Commute: NoVA to Silver Spring, MD (Washington: apartment, to rent, condo)

[jimbo328]

Hello All,

Recently my fiance and I were employed. She works at George Mason University and I work in downtown Silver Spring. We currently reside in Silver Spring, MD. My commute is obviously not that bad, but hers is awful. We are thinking about moving to someplace in the middle. I was hoping that all of you could assist us in possible places/areas to move to. We would like to rent either an apartment/townhome/condo and not go over 2k a month. My job is right near the Silver Spring Metro stop, thus that could be an alternative to the commute. My concern with the Metro is that if we choose to move to NoVA the metro ride is still 1+ hours to Silver Spring. I apprecaite any information any of you could provide.

Thanks,
Jim

[dkf747]

I think you would want to be near Vienna-Fairfax station. The trains are packed (Orange Crush) and the best way to get a seat is at the end stations. An hour to SS seems about right to me. It would take an hour if you drove from there. Just my first thoughts on this

[terrence81]

I'm no expert. But wouldn't moving to Fairfax just relocate the commute issue? She'd get the short commute and him not so much. I'm thinking a good compromise would be north Arlington. He could take the orange line to the metro center and change to the red line. She would have a more reasonable driving commute to GMU. Also if he's driving then he could take George Washington Parkway to the beltway to Silver Spring.

[dkf747]

Yes, in a way. I think North Arlington is good, but very expensive for housing. The commute to George Mason from there, though, may or may not be rough. I'm not sure. If one uses Metro then thats one less car on the road. Less than $2000 a month might mean either stay where they are or move to Vienna.

[DC Bossman]

I'd recommend the NoMA area sandwiched between Florida and H street NE. My gf and I have a slightly similar situation. I live a few blocks down from the NY ave metro on the redline which is just about a 15-20 minute train ride to silver spring. She lives in Vienna also goes to GMU. Whenever she leaves my house, she hops on 395 south from H street or constitution to 66 and is back in GMU/vienna in about 25-30 mins. The loree grand apts off K street ne go for about $1900 for 1brs I think. Especially with the new Harris Teeter that just opened up, it's a very nice up and coming area. I think it may work for you.