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I just got a new job in Chantilly, VA, but as a young professional, I would love to live inside the city or at least the busier parts of Arlington. I plan to commute by car, and know that I will have to pay for parking. I've been looking at places in Mt. Pleasant, Columbia Heights, Capitol Hill or around the new stadium.
Am I insane? Is there any such thing as a reverse commute? I'm willing to deal with anything under an hour, but much more than that and it doesn't seem like it would be worth it. Thanks for the help!
You would not necessarily have to pay for parking. I live on the Hill and it is easy to just park my car on the street. You just need to get the right residential parking sticker from the DMV.
I know people who also keep cars on the street in Columbia Heights.
I'm in the same boat but thus far can't bring myself to move to the District. You're looking at a 45 minute or so commute in the morning and a 90 minute commute in the afternoon.
I'd recommend north Arlington which would save you some time with the commute.
Out of the DC neighborhoods mentioned I'd say that Capitol Hill has the fewest parking issues.
I just got a new job in Chantilly, VA, but as a young professional, I would love to live inside the city or at least the busier parts of Arlington.
Ouch. That won't be a pleasant commute in any way -- there's a reason why many city residents bemoan flying out of Dulles, which is easier to get to than Chantilly. (The Dulles Access Road is never congested, whereas the Toll Road can be.)
45 minutes is highly optimistic for an outbound commute; that's about the time from the Hill or Capitol Riverfront (the closest of your neighborhoods to an Interstate) just to Tysons. North Arlington will save the unpredictability of city traffic and the Potomac bridges, and there are many lively neighborhoods there. There's still a chance of congestion on 66 or DTR, but most of the uncertainty will be gone. You might even be able to find a carpool or vanpool that would let you share the driving drudgery.
Ouch. That won't be a pleasant commute in any way -- there's a reason why many city residents bemoan flying out of Dulles, which is easier to get to than Chantilly. (The Dulles Access Road is never congested, whereas the Toll Road can be.)
45 minutes is highly optimistic for an outbound commute; that's about the time from the Hill or Capitol Riverfront (the closest of your neighborhoods to an Interstate) just to Tysons. North Arlington will save the unpredictability of city traffic and the Potomac bridges, and there are many lively neighborhoods there. There's still a chance of congestion on 66 or DTR, but most of the uncertainty will be gone. You might even be able to find a carpool or vanpool that would let you share the driving drudgery.
I think the 45 minute estimate is reasonable. Like the other poster said, that return trip home is gonna to drive you nuts. Does the job have a metro shuttle. At least a long trip home is more bearable when you aren't driving. I still would recommend that you live on the Blue/Orange or maybe western red line.
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