DC area Dopers: could you share your knoweldge with me please?

[Nightsong]

Yae, me: I have a tentative job offer, contingent on the usual background/security check. However, the job offer is in DC, and I'm currently in Memphis. This means, obviously enough, that I'll be relocating in the not-so-distant future.

However, I have yet to set foot in the DC area, and I know that even if I get a chance to look around before accepting the formal offer, I simply will not be able to pick up enough critical knowledge in time to do me any good. And there's only so much real estate shows on HGTV can tell me, eh?

So DC area Dopers, can you help me fill in the massive gaps in my knowledge and give me some tips on the good, the bad, and the ugly in the area? I do know that the Blue line will get me closest to my potential work place, but I've been hampered in my on-line searching by not really knowing which areas have easy access to it and which do not.

Thanks ever so much!

___
<< Standards are crucial. And the best thing about standards is: there are so many to choose from! >>

[Mama Zappa]

Anything which is both walking distance to the Metro, and in a safe neighborhood, is likely to be pricey, living-wise.

There are lots of places along the Orange line in Virginia which have walking-distance apartments etc. but they're pricey. However, many, many people either drive to Metro and park, or take a bus.

I don't know if kids / spouse are factors; if not, that gives you more flexibility in living places. Lots of fun, funky places in the District. In general avoid Southeast for living. I would not live in the District with kids, on average, unless I could afford private schools. Not to say there are no decent public schools - thinking Northwest - but on average the public schools aren't great.

I know the Virginia side of things better than Maryland but you'll find similar costs, I would think.

Virginia (state-wise) tends to be more conservative politically. Northern Virginia (especially Fairfax County) bucks that trend. A lot of gay couples moved out of the state when laws were passed a few years ago limiting their rights (even if spelled out in contracts), e.g. hospital visitation.

Grocery shopping, from when we lived in the District nearly 20 years ago, was pretty grim. We tended to drive out to the suburbs for better prices and selection.

What station is the job near? Someone here will recognize it and be able to comment on that immediate area, I'm sure.

You might want to see about a short-term rental when you first get here. Oakwood is one apartment chain that has corporate apartments; that can be a way to get a little acclimated before committing to anything, housing-wise (purchase or long-term lease).

Housing prices for purchase are still a bit nutso but have dropped a bit in the last year or so. I don't know about rentals.

Traffic can be horrid. Metro is crowded but can be more relaxing especially if you snag a seat.

[Patty O'Furniture]

I predict an overabundance of condos in midtown DC in the very near future resulting in the normalization of their prices. At the moment they are outrageously expensive (600 sq. foot 1 BR from the low $500's!) but developers continue to build and build and the economy continues to wither. However that probably doesn't help you now.

I do know that the Blue line will get me closest to my potential work place, but I've been hampered in my on-line searching by not really knowing which areas have easy access to it and which do not.

Are you asking what neighborhoods are along the blue line? Eastern Market or Potomac Ave is probablty your best bet. Most everything else is too close to a business or shopping district and will be too expensive. I rarely ever get out of the city so I can't comment on housing in the 'burbs.

[Wendell Wagner]

Tell us more about where your job is. "Near the Blue Line" covers a lot of territory. We're going to have to know more than that.

[divemaster]

I've lived the last 6-7 years in the Manassas area and am closing on a house next week a little further out, in Gainesville. I commute into the city on VRE. That's the commuter train; like Amtrak. It takes about an hour on the train each way, but that's time you can spend reading, napping, working on your laptop, doing a crossword, whatever. The VRE makes several stops that are only a 5 minute walk from the Metro (and on the Blue line).

Living out this far is good if you want the typical suburban lifestyle. You know, Home Depot, Best Buy, lots of shopping centers and grocery stores. A 20-30 minute drive (off peak) takes you into Fairfax or Annandale where there is a TON of Korean retail, grocery, cafe, and restaurants.

And with home prices the way they are now, it's a great time to buy. The house we are closing on was built in 2005. Sold then for $700,000 and we are getting it for $387,000. Lots of similar deals out this way.

And of course you can still hit DC on the weekends. Drive or Metro. Other nice places to check out (not in DC) are Old Town Alexandria and Occaquan.

Feel free to ask specifics about the Manassas / PWC experience. I'm somewhat familiar with DC, but mainly for things related to the commute and touristy things. Not so much the out-of-the-way places.

[Nightsong]

Well, the closest station to where I'd be would be the Farragut West station: on the map that looks like it's pretty much smack in the middle of the route.

It'd be just me, myself, and I: and for the first year or so I'd just be looking to rent, I know it's going to take quite some time before I'd be in a solid enough financial situation to even think about buying something in the area.

My main two criteria are that I have a safe, preferably covered, place to park my car and have easy access to the bus line/metro so I can avoid driving to work. I have no compelling need to live in DC proper, but on the flip side I would prefer not to have to spend half of my day commuting.

Good info on the grocery shopping, Mama Zappa: I suspect that I'll be trundling to one of the Costcos that are in the area to get some of the non-perishable staples. Too bad it looks like only one of them has a gas station, unless I missed it on their website.

