Commuting from Arlington to Fairfax (near 50 & I-66); commuting and eventually moving (Chantilly: apartments, rental)

[The Dissenter]

Hey NoVA folks. The Legendary Diss is back!

I just accepted a badly needed new job opportunity in Fairfax. The job site is right near RT 50 and I-66 near the govt center. I live near George Mason Dr and RT 50 in Arlington. I know the commute won't be great but I was wondering if you had some tips or tricks to make it manageable. Would RT 50 W or I-66 W be better or are both pretty much the same thing?

Also my lease ends later this year so I was looking for suggestions of where to move when that happens within 20-30 minutes of the job site? I'm open and will likely look for a roommate situation. I was thinking possibly West Falls Church but open to other spots.

[Carlingtonian]

Leave early in the morning, and live east of work so that you have a reverse commute.

I would find a small rental house and get a couple of friends to rent it out with you. Should be able to keep the rent around $1000 or less that way for each person.

[gomason]

Probably easiest to just go straight down 50. Of course most of the traffic will be going the other way. Really no point to go out of your way to get to 66 when that's pretty congested between Ballston and Falls Church.

66 is a nightmare in the evenings between Falls Church and Arlington, so I would definitely take 50 home too. Really not a terrible commute for NOVA standards.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by gomason

Probably easiest to just go straight down 50. Of course most of the traffic will be going the other way. Really no point to go out of your way to get to 66 when that's pretty congested between Ballston and Falls Church.

66 is a nightmare in the evenings between Falls Church and Arlington, so I would definitely take 50 home too. Really not a terrible commute for NOVA standards.

That is what I was thinking. I had the chance to do the drive home after 3 interviews in the afternoon. And had trouble with 66 twice and had a decent drive on 50.

Leave early in the morning, and live east of work so that you have a reverse commute.

I think this is probably what I will do. I was thinking about Chantilly but will concentrate on Fairfax, Vienna, and West Falls Church.

[Zack]

Originally Posted by The Dissenter

Hey NoVA folks. The Legendary Diss is back!

I just accepted a badly needed new job opportunity in Fairfax. The job site is right near RT 50 and I-66 near the govt center. I live near George Mason Dr and RT 50 in Arlington. I know the commute won't be great but I was wondering if you had some tips or tricks to make it manageable. Would RT 50 W or I-66 W be better or are both pretty much the same thing?

Also my lease ends later this year so I was looking for suggestions of where to move when that happens within 20-30 minutes of the job site? I'm open and will likely look for a roommate situation. I was thinking possibly West Falls Church but open to other spots.

Mornings won't be bad as you can get on I-66 at East Falls Church. The new ramp has unclogged that area and made it very quick.

Evenings are going to be bad on both I-66 and 50. If you can leave at 4pm or earlier, than I-66 isn't too bad. 50 is really slow in the evenings both ways as there are a lot of lights with long backups that often take multiple cycles to clear. You can try and meander through Falls Church, but that takes forever with lights and stop signs.

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Zack

Mornings won't be bad as you can get on I-66 at East Falls Church. The new ramp has unclogged that area and made it very quick.

Evenings are going to be bad on both I-66 and 50. If you can leave at 4pm or earlier, than I-66 isn't too bad. 50 is really slow in the evenings both ways as there are a lot of lights with long backups that often take multiple cycles to clear. You can try and meander through Falls Church, but that takes forever with lights and stop signs.

I work until 6:30 when my training ends. I hope that at least takes me out of the heaviest rush hour traffic.

[PK12]

Moving to Fairfax itself will be the best option - Fair Oaks/Fair Lakes area.

Not a thriving social/dining out scene there, if you like to go out etc, but they have a few decent options.

[Zack]

Originally Posted by The Dissenter

I work until 6:30 when my training ends. I hope that at least takes me out of the heaviest rush hour traffic.

6:30 will get you to the 66/267 merge around 7pm. By then it's usually cleared up a bit and has manageable backups if any.

[The Dissenter]

Well I just completed my first day of work and the commute.

Morning - I took I-66 from Ballston since Google said that was faster at that time. Left at 7:15 pulled up at work about 7:45-50. About 35 minutes not too bad.

Afternoon - I took 50 home since Google said that was shorter. Left work at 5:15 got home at 6:05. Not pleasant at all but hopefully when I work my actual hours (9am-6:30pm) it won't be as bad. For the next two weeks I'm in training so this will not be a pleasant ride home.

The bright side is that this will only be for 4-5 more months since I'll be moving closer when my lease is up.

[acgood]

Not sure what your housing situation or budget is in Arlington, but if you can afford to live there,no reason why you need to be 20-30 minutes from from the new job. There are some nice apartments that would be within walking distance!