20 something teacher moving to NOVA (Arlington, Alexandria: sublet, apartment complex, rental market) - Northern Virginia - Virginia - City-Data Forum

newtonova · 02-18-2009, 01:26 PM

Hi!

I am a 20 something yr. old moving to NOVA this summer. I plan to work in Fairfax County as a teacher, and am trying to get info about apartments. I'll be moving to the area with a friend, so we'll be looking for a 2-bedroom in a fun area close to the metro. I was hoping for a place that was $700-800 (w/o utilities) but haven't been very sucessful in finding anything that cheap! Can anyone help? We're two young, single girls looking for a fun and affordable place to live!

Thanks in advance!

becwells · 02-18-2009, 01:35 PM

Do you want to find somewhere for $700-800 total, or per person? I can tell you right now, you're not going to find a nice apartment for $800 - if you're each willing to pay that much, you should be able to find something nice.

My husband and I lived at the Reserve at Fairfax Corner for a year - it's a really nice apartment complex and is right by the desirable Fairfax Corner (restaurants/bars) and near to Fair Oaks Mall. We had a 2-bed, 2-bath apartment and it was new, clean and bright. I would definitely suggest looking into them.

The Reserve at Fairfax Corner in Fairfax VA - Apartments for rent - Equity Apartments

becwells · 02-18-2009, 01:36 PM

Aaah...just noticed the Metro requirement - Fairfax Corner is about a 10-15 minute drive to the Vienna/Fairfax Metro station. Doable, but not that close.

oneasterisk · 02-18-2009, 02:01 PM

Yeah you're going to be hard pressed to find a nice apartment for $800. If you find one for $800, it's probably going to be in a shady neighborhood. Rents in NOVA are pretty dang high.

novahousehunter · 02-18-2009, 02:20 PM

A 2 br in a fun/safe area near the metro is going to be a lot more than that (double, probably to begin).

Our rental market is a horrible shock for everyone who moves here. It was for me too! And as a single girl, I hate that safety is usually more $$.

The fun safe areas that are popular for single 20-somethings (and others) are Arlington (Court House, Clarendon, Ballston), and Alexandria (Old Town) but they are also the most expensive. Further out on the orange/yellow/blue lines will be cheaper (not 800 though).

You might luck out with a sublet (try Craigslist).

Most young people in that price range in this area end up with multiple roommates (sharing a house, rather than an apt) I think. I did it for 5 yrs or so, until very recently, and it can be a really good arrangement, depending upon the house and roommates.

tgbwc · 02-18-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtonova

Hi!

I am a 20 something yr. old moving to NOVA this summer. I plan to work in Fairfax County as a teacher, and am trying to get info about apartments. I'll be moving to the area with a friend, so we'll be looking for a 2-bedroom in a fun area close to the metro. I was hoping for a place that was $700-800 (w/o utilities) but haven't been very sucessful in finding anything that cheap! Can anyone help? We're two young, single girls looking for a fun and affordable place to live!

Thanks in advance!

When I first moved to Fairfax County to teach, I lived in a one bdrm apt. managed by Southern Management Corp. They, as well as other companies, give teachers a discount. SM was 5%, so be sure to ask about that.

I agree. A 2 bedroom apt. will be at least in the low 1k range away from a metro. Do you in what part of the county you will be working?

Azmordean · 02-18-2009, 03:29 PM

If close to Metro means walking distance to Metro, unfortunately, the minimum you are probably going to see is 1300-1400, and that's for a ONE bedroom. Two, generally, will be 1800+. Get away from the train a bit though, and you MAY be able to find something in the $1500-1600 price range in a relatively nice area.

cubbluey · 02-18-2009, 04:43 PM

Can someone tell me what NOVA is? I'm considering a move from San Diego to Fredricksburg and wanted to know more about the area.

newtonova · 02-18-2009, 08:31 PM

I was hoping for 700-800 a piece so somewhere around 1400-1500 in total for a 2 bedroom.

oneasterisk · 02-18-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubbluey

Can someone tell me what NOVA is? I'm considering a move from San Diego to Fredricksburg and wanted to know more about the area.

NOVA is just short for Northern Virginia. Depending on who you ask, you'll get all kinds of answers to where the "cut off" is for "Northern". Some say say Prince William County, others say Stafford and Fredericksburg.