Condos in Arlington (Courthouse Neighborhood) (Orange: apartment complexes, lease, credit)

[American_Made 2.0]

I'm looking for a condo in the Arlington area that is somewhere in the price range of $1,500 to $2,000 a month. I must also mention that I'm a 25 year old professional African American guy. I'm also looking for a community that would be open and friendly. Would the Courthouse area of Arlington be a good fit for me?

[Jrbe]

Condos anywhere along the Orange line will be very expensive!

As a general rule, I think Arlington is progressive-minded.

[CaliTerp07]

It's a great area. Depending how close you want to be to the metro, you'll be near the top of your budget.

[mshan242709]

Yes, I would guess $1600 a month (not including parking or amenities, etc) would be good starting point, $1800 be more target range for a building not filled with just graduated from college kids.

Overall, for all of Arlington, best value options I was told of are Schlosberg Properties -- The Barton House, Arlington VA and Virginia Management - Potomac Towers. http://www.ballstonpark.com/s/homepage was also recommended as good quality for the money housing in Arlington.

I found this while doing some google research: http://www.condo1.com/leasing.asp

Rents apparently go up in summer as influx of new grads starting new jobs creates greater demand. Rents supposedly go down (maybe up to couple hundred dollars) in winter, when there is less demand, so you could consider short term lease and finding more permanent housing in winter months at hopefully lower rents.

From what I've read, Courthouse and Clarendon are the more happening areas, but Ballston might be cheaper, or at least more value for your money, because it just seems like large apartment complexes and some shopping in the area.

[smokemaster]

Originally Posted by American_Made 2.0

I'm looking for a condo in the Arlington area that is somewhere in the price range of $1,500 to $2,000 a month. I must also mention that I'm a 25 year old professional African American guy. I'm also looking for a community that would be open and friendly. Would the Courthouse area of Arlington be a good fit for me?

I don't know of any, where it would still be necessary to state your race. Most, will find your income and credit to be of much more importance.

[ICS67]

Bet you can get a good deal on that apartment in Arlington where those two just-arrested Russian spies were living!

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by smokemaster

I don't know of any, where it would still be necessary to state your race. Most, will find your income and credit to be of much more importance.

I would agree that race would be irrelevant in this case. Unlike across the river in Prince Georges County MD, there are no major African-American enclaves in Arlington or really anywhere of Northern Virginia. Landlords and people in general or more likely to be concerned about your socioeconomic status; that is, if you're a young professional among other young professionals, you're likely to be respected and accepted.

[Jrbe]

If you are looking for a newer luxury type building, you might want to look at the Gramercy at Metropolitan Park in Pentagon City. I took a tour there and was pretty impressed. The square footage was small but the area in fantastic (shopping/commute time to DC, etc). It's right across the street from Costco.

[DCguy03]

I know you'll have no problem at all finding a condo to rent in your price range in Court House. Funny thing is, I live there, am also in my mid/late 20's.

1 Bedroom apartments in the various high-rise apartment complexes in Court House tend to go for between $1650 and $2000.

What Mshan said a few posts above is definitely true in Court House: You'll pay more if you move in during the summer months. For instance, I moved in to my 1-BR in Court House last November, and was able to rent it for $1,700/mo -- plus, I got 1 month rent-free! The same exact sized apartments in my building are now (June/July) going for ~$1,800/mo, with no free month of rent.

I'll also concur with what others have said regarding race -- you'll find this neighborhood to be fairly progressive, and it also skews towards a younger age on average. These factors combined seem to make it a place which is very open and friendly.