Studio apartment prices: N. Arlington vs NW DC

[destinedtodave]

Originally Posted by GMUAlum08

my studio would rent for about $1400-1500 in Rosslyn. Not cheap living close to the metro!

That's insane. Just a tad more and you could be in a studio in Manhattan. I like N Arlington, but these absurd prices don't reflect the quality of the area, just the demand.

[destinedtodave]

Originally Posted by SallyField

What sort of neighborhood are you looking for in DC? I haven't lived in DC for a number of years, and I know it has changed, but still, if you're looking around Columbia Heights and U Street, there are less expensive apartments there but the safety factor is significantly different than N. Arlington.

I'd recommend also looking at apartments in Dupont, Woodley, and Cleveland Park, even though they will be more expensive. In Dupont and Woodley Park, you're likely to find nice town homes converted into apartments for rent. Cleveland Park has a few more highrise type apartments, and N. Arlington is full of those highrises. I like those less because nothing beats hanging out with friends on the stoop of your townhouse to meet people. Dupont and Woodley have a real "neighborhood" feel to them. You don't get that living in a highrise.

Honestly, I'd be fine with either a rowhouse or a high-rise. Rowhouses will have that community feeling street-level but high-rises make for very high density as long as they're not the "tower in a park" variety. The overall neighborhood and price are more important but if push comes to shove I'll pick that community feeling.

I've done more research, and am leaning away from the Col Heights/U St area because it doesn't have direct metro access to my work on the red line. I'd have to take my car every day, and street parking would be a real hassle. If I lived in Admo, Dupond, or Cleveland Park, I'd keep my car but only use it on the weekends mostly. But then again, prices are very high along the red line.

[destinedtodave]

Right now, I'm leaning towards Silver Spring, Rosslyn, or Clarendon. SS is the cheapest and is an easy drive to my work. Clarendon seems to be the most lively in N Arlington, and it's not a bad walk to either end (Ballston or Rosslyn). Rosslyn, while being a bit dead after-hours, is right on the river and a short walk across the bridge to Georgetown. Just having a spot to hang out on a bench by the river would be a HUGE plus to me.

Of course, if I can find an inexpensive place on the red line in DC, then all bets are off! I'm looking into finding someone to get a 2 BR apartment with, they're much more likely to be within my budget than a studio.