Recent grads moving to NOVA (Arlington, Alexandria: apartment complexes, rent, condo) - Northern Virginia - Virginia - City-Data Forum

vtlady08 · 02-21-2009, 12:17 PM

I was wondering if you all have any suggestions for my friend and I. We're planning on moving to the northern va area this summer, but I'm not sure where to look. Everytime I find something in my price range, it seems to be part of some "affordable housing" program, and I don't know that we'd qualify if they take into account both our salaries.

Anyway, we're looking for something
a) within walking distance of a metro station or
b) in arlington or alexandria, walking distance to some nightlife.

total rent would need to be about $1400-1600/month.

We realize within this price range, the apartment wouldn't be glamorous. It just needs to be clean (no rats or bugs! eww) and close to things.

Thanks!!

KayX · 02-24-2009, 12:42 PM

Look on craigslist. Apartment buildings along Route 50 and Columbia Pike in Arlington will be the most affordable. (the neighborhoods are less sketchy the closer u are to DC on Columbia Pike). Two of my friends live in Dorchester Towers and love it. They jog after work and always feel safe --their rent is about 1450 Good luck!

VEIK · 02-24-2009, 12:51 PM

Clarendon/Courthouse.

VEIK · 02-24-2009, 01:08 PM

we need to make this a sticky.

Recent Grad? Here are the choices...

Skapov · 02-24-2009, 01:27 PM

Warning!! You can expect to share your home with a lot of cockroaches if you DO find a 2 bedroom close to metro/nightlife in the sub-$1,600 range. Expect to pay at least $2,000/mo. rent to truly be in the hot spots. Now, there are a few apartment complexes in Alexandria (not walking distance from metro) that rent for $1,500 1 bedrooms, but these usually have roach-problems.

pcity · 02-25-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skapov

Warning!! You can expect to share your home with a lot of cockroaches if you DO find a 2 bedroom close to metro/nightlife in the sub-$1,600 range. Expect to pay at least $2,000/mo. rent to truly be in the hot spots. Now, there are a few apartment complexes in Alexandria (not walking distance from metro) that rent for $1,500 1 bedrooms, but these usually have roach-problems.

Not necessarily. The parameters were near Metro OR near nightlife.

Near nightlife is just about impossible given that constraint, but near Metro can be done in Huntington for that price.

Both Riverside and Belle Haven Towers are in that price range and don't have bug or safety problems from what I know.

akorosdc · 02-27-2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skapov

Warning!! You can expect to share your home with a lot of cockroaches if you DO find a 2 bedroom close to metro/nightlife in the sub-$1,600 range. Expect to pay at least $2,000/mo. rent to truly be in the hot spots. Now, there are a few apartment complexes in Alexandria (not walking distance from metro) that rent for $1,500 1 bedrooms, but these usually have roach-problems.

Not necessarily. I rented a 2-bedroom for $1500 in Alexandria that was perfectly fine (safe, no bugs, etc). You had to take a bus to the metro, which was annoying, but that was the only real downside.

Try Falls Church or Huntington. If you're willing to give up VA, you can also check out Silver Spring. I had found some decent apartments by the metro there in a similar range.

CityCat28 · 12-23-2009, 09:41 PM

All apartments have SOME bug problems, it's inevitable. I think if you try to find a place with no complaints of bugs you'll be looking forever. Just get one of those Riddex things and don't leave any food, dirty dishes, or crumbs in your apartment.

Jesco White · 12-24-2009, 12:08 AM

Not all apartments have some bug problems. I live on the 7th floor of a building in Tysons/Mclean, and you couldn't get bugs if you tried there. I've been there for about 3 years (1400/month 900 sq ft 1 bedroom, 1 garaged space), and i had ants once, when i left a bottle of mouthwash open and a few ants made their way over to the sweet smell. Other than that, I've had fewer bugs here than anywhere I've ever lived (ranging from large single family homes in rural areas to college apartments in college towns).

The trick is to find an older, well built place. Many of the older places were built to exist for 10 years, but are still standing 60 years later. My current digs would survive a katrina style hurricane. Of course I have no nightlife, and I'm a bus ride from the metro, but I'm in an extremely (work) convenient location, in what many would consider a desirable area (Mclean technically).

After a weekend of depressing apt searches through large, managed properties, i found this place on Craigslist. If you want a good place, with a good deal, I would suggest looking at renting condo's from owners in well established communities. I've had great luck!

TPL · 12-24-2009, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skapov

Warning!! You can expect to share your home with a lot of cockroaches if you DO find a 2 bedroom close to metro/nightlife in the sub-$1,600 range. Expect to pay at least $2,000/mo. rent to truly be in the hot spots. Now, there are a few apartment complexes in Alexandria (not walking distance from metro) that rent for $1,500 1 bedrooms, but these usually have roach-problems.

EXACTLY. Even in Western Fairfax, subsidized apartments still run between $900 to $1,200 a month (Whereas in Southern VA, I could get an entire house at $700 per month (In great quality too) ).