Moving to NoVA: Short Drive More Rent vs Low Rent Long Drive? (Alexandria: apartments, for rent)

[MarinePSS619]

So I'm moving to NoVA from San Diego, CA in 12 days and I'm looking for an apartment still. I have been searching and searching and searching. Would it be better to pay less in rent and have a further drive or just cough up the money and live closer to DC? I'm going to be working in Alexandria for a month and then in Downtown D.C. for the remainder.

I've been looking at Manassas but haven't been to impressed with a lot of the apartments that I have found. Especially after reading all the reviews. Any advice is highly appreciated!


Thanks!

[SteelCityRising]

I'd personally pay higher rent and live closer to work. Rents don't drop that considerably when you head further away, and they certainly don't decrease enough to offset the additional stress of sitting in gridlock, as well as the additional cost of gasoline and wear and tear on your vehicle to travel that greater distance.

[MarinePSS619]

I have been noticing that rent doesn't drop that much. I did notice that the space of the apartment does increase significantly though.

[Plantation1]

Hello, I am also planning to relocate to NOVA by Jan end. While searching for apartments, I happen to see some apartments within 1200$ range in fairfax and Alexandria. You may check these links: ...

It will be really great if you can share how your search goes.

[MarinePSS619]

Originally Posted by Plantation1

Hello, I am also planning to relocate to NOVA by Jan end. While searching for apartments, I happen to see some apartments within 1200$ range in fairfax and Alexandria. You may check these links: ...


It will be really great if you can share how your search goes.

Those look a little old. I wouldn't live there.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by MarinePSS619

So I'm moving to NoVA from San Diego, CA in 12 days and I'm looking for an apartment still. I have been searching and searching and searching. Would it be better to pay less in rent and have a further drive or just cough up the money and live closer to DC? I'm going to be working in Alexandria for a month and then in Downtown D.C. for the remainder.

I've been looking at Manassas but haven't been to impressed with a lot of the apartments that I have found. Especially after reading all the reviews. Any advice is highly appreciated!


Thanks!

I chose short drive, more for rent. I notice the money I spend in rent, I save in commute time and commuting costs such as gas and upkeep in my car. I only average two oil changes per year since I work only 3.5 miles from my place. Plus, after doing my research you don't save much in rent by moving farther out, especially if you are looking for a studio or 1 bed apt.

Two complexes in Alexandria you may want to look at is Seminary Hill Apts and Southern Towers. The latter is older, yes, but I have a friend who snagged a recently renovated unit for less than $1k a month. I know the former was renovated recently.

[PK12]

Pay more, live closer to work. You will thank us for this advice later

[brownnugen]

Are you coming by yourself or do you have family and schools to be concerned with? Regardless, I would definitely spend more and live closer to work. The closer you are to DC, the more you will want to enjoy the weekend & social activities DC has to offer.

I know when I used to live in Woodbridge, I was so worn out from driving into DC during the week that I wanted to avoid driving into DC on the weekends at all costs. Now that I am in Alexandria, it is pretty easy to make a trip into the city whenever we want.

You also have more commuting flexibilty/options if you are in Alexandria than Manassas. In Alexandria, you can drive, metro, bike, or ride a bus. In Manassas, (I think) all you have is VRE and driving.

[mrskay662000]

Knowing the traffic in the area better than I did when I first moved here...

I will say get as close to public transportation as you can and pay more rent.

And by close to public transport, I mean the bus has no more than two stops before getting to the underground. Screw the real trains in the burbs that link you to the metro. Screw the $200 a month savings. The only benefit to living in the burbs is that you can get a much larger apartment for the same price or a bit less. But when you factor in the beating on your car, tolls, utility bills and frequently your neighbors, it's simply not worth it. At least not to me. I can spend $5.00 in gas and 30 minutes in the car to get to Costco or some other megamart to save $20, or I can walk to my local store, spend an extra $20 and save the aggravation.

[gomason]

Going from San Diego to Manassas would be like crossing the border between South Korea and North Korea. Don't do it. I lived there 10 glorious years.

Definitely pay more to live closer!