Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Relocating from NYC to the DC area. Looking for a 1BR apt up to 1700 in an area that has late 20's proffesionals, and bars and restaraunts in walking distance.
Looking at Ballston and Clarendon in VA, but want to know what areas of DC you reccomend and how long the commute would be to Mclena VA?
If you're working in McLean, presumably Tyson's, then your commute would be much easier from Clarendon or Ballston. There are lots of young professionals there, plus the Metro to take you into DC. The commute from Arlington to Tyson's is about 20 minutes. Depending upon where you lived in DC, its distance to one of the bridges, and the time of your commute, it could take nearly twice as long to travel to Tyson's. And you will pay more for your housing, and higher income taxes in DC.
I would actually recommend living in NW DC over Clarendon-Ballston. Here's why: there isn't a major freeway that takes you from Arlington to Mclean. While Arlington to Mclean may be a shorter distance by a few miles, the drive time will be about the same from NW DC. From DC, take the GW Parkway north to 123, which takes you right into Mclean. Traffic isn't that bad on the GW north - I'd estimate the drive to be about 20 - 30 min from NW DC. DC neighborhoods that match your description are Adams Morgan, U St., West End/Foggy Bottom, Georgetown - lots of young people, restaurants, bars, etc. Take advantage of living near Rock Creek Parkway in DC (AM & U St. are near it) because it is a major road that will lead you right onto the GW Parkway.
DC may be more expensive than Clarendon, but if you are asking me, I think it's worth the money (besides, it isn't as if Clarendon is a bargain). I much prefer the feel of older, more characterful DC neighborhoods to the slightly austere & planned community feel of Ballston-Clarendon. If you're going for the city vibe, DC's the place to be. I'd say the neighborhoods I mentioned in DC feel more like the Village and Clarendon feels more like White Plains, NY.
But that's my opinion - there is certainly lots of vibrancy & young people in Clarendon, so I can see why others might like it. Another Clarendon advantage is you'll probably find more places that include off-street parking.
Check out both & see what fits you best. Enjoy the search!
I would actually recommend living in NW DC over Clarendon-Ballston. Here's why: there isn't a major freeway that takes you from Arlington to Mclean. While Arlington to Mclean may be a shorter distance by a few miles, the drive time will be about the same from NW DC. From DC, take the GW Parkway north to 123, which takes you right into Mclean. Traffic isn't that bad on the GW north - I'd estimate the drive to be about 20 - 30 min from NW DC. DC neighborhoods that match your description are Adams Morgan, U St., West End/Foggy Bottom, Georgetown - lots of young people, restaurants, bars, etc. Take advantage of living near Rock Creek Parkway in DC (AM & U St. are near it) because it is a major road that will lead you right onto the GW Parkway.
DC may be more expensive than Clarendon, but if you are asking me, I think it's worth the money (besides, it isn't as if Clarendon is a bargain). I much prefer the feel of older, more characterful DC neighborhoods to the slightly austere & planned community feel of Ballston-Clarendon. If you're going for the city vibe, DC's the place to be. I'd say the neighborhoods I mentioned in DC feel more like the Village and Clarendon feels more like White Plains, NY.
But that's my opinion - there is certainly lots of vibrancy & young people in Clarendon, so I can see why others might like it. Another Clarendon advantage is you'll probably find more places that include off-street parking.
Check out both & see what fits you best. Enjoy the search!
DC definitely offers more urban living than Ballston/Clarendon. Not so sure that this wouldn't extend the commute considerably, though. First, you'll have to cross a bridge just to get on the GW Parkway. And, keep in mind that Capital One, although it has a McLean mailing address, is closer to Tysons Corner than the center of McLean. If you end up taking the GW Parkway from DC and get off on at Route 123, you'll have to spend a fair amount of time on Route 123 before you get to Capital One. It's often congested in both directions in the morning.
From an area of DC such as Foggy Bottom, how possible/difficult is a commute to McLean via public transport? Thanks
I think you could take the Metro from Foggy Bottom to Ballston or West Falls Church and a bus from Ballston or West Falls Church to Tysons/McLean (I assume you're talking about that area, rather than a residential neighborhood in McLean):
If you expect to have regular hours, I don't think it would be too bad. Plenty of people do the bus/Metro combo. However, if you were working odd hours, where the bus service was less frequent, it would be a pain.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
