Single woman in her thirties got a job in Washington D.C. Where should I live? (apartment complexes, insurance)

[Helen3165]

I currently reside in Florida. I will be moving next month for a job in Washington D.C. The job will be around 3801 Nebraska Ave. I'm a single asian woman in her thirties and want to live close to other singles like myself. I don't want to be single FOREVER and would like to settle down someday. So..I don't think living in the burbs is going to have me meet alot of singles. I want to have a social life. I do enjoy the night life and restaurants/clubs/malls..etc. ALso, if possible...I don't want to live too far from work. I've been told that traffic is heinous. My starting salary is $90K. I would like to live in a SAFE area ...and where the driving won't be too bad. But if need be, I'll take the metro station. My main concern is that my new boss will have people working the day, mid, and night shifts. I don't know which shift he might have me on. So safety would be a concern...if I work at night. I'm used to living in really nice spacious apartments (that are affordable) and prefer a 2 bedroom apt. But I'm not sure if I could afford it with a $90k salary?? I'm NOT GREAT at math but I'm guessing I might take home around $6,000-$7,000 per month? Should I live in Washington D.C. ? Or there nice safe apartments in D.C....that are close to the restaurants/clubs/malls?
Or should I live in one of the closer cities...like Arlington...for example ?
PLEASE HELP !!

[DCmum]

You can definitely find something in DC. I guess first, you'd have to let us know where your job is in DC and also how much you are willing to spend on rent. With your salary, I'd say around $2k? I think the Upper Georgetown area is nice and pretty much central to a lot in DC.

[DCmum]

Never mind, I guess you already mentioned your job will be on Nebraska avenue. I still think Upper Georgetown will be convenient and a really nice area but you might wanna get a 1 bedroom if you wanna spend about $2k. Also, you might wanna rethink the driving part, parking is a pain and if you live close to your job, you can just walk to work or hop on a bus,a lot of people do just that in that area

[Tiger Beer]

Damn that's good money.

Shift work? Nurse, maybe? Doesn't need math? Do nurses need math?

I'm not in DC and I don't see myself earning 90k, but if I did, I'd be interested in Capitol Hill.

Where do single Asian females go in their 30s? 20s seems to be Arlington. I'll have to tune into others for the response. I'm a bit curious now myself.

[HumbleSeaGoat]

Women in their 20s = Adams Morgan, Arlington, Dupont Circle
Women in their 30s = Georgetown, U-Street/Cardozza

[Smoke_Jaguar4]

Two things people quickly learn when they arrive here:
1. You don't need as much space as you think. Apartments in this area tend to be smaller than in the rest of the country, and multi-bedrooms are expensive. For example, there are some apartments near where you'll work on Massachussetts Ave. Here's a link to one with prices: DC Apartments – Apartments in Washington DC at Avalon Foxhall
2. Driving anywhere should always be your last option. In this case you're 5 or 6 blocks from the Tenleytown metro stop and there are lots of busses that travel on Nebraska Avenue. Here's a link to the Metro Trip Planner: www.wmata.com

Also, since you're coming from Florida, DC has an income tax (so do VA and MD). $90K is good money in Florida, but in DC it's middle class. Everything here is more expensive: food, car costs, insurance, etc... That $4500 - $5000 per month will go quickly if you're not careful.

But...
The upside is we have a great quality of life here, lots to do and you'll meet a lot of great people here too. There's a reason why so many people want to live here

[Helen3165]

Hello DCMum ! You're right. I don't want to spend too much on an apartment. Unfortunately, I see alot of SMALL apartments (600sq. ft - 1000 sq. ft) that could easily cost me $3,000 and up. I wouldn't feel right ...if I chose that route. No matter how many amenities they have....it's still a tiny apartment for several grand!!! Tsk...Tsk. Welcome to D.C! LOL. The closest thing that has met my requirements are the 4000 Massachusetts Ave apartments on 4000 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016. The apartments are spacious and the price looks affordable ...compared to other apartment complexes. The catch is....they offer ALOT LESS amenities. BUT...I would rather live in a large apartment that atleast has a "pool." I only wish they had a fitness gym Also, it doesn't look like it's setup for alot of social gatherings. There's no grill area,no actual recreation room but only a lobby...no pool table/movie theatre. All I see is a pool and a park. But it has elevators..which is interesting. Atleast...the 4000 Massachusetts apts is within minutes from Downtown D.C. and Georgetown. I guess that's good? I've never been to the Georgetown area. IS there decent night life...alot of singles?

[Helen3165]

Hello Tiger Bear. No...I'm not a nurse. I'm a slave to the grind...DOD employee. LOL.

[Helen3165]

Hi Smoke_Jaguar 4 ! You're right. $90k is "middle class" for Washington D.C. ...which is what I might have to get used to. LOL. Thank you for your input. I can quickly spend all my take home earnings ..if I'm not careful. To be honest..I'm not sure if I could ever get used to a tiny apartment.My new boss has people working either the day, mid, or night shifts. Would I be better off driving...if I end up working at night?? I'm concerned about safety. I'm interested in moving to the 4000 Massachusetts Ave. apartments...on 4000 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016. Do you know anything about those apartments? Doesn't seem to have alot of amenities...but their website says ..they are within minutes to downtown D.C. and Georgetown. From your perspective, can I meet alot of singles in downtown D.C...or Georgetown? Or...are they clique-ish?

[Helen3165]

Thank you HumbleSeaGoat for the rundown! I would feel old among the "20 somethings" ! LOL.