Fairfax, VA - avarage 2-br rent? (Arlington, Vienna: apartments, rental, crime)

[dukevn]

Hi everybody,

I am looking for an apartment, preferably 2 bedroom, around MD/DC/VA area. I heard a lot of good things about Fairfax, VA and would wonder how much the rent for 2-br apt should it be there?

Any information will be much appreciated.

Thanks,

D.

[MSUdom5]

The following website should help:

HomesDatabase

[becwells]

I would say a 2-bdrm apartment would cost anywhere from $1400 - $2000 a month. You might find a place a little cheaper.

We paid about $1600 for the Seville apartment in this complex about 3 years ago. It was a really nice place, though, and I'm sure you could find something for less.

[saganista]

After rising rather strongly for a while, apartment rents have been on the decline over the past year or so. Maybe 6-8% overall? I would say you could get a perfectly nice 2-BR in the Fairfax area for $1500. If you wanted cheaper, you could find that. If you wanted spiffier, you could find that too. The Fairfax area (speaking mostly of the area to the north of the city itself, along and around Routes 66, 29, and 50) is quite nice. There are lots of recently built, nicely landscaped complexes in that area, with lots of trees and easy access to lots of shopping and other amenities. The three highways make driving places easy, and you're only 15-20 minutes from the Vienna Metro station. Lots of young people (singles and families) live in that area.

[dukevn]

Thanks for all the responses. Any other information about schools, museum and playgrounds for kids (2-5 year old)? Any suggestion on some rental agencies/owners around Fairfax that you have experience with?

Thanks,

D.

[saganista]

All public schools in the Fairfax area are operated by Fairfax County Public Schools which is one of the strongest major school systems in the country. Nearly all of the schools are very good, many are excellent, and one is the highest rated public high school in the nation (it's admission only though).

The County operates 9 major recreation centers and more than 400 parks comprising more than 24,000 acres. Parks are everywhere and most of them are terrific. Learn more at Fairfax County Parks & Recreation. There are many museums and historic areas in the county, and of course that Smithsonian thing is only about 45 minutes away.

[dukevn]

Thanks a lot for the infos. I think Fairfax is a really good place, especially for a young family with 2.5 year old boy and a new born girl. Unfortunately, I will be working in Bethesda, and I heard that commuting to Bethesda is a nightmare.

Any suggestion for transportations? Any other ideas? If not, I will have to look around Rockville or Potomac.

Thanks again,

D.

[nwlv]

I would say consider 20007, but sf wise; it's pricey. Even the difference between a 2/1 and a 2/2 can be several hundred Dollars per month. Why pay high rent at Tyson's or Rockville and still have a rough commute? Working in Bethesda would be one of the few times that I would consider a DC address. North Arlington might be higher, and it's not as close, neither is Vienna. If schools are a factor--that changes things a lot. You are working in an expensive area of an expensive area. There might even be people commuting from Culpeper, but that doesn't really justify it.

[dukevn]

The primary point I am interested in is safety. Isnt that DC has very high rate of crime and violence? I dont want to hear fighting outside of my house some nights, or even a stone throwing through our windows some other nights.

Is there any place in DC that good?

Thanks,

D.

[nwlv]

There are some prime neighborhoods, near the Metro, with lots of walkable shopping, but you're gonna pay. Possibly more than Vienna--but you will have an easy commute. Look at Chevy Chase, DC.