[Mr. Excellent]

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

I would not live in the District with kids, on average, unless I could afford private schools. Not to say there are no decent public schools - thinking Northwest - but on average the public schools aren't great.

On the other hand, if you've got reasonably smart kids, School Without Walls is a "magnet" public school that accepts students from all over the city. Good teachers, engaged students, and a policy of encouraging teachers to take their kids out of the building during class to take mini-field-trips around the city. The building's not in great shape, but I'd send my kids there without hesitation. If, Ford Forbid, I had kids.

[Mr. Excellent]

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

Grocery shopping, from when we lived in the District nearly 20 years ago, was pretty grim. We tended to drive out to the suburbs for better prices and selection.

This isn't really true any more. We've got two Whole Foods - one at the Tenleytown stop, right on the Red Line - assorted Giants/Safeways, a Harris Teeter, and so on.

If you're living by yourself, I'd strongly suggest looking into a group house - it's a lot cheaper than getting your own place, most of the time. Check "shared housing" on Craigslist.

[Mr. Excellent]

Originally Posted by Nightsong

Well, the closest station to where I'd be would be the Farragut West station: on the map that looks like it's pretty much smack in the middle of the route.

If the place you're working at is near Farragut West, it's probably also near Farragut North, on the Red Line - the two stations are pretty close together. You can check this on www.wmata.com. If your work is walkable from the Farragut North station, then it might make sense for you to look into places near the Red Line as well as the Blue - that'll give you a lot more options.

Another option I'd recommend is Alexandria, Virginia - a bit of a longer metro ride, but it's on the Blue Line, and a bit cheaper than DC. It's also a fun little city in its own right.

[madmonk28]

I own a house in DC, but am currently living abroad. Traffic will be a real issue, consider living near where you work, it will really have an impact on the quality of your life. I find the traffic in the suburbs just unbearable, even a little ways outside of city limits.

With all due respect to Mama Zappa, what she said about southeast is not really accurate anymore, large parts of southeast is still some of the hottest real estate in the country and very safe. Schools remain a problem in the city, but it is improving.

I really like living in the city and as Patty said, there is a glut of condos on the
market which could mean apatments are becoming more affordable. I think DC really offers the best of small town and city life. A lot of the neighborhoods really have a close-knit and friendly feel, but with easy access to everything you want from a city.

[Lute Skywatcher]

Originally Posted by Mr. Excellent

If you're living by yourself, I'd strongly suggest looking into a group house - it's a lot cheaper than getting your own place, most of the time. Check "shared housing" on Craigslist.

Also browse the rooms for rent section in the Washington City Paper classifieds. Sharing a home is a great way to get to know the area before you start looking for your own place.

[Wendell Wagner]

Nightsong, if all you're worried about is finding a place that's within commuting distance by Metro of your workplace, you don't have to limit yourself to the Blue Line or the Red Line. The Metro lines are connected. You can live pretty much anywhere in the Washington area if transportation is all that's relevant. What's the maximum amount of time you're willing to spend on the Metro going one-way each day? How soon does your job start? Can you come to D.C. for a visit beforehand? Perhaps we can have a Dopefest for your visit here and advise you.

[BetsQ]

I second the recommendation to look along the red line. If living in the city is too $$$, you could look in Takoma Park or Silver Spring. There are lots of apt buildings in Silver Spring that might fit the bill.

But, if you can afford to live in the city and schools are not an issue, look into Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights, Logan Circle, Adams Morgan. (Dupont is within walking distance of Farragut Square.) What do you think you might want to spend on rent?

[Captain Amazing]

Have you thought about the Route 1 corridor in Fairfax county? It's within driving distance to the Yellow and Blue lines (or even walking distance if you get an apartment/condo close enough to the Huntington Metro), there's a lot of retail stores on Route 1 (there's a Walmart, a Giant, a Shoppers Food Warehouse, etc.), and even though the area had a bad reputation in the past, it's really cleaned up.

[Renob]

Originally Posted by Nightsong

Well, the closest station to where I'd be would be the Farragut West station: on the map that looks like it's pretty much smack in the middle of the route.

I used to work right above the Farragut West station. I lived in DC and walked to work. It was about a 20 minute walk, but outside of a few rainy days a year that was fine. You can find apartments within the Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, and George Washington University areas that are close to Farragut West. I was lucky when I moved to DC ten years ago that there were still plenty of crummy areas that finding cheap rent wasn't as much of a problem as it is today. Your best bet, honestly, is to print out a listing of apartment buildings in these areas and just start calling them up, asking their prices. That's what I did. It is, of course, advisable to visit them before you agree on a price. It takes some work, but you might luck out. When I found a place in 1999 I was able to snag a roomy studio apartment in a building with a nice pool on the roof for $475 a month, all utilities included.

[Nightsong]

I'm going to replying a bit randomly here, so there's a chance I may miss anything that was asked of me. If so, I'm not ignoring you, just that my eyes are crossing from looking at apartments.com for most of the day! I'm also taking notes on the areas suggested, so I have some sort of framework to narrow my searches with.

