Potential Fairfax County Relocation (Arlington, Alexandria: house, salary, bus)

[RestonS]

Originally Posted by Prickly Pear

depending on utility bills I think I can make it work. Here in Arizona it’s not unheard of to spend $400+/month on utility bills for the standard electric/water/trash and internet in the summer. I’m hoping Virginia isn’t like that, with two internet and electric company monopolies like Phoenix.

Of course your costs may vary based on factors like how large your unit is, where it's located, thermostat temp, etc., but do not expect to spend that much here. Even during summer, your electric bill won't exceed $200 if your needs are reasonable. Maybe much cheaper in some cases. Virginia has pretty cheap energy.


In the winter, it doesn't get super cold either.

[nva06]

For 60k a year I would recommend moving to good parts of PGC county MD.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by nva06

For 60k a year I would recommend moving to good parts of PGC county MD.

Why would you recommend that?

She can find a decent place in VA for $1500 a month.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by lchoro

If you look at jobs in the Washington DC area, many of them are going remote or work from home. The numbers on the online services are staggering. You should plan on the initial location being short-term. I would ask the employer about that as well. The option may or may not be left up to you.

This does not apply to my field. It is very site heavy because it involves environmental sampling and management. It's also hard to make hospital work remote. I asked the interview panel regarding this they are requiring 4 hours daily on-site and 4 hours at home on working days right now. I will never be truly remote or work from home so being near the location (in regards to commuting) is extremely important.

Thank you for mentioning this, most fields can work from home with current technological capabilities but mine simply is not one of those.

Originally Posted by RestonS

Of course your costs may vary based on factors like how large your unit is, where it's located, thermostat temp, etc., but do not expect to spend that much here. Even during summer, your electric bill won't exceed $200 if your needs are reasonable. Maybe much cheaper in some cases. Virginia has pretty cheap energy.


In the winter, it doesn't get super cold either.

That's good to hear. Arizona's low cost of living is somewhat disguised by the utility bills.

Originally Posted by nva06

For 60k a year I would recommend moving to good parts of PGC county MD.

Originally Posted by HokieFan

Why would you recommend that?

She can find a decent place in VA for $1500 a month.

I was informed it was not a good idea to commute from Maryland into Virginia and vice versa because of traffic on the bridges and the fact that train commuting through DC involves train engine changes from electric to diesel and that involves wait times. Like I stated previously I'm not familiar with the area but I really just want the shortest commute possible with the most affordable rent possible. I am aware that DC has worse traffic than Phoenix so I'm factoring that in by distance which is why I haven't even considered northern Fairfax County like near Falls Church or Arlington where I know some people.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by Prickly Pear

This does not apply to my field. It is very site heavy because it involves environmental sampling and management. It's also hard to make hospital work remote. I asked the interview panel regarding this they are requiring 4 hours daily on-site and 4 hours at home on working days right now. I will never be truly remote or work from home so being near the location (in regards to commuting) is extremely important.

Thank you for mentioning this, most fields can work from home with current technological capabilities but mine simply is not one of those.



That's good to hear. Arizona's low cost of living is somewhat disguised by the utility bills.





I was informed it was not a good idea to commute from Maryland into Virginia and vice versa because of traffic on the bridges and the fact that train commuting through DC involves train engine changes from electric to diesel and that involves wait times. Like I stated previously I'm not familiar with the area but I really just want the shortest commute possible with the most affordable rent possible. I am aware that DC has worse traffic than Phoenix so I'm factoring that in by distance which is why I haven't even considered northern Fairfax County like near Falls Church or Arlington where I know some people.

I think the Kingstowne area would give you the commute you’re seeking. Zip code is 22315.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7...2315/51950679_ https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8...78220647_zpid/

[lchoro]

Originally Posted by Prickly Pear

This does not apply to my field. It is very site heavy because it involves environmental sampling and management. It's also hard to make hospital work remote. I asked the interview panel regarding this they are requiring 4 hours daily on-site and 4 hours at home on working days right now. I will never be truly remote or work from home so being near the location (in regards to commuting) is extremely important.

I mentioned it since it will actually make your commuting easier and you can focus your apartment search on where you want to live. The remote work is probably going to become a permanent element in the economy.

[ChristineVA]

I have to agree with the Kingstowne recommendation. I think it's the perfect location for where you work and the desire for other access to public transportation. You'll still need a car but it's pretty hard to be without one in this area.

Now, hopefully, Kingstowne will fit your price range.

[nva06]

Originally Posted by HokieFan

Why would you recommend that?

She can find a decent place in VA for $1500 a month.

For 1500 she can probably get maybe a decent basement. For 1500 in PGC she can get a decent townhouse.

[boyd888]

Originally Posted by nva06

For 1500 in PGC she can get a decent townhouse.

In the worst, most crime ridden county in the entire DMV area? Horrible recommendation. PGC has nearly triple the violent crime rate of Fairfax. If you PAID me $1500 a month to live there I still wouldn't.

[nva06]

Originally Posted by boyd888

In the worst, most crime ridden county in the entire DMV area? Horrible recommendation. PGC has nearly triple the violent crime rate of Fairfax. If you PAID me $1500 a month to live there I still wouldn't.

Well not the bad areas. But there are lots of good areas of PGC as well.