DC

[chugg21]

Being forced to move there against my will. Any recommendations on where to live for a couple in their 30s that are used to living in cities and having access to a lot? DC, VA, MD?

 

[jr4750]

As someone who lives there now in his late 30's, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. The new hot spot is Navy Yard, which is booming, close to Cap Hill, baseball & soccer stadiums, tons of restaurants, public transpo, etc. Other areas that are great are Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, 14th/U Streets. The metro is easily accessible and when not under construction (which is a lot) very convenient. Alexandria, VA is great as well, and many board luminaries live there. Bethesda, MD is becoming a city itself and has convenient access via the red line into city center.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Being forced to move there against my will. Any recommendations on where to live for a couple in their 30s that are used to living in cities and having access to a lot? DC, VA, MD?

From Texas, right?

 

[chugg21]

As someone who lives there now in his late 30's, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. The new hot spot is Navy Yard, which is booming, close to Cap Hill, baseball & soccer stadiums, tons of restaurants, public transpo, etc. Other areas that are great are Logan Circle, Dupont Circle, 14th/U Streets. The metro is easily accessible and when not under construction (which is a lot) very convenient. Alexandria, VA is great as well, and many board luminaries live there. Bethesda, MD is becoming a city itself and has convenient access via the red line into city center.

Just looked at the Parc Riverside. Yes please! I'll be working from home and wife will be at the P. So being able to get there as easily as possible is her priority while mine is being able to walk to as many places as I can. We used to live in downtown San Diego and had 100+ bars/restaurants and Petco within walking distance so I'm looking to do that but hopefully keep rent under $3k for a 2 bdrm. Neither of us is familiar with the city whatsoever. We've been there for sporting events and field trip type things but that's the extent of it.

 

[chugg21]

From Texas, right?

Yeah but here via Buffalo, Monterey, San Diego, Tampa. Happy to get back to civilization though not excited about the cost of living skyrocketing back up.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Yeah but here via Buffalo, Monterey, San Diego, Tampa. Happy to get back to civilization though not excited about the cost of living skyrocketing back up.

I've got the option of moving, and Fort Worth is one of the possible locations. The immediate raise from reduced cost of living is nice, but I'm not a fan.

Good luck with this move. Almost ended up down that way twice. Kind of wish we had.

 

[chugg21]

I've got the option of moving, and Fort Worth is one of the possible locations. The immediate raise from reduced cost of living is nice, but I'm not a fan.

Good luck with this move. Almost ended up down that way twice. Kind of wish we had.

Yeah, the no state income tax combined with everything else being cheaper is really nice. I just don't know that it's worth the sacrifice of living somewhere you don't love. I promised myself I'd never live some place with winter ever again so that's why I'm not too happy, but 100 out and being landlocked here is equally terrible.

 

[Bayside44]

Being forced to move there against my will. Any recommendations on where to live for a couple in their 30s that are used to living in cities and having access to a lot? DC, VA, MD?

Kids or no kids?

 

[chugg21]

Kids or no kids?

Have 2 step-sons(11 & 12) but they stay in NY for school and with us for summers/holidays.

 

[Bayside44]

Have 2 step-sons(11 & 12) but they stay in NY for school and with us for summers/holidays.

Assuming there will be normalcy at some point one of the big areas is Navy Yard / Wharf. Everything is basically brand new / plug and play. Lots of restaurants (at least there was), close to downtown and a quick ferry or drive to Alexandria.

Alexandria / Old Town area is nice, more it’s own town than DC. Worth visiting.

 

[Chip]

For areas outside DC, your best options are Arlington in VA, and Bethesda in MD. Both have the city feel and you're minutes from DC via metro or car.

Personally, I'd pick Arlington because it's better access to most things (monuments, museums, Capital One Arena, Nats Park). Plus Virginia isn't taxed as heavy as Maryland.

I work in Bethesda, it's really nice and still going through a transformation, there's construction everywhere. But it altogether seems more congested to me.

 

[Bayside44]

For areas outside DC, your best options are Arlington in VA, and Bethesda in MD. Both have the city feel and you're minutes from DC via metro or car.

Personally, I'd pick Arlington because it's better access to most things (monuments, museums, Capital One Arena, Nats Park). Plus Virginia isn't taxed as heavy as Maryland.

I work in Bethesda, it's really nice and still going through a transformation, there's construction everywhere. But it altogether seems more congested to me.

Way to not sell the home town there champ...

 

[Chip]

Way to not sell the home town there champ...

I was building off of your post above.

But yeah, there are enough people here.

There are no villas for rent in all of Tuscany.

 

[chugg21]

For areas outside DC, your best options are Arlington in VA, and Bethesda in MD. Both have the city feel and you're minutes from DC via metro or car.

Personally, I'd pick Arlington because it's better access to most things (monuments, museums, Capital One Arena, Nats Park). Plus Virginia isn't taxed as heavy as Maryland.

I work in Bethesda, it's really nice and still going through a transformation, there's construction everywhere. But it altogether seems more congested to me.

Think we've narrowed it down to VA for the most part as the parts of DC we're interested in are all about 30% more expensive for similar properties. Is McLean a little too sleepy and a bit out of the way compared to Arlington and Alexandria?

