I recently received a Conditional Offer of employment with the FBI (for the local Field Office or Headquarters) and US Department of State and would like to know what would be the BEST area to either rent or buy a condo.

I am a single woman and do not have a vehicle. I am looking to be centrally located near a metro.

I have heard great things about Foggy Bottom as far as rentals of apartments are concerned and would prefer to buy a condo at a reasonable cost since I want to start building equity.

Any recommendations as far as what would be the BEST place to either rent an apartment or buy a condo that would be centrally located for me if I were to get a final job offer from the State Department or the FBI (field office or heaquarter building).

I am not familiar with DC/VA and never ever have been there before so this is all sooo new to me.

If you have other recommendations please provide them along with the best areas that I should be looking into.

I have been told to check out: Fairfax, VA; Falls Church/McLean, VA; Tyson Corner; Foggy Bottom (Best); Annadale; Arlington/Alexandria, VA; Rosslyn; Betseda, MD.

I want a 1 bedroom/1 bath loft/condo. I prefer a loft/condo over renting an apartment due to trying to build equity but, as I am aware DC/VA is very expensive so I would prefer recommendations for sensible cost efficient locations.

Thanks in advance!

Sorry I forgot to tell everyone that the most important thing for me when it comes to finding the best condo/apartment is: safety, location and cost, please keep these in mind when making recommendations to me. Thanks in advance!

Arlington, Virginia. Much of the town is within walking distance of a subway stop. In the city, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle and West Side/Foggy Bottom. However, you might be surprised at some of the prices in DC. I've done business with a company selling what you want on 14th Street NW for $ 550,000. Pretty stiff for a box, however glamorous.

I think your best bet would be to rent a little apartment near Dupont or Logan Circles for a year until you feel comfortable with the area and learn about the real estate market.

Check out the real estate discussion on the Washington Post website today. Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church are all great places to live.

Thank you both, I guess I will have to start off renting, as I was not anticipating. $500,000 is pretty steep for me, can't affort that with my salary. I was hoping for $100,000-$250,000 at the most. No chance as it seems. Keep the posts coming!

Several people told me Foggy Bottom would be a good place to rent since its closer to where I might possibly will be working and the metro is not far either.

Has anyone ever heard of Lofts 590 to rent on 590 South 15th street Arlington, VA (has a Costco near by) or 2400 M to rent at 2400 M Street NW Washington, DC. I need something within a not to far away distance from shopping for food or necessities. I am all shopped out as far as malls are concerned.

I know Lofts 590 and I think it would be a good place to live. It is by the Pentagon City metro. Pentagon City Mall is there, as are two other shopping centers. One has a Costco, Borders, Best Buy; the other a gym, Harris Teeter grocery, restaurants and some stores. It is very close to DC and Arlington's Wilson strip. It looks very nice from the street. Additionally, this area of Arlington has some interesting areas to walk.

The best place to be for your needs may be North Arlington. Find a place by Ballston, Clarendon, Courthouse or Rosslyn Metro stops.

Stay out of South Arlington if you can help it but it's not bad there either.

If you can afford to rent at 2400 M street, that's a great location in Foggy Bottom, West End also Georgetown is over the bridge and Universities closeby.

Dupont Circle is a bit of a dicey place to live as is Capitol Hill although a lot of people will tell you differently.

Bethesda may be more family oriented than DC or North Arlington than you prefer although there are lots of singles there and amenities, shopping.

McLean, Falls Church, Annandale, Alexandria are more remote and less single oriented. Pentagon City is a condo/office/shopping canyon and not very pedestrian friendly.

Make a trip to DC and check out N. Arlington, Foggy Bottom and Bethesda would be a remote third choice.

Good luck to you.

Well, if you thought you could buy for $100,000, what can you pay for rent. You need to be prepared to pay an absolute minimum of about $1200 a month to rent a one-bedroom apartment in the areas you mention.

DuPont Circle is fine, despite Kakalena's views, but you probably can't afford it. I can't even fathom why it would be considered dicey, unless living near $1M condos and embassies is considered dicey. South Arlington is probably more realistic at your price point.

How much can you pay for rent.

Check Craig's list website for good rental possibilities. Park Fairfax Condo/Apartments complex is close to Shirlington between Arlington and Alexandria. I have seen rentals there on Craig's list for $1100 recently. My daughter loved living there. Check Park Fairfax website, too.

