Looking for a less expensive, less snobby Nova Area

[betamanlet]

Originally Posted by Tone509

So it's not housing that you're looking to save on so much as other neighborhood amenities?

Well, if I'm going to add a lot of time to my commute, I would like to save some money. I don't know if the people are that drastically different further out

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by betamanlet

Well, if I'm going to add a lot of time to my commute, I would like to save some money. I don't know if the people are that drastically different further out

I think that you may find around this area that some people that seem "snobby" - no matter the location - are simply in a rush, especially during the week. But if you view trendiness as an indicator of young affluence, then the hip quotient drops dramatically outside of "Orange Line" Arlington and maybe Old Town Alexandria.

[michgc]

How about Falls Church? I don't find the people to be snobby there. I've never lived in Arlington so I don't know how snobby it is, but I used to frequent a playground there, and I was always in the minority being the mom with kids versus the nanny with kids.

[claremarie]

If you want cheaper, you'll have to pay with a longer commute. In addition to the extra time on the Metro going further out than Arlington, you'll have to factor in the time it takes to drive from your apartment to the Metro station and find a place to park. Since you live in Arlington now, why not pretend that you live in Falls Church, or Dunn Loring, or wherever others might suggest? See how long it takes to get to the station from a typical apartment building in your price range, and whether parking is an issue at the Metro station during your commuting time. (You can calculate the actual transit time on the Metro web site). You will also get a sense whether your potential neighbors are any better than your current ones.

[Claire2900]

I don't think you'll find a "significant" drop in rent, but check out apts at Dunn Loring or along Jermantown/Blake Lane in FFX near the Vienna metro

[seiketsu]

Do you have to stay in Virginia? You could actually move into DC (might make your commute shorter or longer, depending on where you work). There are some lovely, down-to-earth neighborhoods in NE and SE, and rent could actually be lower.

[CAVA1990]

How about apartments on Route 1 and Huntington? Definitely little "snob factor" there but a pretty easy commute.

[FindingZen]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

How about apartments on Route 1 and Huntington? Definitely little "snob factor" there but a pretty easy commute.

I would tend to agree with all of that, particularly if you're referring to the low-rise apartments right along Route 1. The safety factor starts to become more important, though.

In contrast, one may find a lot of hurried professionals in the high-rises close to Huntington Avenue and the Metro station, however. Belle Haven Towers may be worth looking into for its relative affordability.

[CubberMom]

I was going to suggest you check out an old website that we found helpful about 5 years ago, called Rate My Apartment dot com. Unfortunately when I tried the link, the site could not be found.

I live in Vienna & there's definitely some snobbing here, but not everyone! A good mix! You'll have to make your own "tribe" of friends wherever you go.

We are moving out to Gainesville, and from what we hear, the people out there are much nicer and down to earth, although it's still a high income county area. Homes are MUCH cheaper for just-as-nice, but you pay with the time to commute. VRE comes out to Manassas, and goes right into Union Station.

[smokemaster]

Those Lennar homes in Gainesville have very high energy bills for their size. There is quite a lot of snobbery there, and Haymarket, also. I've had to remind several people that it is still PWC.