Husband is starting a job with the EPA (near the White House). Where should we live? He wants to use he metro to commute (Norfolk: apartments, rentals)

[lifeuhfindsaway]

We've lived in Hampton Roads (Norfolk/Va Beach), Va for many years so we're familiar with the DC area and metro system when visiting the touristy spots, he also went to school at American University in DC, so he's pretty familiar with that area. We're looking for a house to rent in Arlington or Alexandria that'll accept dogs and cats, for about 2.5-3k a month. I'm not currently working, but I have an MS in Biology, so I'll be looking for jobs at a university or with the state (maybe health department).

Any suggestions of where we should live that's close to the metro? Any areas other than Alexandria/Arlington we should consider? Neither of us want a terrible commute - I've commuted through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel all through college and have recently done 1 hr commutes to San Antonio (we're in Texas now, I hate it), he currently has a 30 mile commute/45 min commute). Thank you in advance for any help!

[j2joseph]

I am in the process of buying another home and will move out by the end of November. My house is close to catholic University. 1 block to the bus that will take you to the Brookland metro station. I commute every day to my fed job in the city. This is a small house with yard (2 bedrooms and finished basement). If interested let me know. Thanks!

[j2joseph]

by the way, bus takes you to Farragut North

[lifeuhfindsaway]

Messaged you, thank you!

[paytonc]

You might consider posting on the Maryland or Virginia forums if you're specifically looking for the suburbs. Very strong job market in Maryland for those with life sciences backgrounds; there's also lots of medical work in Virginia, but less lab work available. Just be warned that Arlington and Alexandria have been named the most competitive housing market in America in 2019.

The Metro route map was designed to deliver people to Federal Triangle, so you're equally well off almost anywhere in the region.

[lifeuhfindsaway]

Thank you very much for the suggestions, I'll post there too. I know things are more interesting in that area regarding rental prices now due to the new Amazon headquarters.

[Bigfoot424]

Not Arlington or Alexandria but what about Oakton/Vienna. Still part of NOVA but to me it is more of a normal life with a yard and so on. Vienna metro is very close.

[NOVAmtneer82]

Many 2 bedroom apartments close to the Metro in North Arlington go for about $2.5k a month and that generally doesn't even include pet fees so unfortunately you won't find a house that meets such criteria. You might knock a little off of that number in certain parts of Alexandria but not by much.

How large of a house are we talking? That will make a big difference - I would check around West Falls Church or around McLean. Vienna is another option. You likely won't be walking distance but can be a close bus ride or drive away.

[Lemming95]

Springfield has a Metro station but you would probably have to drive to the metro from any sub division. But there are rentals- don't know about multiple pets.
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7...51943322_zpid/

[lifeuhfindsaway]

Thank you so much for the replies and suggestions! We've been spoiled with cheap rent here near San Antonio, TX and when we lived near Raleigh in NC, so the $$$ rent is going to hurt. Still looking forward to being close to DC. A house about 1200-1500 sq ft is ideal (it's just us, no kids), but we're also considering town houses.

As long as we're close to a metro, we'll be happy. I did some searches for the areas suggested outside of aArlington/Alexandria and they're definitely more in our price range, even with houses and yards. We're excited and thank you again.