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I expect a job offer in DC soon. I interviewed there for another job a couple of years back, and took the time to drive around Springfield, Woodbridge, and Fairfax, VA looking at strip malls, highways, and apartment complexes. I didn't care for those towns. Too much traffic, and apartments were either too expensive, or not as nice as I like, or not in great neighborhoods.
That tells me I need to look further out.
I need a 2 BR apt under $2,000/mo. I plan to commute into DC by train. Up to 1 hr on the train is okay.
Looking for affordable, safe, and quiet commuter train suburb in either VA or MD. I prefer quiet areas with light to moderate traffic, close drive to get out into the country for weekend drives/bike rides, etc. In my dream-world, I could be within a 15-minute drive of the train.
I've been looking at maps of MARC and VRE. From the maps, Manassas, VA looks good - affordable units on Apartments.com and about a 1 hour train ride, but I know nothing about Manassas, and I know nothing about any of the MD commuter towns. Either MD or VA is fine.
1) "Light" traffic within an hour of the city is impossible.
2) Post in the suburbs forums for more results.
3) Identify WHERE in the city you will be working, and whether you want your commute to be an hour or the train ride to be an hour. There is a big difference.
Okay, thanks, I appreciate the direction to other forums. Since I want to consider both Northern VA and MD, I hoped it would be included in DC info. I'll see if I can post similar info in 2 other places.
As far as where in the city, the job is walking distance from Union Station in downtown DC, so I'm looking for a 1 hour train ride in.
Okay, thanks, I appreciate the direction to other forums. Since I want to consider both Northern VA and MD, I hoped it would be included in DC info. I'll see if I can post similar info in 2 other places.
As far as where in the city, the job is walking distance from Union Station in downtown DC, so I'm looking for a 1 hour train ride in.
Live in or around Germantown Maryland. That is probably the best you will get based on what you want: Train access, cheap rent, close to country for weekends, etc.
Moving further out is not necessarily going to get you less traffic. Manassas has terrible traffic. It takes like 20 minutes to go 4 miles down Sudley Road.
You will get more bang for your buck out there though. Train time from Manassas is about 1 hour 15 minutes and your commute would be like 1 hour 45 minutes door to door.
Going further out does not mean less traffic, it means more traffic. Best way to avoid traffic is to live in the city itself, or the immediate suburbs (Silver Spring, Bethesda, Arlington, Alexandria, Takoma Park, Chevy Chase), and not drive much. The car dependent suburbs the roads are very clogged because everybody drives.
I am going to be direct once outside the beltway, your commute can be up to two hours. What you want, is unlikely to be accomplished on your limited budget, or for that matter at all. You were less than thrilled to what was available because of this. The nicer areas of Virginia and Virginia within ideal commuting times into DC cost more money.
With that being said there is no ideal setting where you would be a close drive to the country within an hour with light traffic. In fact here is the thing. Draw a 2 1/2 hour ring around the city. That's the DC area. Expect heavy traffic throughout it at all times of day in almost all areas. I know people who travel 2 hours each way to get into a setting you suggest. This commute breaks most people.
The recreational activities may still be there, but there is no escaping the traffic unless you live close to the core where fewer people drive.
Last edited by DistrictSonic; 12-07-2015 at 06:51 AM..
Thanks all, very good info. I appreciate it. Another friend suggested the Germantown area - said it's in horse farm country - so I'll take a look at that. Looks like there are affordable apartments near the end of the Red Line, just a few miles toward DC from there.
DistrictSonic - I didn't know that traffic gets worse out in the suburbs, but that makes sense. If everyone has to drive, then everyone will. Yep, that's pretty straight forward. Thanks for the heads-up. I'm active, and like walking, so it can't hurt to check out the urban option.
Gomason - thanks for the heads up abt Manassas traffic. That's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for, and I've been in places like that. Woodbridge and Fairfax seemed a bit that way when I visited there a couple of years ago.
I would recommend Hyattsville or College Park if schools aren't too much of an issue. I just recently moved into a house in the area & only a few blocks away from Metro & love it so far.
I think the area gets overlooked a lot because it is in Prince George's County but i haven't had any issues so far & the area is very diverse with a lot of professionals moving into the area. Good luck with your search :-)
You should look into MARC. There are stations in Germantown and Gaithersburg. It's about an hour on the MARC. The one big advantage of MARC is that it has free parking whereas parking at a Metro station costs $5. Here's a schedule: http://mta.maryland.gov/sites/defaul...an2015flat.pdf.
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