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Old 12-03-2010, 06:44 PM
 
110 posts, read 272,354 times
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Ok, so, my wife and I are going to be totally new to the NOVA/DC area.

We have both landed jobs (yay!), but unfortunately they are miles and miles apart - hers just outside of Leesburg, and mine right in old town Alexandria.

So, where to live, and how would the commute from that location be? I've been poking around the forums and have found some helpful things.

I picked Fairfax as a home base because it is roughly in the middle. Well, not really, but I figured the commute into Alexandria would be worse than the commute to Leesburg. (Wife's job is education, so she'd be leaving earlier in the am and the afternoon; my job is probably more standard 9-5)

I'm thinking by car it would 45 minutes at least for each of us, right? I doubt anyone does the Fairfax-Leesburg commute. But Fairfax-Alexandria seems like it would be more common: I was thinking a bus (1hr), or driving this route: rt236 to the beltway.

Any suggestions, experience, better places to live (we're in the apartment budget range, lol)????? Commute suggestions are needed? Thanks!
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Old 12-03-2010, 07:01 PM
 
Location: Alexandria, VA
15,143 posts, read 27,776,049 times
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Oh my, you both are kinda stuck. I guess I'd have to agree that Fairfax, depending on where, is most likely the fairest. Sorry I can't help w/apt. recommendations.

Good luck on the move and welcome.
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Old 12-03-2010, 07:10 PM
 
110 posts, read 272,354 times
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Is fairfax a nice area? Is there like, a small town area, or is it a subdivision/stripmall zone?
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Old 12-03-2010, 08:53 PM
 
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
9,777 posts, read 15,786,780 times
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Fairfax is pretty big. Parts of it are subdivision/stripmallish. But there is an Old Town/Downtown area that is quaint. There is a library, restaurants, some stores, office buildings and the courthouse (Fairfax is the county seat). I agree that it sounds like a good compromise. Vienna might work for you as well.
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Old 12-04-2010, 07:48 AM
 
110 posts, read 272,354 times
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Cool. Anyone have any ideas about commute times?
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Old 12-04-2010, 08:30 AM
 
477 posts, read 736,753 times
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look for apt around GMU metro. There is regents Park, carmel metro, circle towers(heard lot of univ. students live here) and there are other apts close by. These apt are right off I-66 and Lee Hway.
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Old 12-04-2010, 03:03 PM
 
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You'll get more suggestions if you're more specific where in Alexandria
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Old 12-04-2010, 05:03 PM
 
110 posts, read 272,354 times
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Summary: My job is in old town Alexandria on Prince Street, my wife's is just south of Leesburg.

We are looking in Fairfax for apartments, and wondering about commute times to both of those places by car (or maybe bus for me).
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Old 12-06-2010, 04:25 PM
 
367 posts, read 884,617 times
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Ok my opinion, I live in Leesburg which is cheaper and prob. your best bet. I work in Fairfax(Dunn Lorring Metro) and it takes me an hour each way. Why pay more rent or morgage when you both would have to suffer. Leesburg is cheaper as in you can get a bigger house for you buck. I hope this helps in some way.
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Old 12-07-2010, 05:45 AM
 
53 posts, read 171,681 times
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Welcome to the area! My husband and I have been here for awhile, but just moved to the Fair Lakes area of Fairfax and we love it. He works in Herndon and I work in Old Town Alexandria.

I take 7100 to Van Dorn, then weave through town to get to the other side of Alexandria. I leave around 6AM and if I hit the 'important' lights right, I get here around 7AM. It's a hike, but we like the area so much we make it work.

We are renting a one bedroom in Camden Fair Lakes and so far, so good. Sometimes we forget we have neighbors - we so rarely see or hear anything!

Good luck, ping me if I can help
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