Working at Pentagon, where to live? (Arlington, Burke: real estate, subletting, apartments)

[michelletx87]

We will be moving up from Texas this summer. My husband will be working at the Pentagon and I am just looking to find some advice on where to live. We don't mind living in an apartment at first and my husband plans on taking public transportation to work. I will be staying at home with out daughter and we are also currently expecting a child in October. We are looking at spending no more than $1500 but can spend more if needed. I just want somewhere that is safe and won't make my husband have a huge commute daily. Thanks.

[mississippimagnolia]

Burke! I am always Burke's biggest cheerleader! We live in a great neighborhood in Burke. Most of our neighbors are either military or Government. There is a Pentagon Express Bus that stops right on the corner. The military guys jump on the Bus and the Government guys get on the VRE.

Great schools! Great neighborhoods! Very, very safe! And an easy commute if you use public transportation.

Renting a house would be out of your budget. But there are a lot of townhouses. I would poke around on line and see what you can find.

[adolpho]

Townhouse in West Springfield--you might be cutting it close on price, but it will be way, way smarter than a larger house in the Woodbridge area, which will be tempting if you look at a map.
Burke would get my vote, also. When I worked at the Pentagon, I slugged from 22150, which was way better than the bus. There may still be a slug line at Rolling Valley Mall, which would be Burke. Think Old Keene Mill Rd.

[FindingZen]

For the OP, a definition of "slugging" can be found here:

Slug-Lines.com - Slugging and Slug Lines Information For Washington DC

[JP7262]

I recommend Shirlington House rental apartment in Arlington, VA (located right off I395). I'm currently subletting for a month while my home is renovated. I'm told this is one of the better managed rental apartments. The management is very helpful and friendly. The neighborhood is safe. It's a very short walk to the bus termimal with buses to the Pentagon metro or directly to the Pentagon (a slightly longer route). It's a short walk to Shirlington Village with lots of restaurants, a movie theater, library, and just past Shirlington Village is the Four Mile Run biking, walking trail. Another option is a rental at Fairlington Village (a short drive from Shirlington House). Fairlington Village consist of condo apartments and townhouses. You'll probably need a real estate agent to help you find a rental there. A co-worker lives there and he tells me there are plenty of buses that will take you to the Pentagon.