Offered A Job In Sterling (Herndon, Washington: loans, live in, car)

[Frank523]

I'm currently checking Craigslist, because I notice a lot of people tend to rent out the basements/first floors of their townhouses. Anyone ever go this route? Apartment prices in NoVA are just out of my price range to be honest.

[TheWatchmen]

Originally Posted by Frank523

I'm currently checking Craigslist, because I notice a lot of people tend to rent out the basements/first floors of their townhouses. Anyone ever go this route? Apartment prices in NoVA are just out of my price range to be honest.

Townhouses often have limited parking - i.e. 2 assigned spaces per unit. Just make sure you check on that.

Friends of ours live in a townhouse community with assigned spaces, and the visitor parking is always taken up by renters. It is maddening.

But yes, renting a room/basement is often what people do to save money. I rented a basement in Pimmit Hills near Tyson's for a year - loved it. And I got a whole unit for much less than any apartment.

[gomason]

Originally Posted by Frank523

I'm currently checking Craigslist, because I notice a lot of people tend to rent out the basements/first floors of their townhouses. Anyone ever go this route? Apartment prices in NoVA are just out of my price range to be honest.

Yes, it is way more affordable and opens a ton of options for you. I assume you're a millenial and it's usually pretty easy to find other people in the same age range on craigslist.

[lqda4]

I rented from a single guy in a SFH back in the day I was going to school. Nice setup since I did not have to dealt with family/kids. Just 3 guys (2 of us renters were students) in a nice quiet house and we all shared the kitchen (hardly ever used by the other 2).

[lovely40]

Check out miltarybyowner.com to look for reasonable rentals.

[Frank523]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I am almost 30 years old, so I'm pretty easy to get along with any age group. I keep to myself, and don't party or anything, haha!

[JCVA]

Here's my advice-find yourself an apartment or rent a room in Sterling. With that easy commute, you can find more time to get involved in social activities. The commute from F'Burg to Sterling will be an absolute nightmare.

[Frank523]

I'm also wondering if I can survive on $42,500/year in NoVA. Might be tough, but if I budget, I think I can do it.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by Frank523

I'm also wondering if I can survive on $42,500/year in NoVA. Might be tough, but if I budget, I think I can do it.

My friend's daughter did survive on $45,000. But she had some savings, no car payment, no student loans. She lived in Clarendon and paid $895 for rent.

[KenInMA]

Originally Posted by Frank523

I'm also wondering if I can survive on $42,500/year in NoVA. Might be tough, but if I budget, I think I can do it.

You can, but do you want to live like that?

Is this $42.5K likely to go up significantly in the relatively near future?