great places for very eligible single 30s guy to live, must work in Fairfax unfortunately

[car54]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

The latter half of my post wasn't directed at him; it just hit me that "eligible" is such a vague word. "I'm an eligible bachelor! Eligible for a free tall brewed coffee on my next visit to Starbucks! Line up, ladies."

Just a guess, but maybe the word eligible is being borrowed from college sports? You know, you have to be eligible in order to play.

So, an eligible bachelor can play....whereas an ineligible bachelor can not. And what the hell good is a bachelor that can't play? NONE! (well, maybe they could cut the grass or change the oil in her car....)

[Carlingtonian]

I was once an illegible bachelor. Also, at one point, a dirigible bachelor.

[Erix]

Originally Posted by savoiadilucania

Agreed there. There's definitely a young crowd in Old Town and the surrounding areas but they tend to be in the minority. I personally found them a bit cliquish, maybe a bit too well-heeled for my tastes...

But,...if you're going to live within the Alexandria city limits live in Old Town (King Street metro/Waterfront). Otherwise, don't live in Alexandria. Just....don't.

[Middlin]

I'm looking for:
walkable access to outdoors (biking, running), fun shops and well-equipped gym
a commute to Fairfax County (495 & 66 crossing) that is under 20-30 minutes
sensible parking options when my family/ladyfriend wants to visit me at my place and not get towed!
abundance of trees, grass, sunlight
don't care about "good schools" right now, since having kids is years away

I'm also open to any suggestions for other cities (in the US/world) that might fit my profile better. Thank you so much.

I can understand not wanting to be labeled as "geographically undesirable", but where are you thinking you would meet an well educated, intelligent, attractive woman?

I haven't been single in a long time, but I can tell you that you aren't likely to meet her in a bar. At least in this area you won't. I also think you've been lead down the garden path that ALL of Fairfax County is a sea of families.

My two cents is to live near your job, take the time to scope out different areas and see what suits you.

[crunchy]

Wow- thank you for all the very helpful suggestions! I just logged in after being out of the country for the last few weeks. I didn't expect to see so many replies. Sorry for not being able to reply sooner. I definitely enjoyed reading everyone's clever and brutally honest commentary.

So, I think Arlington is the right fit for me. Which Arlington neighborhoods have decent townhomes for rent? I don't think I want to live in a high-rise apartment again. And what's the difference between Ballston and Clarendon or other parts of Arlington?

Thank you

P.S. Reston Town Centre is so far away from DC, and the Mosaic "District" lacks some of the authenticness I'm after. Old Town Alexandria doesn't really jump out at me.

[ACWhite]

In N Arl, you will find many more condos than townhouses, due to the high land costs. Ballston has some townhome communities. Many are owner occupied but you may find some for rent. There are less expensive ones in some parts of S Arl. Fairlington and other parts of Shirlington are nice. However, the average age may be higher than what you are seeking.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

In N Arl, you will find many more condos than townhouses, due to the high land costs. Ballston has some townhome communities. Many are owner occupied but you may find some for rent. There are less expensive ones in some parts of S Arl. Fairlington and other parts of Shirlington are nice. However, the average age may be higher than what you are seeking.

I agree with your description. I did notice yesterday that at the intersection of Lee Highway and N. Glebe, the new development of what I think are townhouses appears to be complete (or nearly so).

[crunchy]

What are your guys' thoughts about North versus South Arlington…and the many different neighborhoods in each?

I think I'd be content if I was a reasonable walk or very short drive to all the fun restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc, but far enough away for some more space/quiet where I'm not living in the immediate vicinity of post-fraternity #YOLO.

Also an absolute deal-maker for me would be an updated townhouse that's walking/running distance to the trails.

Thanks!

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by crunchy

What are your guys' thoughts about North versus South Arlington…and the many different neighborhoods in each?

I think I'd be content if I was a reasonable walk or very short drive to all the fun restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc, but far enough away for some more space/quiet where I'm not living in the immediate vicinity of post-fraternity #YOLO.

Also an absolute deal-maker for me would be an updated townhouse that's walking/running distance to the trails.

Thanks!

The only parts of S. Arl. you would like at all would be

• the eastern end of Columbia Pike, where all the new development is. But that's going to make for an even longer commute and not much peace and quiet, as the streetcar is put in.
  
• Shirlington--but again,that's a long commute to FFX.

Re. N. Arl., Clarendon/Ballston are on weekend nights pretty heavily infested with the throngs of drunk frat-bags. (Pub crawls are an ongoing problem the County is cracking down on.) But most other times, it's not nearly so raucous. Va. Square is a quiet pocket, though. There are some THs north of Ballston, close enough to walk--I think on N. Stuart or N. Utah, south of Washington Blvd.

There are THs in Rosslyn that most people forget are there--on the far north end. They surely cost an arm and a leg. Rosslyn is quiet at night, being mostly offices and high-end condos (almost no bars other than a few in hotels and nice restaurants). This would put you walking distance to Georgetown and a quick shot to FFX via 66.

EFC, as I said before, is right on a running path and has a lot of new condos. I think there are some THs as well, north of the Metro station.