Moving to DC area, could use help finding a place to live.

I'm PCSing from Fort Bragg up to Fort Belvoir, VA between Alexandria and Woodbridge. I could use some insight into where to begin looking for an apartment or condo to rent while I'm there for ~3 years. I know the cost of living is really high up there, but I get compensated. I'm looking for a nice place in a nice area, no section 8 stuff.

 

I'm going to try to venture up and visit the post and the surrounding areas either next week or the week after for a couple days to look for a place. Anyone have any insight that could be useful?

 

Any information that leads to the capture and prosecution will be rewarded with free beer!

 

Thanks!

Old Town Alexandria is very nice but very expensive. You might find something there you can afford.

Try seraching craigslist and maybe seek the help of a realtor?

 

X

This is one HUGE thing to concider when moving to this area... Where are you working/what times and how your choice of location(or direction) to or from work will effect your drive.

 

But if your able.. Id suggest to take a trip to the area for a few days before deciding on a area.

 

I am from the DC metro area but pretty much avoid any travel into NOVA for the fear of cops and traffic!

I'm planning to go up there next week or so and see exactly where i'll be working and exactly what gate i'll be going through to get to work, then basing my search from there.

Man...my wife and I are PCS'ing down to Norfolk and need to rent out our condo, except we live in Reston so that way to far to get to Fort Belvoir every day.

yeah Reston and Old Towne Alexandria are both nice places to live but the commute would be hell.

 

Woodbridge is pretty built up now....has to be some nice places to live out there.

I live in Burke, which is very nice but quiet and family-oriented... wouldn't be my first choice if I was single and looking for a place that offered any sort of nightlife. Putting yourself within walking distance of the metro will cost you in rent, but is probably worth it if you want to go into DC very often. As others have said, Old Town Alexandria is a good place to check out. I don't go down to Woodbridge very often, so I can't say much about it. I would think you would want to try to avoid commuting North on 95 in the mornings, but that's only an assumption, it might not be any worse than trying to go South.

You could also check out McLean (Route 7 area with all the construction) or Arlington. I thought both places were rather affordable.

Thanks for the tips folks, I'll do some more research.

When are you coming up? Have a mini meet on the 23rd... Bring your ass out if your up here.

 

And remember to plan a route to avoid the mixing bowl!!! OMG

http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/s/sp/springfieldinterchange.svg.png

jesus god, what is that?

That is google search for teh mixing bowl in NOVA! It is where 495 and 95 meet in VA... And it is a hotmess pretty much all day everyday... AVOID IT LIKE THE HIV!!

A pitcure with CARS on it!

http://news8.acc-tv.com/images/wjla/news/vidcap_bowlstop0212a.jpg

When are you coming up? Have a mini meet on the 23rd... Bring your ass out if your up here.

 

And remember to plan a route to avoid the mixing bowl!!! OMG

http://image.absoluteastronomy.com/images/encyclopediaimages/s/sp/springfieldinterchange.svg.png

 

 

ah, you try to fool me with smoke and mirrors!

 

 

that's the new interchange superimposed over the old. you can no has fool me.

And more random pictures of the psychotic mess they made of NOVA!~

http://www.appomattoxnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/I-95.jpg

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/82554297.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=6C4008C0FD9EB5A524452A5593896ACA89DFB516DEDA1946BD35F2761EBB84AA

http://www.tooconservative.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/heavy-traffic-I95.jpg

ah, you try to fool me with smoke and mirrors!

 

 

that's the new interchange superimposed over the old. you can no has fool me.

 

 

Eitehr way... GL if you plan on negotiating that mess everyday.:lol:

i'm gonna do my damndest to stay south of there

But dont go too far.. Need another OTM member to come to meet!

I won't be there for the 23rd. Got plans.

hot military man love? you sick bastard!

It's not that bad to navigate....it's just VA sucks when in comes to traffic congestion. Bunch of morons do the urban planning there.

like i said before, i'm going to try and find something uberclose to the post.

Move to IKEA in Woodbridge. It's close and they got furniture and good meatballs.

actually, there's a big furniture store near my place here and one of the guys that works there may live there. his truck is there all night every night.