Summer sublet- am I expecting too much? (Arlington, Alexandria: sublease, apartment complexes)

[batgirl52]

I'm interning in DC this summer and looking for a sublet in NoVA, but not having much luck. I was hoping to spend less than $950 for a share or $1200 for a studio/1BR apt, have been trolling Craig's List and NALP listings daily. Are my requirements too strict for this area?

-my own bedroom, not a converted living room!
-metro subway station within 15 minute walk
-parking nearby <$100/month

I just don't understand why I'm not finding many options. I've lived in NYC, Boston and the MD suburbs of DC and have never had this much trouble finding a place to meet those requirements

If a place doesn't offer parking on-site, how difficult is street parking near the stations? I've found some apts in DC that might work (though I'm really a suburbs kind of gal) but are there decent neighborhoods in DC where I could bring my car?

[mlv311]

I'm guessing that what may be making your search more difficult is your request to find parking plus being within walking distance to a metro station for that amount of rent, particularly in certain areas of Northern VA. Most people who choose to live within walking distance from the metro do not need parking so the lots available charge a lot. Even in condo buildings, parking is limited and sometimes condo owners don't own a spot.

There are decent neighborhoods in DC, but even the best neigborhoods don't guarantee car safety. My husband got his old Honda Civic stolen in Georgetown so he is biased about street parking in the city based on this experience. If you've narrowed down your options, post them here and I'm sure you'll get good advice on whether you should consider a particular neighborhood.

[batgirl52]

Hmmmmm...good points. If I drive to the station from further away, do some lots tend to fill up (I know this happens at some lots in MD) more than others in VA? How much do private parking lots near Metro typically charge for monthly spaces?

As far as DC hoods, I've been told to consider these areas: friendship heights, Tenleytown, van ness, woodley park, cleveland park, foggy bottom
I also posted to the DC forum here- //www.city-data.com/forum/washi...ar-summer.html

Thanks!

[mlv311]

Originally Posted by batgirl52

If I drive to the station from further away, do some lots tend to fill up (I know this happens at some lots in MD) more than others in VA?

To be on the safe side, you should get to a metro station before 7:30am to make sure you have a spot. Metro parking costs $4.25 per day.

Originally Posted by batgirl52

How much do private parking lots near Metro typically charge for monthly spaces?

You are likely to pay, at a minimum, $120 or more per month for parking near the areas you are considering in DC.

Originally Posted by batgirl52

As far as DC hoods, I've been told to consider these areas: friendship heights, Tenleytown, van ness, woodley park, cleveland park, foggy bottomI also posted to the DC forum here- //www.city-data.com/forum/washi...ar-summer.html

Those are all safe areas overall and you are likely to encounter other students in the ones close to a university. BTW, some apartment buildings offer shuttle service to a metro (if they aren't within walking distance)--an option you might want to consider so you don't have to drive to the metro for work.

[akorosdc]

Certain areas (i.e. DC, parts of Alexandria, maybe parts of Arlington) will let you park on the street, as long as you get a residential permit. DC has temporary ones you can get, which would solve (sort of) the parking problem. It'd be cheaper than paying for a space at an apartment complex.

Another option is to live further away from the metro and either 1) drive & park, or 2) take a bus. I do the bus. It's not perfectly ideal, but for a few months it's not that bad. Not to mention that parking is free at my complex and, since it's further from a metro, the rent's a lot cheaper. If you're willing to put up with a longer commute, looking for a place with a metro shuttle or bus access might be a good option for you.

Where is your internship? I've seen some sublet ads for DC from May-Aug in your range (I'm currently looking for a friend of mine) on craigslist, especially closer to the colleges.

[slim04]

Most of the apartments near a metro station have waiting lists for parking. It's unlikely a summer sublet would get one of those spots. I think you would have a better chance if you rented a condo that had a designated parking spot.

When I did my internship in DC in the early 1990's, I had a budget of $200 per month. I ended up sharing a 400 sq. ft. studio apt. with a classmate in SW DC and parked on the street. It was either that or pay to stay in a bunk in a frat house near GW. We later found out that most of our fellow interns rented a bedroom in houses in Brookland near Catholic U. or Shaw near Howard U.

[NOVAmtneer82]

As others have said cheap parking and close metro access usually don't mix. I would consider looking in Arlington or Alexandria, depending on where you work those would probably be your best bets.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by batgirl52

I'm interning in DC this summer and looking for a sublet in NoVA, but not having much luck. I was hoping to spend less than $950 for a share or $1200 for a studio/1BR apt, have been trolling Craig's List and NALP listings daily. Are my requirements too strict for this area?

-my own bedroom, not a converted living room!
-metro subway station within 15 minute walk
-parking nearby <$100/month

I just don't understand why I'm not finding many options. I've lived in NYC, Boston and the MD suburbs of DC and have never had this much trouble finding a place to meet those requirements

If a place doesn't offer parking on-site, how difficult is street parking near the stations? I've found some apts in DC that might work (though I'm really a suburbs kind of gal) but are there decent neighborhoods in DC where I could bring my car?

I think two things are working against you right now. One is that the mortgage collapse, particularly in the Metro DC area, has put increased pressure on rentals since a lot of previous homeowners are now renters, and the supply of rentals hasn't really changed.

The other thing that's working against you is the fact that it's a summer (short term) rental. I think you'd find what you wanted a lot easier on a year lease basis.

You might try to find something in the inner VA suburbs (Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Vienna/Fairfax/Oakton near the Vienna or Dunn Loring Metros, Springfield near the Springfield/Franconia Metro) that has free parking, isn't walkable to Metro but does have a walkable Metrobus, Fairfax Connector or Fairfax CUE stop that goes quickly to the closest Metro stop. I think you'll have better luck if you expand your options to include that.

Best of luck!

[akorosdc]

FYI, some apartment complexes have flexible lease terms (mine is anywhere from 2-12 months), which might be an option for you outside of a sublease. My particular community has overpriced 1-bedrooms (in my opinion), but the 2 bedrooms are inexpensive if you can get yourself a roommate (craigslist?). After utilities we usually pay about $1600 for 2 bed/2bath. The bad part is that it isn't furnished, which could be a hassle for just a few months.

[pcity]

I would recommend broadening your search to places that are on a bus route with frequent service, like the eastern part of the Columbia Pike corridor in Arlington. Walking distance to the Metro seems tough with that budget.