Culpeper to DC (Charlottesville, Warrenton: rent, movie theater, DMV)

[DMG721]

I am considering applying for a job in Culpeper, VA, because it looks like a better position than I have now. Thing is, I'm more of a city boy than anything, and I probably wouldn't be happy living in an exurban or "small town" sort of environment. Is Culpeper practically close enough to DC that I would be able to spend some of my evenings and weekends in DC and NOVA? I mean, I can look at a map and see geographically how close the two areas are, but that doesn't account for the practical considerations like traffic, etc. How long would it take to make the run from Culpeper to DC, say, after work during the week or on the weekends?

Also, what's rent like out there? I know DC and NOVA are known for their sky-high rents, but I would think a 1 bdrm apt near my workplace in Culpeper couldn't be that bad, could it?

[spencgr]

No, Culpeper is not close enough to spend most of your evenings in the city. It will likely take you close to two hours to get into the city with the evening traffic.

Culpeper cost of living will be much lower than actual DC-Metro area.

[DMG721]

Originally Posted by spencgr

No, Culpeper is not close enough to spend most of your evenings in the city. It will likely take you close to two hours to get into the city with the evening traffic.

Culpeper cost of living will be much lower than actual DC-Metro area.

Is there a happy medium between the two areas?

[terrence81]

Culpepper to DC after work on Wednesday will make for an awful Thursday that is if you even make it back Culpepper. I grew up in a much smaller city and did the 90 minute drive to Atlanta on the weekends. It was hard to drive back after the bars closed. I couldn't imagine doing this on a weekday.

You will have to give up the city lifestyle if you move to Culpepper you can't have both. Its not even an exurb. Its a small town that isn't too far from DC. DC and Culpepper are definitely too far apart. They're about 90 minutes give or take apart.

Unless you're out of work or they're paying a lot more I'd pass on the job if I were in your shoes.

[brenpilot]

Originally Posted by DMG721

Is there a happy medium between the two areas?

I recently posed a similar question on this board, and the recommendation was to move to Warrenton. In fact, we just visited both Culpeper and Warrenton, and I'm going to post my findings over on the other thread so I can thank the helpful recommendations

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by brenpilot

I recently posed a similar question on this board, and the recommendation was to move to Warrenton. In fact, we just visited both Culpeper and Warrenton, and I'm going to post my findings over on the other thread so I can thank the helpful recommendations

However, you're looking for a different lifestyle than the OP. If I am not mistaken, there's not much to offer younger professionals in Warrenton.

In fact, it may be more feasible for the OP to live towards Charlottesville which would certainly be active in the vicinity of UVA. I would repost your question on the general Virginia forum for more informed ideas (than mine, at least) on how feasible that would be.

[brenpilot]

Originally Posted by Tone509

However, you're looking for a different lifestyle than the OP. If I am not mistaken, there's not much to offer younger professionals in Warrenton.

In fact, it may be more feasible for the OP to live towards Charlottesville which would certainly be active in the vicinity of UVA. I would repost your question on the general Virginia forum for more informed ideas (than mine, at least) on how feasible that would be.

Actually, I'm in the same situation as the OP. I am considering moving my office to Culpeper to reduce the COL, but I still want to be within a reasonable commute to DC on the weekends because all of my friends are in DC. It depends if the OP wants nightlife and activity in general or specifically DC.

Back to the OP: if you want a 1BR in Culpeper, I've seen anywhere from $600-900. You can expect rent to be about half of the rent you see in DMV. However, as I said previously, there's a reason rent is so low there.

[DMG721]

Originally Posted by brenpilot

Actually, I'm in the same situation as the OP. I am considering moving my office to Culpeper to reduce the COL, but I still want to be within a reasonable commute to DC on the weekends because all of my friends are in DC. It depends if the OP wants nightlife and activity in general or specifically DC.

Back to the OP: if you want a 1BR in Culpeper, I've seen anywhere from $600-900. You can expect rent to be about half of the rent you see in DMV. However, as I said previously, there's a reason rent is so low there.

To answer your question, nightlife and activity in general would suffice, though I am partial to DC, as opposed to Charlottesville, just as a matter of personal preference. In any case, I doubt I'd be happy living in Culpeper, as small towns aren't really my cup of tea. I just took a look at a map of the town on Google. It appears that Culpeper's most prominent features include a movie theater, the town Starbucks, and at least three cemetaries.

[brenpilot]

Originally Posted by DMG721

To answer your question, nightlife and activity in general would suffice, though I am partial to DC, as opposed to Charlottesville, just as a matter of personal preference. In any case, I doubt I'd be happy living in Culpeper, as small towns aren't really my cup of tea. I just took a look at a map of the town on Google. It appears that Culpeper's most prominent features include a movie theater, the town Starbucks, and at least three cemetaries.

Yep, that sums it up.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by DMG721

To answer your question, nightlife and activity in general would suffice, though I am partial to DC, as opposed to Charlottesville, just as a matter of personal preference. In any case, I doubt I'd be happy living in Culpeper, as small towns aren't really my cup of tea. I just took a look at a map of the town on Google. It appears that Culpeper's most prominent features include a movie theater, the town Starbucks, and at least three cemetaries.

Just be prepared then for a long commute and intermediate suburban options that may pale in comparison to DC. I would take terrence81's post to heart.