Decent areas to live in Arlington/Alexandria. (Richmond, Orange: 2013, apartment complexes)

[lax2122]

I am looking for an apartment in the Arlington or Alexandria areas for me and my boyfriend but am relatively new to NOVA/DC and am unsure of what areas are decent. We are looking to stay under about $1850/month with parking for one car and somewhere in the Arlington or Alexandria areas, pretty close in to the district (No further out than Ballston on the Orange Line or King Street/Eisenhower on the Blue/Yellow Lines) as I will be commuting to Pentagon City and he will be commuting to the Union Station area.

We absolutely need to be within a 10 minute or less walk to the metro, this is non-negotiable. Our number one concern is safety and we want to make sure we find a place where I can feel comfortable walking by myself to and from the metro, even at night. We are both late 20's professionals (government employee and recent law school grad) and are over the crazy bar scene but still would like to be close to some shops/restaurants/bars.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend areas, or even specific apartment complexes for us. I was also wondering if anyone would be able to provide any insight on what the area surrounding the Braddock Road metro station is like. I know King Street is a nice area but was unsure about the Braddock Road metro station area,,, rent seems to be a little cheaper around that metro stop but I wasn't sure if that was a bad sign.

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

[CaliTerp07]

Any of your desired areas should be fine--the trick will be finding the amenities you want at your price point. As you've probably already found, parking can run several hundred a month some places!

I'd look at the Carlyle area. Either the Eisenhower or King street metros are within easy walking distance, and it's a relatively safe/new/clean area. The restaurants and movie theater means there are often people around in the evenings. Braddock isn't a bad area either. There's really no super dangerous areas in Alexandria--you can look up crime reports online if you want to see muggings/thefts/etc.

[claremarie]

I know a recent college grad who lives here:

Sheffield Court Apartments - 701 North Wayne Street - Arlington - EquityApartments.com

These are old apartments, and just a tad beyond your 10 minute non-negotiable walk to Metro. But this gives you some idea of the market. As you will soon discover, you will pay a premium for that 10 minute walk.

[Carlingtonian]

Ain't gonna happen. Not trying to be mean, but that's the truth. What you're looking for is not within your budget. You should decide which you are willing to be flexible on: Price, proximity to Metro, or distance from DC (your desire to be no farther out than Ballston).

Super-valuable suggestion: Find an apartment on Lee Highway in Arlington, west of Quincy. It's on the 3Y bus line, which shoots down Lee Highway into Rosslyn and then onto I-66, right into DC. I took it for years. Very easy. You won't get the hip busy urban village thing, but trust me that this is worth your consideration. (Shoot, you'll save so much money that you can cab the mile or two to Ballston or Clarendon whenever you feel like getting your nightlife fix.)

Good luck.

[Flamingo13]

Not sure why a 10 minute walk is "non-negotiable" but what's wrong with taking a bus to Metro??

[ACWhite]

One bedroom units in the River House near Pentagon City are in your price range. This is a huge, older complex. Not sure if it is your cup of tea, but the location would work well for you. Parking is available.

The Braddock area has some new units mixed in with some older ones. I suspect that the primary reason for the price's being slightly lower is that it is an area in transition, with some public housing nearby.

[gefblueapple]

Maybe something in Shirlington that is a 10 minute bus to Pentagon?

[boyd888]

Archstone and Dittmar Company both own many high rise apartment buildings along the orange and blue lines in Arlington. Check out their sites and you might find something in your range: quincy plaza, richmond square, archstone pentagon city, etc.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by boyd888

Archstone and Dittmar Company both own many high rise apartment buildings along the orange and blue lines in Arlington. Check out their sites and you might find something in your range: quincy plaza, richmond square, archstone pentagon city, etc.

Richmond Square was $1400 for a one bedroom--in 2003.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Richmond Square was $1400 for a one bedroom--in 2003.

Current 2013 Richmond Square Pricing:

• Efficiency $1655 - $1805
• 1 Bedroom $1815 - $1975
• 2 Bedrooms $2645 - $2935
• 2 Bedrooms + Den $3395 - $3595

yeah...doesn't seem to be in OPs budget.