Arlington or the District? (renting, condos, townhouses)

[clpnewtodc]

I know, a tired subject, but most threads look a little dated and my situation is a little different.

I am 35 year old male, married, 3 kids (ages 2 - 8). Moving to DC for about 2 years to work for government, then plan on heading back to Texas. I will come to DC alone from Jan to May next year (to let kids finish school and scout out DC before moving family up to join me). I will work primarily in the District in the Bond building (near McPherson Square metro). I will have a second office in Crystal City that I will go to maybe once a week or less.

I do NOT want to spend hours commuting - will trade space for time. I'd like to live in a decent neighborhood with acceptable restaurants and stores, but I don't need to party late night with trendy, beautiful folks in their 20's (and I can tell you my wife does not want me hanging out with any females who fit that description!). I am no longer young and beautiful. (Well, I was at least young once.)

First Question: Should I live in the District or in Arlington along the Orange line while I am in DC alone? Trying to find a place for $1300/mth or less, and it does not have to be spectacular - just a reasonable commute and place to lay my head.

Second question: Once kids arrive, we'll need to live in NOVA for the better public schools. Any thoughts on feasibility of renting a place for $3K or less with 3 bedrooms, a good neighborhood, good school, and still near metro so i don't have to drive for hours every day?

A sincere thanks for any attempt to answer these detailed questions.

CLP

[TheseGoTo11]

Originally Posted by clpnewtodc

Any thoughts on feasibility of renting a place for $3K or less with 3 bedrooms, a good neighborhood, good school, and still near metro so i don't have to drive for hours every day?

Townhouse or Condo near East Falls Church Metro. Excellent Yorktown HS pyramid schools on the Arlington side, excellent city schools on the Falls Church side. Metro stop is in a suburban area with a decent number of families.

If you stick to a 2br/2ba 1200 sq ft condo, you should be able to stay below 3k, possibly even $2500.

[Viceroy of Lost Umbrellas]

I would stick to the Virginia side at this point. If your oldest is already in school, then I wouldn't move to DC since you will have to either move or send him to private school.

TheseGoTo11's post is on the money. I would go with Falls Church merely because the school district there has a better reputation and the housing there tends to be townhouses and SFHs as opposed to mostly condos within walking distance to the Metro although either option will be good.