Alexandria housing recommendations? (section 8, for sale, apartments)

[jrroche]

Hey all,

I may be moving to Alexandria in a month or so for work. The office is in the Carlyle area. I'm from California and I've only visited the area once for the interview and I didn't really have time to look at apartments. I would need either a studio or a one-bedroom that allows one small dog. I'm hoping for something within biking or walking distance to the office, around $1,500/mo, although I could go a little higher for a nice enough place. I don't care much about amenities, my main concerns are just that the place is quiet and close to the office. Thanks for any help.

[FindingZen]

I believe that apartments within walking distance of Carlyle will likely start at $1700-1800. Due east towards the waterfront, Hunting Towers may be within your range. Otherwise, you may have to look into condo rentals via a realtor or the online search lists. You may have better luck with apartments due west on Duke St/Route 236 or King Street/Route 7 although that would be more of a short bus ride rather than a biking route.

[jrroche]

I can do up to $1,800 at the top I guess. I'm hoping for some specific recommendations as I'm completely unfamiliar with the area and the buildings, and every place's website needs to be read with a salt shaker handy.

[Flamingo13]

Well, as Tone suggested, west, just off 236 there is Foxchase (I'm a homeowner so don't know personally) - they seem well kept, are walkable to grocery, drug store, etc. - and I've seen folks with dogs (there is a dog park that is walkable also )

[brenpilot]

This may be too far, but I can personally recommend it: Moderator Cut

I own a 1 br condo here, exact same floor plan. Very quiet, but close to 395 (across the street from fairlington, within 2 miles of Shirlington), and LOTS of dogs. Our HOA pays for poop bags and has dispensers all over the property. I bike to old town all the time. To Carlyle, it's just under 4 miles each way.

Theres a dash bus and metro bus stop right outside for the bad weather days that go to king street metro (and to Carlyle, I believe) for the bad weather days.

I have a couple friends living at Fox Chase...it's very cheap, but the buildings are old, poorly insulated, and both units I've been in had that old stale air smell. there is also a decent amount of section 8 housing within the development. One friend has been very happy there, the other miserable. I guess as long as you know the drawbacks going into it, it would be okay.

[Flamingo13]

Originally Posted by brenpilot

This may be too far, but I can personally recommend it: Moderator Cut

I own a 1 br condo here, exact same floor plan. Very quiet, but close to 395 (across the street from fairlington, within 2 miles of Shirlington), and LOTS of dogs. Our HOA pays for poop bags and has dispensers all over the property. I bike to old town all the time. To Carlyle, it's just under 4 miles each way.

Theres a dash bus and metro bus stop right outside for the bad weather days that go to king street metro (and to Carlyle, I believe) for the bad weather days.

I have a couple friends living at Fox Chase...it's very cheap, but the buildings are old, poorly insulated, and both units I've been in had that old stale air smell. there is also a decent amount of section 8 housing within the development. One friend has been very happy there, the other miserable. I guess as long as you know the drawbacks going into it, it would be okay.

Interesting to hear an actual opinion of them. Like I said, I don't know but the grounds seem well kept and I always see them remodeling, etc.

To the OP - you really will need to check around it sounds like.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by jrroche

I can do up to $1,800 at the top I guess. I'm hoping for some specific recommendations as I'm completely unfamiliar with the area and the buildings, and every place's website needs to be read with a salt shaker handy.

You just might be able to rent one of the apartments right there in the Carlyle complex. I regret that I don't remember any specific property names....but they are all no more than five years old and definitely high-end.

[brenpilot]

Sorry, I only linked to that realtor's site because he's the only one who's good about posting properties that are for sale and those that are for rent.

Here is the HOA page: Palazzo at Park Center -

Properties come up for rent on craigslist every once in a while, and they range from $1350 for standard 1br units to $1650 for remodeled 1br units.

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I. You may have better luck with apartments due west on Duke St/Route 236 or King Street/Route 7 although that would be more of a short bus ride rather than a biking route.

Isnt city of alex working on biking improvements in that corridor? A cycle track on eisenhower or something?

checked - Old cameron study (proposed feasibility study for a multiuse trail from Telegraph and eisenhower to MVT)

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by brooklynborndad

Isnt city of alex working on biking improvements in that corridor? A cycle track on eisenhower or something?

checked - Old cameron study (proposed feasibility study for a multiuse trail from Telegraph and eisenhower to MVT)

That would be nice if that happened. But looking at both King and Duke Streets, neither street would be an appealing bike commute into Old Town to me.