Decent areas to live in Arlington/Alexandria. (apartment, condos)

[brooklynborndad]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

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

if they are going to have a car anyway, and most need the metro for the second person's commute, a short bus ride should be fine. Esp on Col Pike, where bus service is very frequent.

Biking also makes "near metro" a longer distance, for those who like biking for transportation.

[FindingZen]

RE: Braddock Road, there are a number of condos, apartments and townhouses being built within walking distance that are replacing the dwindling low-rise public housing. So it will be a true mixed-income community. I might not come off the Metro stumbling drunk at 2:00am but otherwise you would be fine. The rents are slightly cheaper because it's more of a residential neighborhood than an employment or entertainment hub. The nearby Del Ray neighborhood can be convenient for very laid-back nightlife.

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by spencgr

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.

I'm pretty sure $1850 is between $1815 and $1975. Obviously these places are at the higher end of the budget, but if the OP is willing to put in a little more (they charge for parking/utilities on top of rent) these places are obtainable.

Otherwise no, you won't find anything that cheap that close to a metro if you don't want roommates. If you are willing to take a 10 minute bus to the metro there many options in South Arlington for $1500ish.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by boyd888

I'm pretty sure $1850 is between $1815 and $1975. Obviously these places are at the higher end of the budget, but if the OP is willing to put in a little more (they charge for parking/utilities on top of rent) these places are obtainable.

Otherwise no, you won't find anything that cheap that close to a metro if you don't want roommates. If you are willing to take a 10 minute bus to the metro there many options in South Arlington for $1500ish.

apologies...thought their budget was $1400 because of a previous post. My mistake.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Current 2013 Richmond Square Pricing:

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

This is actually less than I thought it would be by now. We lived there back in '02-'03. The only issues were that they actually towed my wife once, when she briefly parked out front--not even a warning, just full nuclear. Oh, it was also loud at night (bars nearby, 5AM recycling trucks), etc. But conveniently located.

I must say, those prices confuse me; who on earth would take an efficiency at $1805 vs. a 1BR for $10 more?

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

I must say, those prices confuse me; who on earth would take an efficiency at $1805 vs. a 1BR for $10 more?

My guess is most people pay $1655 or so for the efficiency. The $1805 rate is likely reserved for the "OMG, I only have one more day to find a place before I'm homeless, and nothing else is available" crowds.

[stpickrell]

also for whatever reason there's different floorplans for Studio, 1BR, 2BR, etc., places.

[Deeman804]

Originally Posted by Tone509

RE: Braddock Road, there are a number of condos, apartments and townhouses being built within walking distance that are replacing the dwindling low-rise public housing. So it will be a true mixed-income community. I might not come off the Metro stumbling drunk at 2:00am but otherwise you would be fine. The rents are slightly cheaper because it's more of a residential neighborhood than an employment or entertainment hub. The nearby Del Ray neighborhood can be convenient for very laid-back nightlife.

I always hear about laid-back nightlife in Del Ray. How long is the walk from the metro and what are specific spots that are good to hit up?

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by Deeman804

I always hear about laid-back nightlife in Del Ray. How long is the walk from the metro and what are specific spots that are good to hit up?

The length of the walk depends on one's starting point as Del Ray is pretty long from north-to-south. If you're looking at the cluster of oldish apartments at the foot of Mount Vernon and across from George Washington Middle School, you could be at the Braddock Road Metro in about ten minutes. If you're looking at the newer apartments bordering Arlandria, it would be perhaps a half-hour walk or, preferably a 10-minute bus ride on various routes to and from the Metro.

As far as nightlife goes, Firefly is pretty popular. The Pork Barrel BBQ got some "street cred" from being on national TV. St. Elmo's Coffee Pub is pretty chill as well. There are other places to choose from but those are what I'm most familiar with.

[lax2122]

Originally Posted by 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).

With all due respect, I disagree. We have found some listings in our price range that match what we are looking for but I was rather asking for suggestions on specific areas/complexes to help narrow that search and list of potential places, since right now we've got everything from Ballston to Eisenhower on the table so we thought the next step would be to zero in on a more specific area of interest. We can afford up to $2100 with parking and everything else, which means when it comes down to it under about $1900 base rent.

I really appreciate all of the responses and suggestions! I understand the bus or shuttles to the metro are options as well, however we personally prefer to be within about a 10 minute walk instead and are willing to pay the same for less space to get that proximity to the metro.

We've been considering some options in Pentagon City and have also found a few places for rent by owner right around the 1600-1400 blocks of Duke Street and Prince Street in Old Town. Any thoughts on that specific location?

Thanks again for all the help!