Moving to NoVa

[OgenRwot]

I'm going to be working in DC and NOT living there. Looking into Arlington and Alexandria, don't want to be too far out. 30 minute train ride is fine. Good areas are easy to find (look for expensive rent haha), help me avoid the bad ones though. Where should I be looking? Where should I be avoiding? I will be renting if that helps.

[zephyp]

Arlington and Alexandria are both decent places with a couple of provisos...drive through the neighborhood where you plan to rent. There are some bad ones in both places. Also, Alexandria is a separate jurisdiction. Arlington is part of Arlington County. Having my druthers between the two I would pick Arlington but Alexandria is more convenient for Metro to DC. I would avoid Alexandria south of 495 anywhere along Route 1. Drive down there and you will see what I mean. Good luck and welcome.

[babarsac]

Your first step is to identify what metro station is closest to your work. From there you can figure out which metro lines you would want to use. Are you looking to rent or buy?

If you want shoot me an email at babarsacATgmailDOTcom I can help recommend some areas.

[OgenRwot]

Capitol South is going to be the closest stop, so blue, orange or yellow will work. I'm going to be renting for now. I'm focusing on Arlington, the Pentagon area and Alexandria.

[user]

Two points to keep in mind: cities and counties are parallel jurisdictions in
Virginia - a "town" is wholly part of a county, but a city is independent; and the third line on the mailing address ("city, state, zip") is the location of the post office that the mail goes through, not the location of the house. There are lots of places around NoVa that have addresses in Alexandria that are really in Arlington County or Fairfax County. And in Falls Church that are really in Fairfax County. And people in Fairfax County who think they live in the City of Fairfax, and vice-versa. The only way to be really sure where a particular street address is located is to call the local government's office of the assessor, listed under Commissioner of the Revenue, and ask them whether that location is taxed in that jurisdiction (except in Fairfax County where, according to their website, the Constitutional Officer, "Commissioner of Revenue" is undefined - look at the "Department of Tax Administration", instead - they have the idea that they're a separate state, I think).

The area you identified has a bit of a strip of U.S. Route 1, Jefferson Davis Highway, that is actually in Washington, near the airport. If you carry guns there, you are subject to DC law, not Virginia law. I wouldn't live in that area for nuthin' - you wouldn't believe the traffic congestion at lush-hour. I suggest you rent something in the City of Fairfax near the Orange Line terminus while you get your bearings.

[jrswanson1]

I live in Woodbridge, Prince William County. There's a bus that goes into DC, it stops right outside my apartment complex. $5 each way. And there are four gun shops within a 30 minute drive.

Jim

[Virginia2AM]

When I worked in DC (2001-2007), I lived for 5 years at Pentagon City (blue metro line - station within walking distance); and then for 2 years in Woodbridge and took the commuter bus mentioned above. IF I ever had to live in NoVA I would pick either of those. Considering you want short commute - I would say Arlington. And definately Arlington over Alexandria. You can always take metro or car and go to Alexandria for social events, but I would not live there.

Arlington has all the shopping, dining and social life you might be looking for.

Both in Arlington and Woodbridge police were pretty decent about your 2A rights. You might always run into one officer who needs to be educated, but that can happen anywhere.