Originally Posted by Wendell Wagner

What's the maximum amount of time you're willing to spend on the Metro going one-way each day? How soon does your job start? Can you come to D.C. for a visit beforehand? Perhaps we can have a Dopefest for your visit here and advise you.

Well, I don't want to have large chunks of my day chewed up by my commute, especially since I've been spoiled by living withing 15-30 minutes of almost everywhere I want/need to go. I'd prefer closer to 30 minutes, but my absolute max is an hour if that means I get a place that is otherwise perfect. Time frame for job start is at this point about two months: 30 to 45 days for the security/background check, plus the turn around time needed for me to get me and my stuff from point A to point B.

And actually, I do have one other major criteria for a place that I forgot to mention: either a washer/dryer in unit, or the hookups for it. (Washer only is acceptable.) Lugging laundry about is not my idea of fun.

I'm trying to see about arranging a day or two there (possibly not consecutively), but the chances are I won't know exactly when until just before it happens. Worst case, I'd be up for a Dopefest once I get there: it'll be a good way for me to figure out my way around!

Originally Posted by Captain Amazing

Have you thought about the Route 1 corridor in Fairfax county?

Actually no, since I don't know enough about to area to realize that that area could be an option. I'll have to jot that down while I do my searching.

Lute Skywatcher: good link for the classifieds, although I think I'm going to shoot for my own place instead of shared. I've spent way too long living under the same roof as others and I am quite willing to pay the premium for my own place. Although as has been mentioned in this thread, I may do some of the temp/short term housing as an interim thing, a lot may depend on the logistics of getting my stuff there.

BetsQ: I'm looking to spend preferably no more than $1500/month, including any parking fees but excluding utilities.

Originally Posted by divemaster

A 20-30 minute drive (off peak) takes you into Fairfax or Annandale where there is a TON of Korean retail, grocery, cafe, and restaurants.

Ooo! It's been ages since I've been in an area with a decent Korean presense, it'd be nice to have more than two or three choices for Korean food again.

Again, thanks everyone for your help so far: I know I don't know much about the area,

[Mama Zappa]

Originally Posted by Nightsong

And actually, I do have one other major criteria for a place that I forgot to mention: either a washer/dryer in unit, or the hookups for it. (Washer only is acceptable.) Lugging laundry about is not my idea of fun.

Is a laundry room *in the building* an acceptable alternative? I don't know how common in-unit washers are in apartments; my take is "not very", especially in an apartment tailored to a single person.

While I love having my own washer/dryer, when I lived in New York in the early 90s the laundry room downstairs was fine - the advantage of course was that I could do 3-4 loads simultaneously. When we first moved to DC, by contrast, there was not only no facility in the building, the only nearby one was on a scary-looking block. As a result, we would load all our laundry **into the car**.... and drive out to the suburbs. Or take it with us when we visited family out of town and do it there :-P

[Mama Zappa]

Originally Posted by Captain Amazing

Have you thought about the Route 1 corridor in Fairfax county? It's within driving distance to the Yellow and Blue lines (or even walking distance if you get an apartment/condo close enough to the Huntington Metro), there's a lot of retail stores on Route 1 (there's a Walmart, a Giant, a Shoppers Food Warehouse, etc.), and even though the area had a bad reputation in the past, it's really cleaned up.

Interesting to hear - I don't pay that much attention to it (even though I drive across and down Route 1 fairly often). Route 1 itself is pretty much strip-development hell, but go a block or two off of it and yes, there's a lot more residential stuff. There are sure to be lots of buses that run along that way also, which will feed into the Huntington Metro. There is also a lot of parking available at the Metro (though I don't know how early in the morning that fills up).

[Scuba_Ben]

For completeness, Farragut West is also on the Orange Line, which goes west into Clarendon, Ballston, Falls Church, and Vienna. The Clarendon-Ballston corridor has been undergoing major redevelopment for several years, and has several shiney new / recent condo high-rises.

[BetsQ]

I think you can most likely find something in your price range, although in the city it will probably be a studio or small one bedroom. Good luck with your search! If you find something that sounds good but want a second opinion on location, let us know.

[Caffeine.addict]

I think Arlington might be your best bet. Most apartments in DC and Arlington won't have parking and a washer dryer in the unit unless you are willing to pay a chunk of change. They will have a laundry room in the building. With the exception of the washer dryer in the unit, I would look for an apartment in River Place in Arlington. Here
is a link to a Craigslist search for River Place and it looks like they have a few units available. It is a coop and a lot of owners rent out their units.

You can rent parking there. It is located at the Roslyn Metro stop in Arlington which is on the blue line and the orange line. It is a relatively quiet area since it is mainly office buildings but you can walk to Clarendon and Georgetown which have nightlife in addition to using the Metro to go into the city.

I lived there for a while until we bought a place in DC. It was a very convenient location since there is a supermarket you can walk to and more than one drycleaners nearby that you can go to.

[Captain Amazing]

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

There are sure to be lots of buses that run along that way also, which will feed into the Huntington Metro. There is also a lot of parking available at the Metro (though I don't know how early in the morning that fills up).

