moving from midwest? (Arlington, Alexandria, Charlottesville: home, buy, college)

[dmiller91]

Hello,

I may have an opportunity for a position in Arlington, VA. I can work from home, and commute about 50% of the time.

Coming from the midwest, we can't afford housing anywhere near Arlington, and the corridor west of there scared me with its traffic, housing prices and overpopulation.

We are wondering about Charlottesville. The housing seems much more affordable, and the surrounding area seems beautiful.

Can we find a decent home - not falling apart, for $250k or so? Do people drive to Arlington/DC area from there... or are there trains/buses?

I assume the city is safe. I was there for a meeting at the Boar's Head, and the surrounding area seemed very nice. The city seemed a bit crowded, but I wasn't there long enough to get a real feel.

we live in a town of 20k outside of a town of 200k... so the size doesn't bother me. We need grocery and the occasional dining out.

Is it a safe and comfortable place to be?

[badger74]

250 won't buy much but will get you something. Maybe a nicer townhouise. Cville is a fun place to live if you enjoy the college town life. Long hard drive to Arlington. I would not do that. Lots of stop and go all the way.

[gregir]

I ride the train weekly. I leave on Monday and get back on Thursday night. It costs around 88.00 usually. You could take the 7:09 train and be at Alexandria around 930 (it is usually early) and then the 5:11 to Cville arriving at 7:23 or the 6:49 arriving at 847.
I find the train ride easy and pleasant. It has outlets so I work a little and catch on personal business sometimes and sometimes I just watch the world roll by.

Not sure where in the midwest you are from but I grew up in Lima Ohio and Cville is an order of magnitude nicer and safer.