Ok, I’ll add something constructive (maybe). I’ve lived here all my life. Traffic sucks. All the time. I live up in Montgomery Co. and if you get up early enough (5:45 am) you can get down to Springfield, VA in about 40 minutes. Getting back is another story, but again, if you leave early enough (3:30 pm) it’s usually okay. 66 - avoid like the plague. It stinks even on weekends. I don’t know how anyone can live out that way and get anywhere. Housing - it’s expensive. I bought a house that shot up 90K in one year. Lucky me. Not so lucky for anyone moving here. Apartments aren’t cheap either, but apparently they have lots of vacancies right now due to the low interest rates so maybe you can find a deal. And just to be a pain I’m going to disagree with the goodness of Silver Spring… but I hear Wheaton is nice. 
Thanks everyone! If you have any further advice keep it coming! I’ve been there, many times, but never considered I might be assigned there (I’m in an “Air Staff” position right now that I thought would give me credit and get me out of the pentagon–so they put me in the JCS).
By the way, I want to rent–not buy, would prefer a house since I own a full wood shop, and would love to commute–did it in Chicago for 8 years and gave me time to unwind after work/school.
Also, can any of you recommend any rental agencies or realtors we can contact.
Again, thanks a lot.
I’m not sure about the availability of houses to rent in Arlington but there’s most likely more choices further out. I suggest trying a community near one of the Virginia Railway Express lines.
Remember also that you can live further out and then drive to the nearest Metro station, which might be easier.
What are you looking for in terms of night life? For instance, if you like going out to restaurants and cultural stuff a lot, you’ll probably want to stick closer in to DC.
If you are more residential, suburban-type then I’ll agree to look to NoVA. I am renting a three-bedroom townhouse 10 minutes from the Ballston Metro stop for less than 2K per month.
Utilities aren’t that expensive. Not that I have much to compare it to. It’ll depend on how much you use your air conditioning. We just turn ours on for an hour or two after we come home if it’s really muggy out and then turn it off and the house stays pretty nice.
Yeah the Ballston area is really nice. I used to live there, paying $1567 (!) a month for a one bedroom apartment when I realized I could get a whole house for a little bit more a month in Courthouse. The whole Northern Arlington area is very nice, I think it would be a great place to start out in DC.
Turner, send me an e-mail, it’s in my profile. My uncle has been doing real estate in NOVA for 15 years and specializes in rentals. I can give you his contact info if you’d like.