They're adding parking right now, actually....they're renovating the Huntington South metro garage. I actually live in that area, and when I get to the metro stop (around 8:30-8:45) there's usually spaces open. So, i don't think parking there would be a major problem for the OP.

[Nightsong]

Mama Zappa: Based on my experience with the laundry area at my boyfriend's apartments, I'd say 'in the building' would be entirely dependent on the quality of the units, but my highest preference is still for at least a washer in the unit. Nothing like half the washers and/or dryers being out of order, or do such a crappy job they may as well be out of order, and no where to get change. I have visited people who have much better on-site/in-building washing areas, and the ones that are well kept aren't quite as bad, but I still dislike lugging laundry about.

BetsQ: Oh I will: I may take it to PM though unless for some reason a lot of people are interested in peering at my list of potentials. I know how creative places can be when trying to minimize potential issues! (Pictures that conveniently don't show the local jail next door, or the garbage dump...)

Caffeine.addict: Interestingly enough, so far my initial blind searches have been turning up a lot in the Arlington area (second 'most popular' area is Silver Spring).

[Caffeine.addict]

Post it in the thread. There are a few of us who live in the area and I would imagine between us we can tell you if it is a good area or not. I've lived in a few places in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and DC proper so I am pretty familiar with the areas and in Arlington with the rental properties.

[Nightsong]

Here are two places that caught my eye, but for different reasons: I'm slowly narrowing down lists of possibilities, and feedback on these two would really help me calibrate my search.

Windsor at Arbors, in Alexandria. The presence of a car care center is nice, as is a weekday shuttle to the nearest metro station. However, using Google Maps to look at the nearby area shows a lot of apartment complexes, retail, and other buildings I can't quite figure out. It's also right off what looks like a major road. Mixed use areas are fine with me, as it means I don't necessarily need to travel as far to get what I need/want, but I'm not sure how decent of an area that is.

Park Station, in Gaithersburg. One garage parking space included, which is nice, and Google Maps shows what looks like to be more residential than commercial in the immediate area. There's a variety of floor plans in my price range, and a MARC station within walking distance. (I assume that from Union Station it'd be relatively easy to transfer to other transportation services.) However, I have no real feel for how long of a commute I'd be looking at: if it's an acceptable amount, this would give me a better idea of how far out my search radius can be.

[Renob]

Nightsong, both those complexes are a pretty far metro ride from Farragut West. I had a friend who lived around the Windsor at Arbors area and it took him about an hour to get to town. Plus he never got a seat during rush hour because Van Dorn is the second stop on the Blue Line and the cars were already full by the time he got on the train. The neighborhood is pretty nice, though. A mall is nearby and the neighborhood has one of the few remaining bowling alleys in the area located there.

As far as Gaithersburg goes, it's pretty far out there. You'll have a serious commute with that one.

Keep looking. I think you can find a closer place.

[Kakofonous]

Check out places that are accessible to the Eisenhower metro stop in Alexandria. East of the stop are highrises and the area is often called the Carlyle area. West of the stop, along Eisenhower Ave are a number of apartment communities that look similar to those you posted. Many of these places are walking distance to the metro and there's a DASH bus that runs along there (I've found metros website to be unreliable with incorporating the non-Metro buses, DASH is Alexandria cities bus service). Many of the communities probably run shuttles. Eisenhower is a yellow line stop and you'll <almost> always be able to get a seat. You could change to blue at King St, but I'd be more inclined to take the yellow into the city and change to blue/orrange at L'Enfant. You'll also be able to change to the red at Gallery Place. Having choices for metro makes for some much more pleasant commutes (especially evening commutes).

[jimmmy]

Originally Posted by Nightsong

Park Station, in Gaithersburg. One garage parking space included, which is nice, and Google Maps shows what looks like to be more residential than commercial in the immediate area. There's a variety of floor plans in my price range, and a MARC station within walking distance. (I assume that from Union Station it'd be relatively easy to transfer to other transportation services.) However, I have no real feel for how long of a commute I'd be looking at: if it's an acceptable amount, this would give me a better idea of how far out my search radius can be.

It is about a 39 minute MARC Ride from the the Gaithersburg MARC stop to Union Station. It is 6 minutes on Metro from Union Station (down an escalator to get Metro) to Farragut West.

You can walk to the G-Burg MARC Stop from Park Station. It is a walk through what I would guess is a +80% Hispanic neighborhood. I haven't read of an overabundance of crime there. If seeing Hispanic signs and people walking around creeps you out this might not be the walk for you.

I would say, in traffic, it might be a 12 minute drive from Park Station to the Shady Grove Metro Station. It is a 32 minute metro ride from Shady Grove to Farragut West.

If you want excitement and adventure this might not be an ideal place - this isn't a swinging singles place. I would say a young person on the go needs a car to go to entertainment. It is the closest to a metro and safest place in this price range that I know Northwest of DC if you want your own place and don't want to share.

[Patty O'Furniture]

Plus he never got a seat during rush hour because Van Dorn is the second stop on the Blue Line and the cars were already full by the time he got on the train.

