Arlington vs Alexandria for a single 34y/o

[expdxer]

You may want to consider the Crystal City/Pentagon City area. While it is not the most exciting part of Arlington, it offers convenience and lower rents than both the Orange Line area and Old Town Alexandria. It is right next to the Metro and Alexandria is next door. However, getting to the Ballston/Courthouse area by Metro involves a transfer and there is always some sort of track work on weekends. If you have a car, then you can quickly get all around NOVA and the District. There are a lot of people in their 20's and 30's living around here, too.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by GustavoFring

2K a month in rent on a 1 bedroom apt is fine, but I'm referring to purchasing anything larger than a 1 bedroom condo. A decent 2 bedroom condo within walking distance of a Metro that isn't someone's damp, converted basement is going to run you at least 450-500K plus condo fees. Then you're looking at over 3K a month with mortgage, fees and utilities. Factor other bills and 401K contributions, you're going to be spending 50-60% of your take-home on housing. While that's possible, I don't want to be house poor like I was when I just graduated college.

...

It is indeed the rare 20something who is prepared to buy along "Orange Line" Arlington...but we are now focusing on a 30something who is just looking to rent at the moment in an active area while she gets her proverbial feet wet.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by expdxer

You may want to consider the Crystal City/Pentagon City area. While it is not the most exciting part of Arlington, it offers convenience and lower rents than both the Orange Line area and Old Town Alexandria. It is right next to the Metro and Alexandria is next door. However, getting to the Ballston/Courthouse area by Metro involves a transfer and there is always some sort of track work on weekends. If you have a car, then you can quickly get all around NOVA and the District. There are a lot of people in their 20's and 30's living around here, too.

I should probably recommend this area more than I do but I don't get to pass through it as often as I'd like. I did notice that Crystal City has some interesting nooks in it, particularly the restaurants and such on 23rd St.

[expdxer]

Originally Posted by Tone509

I should probably recommend this area more than I do but I don't get to pass through it as often as I'd like. I did notice that Crystal City has some interesting nooks in it, particularly the restaurants and such on 23rd St.

Yes, next to 23rd St. there's a walkable neighborhood called Aurora Highlands that has older single-family homes and garden apartments, with plenty of greenery, so it's not all concrete canyons. You can find mom and pop restaurants there, too, with good Asian and Indian food.

[stpickrell]

Orange Line progression:
1. Room with someone (either a roommate or a SO) after college
2. Buy a 1-2BR condo after you get married (28-32) This step is optional
3. Buy a TH/SFH Lyon Village, Cherrydale, Bluemont, etc. after you have a second kid (35-40), or move further out (Falls Church, Vienna, McLean, Springfield, or Ashburn are all favorites) depending on your need for a forever house and where your jobs actually are.

Step 3 may be replaced with "go back home to <fill in the blank>" or "whine about how everyone here is so busy and mean."

[robbobobbo]

Alexandria - including Old Town - has plenty of people in their 30's. It is not all 40 - 60 year olds. I don't see what would be gained by living outside of Alexandria for a job in Alexandria, unless saving money was the deciding factor.

[Montacute]

Originally Posted by modd777

thank u to all that have replied,this is helpful. I guess i didn't realize that 34 was considered "old" as some have suggested on here.

And I also didn't think a 34-year old would not want be with people in their 40's.

I guess I am elderly because I am 45, so take this with a grain of salt, but I live in Old Town and find it a lot of fun. I can't imagine why someone would want to commute to Alexandria from Arlington. I wish I worked in Alexandria.

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by expdxer

Yes, next to 23rd St. there's a walkable neighborhood called Aurora Highlands that has older single-family homes and garden apartments, with plenty of greenery, so it's not all concrete canyons. You can find mom and pop restaurants there, too, with good Asian and Indian food.

There are some cool condo buildings there, and it has a very urban feel. It's right across the river, has two metro stops and has the GW trail going right next to it. I liken it to a cleaner downtown DC feel, but with less to do at night. I think it's the ultimate compromise between Old Town and N. Arlington . If you take the blue line, it goes straight to Rosslyn, where you can walk across the bridge to Georgetown, or it's just a transfer to the orange line and you're two stops away from downtown Arlington. I've been waiting for something to pop up there myself.