young single female needs moving opinions for the DC/NOVA area (apartment, rent)
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I am a 21 year old female moving to the DC or northern VA area for work. My work is located right near the Rosslyn metro stop. I don't have a car so I will need to rely heavily on public transport for work, play, and everyday routines. I would hope a shopping complex (for food, beauty aid, clothes, etc) would be close by and walkable. For convenience, I want to live as close as possible to a metro stop on the blue or orange line (or maybe even the red line because it would be an easy transfer) to make for an easy work commute. I am torn as to whether I want to live in an apartment or in a house. I am willing to live with roommates and would probably prefer this because it would make it easier and faster to meet young people in a new city. As I am young, I obviously want to live somewhere that has some life, a city/town that doesn't die at 5pm when everyone gets off at work. Yet, I would want my neighborhood to be safe and have low crime rates, as I am a single young female, potentially living alone. And to top it off, I am on a fairly tight budget. I really can't spend more than $1000 per month on rent (including utilities?). I know these are a lot of preferences/restrictions, but hey, at least I know what I want.
In my research so far, I have learned that the Metro’s blue line (Pentagon City, Crystal City, Alexandria) is a bit more affordable than the orange line (Ballston, Virginia Square, Courthouse, Clarendon). However, the stops along the blue line are livelier, with younger people living there and many more cafe/bar options.
Would you recommend living in northern Virginia or DC? And where specifically based on all my preferences?
If you live closer to your work you can almost eliminate any commuting costs. Rosslyn/Arlington are doable with your price IF you have roomates. You'd most likely be in a townhome or apt. there. Also very walkable or metro accessible. Grocery stores very nearby as well as shops/restaurants/clubs. Pretty safe as cities go, but you still need to be smart about the time of day you're out alone if it's late. If you don't mind commuting, D.C. could work, too--with roomates. Do you know the areas that you're considering? Have you been to the area? Do YOU have a preferance?
If you don't mind commuting, D.C. could work, too--with roomates. Do you know the areas that you're considering? Have you been to the area? Do YOU have a preferance?
I've been to DC once but don't know the areas that well. I plan to visit again soon and hopefully find a place I like. I have been torn between the Clarendon/Rosslyn area and the DC more neighborhood-y areas, like Adam’s Morgan, Dupont, Capitol Hill, Eastern Market, Columbia Heights, Cleveland Park, and Van Ness. I hear they are pretty popular and a lot of young people that live there. Plus, these are all off of the red line – an easy transfer. Do you (or anyone else) have a preference or any opinions about the DC neighborhoods of Adam’s Morgan, Dupont, Capitol Hill, Eastern Market, Columbia Heights, Cleveland Park, and/or Van Ness??
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