This might not be a problem if you can shift your workday an hour earlier. I don't have blue line experience, but on the green line many of the cars are virtually empty if I can get to the metro by 7-ish. If I get to the station around 8-ish then I will likely be standing. Added benefit is that you'll probably leave work an hour early and beat the p.m. rush as well.

[Nightsong]

Thanks everyone! I'll take the information and refine my search further, and probably have a few more to get feedback on by Monday. This has been extremely helpful.

[Caffeine.addict]

It might help us if you tell us a bit more of what kind of neighborhood you want. Do you want a quiet suburb, or a more urban scene with nightlife?

[Nightsong]

My preferences are actually rather muddled when it comes to neighborhoods: I've lived in all kinds of areas, know the positives and negatives of the various types and how to make the most of them.

Ideally, I'd be in either a quieter area (urban or suburban) with easy access to more lively spots, or smack in the middle of a lively spot so long as the place I'm at is quiet and easy to get to. I don't want to feel like I have to fight to get home every time, or that my place is besieged on all sides by people wanting to have a good time.

On the flip side, what I don't want is a quiet area where I have to spend a chunk of time traveling to more lively spots. It's one thing to choose to go to that great restaurant (for instance) that happens to be a thirty to forty-five minute drive away, it's another thing if there simply isn't anything closer to go to.

And for me, lively doesn't include bars and clubs: I'm more of a coffee shop, cafe, restaurant, bookstore, etc., kind of gal.

[Mama Zappa]

Originally Posted by Nightsong

Here are two places that caught my eye, but for different reasons: I'm slowly narrowing down lists of possibilities, and feedback on these two would really help me calibrate my search.

Windsor at Arbors, in Alexandria. The presence of a car care center is nice, as is a weekday shuttle to the nearest metro station. However, using Google Maps to look at the nearby area shows a lot of apartment complexes, retail, and other buildings I can't quite figure out. It's also right off what looks like a major road. Mixed use areas are fine with me, as it means I don't necessarily need to travel as far to get what I need/want, but I'm not sure how decent of an area that is.
...

I live not that far from there - nearer the Franconia-Springfield Metro, off the very southern end of Van Dorn (google "Kingstowne"). I checked the Windsor at Arbors location using Google maps - I was thinking of a completely different complex a couple of blocks west (right at the intersection of Van Dorn and Duke Street).

It's sort of in a niche surrounded by apartments (low-rise and high-rise) and some industrial / warehouse stuff; Pickett Street is really not "residential". Well, there are some townhouses along it, because its location is convenient, but it's not the loveliest of areas. It is indeed convenient to (though not really walkable) to the Van Dorn metro. On the plus side, it is very convenient to all the major highways. Few blocks to 395 via Duke Street, mile or so to the Beltway (Van Dorn street exit); The nearby mall, Landmark Mall, is... sort of mixed. It was being converted from an outdoor mall to an indoor one about the time we moved here in the late 80s. Its anchor stores are Sears and Macy's (formerly Hecht's). I've shopped there for clothing when it was Hecht's; I'm sure Macy's is comparable (I usually go to a different Macy's). It in general doesn't attract the same sort of traffic the other big NoVA malls do; IIRC (we usually only go there when we need something at Sears) it's missing a few of the standard chain stores. http://www.landmarkmall.com/html/storedirectory.asp

Another mall not too far from there is Springfield Mall, though that is getting rather run-down and attracts a bit too much of the "teen hangout" crowd. We go to Springfield Mall because it's very close and we buy the kids' clothing there; as a professional female I really wouldn't expect you to go there too often. Really you'd probably shop at Pentagon City (Macy's / Nordstrom, and on the Blue line), Tyson's Corner (everything, just hideous traffic and labyrinthine parking area, but famous) or even Fair Oaks malls more often.

You're about equidistant between two Target stores (Springfield Mall and Skyline Mall, about a mile west of 395 on route 7). Skyline might be a bit closer, though I seem to recall the parking was not free (my memory could be bad; I used to work in an office building attached to Skyline so I only ever shopped there on my lunch break). There is plenty of other shopping (groceries etc.) on Van Dorn, on Duke Street, and you're not too far from Old Town Alexandria which is good for restaurants and more interesting shops. Wal-Mart is 5ish miles away, ditto Kohl's, and you'd be a short distance from two major movie theatres (AMC Hoffman Center, on Eisenhower Ave - 22 theatres, and Kingstowne 16).

You will need to take transportation (bus / shuttle) if you want to use the Van Dorn metro for commuting. There is a parking lot there, but it's not a huge one. I'm not sure how early it fills up but back when Franconia was not open, there were times where I had to drive to Huntington since I'd missed the parking spaces at Van Dorn. I wouldn't fret about standing-room-only; even if you don't get a seat, that's not that unusual. You'll figure out the timing. And of course in the evening, you'd be going through one of (if not *the*) busiest stations in the system so it's likely you wouldn't get a seat in the evenings anyway.

There are all sorts of apartments along Van Dorn Street, which advertise Metro transport. I drove by this one just today (not recommending, just happened to see it so it stuck in my mind: Ridgeleigh . Though googling the place, I can't see a reference to a metro shuttle; perhaps they did away with that when it went to new management recently. In any case, that site might be useful for researching other places in VA.

