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So I found a great deal on a 3 bedroom house a 7 minute walk from the EFC metro. My job is right on top of Metro Center... wmata says its a 19 minute trip. I've heard horror stores about the Orange line, though. Would this end up - in practice - being a terrible commute? As a 20-something, should I try to stay closer to Ballston? I'm pretty much decided on Arlington, because I want a house and a yard for my dog. Just not sure if EFC is too far out/on a line I dont want to be on.
You might want to post this on the Northern VA board, but I can tell you a few things:
1) You have a great commute lined up - I would not worry about Metro delays. Yes, they occur, but you are living inside-the-Beltway and most days, you can just turn on your iPod and enjoy a relatively quick ride in with no line transfers.
2) Yes, more young people live in Clarendon, but on evenings and weekends, you'll be there in 10 minutes by car. I would stick with the EFC property if it meets your needs in every other way. That being said you know yourself best and if you feel that not being walking distance from the heart of Clarendon is a big deal, then maybe you might want to find another property.
Metro delays occur occasionally, but most of the time metro runs on schedule without any problems. I ride the metro everyday and it is rare (less than once a month) that I encounter a major delay. East Falls Church is less popular among young people and doesn't have a lot of nightlife. However, it is a short metro ride or drive to Ballston. I'd only avoid Falls Church if you require a lot of ammenities within walking distance. However, if you are ok with a short metro ride or drive to get places, I think that Falls Church would be fine.
The main issue with the Orange line is the Blue line transfer bottleneck at Rosslyn. If you're not transferring lines, then the Orange line is pretty smooth. I take it daily and there are seldom breakdowns. And EFC is one just stop to Ballston, you won't gain much.
The real problem is that the trains will be packed to the gills as it heads eastwards. I'm sure you can get on most of the time, but it's not unheard of, that you can't get on and have to wait for the next train. I think they're even more packed as it heads east so you're better off at E. Falls Church
You don't have anything to worry about. I live in Ballston and I've never had a problem getting on an orange line train toward New Carrolton. The trains get really congested heading towards Vienna on weekday evenings, but you won't have a hard time getting on a train at Metro Center...it's really just a problem at Rosslyn.
They're doing lots of track work on the orange line so sometimes there won't be trains going to EFC on the weekends. It shouldn't be a big concern since you can always drive or take the shuttle.
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