New to Northern VA (Arlington, Orange: apartments, rental, condo)

[dmm075]

I will be relocating to DC this winter and trying to find a cool place in Clarendon to live. I love high rise living and will be looking for a one bedroom with a den most likely. Which are the best places to start looking. Price range 2500-3000

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by dmm075

I will be relocating to DC this winter and trying to find a cool place in Clarendon to live. I love high rise living and will be looking for a one bedroom with a den most likely. Which are the best places to start looking. Price range 2500-3000

Perhaps a dumb question but what's the difference between a den and a second bedroom? No bathroom?

[AmyinNOVA]

If it doesn't have a closet it is considered a den... even a tiny little room can be called a bedroom if it has a closet.

[pcity]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Perhaps a dumb question but what's the difference between a den and a second bedroom? No bathroom?

Also a den can lack windows.

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by pcity

Also a den can lack windows.

yes, it can't legally be a bedroom per fire code regulations if it has no windows. This applies even if you're on the 22nd floor, where a window wouldn't matter in an emergency anyways.

However, every condo I looked at in high rises which was marketed as having an extra den really just had a largish, dark closet. Often times with no door. Rooms without windows or access to natural light really are depressing in my opinion.

[spencgr]

poor OP....no actual advice, just a thread about dens versus bedrooms....

[Jayess1]

Originally Posted by dmm075

I will be relocating to DC this winter and trying to find a cool place in Clarendon to live. I love high rise living and will be looking for a one bedroom with a den most likely. Which are the best places to start looking. Price range 2500-3000

Lots 'o choices - too many to list here - with those criteria. Anything more particular?

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by spencgr

poor OP....no actual advice, just a thread about dens versus bedrooms....

Sorry,

to respond to the actual OP, here is what my experience was in terms of looking for places this summer:

2500-3000 will get you a smallish two bedroom (900-1100) square feet in desirable high-rises along the Orange Line corridor in Arlington.

They will also get you into those new low-rise (10-12 story) buildings in the SW waterfront for about the same amount of space.

You will also be able to find some places in the Carlyle District of Old Town that might be a bit larger for that amount.

In terms of NW DC, I'm not as familiar, but expect to pay that much for a nice English Basement in Dupont, or smaller condo/apartments in modern low-rise buildings.

A good barometer would be to simply put your requirements into Craigslist and see what comes up.

My final recommendation: You have the money to live near a Metro and either near or in the actual city. Since you already prefer high-rises, it's obvious the Burbs are not for you, so take advantage. Get somewhere near a metro, don't get excited about the fact that you can rent an actual single family or town house further out for the same price, because they really are two very different things than it sounds like you want.

[CaliTerp07]

On that budget, you should be able to find a place in just about any building. The question will be whether or not they have availability. I would just walk around Clarendon if that's your desired neighborhood and pop in to the rental offices and ask to see apartments. Almost all the high rise places have models to show you.

Be sure to ask about parking, if that's a concern for you.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by spencgr

poor OP....no actual advice, just a thread about dens versus bedrooms....

One response would have sufficed. Seems like he could still get a decent 2 bedroom on that budget. Heck he can rent the bottom floor of my house for that.