 

[jr4750]

Think we've narrowed it down to VA for the most part as the parts of DC we're interested in are all about 30% more expensive for similar properties. Is McLean a little too sleepy and a bit out of the way compared to Arlington and Alexandria?

imo, yes.

 

[Bayside44]

Think we've narrowed it down to VA for the most part as the parts of DC we're interested in are all about 30% more expensive for similar properties. Is McLean a little too sleepy and a bit out of the way compared to Arlington and Alexandria?

Yes. It's really nice, sorta North Shore of Long Island vibe without the quant downtowns. But unless you have kids / work for the CIA / are a very loaded Middle Eastern government contractor not really happening.

Chip mentioned Arlington. Used to office in Clarendon. A lot of it is also pretty new, seems a little younger. You'll have random sightings of the younger Caps and Nats. But quick jump into DC and very popular.

 

[NineOneSeven]

I have two friends who live in Alexandria and like it a lot.

 

[chugg21]

I have two friends who live in Alexandria and like it a lot.

Think that's where we're leaning.

 

[Chip]

Think that's where we're leaning.

I love it here in Alexandria. I think of it as a little more family oriented, but if you'll have step sons in the summer, that probably works out.

Del Ray and Old Town, can't beat them. National Harbor in Maryland is a bike ride away if looking for something a little more commercial, but a lot of places to eat/drink/be merry. Casino is there too, it's great for people watching, I go when I need a confidence boost.

You can be to DC pretty quickly via metro or car (not as quick as Arlington, but it's only about 8 miles). Reagan Airport is so close you practically leave home less than an hour before your flight. Pretty easy access to Nats Park too either by boat, or by car going thru Maryland. Great bike/jog/walk trail along the river.

 

[Bayside44]

Agree with everything Chip said. Quick word of advice you want to be east and not west for everything he said. In this case proximity to 395 is not ideal.

 

[chugg21]

I love it here in Alexandria. I think of it as a little more family oriented, but if you'll have step sons in the summer, that probably works out.

Del Ray and Old Town, can't beat them. National Harbor in Maryland is a bike ride away if looking for something a little more commercial, but a lot of places to eat/drink/be merry. Casino is there too, it's great for people watching, I go when I need a confidence boost.

You can be to DC pretty quickly via metro or car (not as quick as Arlington, but it's only about 8 miles). Reagan Airport is so close you practically leave home less than an hour before your flight. Pretty easy access to Nats Park too either by boat, or by car going thru Maryland. Great bike/jog/walk trail along the river.

Agree with everything Chip said. Quick word of advice you want to be east and not west for everything he said. In this case proximity to 395 is not ideal.

We've somewhat narrowed it down to these 2 properties. If you have a few minutes, is there anything that I wouldn't be aware of that might make one of them a better bet? Just based on neighborhood or whatever factor I may be overlooking?

Alexandria, VA Luxury Apartments for rent | Halstead Tower by Windsor

>Welcome to your new luxury apartment in Alexandria, VA. Halstead Tower features 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and with high-end amenities. Contact us!

www.halsteadtowerbywindsor.com

Apts in Alexandria VA | Parc Meridian at Eisenhower | Meridian Apartments

Welcome to Parc Meridian at Eisenhower Station! Our community offers 1-2 bedroom luxury apartments in Alexandria, VA. Call us to schedule a tour of your new home!

www.parcmeridian.com

I appreciate it. Been trying to get input from anyone I know that has lived/worked in the area.

 

[Bayside44]

Parc Meridian has you a short walk to Old Town. AND a Wegman's (smaller version) is moving in there. The other place you might as well live in a traffic jam.

 

[chugg21]

Parc Meridian has you a short walk to Old Town. AND a Wegman's (smaller version) is moving in there. The other place you might as well live in a traffic jam.

One last one, I promise. Positives/Negatives? We ruled out Halstead Tower based on your pros/cons.

The Porter Del Ray | Apartments in Alexandria, VA

>Check for available units at The Porter Del Ray in Alexandria, VA. View floor plans, photos, and community amenities. Make The Porter Del Ray your new home.

www.theporterdelray.com

 

[Chip]

One last one, I promise. Positives/Negatives? We ruled out Halstead Tower based on your pros/cons.

The Porter Del Ray | Apartments in Alexandria, VA

>Check for available units at The Porter Del Ray in Alexandria, VA. View floor plans, photos, and community amenities. Make The Porter Del Ray your new home.

www.theporterdelray.com

Ding ding, that's my winner. Route 1 traffic is a disaster, but you'll figure out how to avoid it.

Del Ray is the best. And in that particular spot, you're walking distance to the metro too.

Mount Vernon Ave is main street USA, bars, restaurants and shops a plenty. Plus Old Town is right there.

That place is right near where I used to live. And Bayside44 who lived about 3 houses away from me. YMCA gym across the street is nice too.

 

[Bayside44]

Yeah that's a nice one, more real neighborhoods right there too if you're a walker / runner / biker. Del Ray really picked after I left, and after Chip followed me.

That is the YMCA where that kook shot up all those Congressmen.