Living in Alexandria (Annandale, Woodbridge, Springfield: cheap apartments, for rent, student loans)

[sparklecat]

Hello everyone,

I need some help. My husband has gotten a job offer in Alexandria, Virginia. Pay would be $51,000 before taxes and health benefits are taken out, so after everything, we're looking at take home pay of $2,668 per month.

I'm currently a student so won't be working until I graduate in May 2011.

My question is, what are some good places to live in Alexandria (we'd be renting)? Or, are there other places close enough to Alexandria to live, like what about Fairfax or other places close by?

I would like a place that has washer and dryer machines in the apartment. Also, the appartment complex must accept a cat.

I have an apartment guide for the NOVA area, but I don't even know where to begin. I'm really worried about being able to find affordable housing.

[CaliTerp07]

The cheapest of cheap apartments you will find in Alexandria that are livable will run you around $1000/month. Going south will get you more affordability (Woodbridge-ish area), but the increased commute counters it.

I would be nervous about trying to support 2 people on $51k in Alexandria. I made slightly more than that at my first job, but I lived with multiple roommates to keep the rent/utilities down. I'd make a budget and figure out what you're comfortable paying for rent after you take out everything else (there are several threads on here listing what people spend on utilities/groceries if you want to search for them). Then you'll be able to figure out if it's realistic. Depending on your other expenses and your ability to budget, you may be able to get away with it.

If you have a job lined up for when you graduate in May, then I'd be more willing to stretch the budget to be up here. If there's the potential for a couple months of unemployment after graduation, that makes things more difficult.

[FairfaxGuy73]

Veering slightly from the OP, it's worth mentioning that EVERYONE is moving her for a job and the even locals with inside connections are having trouble finding jobs. Couple that with one of the highest cost of living areas (esp housing) in the country and it may not be the best choice. I agree that getting roommates is definitely an option to consider wherever you choose to live in the area.

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by FairfaxGuy73

Veering slightly from the OT, it's worth mentioning that EVERYONE is moving her for a job and the even locals with inside connections are having trouble finding jobs.

That greatly depends on the industry. A coworker who flies here each week got fed up with this company, posted his resume on Monster and had 5 interviews lined up within a week. Ended up turning down a couple job offers to take the third one, which offered full relocation assistance from his place in NYC. From "I'm going to try to leave" to his first day at the new company, it took a month.

Another friend (totally different line of work) searched for a month before finding an unpaid internship, but it took another 5 months before any paid work came around--and even then it was less money than she was hoping for.

In general though, it would certainly be wise to research the market in your industry to find out the likelihood of securing a position quickly after graduating.

[HokieFan]

Alexandria on $51k? That could be tough.


Make sure you budget carefully and stick to that budget.

[robbobobbo]

I would look in Springfield, Kingstowne, West Alexandria, and Annandale. Fairfax (if you mean the city) is too far and won't offer a price advantage over the places I just listed.

[sparklecat]

We're now wondering whether it is even worth it to take this job. Looking at rents there is very intimidating. I'll check out Annandale and the rest suggested to me.

[chocolatelover]

I would really figure out the absolute max you could comfortably spend on rent and utilities and then see if anything is available in that price range. It really depends if you have big monthly expenses like car payments or student loans. As others have said Alexandria will probably be too expensive, even the west end/ landmark area.

[FairfaxGuy73]

Originally Posted by sparklecat

We're now wondering whether it is even worth it to take this job. Looking at rents there is very intimidating. I'll check out Annandale and the rest suggested to me.

Annandale is a skanky illegal immigrant area. I wouldn't wish it on you.

[The Dissenter]

To be honest, I think its hard to substain ONE person in Alexandria on $51k a year. Somewhat easier down near Woodbridge but commuting to Alexandria would drive you insane.