Where should I live? (Washington: apartment, lease, condominiums)

[aggie86]

23 year old guy fresh out of college set to move to DC in September. Going to be working for homeland security, whose office is currently at L'enfant Plaza but will be moving to Anacostia next year (boooo)

I'll be making almost zero dollars (actually $42,209) and have set a limit of around $800 (probably going to have to look for a roommate). I can probably go up to $900 or so if utilities are included (for a 1 bedroom).

I'd like to live in DC, but I'd have no problem with Arlington or Alexandria.

So here are a few questions:
- Are there any specific complexes that you know that I should look at?
- Where's the best place online to find a place?
- Where's the best place to find a roommate?
- Would I be better off with a private listing from an owner?

Thanks!

[DCnative1990]

Whats your tolerance of crime?

I mean you could find a one bedroom for 800 or 900 in D.C., but then again the neighborhood will probably be on the rough side. Otherwise you probably would need a roommate.

[aggie86]

Originally Posted by DCnative1990

Whats your tolerance of crime?

I mean you could find a one bedroom for 800 or 900 in D.C., but then again the neighborhood will probably be on the rough side. Otherwise you probably would need a roommate.

Yea I'm definitely going to need a roommate. I've found some decent places in the 1500-1600 area, but theyre in the Lincolnia area or a bit west of Arlington/Alexandria. There are some places that people seem to just "find" but it's kind of hard to find them when you're 1000 miles away at the moment.

What's going on with the SW area and Navy Yard?

[DCnative1990]

The Navy Yard area is under massive redevelopment right now, when it gets done its suppose to look great. Here goes some website with more details and pics: www.halfstreet.com | Half Street | Half Street Condominiums | Ballpark District and Half Street Residential | Capitol Riverfront | Washington, DC

-Not that much is happening there right at this second, theres still a lot more construction to be done, but its still a nice place to be, I think some the new apartment/condo building are beginning to lease now.

Heres a list of the ones thats completed and the ones under construction: http://www.jdland.com/dc/monhalf.cfm

[aggie86]

Thanks!

[akorosdc]

You could consider SW. It'd be a ridiculously easy commute now, and not too bad of one later on. The neighborhood's quiet, predominantly residential (south of the highway), and decently safe. I've lived there for 2 years and love it, and there's another poster on here who lives down this way as well. $1500-1600 is a little low, but one thing you might consider is getting a 2-bedroom where one room is significantly smaller than the other and split the rent unevenly.

I also know several people who rent a room in houses in Columbia Heights and U Street in the $800-900 range. Since you'll be working in L'Enfant/Anacostia, you'd probably want to live along the green line if possible.