Relocating to Washington DC
 

Hi,

I'm looking for suggestions of neighborhoods to explore for a relocation to the DC area. I will be working in DC, but don't want to pay the city rents. Here's what I'm looking for:

max 30 minute Metro commute to DC (Independence Ave, SW)
2 BR
free parking
rent of about $1300/month

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

P.S. I am single with no children. School districts are not important.

Arlington, VA is nice but can above your budget. Falls Church a little less expensive. Reston is a possibility. I would look in that general area of NOVA (northern Virginia).

Be careful with commute time and cost. Rent amount is all about proximity to Metro - and anything within easy walk to Metro stop is likely to be above your budget and parking at Metro stations is not as easy as one would hope (many have no parking), so decide if you would be OK taking bus to Metro.

1. You should be, if you aren't already, looking at city-data.com. You will find much better information for relocation there than here, a travel website.

2. Your $1,300/month budget will almost certainly not support a 2 BR apartment, regardless of proximity to Metro. Samples here: http://www.apartmentshowcase.com

3. Parking, free or not, depends on the type of apartment complex.

4. Am assuming that your work address of Independence Ave SW means your Metro stop will probably be L'Enfant Plaza or Federal Center. The DC Metro website has a trip planner feature so you can gauge for yourself which stations will fall within the 30 commute time to those stations or whatever station is closest to your work locale.

Start your look in Arlington and Alexandria. The commute from Reston during rush will exceed 30 minutes.

5. Consider slugging, casual carpooling. http://www.slug-lines.com It wouldn't be for me but I know people who do it and prefer it. Or your workplace may have a shuttle or van pool. A 30 minute commute of any sort in DC is a dream commute. Doable but not easy.

6. Bears repeating, go to city-data.com for better info.

Here's just one example of rentals in the Ballston area of Arlington from which a 30-minute commute into DC is not a dream but a simple reality (using Metro). Be very aware of the prices. The further out from the District you go, the lower the rental rates BUT NOT ALWAYS

http://www.apartmentguide.com/neighb...gton/Ballston/

Should have said a 30-minute commute from Ballston is way more time than you'd need.

An indication of what rents have done in the past year - my daughter previously rented at one of the properties on list provided by Dukey. She moved out in June, and the rents listed in her old property are at least 25% higher than what she paid.

Arlington and Alexandria are wonderful places, but I don't think you will find a 2BR with parking for $1,300 per month with a 30 minute commute. I think your only chance to get everything you want for that monthly rent would be to look to the east in Prince Georges County, maybe in College Park / Greenbelt or New Carrollton.

College Park and Greenbelt would be good choice for that price range, and both have Metro stops on the Green Line.

My daughter lives in Ballston/Arlington, Virginia. It is a short walk to the metro and she is in DC. It is a great place for young people to live and it is expensive! Her apartment is 2850 per month for a two bedroom with two parking spots. Her half is 1425 per month. It is not cheap! BUT driving is a nightmare and so if you have to drive into the city, you will surely take longer than 30 minutes anyway you go.
You may need to get a one bedroom apartment and that will still run close to 1700 per month not including the parking. Now if you are willing to walk several blocks to the metro, then it will be less expensive the further you are from the metro stop.

She is looking to move into a one bedroom next summer and she is already balking at the prices.

Regarding the parking, you should consider giving up your car. It will be cheaper to take Uber or rent a Zipcar on the rare occasions when you absolutely must drive somewhere.

FYI, my son and DIL have lived in the District (DuPont Circle) for 3 years and even with a baby, they don't have a car. They either Uber or rent a car when they need one.

are you the channa on ft?

Hi,

Check out this website: c21redwood.com

You can search rentals by neighborhood and break down the search by price range, property type, # of beds/baths, square footage and parking availability.

You can also research the neighboods themselves as the site offers full written guides with pictures so you can get a feel for what the neighborhood entails.

Cheers!