Commute to Downtown DC (Arlington, Reston: apartment, renting, loan) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

AsburyMark · 02-12-2012, 01:04 PM

I understand that traffic in the DC area is terrible. However, what is the least terrible area to live if I am commuting to downtown DC?

tysonsengineer · 02-12-2012, 01:08 PM

Well.... beyond the obvious (DC)?

Closer is going to be better or atleast more expensive. Better outside of more expensive is subjective. What kind of things do you prioritize? If you are simply prioritizing commute, then the best place to live to commute to DC, theoretically you are asking for Virginia, would therefore be Arlington.

If you like houses, then I would say Great Falls (since you provide no monetary level). Do you have 6 million to spend on a river side estate overlooking the city?

Personally? I like to be around people and have things to do, so I would say right in the heart of Courthouse or Rosslyn would be ideal. Would anyone like to give me a $400,000 never to be paid back loan?

AsburyMark · 02-12-2012, 01:16 PM

Maybe I should re-frame the question.

We would like to live outside of the loop and are wondering what surrounding area has the least congested commute. I know that we will have traffic/delay no matter what. Commute is not our top priority but is something we would like to consider.

tysonsengineer · 02-12-2012, 01:28 PM

Outside of the beltway I would put your along 267, so Vienna (which has the benefit of having access to 267 and 66) as well as a metro. I would avoid anything that requires you to drive 66 everyday. I would also avoid route 1 or 95 region as this area has the benefit of being both congested and unbearably run down for most areas. (only nice area of route 1 is the part where its not route 1, ie old town alexandria)

Vienna/Falls Church or if you want to be further out, Reston/Herndon/Chantilly

irisheyes13 · 02-12-2012, 04:52 PM

it would be helpful to know more info such as, how much to you want to spend, single family home, townhouse or apartment, schools, otehr things that may be important to you..

CaliTerp07 · 02-12-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irisheyes13

it would be helpful to know more info such as, how much to you want to spend, single family home, townhouse or apartment, schools, otehr things that may be important to you..

That. Your budget will absolutely dictate possible locations in the metro area.

Where in DC are you going to be working? There are some areas accessible by VRE or slug lines that would shrink your commute if your office is in the right locations.

spencgr · 02-12-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

Where in DC are you going to be working? There are some areas accessible by VRE or slug lines that would shrink your commute if your office is in the right locations.

A very important question. While not a large city, it would take close to an hour to traverse the city during rush hour. Determining commuting time would be very different if you are working downtown (K Street) versus SW (Navy Yard) versus upper NW.

AsburyMark · 02-13-2012, 10:23 AM

I will most likely be working downtown near 3rd st. Our budget will be determined by my wife's employment which is still up in the air. I am guessing a yearly combined income at around $100,000 to start. I know that if I go out far enough there are homes that we could afford. We are a young couple and would be looking to buy our first home, so a small starter home would definitely do well for us. We do not have children but plan to in the near future so school is important but not an immediate need. $200,000 would be the max we could spend on a house (I know that is very low for this area). Definitely willing to take a commuter train into DC.

lackadaisi · 02-13-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AsburyMark

I will most likely be working downtown near 3rd st. Our budget will be determined by my wife's employment which is still up in the air. I am guessing a yearly combined income at around $100,000 to start. I know that if I go out far enough there are homes that we could afford. We are a young couple and would be looking to buy our first home, so a small starter home would definitely do well for us. We do not have children but plan to in the near future so school is important but not an immediate need. $200,000 would be the max we could spend on a house (I know that is very low for this area). Definitely willing to take a commuter train into DC.

Why are you buying right now? Anything you can afford - especially if you are actually thinking about a stand-alone house - is going to be very, very far away. Why don't you test it out first by renting an apartment and saving some more money for a downpayment?

AsburyMark · 02-13-2012, 12:15 PM

We will definitely be renting first before we purchase a house but we live 9 hours away right now so I am trying to get a feel for the area.