You do realize that you are going to need a car if you live in any of the Virginia locations (with the possible exception of some places near Metro in Arlington).

I said that Dupont Circle may be "dicier" (meaning more unpredictable) than other neighborhoods mentioned and fedgirl's first requirement was safety.

You can find a lot of neighborhood info here. Dupont Circle is ANC 2B.

http://www.neighborhoodinfodc.org/index.html

NOTES FROM A DUPONT CIRCLE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

MPD officers to elaborate on the arrests at New Hampshire
Ave. and Q Street and New Hampshire Ave. and 20th Street. The officers did not have
any information.
Lt. Christian (PSA 306, 3rd District) noted that overall crime has decreased in the area,
but that high profile crimes continue to occur. He noted that a man was assaulted by a
homeless man at 1330 New Hampshire Ave., NW. The police will hand out a description
of the suspect. Street robberies remain a problem for people walking alone.
Commissioner Meehan noted that he had distributed police placards regarding the recent
rapes in the area, but that the placards need a better format so residents will notice them.
Sgt. Larry stated that the police have not arrested any suspects in these rapes. Commissioner Halligan announced that the three criminals responsible for multiple robberies of houses in the area would be sentenced on Friday.

Author: Saraho - *** You mentioned: good rental possibilities - Park Fairfax Condo/Apartments complex is close to Shirlington between Arlington and Alexandria. I have seen rentals there on Craig's list for $1100 recently. My daughter loved living there. Check Park Fairfax website, too.

***can you tell me if when in these areas can one go without a vehicle? Unfortunately I will not be able to move my car that I have up to DC/VA and will have to go without one, so will have to rely on the Metro for transportation. Did your daughter do alright without a car/truck? I just will have to rely on the metro or my feet to get the basic necessities to survive(food and housewares/cleaning supplies), nothing too fancy or exclusive for starters.

kakalena thanks for the tidbits on Dupont Circle I have also heard good things about this place and will also look into it. I will take a look at your link. Thanks!

Yes safety is high on my list given the fact I am a single young woman and never have been on my own, so this would be my first time buying as well.

MikeT I don't know how much I am talking about in regards to what I can afford because I have not gone to get pre-qualified for a loan. I am a first time buyer so that is a good thing.

I don't want to head up into the $250,000 range for a condo but as I read in this forum you could be looking at pricing of $500,000 for a condo, yikes!

I did see some places online with condos that also have rentals available like Halstead at the metro (condos from $190,000) and The Four Winds at Oakton (Tysons Oakton vienna Metro) (rental from $1,252 month) but I won't know the distance from my workplace or whether they are pretty safe, reasonably cost areas until I guess I go take a trip to DC to see for myself.

I will take the suggestions and recommendations from each and everyone that provides them to me on this forum and make notations so that when I take my trip to DC/VA I know what areas to look into first hand.

Would anyone suggest realtors to look into before I make my trip out there or wait until I arrive and find a realtor at that time?

Here is the best local close to realtime database available to consumers (not multilist). Pop in the neighborhood you are looking for or zipcode and the price limit and choices will pop out. You can contact the listing agents if anything interests you.

http://www.homesdatabase.com

If you buy a condo don't get an old unrenovated one or you may be hit with assessments for repairs/replacements.

I think Shirlington will be inconvenient without a car.

Fed:

You will not really need a car. I've lived in the area before and did fine without one. The subway is great and can get you from D.C. to the MD & VA very easily. I'd suggest getting a Washington Post and review the rental properties. Its time consuming but worth it. I would suggest Bethesda, M.D. best. All along Wisconsin Avenue in this suburb are alot of nightclubs restaurants and shopping and this avenue leads into Georgetown and D.C. eventually. While traveling on Wisconsin in Bethesda noticed some subway stops along the way. If you live in VA there is more of chance you'll miss a car because it is more spread out.

fedgirl. my daughter did very well without a car. She works close to the Pentagon and actually often rode her bike to work from Park Fairfax near Shirlington. Or the metro or bus. Check out the Shirlington area- it is a very cute walking mall area- lots of restaurants, library, bakery, churches, etc. in walking distance. Lots of young people in that area.

I can put you in touch with my daughter if you want. My husband works for the feds, too.

PS My daughter knows a great realtor- she bought a house in Arlington a couple of years ago.