Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area?

MajorCaptSilly · 07-31-2012, 06:28 PM

My daughter's job is taking here to the Washington DC area and she would like to live in Alexandria, VA. Her initial apartment search with mom didn't go very well today. If anyone has suggestions of good neighborhoods and apartments under $1,300/mo, I'd be very appreciative!

Thanks,

MCS

WittyUserName · 07-31-2012, 07:07 PM

She might want to look in Shirlington, it is not near a metro but there is a bus hub and inexpensive cab rides into arlington and nearby metro stations. Also talk to the new member Jonser, he lives in alexandria and might be able to give more current advice than myself.

Good luck!! On a side note, I will be moving to alexandria in March

hotreds · 07-31-2012, 08:23 PM

Try Ballston and Clarendon- closer to Arlington than Alexandria, but close to Metro.

Sauer Grapes · 07-31-2012, 11:26 PM

Shirlington may be within her budget for a studio. Ballston probably won't be.

Unfortunately, her best bet is to look elsewhere besides the major apartment complexes. Smaller apartment buildings with only a few units are a good bet. They are tougher to find though.

She can probably meet her budget south of the beltway in Alexandria, but the area isn't near as good as the parts of Alexandria that are inside the beltway.

08-01-2012, 06:44 AM

I have lived in a couple of apartments in Arlington and it's going to be tough for her to find a place in a desirable neighborhood (i.e. near a metro) for 1300 a month unless she finds a roommate. As an example, I just moved out of a small 1 bed, 1 bath apartment in Shirlington which ran about 2k a month before parking and utilities which was another couple hundo. A few years ago I lived in Ballston with a roommate and we paid 2500 for a 2 bed 2 bath but prices have gone up quite a bit since then (that was around 07-08).

Alexandria can be a little less expensive, but again, anything near a metro gets a lot more pricey. I have a included a link below of an apartment complex right near my house. It appears to be in her price range and the apartments look ok. Not great but pretty good. We are about 2 miles from a metro but there is bus access. I have met many people that live in these apartments and they all seem happy. I have not seen the inside though so that may be a factor.

http://www.foxchaseofalexandriaapts....1002,1006,1007

I am not sure what her vehicle situation is like or where she will be working but if she is willing to commute, there are loads or places to live within 30-40 miles of DC that offer A LOT more for the money...she just will have to commute.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

dave · 08-01-2012, 10:02 AM

Some important things to consider before looking at specific units -

As most above have said, think through the commute and what is important: close to metro station? nearest metro station with parking? drive to work? hours? with or against traffic? parking situation at home - street, garage, rented space, etc? hard to overstate that the traffic situation here can take over your life -

Question assumptions and start with 'needs'. Is she alone/sig other/kids/etc. If alone (and even if not) consider some 'alternatives'. Lots of great basements/rooms/shared apts, etc that can be had much more economically than single units. When I moved out here a couple years ago I rented half the basement (south Alexandria) from a nice senior lady in a ritzy neighborhood. Was perfect for me for first year. $900 for place far bigger than a studio with bathroom and off-street parking just ten minutes from my work and no utility bills. Now I'm paying $1300 for 900SF 2BR townhouse in far lesser neighborhood and paying utilities on top of that. Landlord says will raise rent next time lease is up.

If a unit looks too good to be true - rent, amenities, etc -- then take a hard look at safety of the area

Watch Craigslist closely - at least a couple times a day -- good opportunities don't stay on there more than a day

Good luck.

68TriShield · 08-01-2012, 02:05 PM

Scott,RGD has lived there for two or three decades.
Contact Ron as I'm sure he'll have some good intel.

MajorCaptSilly · 08-01-2012, 06:15 PM

Thanks for the replies! She is finding that apartments in the city are a little out of reach. She is checking out Herndon and a couple other places today and tomorrow. I'm glad my wife is dealing with it and not me!

MCS

tsolomon · 08-02-2012, 07:58 AM

There are other options out in Maryland like downtown Silver Spring. It's metro accessible and might be in your price range. If her workplace is close to a Metro station, then you should check the wmata.com site for the commuting options by rail and bus.

07-31-2012, 06:28 PM	#1
MajorCaptSilly Sklee Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Mishawaka, IN Posts: 2,523 Trading: (30)	Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? My daughter's job is taking here to the Washington DC area and she would like to live in Alexandria, VA. Her initial apartment search with mom didn't go very well today. If anyone has suggestions of good neighborhoods and apartments under $1,300/mo, I'd be very appreciative! Thanks, MCS __________________ Pillsbury, Minneapolis, Prince, Spoon Bridge and Cherry, coinkydink?

