Job Choice: Reston VA or Greenbelt MD (rent, home)
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.
Hey there I'm moving from Arizona and it looks like I may have a choice of two jobs in the DC area. I realize specifics about what the jobs entail are more of a professional preference for myself; what I'm looking for are opinions on the areas the jobs are at.
Reston VA - $55k
Greenbelt MD - $50k
I've decided to look for an existing DC resident as a roommate and am looking to keep rent at $1000 or less. I need a place/house with a yard for my dog and renting this by myself is too expensive. I'm 29 and a single male, and would like to live near a decent social scene if possible.
Generally a very nice and convenient area
Lower Crime
Better Job economy for future career
Cons:
Worse traffic than Greenbelt
Higher cost of living
Greenbelt:
PROS:
Cheaper cost of living
More convenient to DC and Baltimore
This convenience leaves the possibility of living in DC or the suburbs, Reston is deeper in the suburbs and less convenient to DC.
CONS:
More Crime
People may often call this area "ghetto" but that's just spoilt DC teen slang for lower middle class, Greenbelt in no way resembles true inner-city ghettos.
Less shopping/commercial centers
Lastly because of the difference in the cost of living, 50K in Greenbelt and 55K in Reston are about the same at the end of the day.
I believe Reston is a verry good place. Way better than GreenBelt. But as Fissure said, 50K in Greenbelt and 55K in Reston are about the same at the end of the day.
One thing you need to consider is TRAFFIC. The DC Metro Area has the crappiest rush hour of any city I've been, it rivals LA. So you will want for a better quality of life to work as close as you can to your home.
This one is easy....RESTON! Jogging trails, a great town center, convenient to Tysons and Dulles Airport. Much safer. Nothing against Greenbelt, but it's like night and day when compared to a Fairfax County suburb like Reston. Good luck to you and welcome to Virginia!
If you like Mexican food, our best (won't be as good as AZ, but still mouth-watering) is Rio Grande (I think they have a Reston location) and Guapos in Shirlington (Arlington).
Live in DC and take the job that will open more doors for you down the road.
This is ultimately what I'm thinking will be the deal breaker. The job in Reston offers very little growth but but they want me immediately and I'm so excited to move out to the DC area I'm almost willing to take it. I'm currently working evenings which kills my social life and that Reston job pays 55 and is on a 8-5 M-F schedule which sounds amazingly nice. But in two years I'll be making about 60-65 tops and that will pretty much be the highest I can go.
The job in Greenbelt starts off at 50, but it's closer to the social scene and provides enormous opportunities for growth. Within 2 years I'll be making close to 80k or more and the experience is far more applicable if I ever move again.
This is ultimately what I'm thinking will be the deal breaker. The job in Reston offers very little growth but but they want me immediately and I'm so excited to move out to the DC area I'm almost willing to take it. I'm currently working evenings which kills my social life and that Reston job pays 55 and is on a 8-5 M-F schedule which sounds amazingly nice. But in two years I'll be making about 60-65 tops and that will pretty much be the highest I can go.
The job in Greenbelt starts off at 50, but it's closer to the social scene and provides enormous opportunities for growth. Within 2 years I'll be making close to 80k or more and the experience is far more applicable if I ever move again.
Given what you said up there, I'd go with the Greenbelt job, it'll be worth more in the end.
I had to start my career in Newark, NJ at a time when my employer had a difficult time recruiting qualified candidates to work there. But it paid off in the long run.
Btw, check out the DC Craigslist listings for roomates. I'm sure it's pretty extensive.
I second juniperbleu, With the job in Greenbelt you could feasibly live in the District, since a social life is important to you this is a good thing. I forgot to mention that Reston would probably be less interesting to a younger person. It was ranked as one of the best places in the country to retire, of things. It's out deep in the generic suburbs, no clubs, sports bars Etc. to speak of.
Lastly Greenbelt is also right next to College Park, home of the University of MD. So young people are abound, and there is no shortage of bars, clubs Etc. out there.
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.
