Relocating to NOVA (Alexandria: apartment, rent, neighborhood)

[michelleb182005]

I'm a 21 year old recent college graduate relocating to NOVA to work at a law firm in DC. I just want to know a little bit about the area in general. I've found an apartment (with a roommate) in Alexandria. Is Alexandria a good area? Is there a good nightlife? Are race relations good? (i'm in an interracial relationship) What are some Pros & Cons in terms of the area itself? What would the average rent be to live in a nice neighborhood?

[saganista]

Originally Posted by michelleb202007

I'm a 21 year old recent college graduate relocating to NOVA to work at a law firm in DC. I just want to know a little bit about the area in general. I've found an apartment (with a roommate) in Alexandria. Is Alexandria a good area? Is there a good nightlife? Are race relations good? (i'm in an interracial relationship) What are some Pros & Cons in terms of the area itself? What would the average rent be to live in a nice neighborhood?

The cost of living is high, there is tons of stuff to do here, the traffic is typically brutal in rush-hour, most (but not all) of Alexandria is very nice, it can get really hot and humid in the summer, there is excellent nightlife centralized in various areas (one of which is Old Town Alexandria), race relations are good here (you will be just another interracial couple), and since you'll be working downtown, your happiness and quality of life may well depend on having convenient access to Metro.

'Nice' is meanwhile a qualitative judgment. As a ballpark, if a 2-BR was much less than $1500, there would probably be a reason for that that you might not be so happy with.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by saganista

The cost of living is high, there is tons of stuff to do here, the traffic is typically brutal in rush-hour, most (but not all) of Alexandria is very nice, it can get really hot and humid in the summer, there is excellent nightlife centralized in various areas (one of which is Old Town Alexandria), race relations are good here (you will be just another interracial couple), and since you'll be working downtown, your happiness and quality of life may well depend on having convenient access to Metro.

'Nice' is meanwhile a qualitative judgment. As a ballpark, if a 2-BR was much less than $1500, there would probably be a reason for that that you might not be so happy with.

Alexandria is a great area. You'll have no problem finding a nightlife here. Nearly all of the city is safe and trust me you will not stand out as an interracial couple. I wouldn't say a 2-br inside the city under $1500 would be one to stay away from. My 2br (and 2ba) is $1350 and i have no complaints. I'd say a decent no-frills 2-br would be $1200+ but most likely that throws old town out of the question and brings the west end into the picture.