# Where to live in DC. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 13, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-dc/550101 "2010-08-13T00:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-dc/550101/1 "2010-08-13T00:12:00Z")
I’ve just accepted a position in Springfield, Virginia. I’m a single 26 year old male. Ideally I’d like: [ul] [li]Less than a 30 minute drive to work.[/li][li]Walking distance to restaurants/bars/things to do or public transportation to take me to said places.[/li][li]Other youngish people around[/li][li]~$1200/month or less in rent[/li][/ul] Arlington seems to be too expensive. Alexandria? In Washington? Work will start at ~7, so I should miss most of rush hour. If you’re familiar with Chicago, I’d like something similar to Wicker Park or Bucktown. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-dc/550101/2 "2010-08-13T00:24:51Z")
Try Rosslyn, VA. We lived there for awhile: close to metro, right across the river from WDC. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-dc/550101/3 "2010-08-13T01:35:51Z")
Well, your biggest problem is that the job is in Springfield, and the walking stuff is not. What size apartment do you need for your $1200/month? Unfortunately, Springfield is a traffic misery. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-dc/550101/4 "2010-08-13T02:18:21Z")
I’d look at Del Ray. Lots of good restaurants and shops, relatively cheap rent, good neighborhood. The Birchmere is close by for good music. All of Arlington and Alexandria is close by, and Springfield is easy to get to. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-dc/550101/5 "2010-08-13T03:45:30Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > I’d look at Del Ray. Lots of good restaurants and shops, relatively cheap rent, good neighborhood. The Birchmere is close by for good music. All of Arlington and Alexandria is close by, and Springfield is easy to get to. Ummm. Birchmere. Seldom Scene. Old days. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-dc/550101/6 "2010-08-13T04:23:28Z")
Anything in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor in Arlington would be pretty much the sort of neighborhood you’re looking for, and it shouldn’t be hard to find a small apartment in your price range. I live in Ballston, and I’ve got a one-bedroom I pay $1,000/month for. Metro commute to Springfield would be a pain, though - you’d probably want to drive. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-to-live-in-dc/550101/7 "2010-08-13T06:20:47Z")
Certainly not in DC, the drive would just suck.