[Caffeine.addict]

I am somewhat familiar with the area around the Windsors. It is a residential area with some commercial activity around it. S. Pickett has a bunch of car dealerships on it as well as a strip mall with a Home Depot.

In terms of nightlife, you are about 15 minutes by car from Old Town Alexandria which has some restaurants and bars. There isn't much around Landmark in terms of going out.

For some reason, as long as I can remember Landmark Mall has always been somewhat dead. Even the Old Navy Store there closed.

Does the complex offer a shuttle bus to the Metro?

[Mama Zappa]

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

.Landmark Mall...Its anchor stores are Sears and Macy's (formerly Hecht's). ...http://www.landmarkmall.com/html/storedirectory.asp

Correcting myself, there *is* a Lord and Taylor there also. I'd forgotten that (haven't shopped there though I should try, I like the L&T clothing department at their Fair Oaks and Tyson's locations).

[Future Londonite]

Originally Posted by Nightsong

My preferences are actually rather muddled when it comes to neighborhoods: I've lived in all kinds of areas, know the positives and negatives of the various types and how to make the most of them.

Ideally, I'd be in either a quieter area (urban or suburban) with easy access to more lively spots, or smack in the middle of a lively spot so long as the place I'm at is quiet and easy to get to. I don't want to feel like I have to fight to get home every time, or that my place is besieged on all sides by people wanting to have a good time.

On the flip side, what I don't want is a quiet area where I have to spend a chunk of time traveling to more lively spots. It's one thing to choose to go to that great restaurant (for instance) that happens to be a thirty to forty-five minute drive away, it's another thing if there simply isn't anything closer to go to.

And for me, lively doesn't include bars and clubs: I'm more of a coffee shop, cafe, restaurant, bookstore, etc., kind of gal.

Have you considered Bethesda? It has a lot of the 'liveliness' you like plus it's on the Red Line (about 22mins to Farragut North). Bethesda has a lively dense 'towncentre' but things become quiet within a few blocks walk. Only downside to Bethesda are the prices (both rental and buying).....

Another nice area to live would Cleveland park or Tenleytown..........It all depends on how you much you are thinking of spending in rent

[Nightsong]

Originally Posted by Future Londonite

Have you considered Bethesda?

Actually, that's one of the areas that's been coming up on the searches: here is an example of something that's caught my eye. Rents seem reasonable, parking fee isn't astronomical, stuff seems to be close by.

In regards to the various remarks on the Windsors, one of the things that caught my eye about that was they offered a weekday shuttle service to the metro. Although with the comments about the nearby mall being a bit on the dead side, that is sort of worrying simply based on previous experience on seeing what happens to areas when there's a dead/dying mall there.

Something that I have noticed in my searches: a lot of places that seem to have undergone management changes, a lot of places (some of them the same places that have had a management turnover) offering some sort of move-in incentives. To me that indicates a market that's starting to struggle, which may or may not work in my favor. (I do wince at places that offer a 'make your mind up on the spot!' bonuses, why are they so desperate to get you to sign up right away?) Once in a while I see a place offering a discount for federal employees: does anyone have a feel for how frequent this kind of thing is?

I've fallen behind on my searching this weekend, my poor eyes needed a break. (And my sarcasm meter. I've found it makes searching much more bearable if I put a sarcastic spin on the listing information.)

Here's one that looked intriguing, although given the lack of information on-line about when the place is going to be complete I rather doubt this would be a serious contender: MetroPointe. Can't get any closer to a metro station than that! Beyond the usual 'what about the area?' issues, I'd be worried that I would feel under siege in this kind of place, and end up fighting traffic for when I want to drive somewhere else.

The next two are both in Silver Springs:
Woodvale, and Hampton Hollow.

Neither of these scream to me 'move in now' but they do seem to be places that I could live with/in for a year or two.

[Future Londonite]

Having lived in Kensington for 4 years (next to Wheaton) let me tell you that Wheaton will not have the liveliness that you are you looking for. In my opinion Wheaton is struggling and quite immigrant heavy......However it is home to the most authentic chinese food you can find in the DC area - Paul Kee

Silver 'Sprung' is nice and brandnew. Lots of brandnew apartmentbuildings are rising left and right, attracting new business. However somehow I find that Silver Spring lacks soul. A good friend of mine moved there after I left for Germany and what I read on his blog he seems to be loving life there so things might have changed......

Given your descriptions of what you like and are looking for I think Bethesda might actually be your best fit.

[Mama Zappa]

Originally Posted by Future Londonite

Having lived in Kensington for 4 years (next to Wheaton) let me tell you that Wheaton will not have the liveliness that you are you looking for. In my opinion Wheaton is struggling and quite immigrant heavy......However it is home to the most authentic chinese food you can find in the DC area - Paul Kee

Silver 'Sprung' is nice and brandnew. Lots of brandnew apartmentbuildings are rising left and right, attracting new business. However somehow I find that Silver Spring lacks soul. A good friend of mine moved there after I left for Germany and what I read on his blog he seems to be loving life there so things might have changed......