07-31-2012, 07:07 PM	#2
WittyUserName WOOOHOOO Join Date: Aug 2011 First Name: Adam Location: Virginia Posts: 1,455 Trading: (15)	Re: Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? She might want to look in Shirlington, it is not near a metro but there is a bus hub and inexpensive cab rides into arlington and nearby metro stations. Also talk to the new member Jonser, he lives in alexandria and might be able to give more current advice than myself. Good luck!! On a side note, I will be moving to alexandria in March __________________ Check out the TROOP support Forums It is THIS easy to Support the troops

07-31-2012, 08:23 PM	#3
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,658 Trading: (63)	Re: Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? Try Ballston and Clarendon- closer to Arlington than Alexandria, but close to Metro. __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

07-31-2012, 11:26 PM	#4
Sauer Grapes Snatchin' yo people up Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,235 Trading: (44)	Re: Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? Shirlington may be within her budget for a studio. Ballston probably won't be. Unfortunately, her best bet is to look elsewhere besides the major apartment complexes. Smaller apartment buildings with only a few units are a good bet. They are tougher to find though. She can probably meet her budget south of the beltway in Alexandria, but the area isn't near as good as the parts of Alexandria that are inside the beltway.

08-01-2012, 06:44 AM	#5
Joneser172 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? I have lived in a couple of apartments in Arlington and it's going to be tough for her to find a place in a desirable neighborhood (i.e. near a metro) for 1300 a month unless she finds a roommate. As an example, I just moved out of a small 1 bed, 1 bath apartment in Shirlington which ran about 2k a month before parking and utilities which was another couple hundo. A few years ago I lived in Ballston with a roommate and we paid 2500 for a 2 bed 2 bath but prices have gone up quite a bit since then (that was around 07-08). Alexandria can be a little less expensive, but again, anything near a metro gets a lot more pricey. I have a included a link below of an apartment complex right near my house. It appears to be in her price range and the apartments look ok. Not great but pretty good. We are about 2 miles from a metro but there is bus access. I have met many people that live in these apartments and they all seem happy. I have not seen the inside though so that may be a factor. http://www.foxchaseofalexandriaapts....1002,1006,1007 I am not sure what her vehicle situation is like or where she will be working but if she is willing to commute, there are loads or places to live within 30-40 miles of DC that offer A LOT more for the money...she just will have to commute. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

08-01-2012, 10:02 AM	#6
dave Have My Own Room Join Date: May 2011 First Name: Dave Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,180 Trading: (15)	Re: Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? Some important things to consider before looking at specific units - As most above have said, think through the commute and what is important: close to metro station? nearest metro station with parking? drive to work? hours? with or against traffic? parking situation at home - street, garage, rented space, etc? hard to overstate that the traffic situation here can take over your life - Question assumptions and start with 'needs'. Is she alone/sig other/kids/etc. If alone (and even if not) consider some 'alternatives'. Lots of great basements/rooms/shared apts, etc that can be had much more economically than single units. When I moved out here a couple years ago I rented half the basement (south Alexandria) from a nice senior lady in a ritzy neighborhood. Was perfect for me for first year. $900 for place far bigger than a studio with bathroom and off-street parking just ten minutes from my work and no utility bills. Now I'm paying $1300 for 900SF 2BR townhouse in far lesser neighborhood and paying utilities on top of that. Landlord says will raise rent next time lease is up. If a unit looks too good to be true - rent, amenities, etc -- then take a hard look at safety of the area Watch Craigslist closely - at least a couple times a day -- good opportunities don't stay on there more than a day Good luck.

08-01-2012, 02:05 PM	#7
68TriShield Got Torque? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Maryland Posts: 7,184 Trading: (40)	Re: Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? Scott,RGD has lived there for two or three decades. Contact Ron as I'm sure he'll have some good intel.

08-01-2012, 06:15 PM	#8
MajorCaptSilly Sklee Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Mishawaka, IN Posts: 2,523 Trading: (30)	Re: Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? Thanks for the replies! She is finding that apartments in the city are a little out of reach. She is checking out Herndon and a couple other places today and tomorrow. I'm glad my wife is dealing with it and not me! MCS __________________ Pillsbury, Minneapolis, Prince, Spoon Bridge and Cherry, coinkydink?

08-02-2012, 07:58 AM	#9
tsolomon Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 1,240 Trading: (31)	Re: Anybody live in the Alexandria, VA area? There are other options out in Maryland like downtown Silver Spring. It's metro accessible and might be in your price range. If her workplace is close to a Metro station, then you should check the wmata.com site for the commuting options by rail and bus.