Suggested family living for job at 1120 Vermont Ave. - Thomas Circle (rental market, houses)

[CodeMonkey411]

I’ve been reading these forums the past few months in anticipation of moving out there for a job which I just got offered. I’ve got some ideas of where to live but was hoping to see if anyone has tips for my particular situation.

I’ll be moving out from Colorado with my girlfriend and her cats. We’re not into nightlife much and generally spend our free time at home so we would like to have some room and small yard. We’re looking for a SFH around $2800/mo rent in a quiet neighborhood that I could commute from in under 30 mins. I know suburban living and a short commute there are in opposition to each other but was hoping someone would have a few ideas. I’ve found some neighborhoods (Rock Creek park pockets, Takoma/Shepard Park) that would allow me to ride the bus or drive down 16th or take the metro. Would any further out suburbs like Silver Spring or somewhere east meet our needs? Any other areas that I may be overlooking?
Thanks in advance.

[14thandYou]

I don't know what the rental market for houses is like, but with your price range you'll have a number of options. Thomas Circle is convenient to the McPherson Square metro (blue and orange lines), so looking at places along the Orange Line corridor in Arlington might make sense for you (Courthouse and Virginia Square are a bit quieter than Clarendon and Ballston). Any further out on the Orange Line and you're looking at a commute longer than 30 min.

Shepherd Park and Takoma are both fine areas, although 16th street in the morning can be a zoo. Some areas in upper NW (Van Ness, Tenleytown, Cleveland Park) might fit the bill, but the Red Line doesn't run particularly close to Thomas Circle, and the inbound drive in the morning can be ugly.