Relocating to DC

[MrsAmera 41]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for any of you out there that are living or have lived in the DC area. We are currently looking to move, as I may be getting a job there in the near future. I am trying to look for apartments, houses, etc in the area (not necc. right in DC but can be accessed easily) as well as childcare. There is myself, my husband and our 2 kids (ages 3 and 7 weeks) that would be moving. I really would appreciate any leads you may have!!

[Heracles 417]

Most people seem to live in Maryland or Virgina.. Depending on your budget, there are lots of great places to live in both states.. Northern Virgina has excellent employment opportunities as well as quite a diverse range of people..

Edited February 14, 2007 by Infidel

[derekkj 0]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for any of you out there that are living or have lived in the DC area. We are currently looking to move, as I may be getting a job there in the near future. I am trying to look for apartments, houses, etc in the area (not necc. right in DC but can be accessed easily) as well as childcare. There is myself, my husband and our 2 kids (ages 3 and 7 weeks) that would be moving. I really would appreciate any leads you may have!!

Derek and I live in Arlington, VA about 10 minutes drive from downtown DC. I have lived here since 1995 and lived in a bunch of different places from apartments to townhomes to a duplex. My first place I found through the Washington Post (washingtonpost.com) and this last place I found through apartmentratings.com. I have also heard good things about craigslist, but have not used it myself. Infidel is right that most people live in the burbs of Maryland or Virginia but I have a few friends that are very happy in DC itself. Be prepared for high cost of living especially if you want to live near the Metro as well as the horrendous traffic. And even though it snows every friggin' year, they act like they have never seen it before

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions and good luck with the move!

-kj

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I live in Baltimore, but am planning to move to Silver Spring sometime soon.

Generally, "reasonable" areas include:

• Fairfax City
  
• Vienna/Merrifield
  
• Alexandria (Fairfax County side)
  
• Silver Spring (outside Beltway)
  
• Laurel (at juncture of PG, Anne Arundel, and Howard counties)
  
• Burtonsville
  
• Columbia/Jessup (though you're starting to get a little far here)
  

[MrsAmera 41]

Awesome - thanks for the help so far! My biggest concern is finding a kid friendly area with decent schools and safe childcare. I'm going to start looking into some of the suggestions. I've heard really good things about Alexandria but I know it's pricey.

[Thingee 0]

I'm in Culpeper VA, which is 90 minutes to 2 hours from DC depending on traffic. Yes, that's quite a hike to DC, but a good portion of the population here makes the drive. Housing is much cheaper than it is closer to DC. You could also check into Manassas and Stafford. They're both closer than I am, but cheaper than living further north. My advice on childcare would be to check out the place fully. I've heard some pretty nasty stories, and some really great ones.

[Flames9_RN 359]

I used to reside in the same aprtment as Derkkj, never did meet her or her husband,lol With regards to housing, it sort of depends where ur job will be! The beltway traffice (495) is crazy busy during rush hour, one can almost walk faster. The closer to one is to a metro station, the higher the rent. Once I have completed school, were moving out towards Baltimore MD, as housing prices decrease a bit and lower taxes. http://www.apartmentratings.com/ is a good place. We resided in barton House, a 1 bedroom top floor was $1281 a month, I'm sure it has gone up now. Great location, close to everything, but you pay for it. As well check out http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/ Best of luck

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Awesome - thanks for the help so far! My biggest concern is finding a kid friendly area with decent schools and safe childcare. I'm going to start looking into some of the suggestions. I've heard really good things about Alexandria but I know it's pricey.

Old-Town Alexandra is somewhat pricier than the Fairfax County side.

A good complex in FC side Alex is Bren Mar (on Edsall Rd., the first exit off I-395--the extension of I-95 inside beltway to DC city). A 1-BR there runs $1,020-1,135 and has in-apartment laundry equipment, dishwasher, disposal and microwave; it is "walkable" (1-2 km) from Van-Dorn metro (and there is also a bus-stop just outside).

My associate pastor, who has three sons (ages 8, 6 and 3 as of 2006/12/31) lives nearby.

One fact is that you WILL need to shell out more than $800/mo for a 1-BR (and that's "bare-bones") if you're any closer to DC than Fredericksburg (halfway to Richmond).

[Flames9_RN 359]

Cost of living cane be rather pricey in the DC area, so take that in consideration when planning a move!!

Edited February 14, 2007 by flames9

[tonyeck 0]

Yeah when I was appartment hunting around DC in 2005 I was suprised to see the pricey areas.

We used to live (and will continue to live) in the Falls Church area just outside Arlington (10 miles from DC). It has some beautiful areas that you could check out and great for communiting.

Not sure about Child care but there are some great high schools such as J.E.B Stuart High and Falls Church high.

[Dan&Inessa 0]

Awesome - thanks for the help so far! My biggest concern is finding a kid friendly area with decent schools and safe childcare. I'm going to start looking into some of the suggestions. I've heard really good things about Alexandria but I know it's pricey.

I don't know about many places around Northern Virginia. My coworker just got into a co-op town-house that is incredibly pricey in the Greenbelt area, but there are several co-ops that are really safe with good schools and very family-oriented. Silver Spring is decent and still on the metro line.

I'm a grad studying education right now, so I'll inquire with my professors and classmates (many of whom have children) which areas might have the best schools, etc., while you're looking into the other leads.

[MrsAmera 41]

Hi I'm here again - so I've got a place ($1350 2br) in Alexandria and a preschool for my son, now we just have to get our life packed up and head out there! Btw - I'll be working on Capitol Hill and the place I found is btw. Pentagon City Metro and Van Dorn with a shuttle that runs to Pengtagon city in the mornings and evenings. Thanks so much for all your insite!!

[derekkj 0]

Hi I'm here again - so I've got a place ($1350 2br) in Alexandria and a preschool for my son, now we just have to get our life packed up and head out there! Btw - I'll be working on Capitol Hill and the place I found is btw. Pentagon City Metro and Van Dorn with a shuttle that runs to Pengtagon city in the mornings and evenings. Thanks so much for all your insite!!

That's great! Sounds like you got a good place. Congratulations!

Let us know how it all goes!

[Heracles 417]

Hi I'm here again - so I've got a place ($1350 2br) in Alexandria and a preschool for my son, now we just have to get our life packed up and head out there! Btw - I'll be working on Capitol Hill and the place I found is btw. Pentagon City Metro and Van Dorn with a shuttle that runs to Pengtagon city in the mornings and evenings. Thanks so much for all your insite!!

Pretty good price for a 2 bedroom.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Hi I'm here again - so I've got a place ($1350 2br) in Alexandria and a preschool for my son, now we just have to get our life packed up and head out there! Btw - I'll be working on Capitol Hill and the place I found is btw. Pentagon City Metro and Van Dorn with a shuttle that runs to Pengtagon city in the mornings and evenings. Thanks so much for all your insite!!

Pretty good price for a 2 bedroom.

Dependent on area but...for a 2-BR in Alex,