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Old 02-01-2012, 06:59 PM
 
6 posts, read 8,524 times
Reputation: 10

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I have a short term contract in Reston and was thinking about moving to NoVa or the DC area. The contact hasn't started yet.

I am a software engineer and it is possible the contact will get extended but if it doesn't I will have to look for another position. I was thinking about Reston and hoping to find another job in that area.

But at the same time, I was considering the Falls Church area and driving to Reston for the contact and looking for a job in the Arlington, Alexandria or Mclean area.

At the same time, I am a mid-thirty something without kids or wife. I wouldn't mind a little excitement, so I may want to drive into the DC area every once in a while. The Falls Church area is closer if I want to do that.

...

I know we can't have it all, but this is my primary focus:

- 1. Focus on new future job after contact is over with a focus in IT with a large firm (I worked with SAIC before). Also, I don't have clearance. Seems like Reston is nice for this? But there are no guarantees.

- 2. I want to avoid as much traffic as possible for my current contact and future contact. 30 minutes isn't bad. hour is bad for me.

- 3. I wouldn't mind close to 20-30 minutes from DC. It looks like the Falls Church is a good commute distance from most areas, Reston, McLean, Arlington, and even DC.

- 4. I want something affordable but not too nice in terms of apartment. 1100-1250 is my ideal. 1300-1400 is pushing it but doable. I guess I could work with 1400 if I am only going to be in this area for a couple of years.

- 5. I don't mind ethnic or slightly rundown in terms of apartment (Bailey's Corner?) but I want to avoid any kind of gang violence.

I don't mind going with living just in Reston but at the same time I don't want to miss any opportunities in the DC area. I was offered some positions in the Arlington area before taking the current contact. And who knows, maybe the commute is OK between Reston and Arlington/DC?

...

It is a crap-shoot but are there good IT positions in DC? Arlington?
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Old 02-01-2012, 08:07 PM
 
Location: Tysons Corner
2,772 posts, read 4,128,195 times
Reputation: 1503
Welcome,

Lots of relocation questions on here. Basic vibe of the area is obvious closer to the city = cooler and younger, further out is boring-er and family-er. Falls Church is a good choice, there is some nightlife there, and like you said it is easy to get to DC and Arlington by both metro and a quick drive. The commute from Falls Church to Reston isnt too bad, I would suggest 66, to nutley, to hunter mill which works pretty well.

Falls Church is also a hell of a lot cheaper than Arlington/DC though much less options. I would look at Westover also (sorta the middle ground between Arlington and Falls Church). That area is pretty great too.
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Old 02-01-2012, 08:35 PM
 
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I guess from Falls Church to I66, would that take 45 minutes in 7-9am?

What about coming back 6pm ish?
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Old 02-01-2012, 08:46 PM
 
Location: Tysons Corner
2,772 posts, read 4,128,195 times
Reputation: 1503
Falls church to I-66 is gonna be reverse commuting, from route 7 (falls church) to Nutley is going to take you 5-10 minutes in the morning, from there to Reston TC will be about 20 minutes using nutley/hunter mill. Should fit right at 30 minutes if not less. Again yer gonna be reverse commuting so you'll enjoy life, right around Reston you might have a couple minute delay here and there, but nothing serious.

Same thing happens in the evening, again stick to hunter mill and you should be fine.
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Old 02-01-2012, 10:16 PM
 
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What do you think about a bit more west from Falls Church... like in Fairfax Lee Jackson Memorial?
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Old 02-02-2012, 06:54 AM
 
Location: Tysons Corner
2,772 posts, read 4,128,195 times
Reputation: 1503
Better for your drive to reston for sure but the area has way less as far as restaurants/nightlife and is much less accessible to the city and Arlington.
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Old 02-02-2012, 07:02 AM
 
6 posts, read 8,524 times
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Thanks engineer.

I should still be able to go get from Jackson Memorial to Arlington, maybe in 15 minutes for nightlife?
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Old 02-02-2012, 07:18 AM
 
430 posts, read 1,023,859 times
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On Sunday morning, I drove from Fair Oaks Mall area to near Courthouse Metro and there was no one out on 66 that morning. It took me 25 minutes.
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Old 02-02-2012, 07:34 AM
 
Location: Virginia
18,717 posts, read 29,883,832 times
Reputation: 42976
If I was just moving here for 6 months, I'd try to find a place in Falls Church. You're bound to spend more time exploring than the typical new resident, since you may be only here for six months. And hopping the metro is a fun way to explore the area. Plus, Falls Church is a neat little town, it's centrally located for job interviews, and it's not that bad of a drive to Reston (especially if it's only for 6 months).

Here's a photo tour that you might find interesting:

Falls Church
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