Given your descriptions of what you like and are looking for I think Bethesda might actually be your best fit.

Bethesda would probably be very good indeed (I don't know the area well at all but just from reputation). If you wanted Virginia, the Arlington / Ballston / Shirlington areas are all pretty hopping. In fact that Windsor place, following their links, has something near Shirlington.

Nightsong - that's an interesting observation about apartment ownership being a sign of "interesting" things with the rental market. There've been quite a lot of name changes near me - that Ridgeleigh place for one, and others actually in Kingstowne have undergone 2 or more name changes in the time we've lived there. Archstone had a lot of properties but I don't see their name so much any more. And certainly real estate around here's been wild for a few years. I don't pay too close attention to it, since we own and are planning on staying put for a long while.

The Washington Post has an apartment called "Apartment Life" (I think); some recent links are at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...032800583.html. Maybe there'll be some stuff there to give you ideas.

Will you have a chance to spend a few days in the area to look around? or are you going to have to practically pick a place sight unseen?

[Nightsong]

Originally Posted by Future Londonite

However it is home to the most authentic chinese food you can find in the DC area - Paul Kee

With a grin like that, dare I ask?

Originally Posted by Mama Zappa

Will you have a chance to spend a few days in the area to look around? or are you going to have to practically pick a place sight unseen?

I'm hoping that I'll get a chance to at least look around the area before relocating: I'm waiting on the formal offer to see what kinds, if any, of relocation assistance they'll offer. Worst case I show up, find a short-term stay unit for me and my clothes, and scramble to look at and get a place quickly, then get my stuff to me later. This thread is really going to help if that turns out to be the case, since I'll hopefully have a short list of potentials to visit.

I'm switching the bulk of my searches over to this site (link goes to one of the searches I've run on there, the other search simply swaps studio for one bedroom), as it seems to have a decent listing of apartments that otherwise don't have an on-line presence and it gives the last known rents, apartment types and sizes, amenities, and shows the location on a Google map.

[Future Londonite]

Originally Posted by Nightsong

With a grin like that, dare I ask?

Nothing is up with the grin (was meant to be a happy smile instead of a 'hehe' grin).......It simply is one of the best and most authentic chinese restaurants around (and I don't mean withn authentic having dogs or whatnot on the menu) - dumplings with actual pieces of shrimp and mushrooms instead of that sausagelike stuffing abomination that most places do, ginger chicken casserole but also more 'adventurous' dishes like sauteed duck tongues or fried ducks feet

[Nightsong]

Originally Posted by Future Londonite

Nothing is up with the grin (was meant to be a happy smile instead of a 'hehe' grin).......It simply is one of the best and most authentic chinese restaurants around (and I don't mean withn authentic having dogs or whatnot on the menu) - dumplings with actual pieces of shrimp and mushrooms instead of that sausagelike stuffing abomination that most places do, ginger chicken casserole but also more 'adventurous' dishes like sauteed duck tongues or fried ducks feet

Ooo, I will have to check them out then. By any chance do they do dim sum?

[Future Londonite]

Originally Posted by Nightsong

Ooo, I will have to check them out then. By any chance do they do dim sum?

Sadly no..............however for good dim sum you're better off crossing into North Virginia. Check out the Washington CityPaper - their restaurant reviews are pretty reliable. Plus I used to discover a bunch of new places through the "young and hungry" section.

[Caffeine.addict]

Originally Posted by Future Londonite

Silver 'Sprung' is nice and brand new. Lots of brand new apartment buildings are rising left and right, attracting new business. However somehow I find that Silver Spring lacks soul. A good friend of mine moved there after I left for Germany and what I read on his blog he seems to be loving life there so things might have changed......

I was there recently and still have that feeling. We went to the Town Center that they built there. It reminded me a little too much of other Town Centers and there weren't any restaurants or businesses there that didn't exist elsewhere. There are some places opening up that look pretty good like Ray's the Classics though, so that could be changing. Silver Spring has a Metro Station and is pretty close to the city so you could do a lot worse. It is also cheaper than Arlington and Bethesda. *

A lot of people I know find rentals through Craigslist so keep checking there as well. When we moved in 2005, we were paying 1200 a month for a 1 bedroom in Roslyn (an Arlington Neighborhood with a Metro Stop, across the river from Georgetown) with parking and most utilities included. The only thing we didn't have was a washer dryer but they had a laundry room in the building on the floor below ours. Our unit was individually owned and rented out. You may find a better deal renting from the unit owner.

* at least it was when I was looking but it has been a few years.

[shiftless]

Looks like Mama Zappa is living in my backyard.

If you plan to work in DC then Windsor at Arbors is no where near the best choice. Its quite a trek to the metro.

If I were a young man again, moving new to the area, I would consider Clarendon (sp) or Annandale (VA) around the Ballston area. Both near metro lines with things that can be easily walked to. I would think $1500 a month would get you something there.

Also consider the Yellow line. My wife drives to the metro, takes the Yellow, then Blue lines and she manages to get to work in about 30 miuntes. On the Yellow line you could find lots of nice places in Old town Alexandria, Crystal city or Potomac Yard .

