Suggestions to live in NOVA (Arlington, Alexandria: apartment, rental, condominium)

[lophatmelk]

Hello all!

I am moving to Northern Virginia soon and will be working out of Dulles with the wife going to Georgetown University as well. Currently trying to figure out a solid place to buy a condo/townhome in our budget. We are looking to be close to some sort of metro/public transportation into DC for her, but really looking for anything and willing to downsize. Our max budget though is $325k. Possibly 2+bd/2+bath. Much appreciated everyone!

[spencgr]

Your max budget is low, I'm afraid. Have you factored in a HOA/ condo fee into that budget? That can run you anywhere from $100 to $700.


Also, what do you mean by "close" to public transportation? Walking distance? Unfortunately, Georgetown U isn't on a Metro line, so that makes it more difficult.

[sonnymarkjiz]

$325k is quite low for this area. Even the exurbs like Aldie won't get you much. You could probably get a condo but it will be small and old and you'll be paying 500 in condo fees. Georgetown isn't very close to a metro at all. The closest Metro is Foggy Bottom and it's a mile or so walk. There's a metro popping up in Dulles in 2020, though.

I'd say maybe rent a cheaper condo in Tysons and save for a bigger downpayment for a townhouse. Get a feel for the area. After wifey is done with Georgetown, will you still be in Dulles for your job? If so, maybe you could save up to buy in Sterling or so. Townhouses from the 90s go for 375-400.

[NOVAmtneer82]

What do you consider 'close' to public transportation? Dulles and Georgetown are pretty far from one another so I would probably aim to split the difference and live in Reston. Unfortunately your max budget is on the low end- I'd try to find a way to move that closer to the $400k range.

[Veritas Vincit]

There's a shuttle bus from Georgetown University to Rosslyn. But of course getting to Rosslyn in itself isn't going to be a short hop from a location further out in VA. Honestly I'd think of a rental budget, not a buying budget if you can't go a good bit above 500k.

[22003yo]

You can find an older 2/2 for that price. I'd look around Burke or West Springfield

Example,

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sal...zm/0_mmm/1_rs/

Condo fee is under $200

[Hal Roach]

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-50103?view=qv

[cordtwo]

In your price range you may want to consider living a few miles away from the metro train stop and have your wife use the Fairfax Connector or Arlington Transit bus line as prices here tend to be higher the closer you are to a train line. If it's just you two for now, you may have a better chance of finding a 1 bedroom condo in that price range. It's going to be extremely difficult finding a 2 bd/ 2bath condo walking distance to metro in the $325K price range. As others mention, also take into consideration the higher monthly association/condominium fees here.

The housing market is really hot. Being that Amazon has moved here or is on its way, locals are now competing with investors for properties and it is really challenging inside of the beltway.

With that being said don't let any of our advice discourage you from living here. My wife and I are from Atlanta and we were hit with sticker shock 3 years ago. We can't afford a large home here like we could in Atlanta, but overall we find the quality of life to be better here.

[sonnymarkjiz]

I'd look at condos in Alexandria or Falls Church or even Reston that have shuttle buses that drive to the local Metro stations. They usually pick up residents every 30 mins to the Metro Station and since they're a bit farther out, the prices should be a bit more reasonable.

[Veritas Vincit]

Shuttle bus, packed metro, shuttle bus...with waiting periods in between. That will significantly affect quality of life. Id wager that 90+% of people at Georgetown living deeper in VA than Arlington drive.