Apartment search -- SF move to DC (Washington: leasing, condos) - City-Data Forum

cookiebeast · 09-02-2011, 02:59 PM

Hi,

I am new to this forum and found great tips on relocating to DC. I have accepted a job offer to DC by end of September, so things have to move fast. I am a single 30-something girl who used to live in downtown area of SF. I have visited DC before and like the area of Georgetown and Dupont Circle. Rents are pretty high, considered that coming from SF, thought it would be a bit cheaper.

My primary work will be in Virginia area. My question is how long is the typical commute from Georgetown/Dupont Circle to Virginia area? I thought of finding a place in Rosslyn but I really like DC area.

And how easy is it to find and lease an apartment? Can it take a day or two? I plan to visit next week to finalize some details on leasing an apartment.

Many thanks to your contribution.

terrence81 · 09-02-2011, 03:10 PM

Virginia covers a HUGE area. Where in Virginia is your office?

I mean technically you can walk from Georgetown to VA.

Have you thought about Arlington or Old Town Alexandria? They might be more convenient to your job again it depends on where your job is located.

If your office is in say Chantilly or Reston then I wouldn't recommend Alexandria. So yeah just depends on where your office is located.

cookiebeast · 09-02-2011, 03:56 PM

Thank you for your reply.

My main office would be in Reston, but technically I'll be working at client's office all around Reston area (company didn't say specifically who) I have a car, which I do not mind driving but I hear some horror stories about commuting in DC area. I google map it and it says Georgetown to Reston takes about 30 mins driving.

Mainly, I want a nice quality living. Be able to take hikes, dining out in town is ideal for me. My budget is around $2000 for a one bedroom and I can stretch as far as $2200. There's not much to choose from in craigslist and I hope to find something soon in preparation for my visit to DC next week.

Bluefly · 09-02-2011, 04:06 PM

You're mostly going against traffic, but it'll take longer than 30 minutes to get to Reston at rush hour considering you have to deal with Tysons Corner traffic (big office park / mall area on the Beltway that is a notorious traffic nightmare).

DC's pretty much on par with SF in terms of housing costs and population. You can find a good 1-br for that price, but the two neighborhoods you picked are amongst the most expensive in the city.

Rosslyn is a short walk across a bridge from Georgetown (a lot of people use the Rosslyn Metro after going out in Georgetown) so there's not that much distance difference going to Reston everyday.

You might like Old Town Alexandria, as was suggested. The Metro corridor of Arlington is popular but is more suburban-urban than a true downtown experience, if that's what you're still looking for.

cookiebeast · 09-02-2011, 04:28 PM

Thanks!

I definitely need to do more research on this. I did not know that Rosslyn is a short walk across the bridge to Georgetown. Something to think about, I guess. Which Tysons Corner traffic is this? Can you let me know which highway?

I have looked at other cities, but mainly downtown experience is what I am looking for. Since I have a car, I can visit suburban-urban cities over the weekends

Bluefly · 09-02-2011, 05:06 PM

Tysons Corner traffic clogs up 267 (the Dulles Toll Road) and part of I-66 (both of which you'll take from DC to Reston) and I-495 (the Beltway) where it passes through. About 100,000 people work in Tysons and there's no transit yet (it's being built), so everybody drives. The lunchtime rushhour is the worst of all 3, so you'll at least avoid that.

Perhaps you'd like other neighborhoods in the city, like Logan Circle / U Street, Capitol Hill / Eastern Market, or the West End / Foggy Bottom areas. Foggy Bottom isn't the most exciting part of town but it's right next to Dupont and Georgetown and has easy access to nightlife / restaurants / the National Mall / Rock Creek Park for your hiking as well as easy access to I-66. It's still expensive, though.

cookiebeast · 09-03-2011, 12:29 AM

Isn't Logan Circle/Capitol Hill and the others a bit far? It seems like it is, but I might need to check out the routes when I get to DC next week. How about the Waterfront/Navy Yard? Is that a good area?

I have emailed several people in craigslist and no responses!! Is this normal?

Bluefly · 09-04-2011, 12:54 PM

Those neighborhoods are further east, but not really that far. If they're going to provide you the happiness you seek on nights and weekends, adding some extra time to your Reston commute might be worth it.

Waterfront / Navy Yard's an up-and-coming area that was revamped from an industrial district into a high-rise district over the past decade or so. There's a mix of new offices, project housing that generates some crime and shiny new condos that generate popped collar syndrome. A lot of people love the area, especially the waterfront restaurants / bars, Arena Stage Theater, Nationals ballpark, and being right next to Capitol Hill / Eastern Market (Barracks Row - 8th Street SE is a vibrant restaurant strip just down the street). The retail actually in the Waterfront / Navy Yard areas is still being built-out so options are limited. Nice new park on the Anacostia River, though: The Yards Park : Washington DC's New Park on the Anacostia River

DC's a landlord's market. They often get inundated with inquiries, so you might either have to stand out a little or be persistent.

Smoke_Jaguar4 · 09-04-2011, 08:10 PM

For working in/near Reston and having quality of life, I'd say the Ballston area in Arlington. It has a good mix of urban amenities (if somewhat yuppified) while you will be close to I-66 and some secondary roads that will help you traverse the area (Glebe Rd, Old Dominion Hwy). $2200/month will get you a decent place here. My main office is in Ballston with regular trips up to Reston.

Another option may be downtown Falls Church. It's a less urban than DC or Arlington but you won't die of boredom

Deeman804 · 09-05-2011, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoke_Jaguar4

For working in/near Reston and having quality of life, I'd say the Ballston area in Arlington. It has a good mix of urban amenities (if somewhat yuppified) while you will be close to I-66 and some secondary roads that will help you traverse the area (Glebe Rd, Old Dominion Hwy). $2200/month will get you a decent place here. My main office is in Ballston with regular trips up to Reston.

Another option may be downtown Falls Church. It's a less urban than DC or Arlington but you won't die of boredom

Yeah, in this case I would agree with not having the full urban experience. Check out Ballsston and Clarendon areas. It is urban, not on DC level but decent. It is much closer to work and a short drive to the neighborhoods you like. You also can take the train and get a spectacular apartment for 2000 or 2200.