than the city I'd pick the Courthouse/Clarendon area of Arlington, but as has been said the prices there won't exactly be a bargain compared to DC.
I got lucky finding a place in a rent controlled building that allows me to live in a great neighborhood at a great price so don't automatically rule out DC. Do some research/homework online and see what you can find.
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