One last piece of advice - If I had it to do over I would have rented a nice apartment for a couple of months, to do some local leg work, before settling on an area. Greater "DC" includes a lot of stuff.

[Mama Zappa]

Originally Posted by shiftless

Looks like Mama Zappa is living in my backyard.

If you plan to work in DC then Windsor at Arbors is no where near the best choice. Its quite a trek to the metro.

If I were a young man again, moving new to the area, I would consider Clarendon (sp) or Annandale (VA) around the Ballston area. Both near metro lines with things that can be easily walked to. I would think $1500 a month would get you something there.

Also consider the Yellow line. My wife drives to the metro, takes the Yellow, then Blue lines and she manages to get to work in about 30 miuntes. On the Yellow line you could find lots of nice places in Old town Alexandria, Crystal city or Potomac Yard .

One last piece of advice - If I had it to do over I would have rented a nice apartment for a couple of months, to do some local leg work, before settling on an area. Greater "DC" includes a lot of stuff.

That's an excellent suggestion (of course it must be, as it's exactly what we did!). We sublet a study apartment near Dupont Circle for about 5 months, to give us a chance to get more acquainted with the area. It was quite a dump, actually - the landlord was attempting to renovate the building (half-empty) without obtaining the proper permits, so he removed the furnace right about the time we moved in, leaving us with nothing but space heaters all winter. We were not yet 30, and in good health, and also on the third floor... the elderly woman on the first floor, who had a completely unheated basement below her, nearly froze. Cracked walls, roaches, a 1930s-era stove that *halfway* worked... But it was walkable to the Metro.

Maybe you could find something via Craigslist that would do for short-term (roommate situation).

Um, Ballston is not all that near Annandale; in fact nothing in Annandale would be all that near a Metro station. Ballston itself, however, is a great location (it's part of Arlington county). Ditto Clarendon. Both would have a fairly "urban" feel (high rises).

Windsor/Arbors may not be the *best* choice, but location-wise it's not all that awful - bearing in mind that there's not much "fun" nearby, it isn't walkable to the Metro, and I don't know what bus service options would be there if you miss the workday shuttle. Road access to any metro other than Van Dorn would sorta suck but is certainly doable if you wish to drive / park. You'd be going counter to the prevailing traffic to Franconia-Springfield (south on Van Dorn for about 3 miles, then west for 2ish miles). Traffic can be pretty bogged down getting to Huntington that time of day though.

[Wendell Wagner]

There is superb dim sum in Wheaton, MD at Hollywood East Cafe on the Boulevard:

http://hollywoodeastcafe.com/

[Nightsong]

Yum, places to get good food are always appreciated! (I'm pretty omnivorous: Chinese, Thai, Indian, Italian, so long as it isn't deep fried to death or trying to bite me back.)

On a non-housing hunt subject:

Looks like I'll need to obtain a front license plate bracket for my car, ah well. I see that there are inspections, and depending on where I end up X amount of days for me to transfer stuff over, but are there any issues I should keep an eye out for? Things that need to be done, or would be very helpful to have done, but aren't clearly spelled out on the respective DMV sites? At least I know my car won't have problems passing emissions.

[Caffeine.addict]

It depends on where you live. I've lived in Virginia and DC. If you choose to live in DC, there is only one inspection station. Try to go on a workday if possible and it would be better if you go in the middle of the week, preferably early in the morning. Getting your license in DC is a pain. You will need to have a bunch of paperwork but the DMV website will guide you through it. The DMV is a bit of the pain in the ass to get to. Don't drive there, take the Metro.

Virginia is generally easier since there are a ton of stations that can do inspections. There are multiple DMVs and for the most part they are relatively efficient.

[Cubsfan]

Originally Posted by divemaster

I've lived the last 6-7 years in the Manassas area and am closing on a house next week a little further out, in Gainesville. I commute into the city on VRE. That's the commuter train; like Amtrak. It takes about an hour on the train each way, but that's time you can spend reading, napping, working on your laptop, doing a crossword, whatever. The VRE makes several stops that are only a 5 minute walk from the Metro (and on the Blue line).

Living out this far is good if you want the typical suburban lifestyle. You know, Home Depot, Best Buy, lots of shopping centers and grocery stores. A 20-30 minute drive (off peak) takes you into Fairfax or Annandale where there is a TON of Korean retail, grocery, cafe, and restaurants.

And with home prices the way they are now, it's a great time to buy. The house we are closing on was built in 2005. Sold then for $700,000 and we are getting it for $387,000. Lots of similar deals out this way.

And of course you can still hit DC on the weekends. Drive or Metro. Other nice places to check out (not in DC) are Old Town Alexandria and Occaquan.

Feel free to ask specifics about the Manassas / PWC experience. I'm somewhat familiar with DC, but mainly for things related to the commute and touristy things. Not so much the out-of-the-way places.

I just bought a house in Wellington. We just moved here. I'm stunned at the number of Mexican immigrants here. It's unreal. South Georgetown is a real fucking nightmare too. I drive to Chantilly each day and need a better route than 28 or PW to 66. The commute can really blow.