We are looking at vrbo rentals in Alexandria and Bethesda.
The Bethesda site says: Located in North Bethesda, Maryland on the METRO Red Line 300 feet to the Grosvenor-Strathmore Station
The Alexandria site saysld world charm within minutes of Washington, DC. Your condo sits in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.
We will be sightseeing to the White House, several Smithsonian museums, Library of Congress, lighted night tour, etc.
I would appreciate any comments on the pros and cons of each location.
Thank you.

Is it possible to get an address for either?

An address would be helpful. However, if the Alexandria condo is really in the heart of Old Town, it will be a little walk to the King Street metro.

Old Town would be my choice because it is a great place to stroll in the evening after you have finished your day with the monuments and museums--but make sure it is really in Old Town. Grosvenor is much less desirable in this respect, totally residential with no pedestrian life, but being so handy to Metro is a plus.
If you choose vrbo in order to save money by cooking, you don't need the shops and restaurants that make Old Town so attractive. And if you have a car, my guess is that you'd find parking much more difficult in Old Town

Pretty much agree with kayd. Old Town (if it really is in Old Town) has much more going on once u return to your place. There is nothing near the Grovesnor Metro stop. Strathmore is next door and nice. Strathmore has have various concerts and music events. Also a nice museum shop and nice shows occasionally, but that would hardly occupy u for the length of your trip.
http://www.strathmore.org/planyourvi...onsparking.asp
I don't think parking is that easy in the area surrounding Grosvenor. Addresses or the vrbo listing would help.

North Bethesda is a term that came into being a few years ago-- real estate is worth more in Bethesda than Rockville. North Bethesda used to be called Rockville. Google that Metro Station and see how far out in the burbs it is. Old Town is not a burb. It's a destination in itself. And it is convenient to DC as well -- though (like "Bethesda, Capital Hill" and other desireable neighborhoods) Old Town designations should be verified.

Sorry, posted too quick. I agree with everyone who said Old Town ( as long as it is truly Old Town). Can think of no pros for the other.

300 ft from the Grosvenor metro is nowhere you want to be. It's in the middle of nowhere, practically. I mean nothing is within walking distance that I can think of but Strathmore, which is a music and performing arts center. I imagine it's one of those townhouses along that street running off from Strathmore.

I can't think of any pros whatsoever to that location, except if you like the place and it's a roof over your head.

Actually 300 ft from the Grosvenor metro is just that --near the metro and convenient for that reason alone. As I said above I think Old Town would be better, but Grosvenor is 2 stops from Bethesda where there are lots of shops and tons of restaurants. One stop in the other direction is a big shopping mall, White Flint, which has restaurants and movie theaters. So nothing really convenient re walking, but less than 10 minutes metro ride away there is stuff.

We will be sightseeing to the White House, several Smithsonian museums, Library of Congress, lighted night tour, etc.

Have considered a VRBO rental in DC?

You all have been so helpful!! Flying blind by not knowing an area is stressful
I have requested exact addresses for the two properties.
I am also looking at a condo in Columbia Heights; the address is 3504 13th St. N.W. Anyone have information on this location? I read somewhere that Columbia Heights is somewhat of a risk because one block may be renovated and the other not, hency chancy?

here is a crime map for DC

http://crimemap.dc.gov/presentation/query.asp

Good site that vjb provided. Take a look at it. U r correct in that Columbia Heights is a neighborhood still in transition. I don't know the exact location, but within a couple blocks of the condo there has been a radical change in the last 5-10 years or so -- big box stores and the metro green line opened. Lots of rennovation of the houses and new condos. Lots of people walking around. In general u would still need to take the metro to get to the sites u plan to see, but a lot closer in obviously then Grosvenor or Old Town. Its an ok neighborhood, but far from one on the top of my list in DC. I used to live a 10 minute walk from there.
R u from a big city and comfortable walking around in an urban area? It definitely not one that has tourists walking around.

I have an address for North Bethesda:
10300 Rockvile Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Still awaiting an address for Alexandria; with the time difference, it will probably be tomorrow.

I used to work in downtown Chicago, but my husband and the couple who are traveling with us may feel uncomfortable. I'll check out the link for the crime map.

I just checked a couple of condos in DuPont Circle; one is not available for our travel dates and the other is $70 more per day, plus $20 parking.

We may rent a car for a few days to see outlying areas: still looking into transportation opportunities to Gettysburg, etc.

Again, thank you all for your help.

Susan (aka Mom Arizona

The Rockville Pike location is just what we have all said. It's a busy thoroughfare and a very residential area, but very near the Redline Grosvenor Metro stop. Once u got there after a day of sightseeing, u would not be within walking distance of anything and walking along Rockville Pike is not advisable. If you plan on keeping a car your whole visit, u could easily drive to some nice places for dinner or strolling in the evening.
U can look at the Metro site http://www.wmata.com/ and see how long it would take u to get to the various places u plan to visit.

Dupont Circle is a great location. What about Capital Hill? Any rentals there?

I was thinking Capitol Hill too - there are a bunch within a few blocks of Eastern Market Metro station.

Thank you all for your comments.
We have booked in Alexandria at the Concord Crystal Springs. The website pictures look good and the folks at Basic Overnight Quarters were extremely helpful.
Again, thank you all for your time.

Did they give you an address?

If you look around the Basic Overnight Quarters Web site, there is a place called Concord Crystal City, which is in Crystal City, which is not Alexandria. Maybe this is where the OP is going to stay.

Yes, on that website, I see nothing in Alexandria with "Crystal" in its name. The "crystal" property in Arlington is at 2600 Crystal Drive, which is about 8 blocks from the Crystal City Metro station on 18th street. Not a bad walk, and there are a bunch of restaurants around 23rd and Crystal drive, but it is miles from Old Town.