Moving to D.C. area for work

[timeforpoptarts]

I've been on the forum for a little while. I'm from New Jersey (NYC Metro) and am moving due to a job position. Any suggestions about places to live (and ride) would be much appreciated!

[Slide Panda]

Where will you be working? That's a big factor. Budget? Rent? Buy?

[Meerkat]

Where will you be working? That's a big factor.

+11tyB

[The Mad King Pepe']

I've been on the forum for a little while. I'm from New Jersey (NYC Metro) and am moving due to a job position. Any suggestions about places to live (and ride) would be much appreciated!

Run away!!! 

Where will you be working? That's a big factor.

Rush hour traffic can be hell around here. The ideal is to live somewhere that will let you go against traffic. Area-wise, in Maryland most of Montgomery County is pretty decent, parts of Prince Georges can be sketchy.

Hope this helps.

[timeforpoptarts]

Where will you be working? That's a big factor. Budget? Rent? Buy?

I am basically in McPherson Square. I think the office is a few blocks from the metro stop. I am looking to rent right now, if possible short term, just so I get the jive for the area before I commit to buying (probably a year off anyway). I've been to the area before so I know my way around the city, but other than that I really only know the Reston/Herndon area. Right now my commute is about an hour and some change; I take a bus from about a quarter mile away to port authority, and then hit the subway a few stops.

Run away!!! 
Rush hour traffic can be hell around here. The ideal is to live somewhere that will let you go against traffic. Area-wise, in Maryland most of Montgomery County is pretty decent, parts of Prince Georges can be sketchy.

Hope this helps.

Everything helps!

I haven't been looking too much in Maryland as I figured I'd want to be taking public transportation. Should I be reconsidering that?

[Meerkat]

I am basically in McPherson Square. I think the office is a few blocks from the metro stop. I am looking to rent right now, if possible short term, just so I get the jive for the area before I commit to buying (probably a year off anyway). I've been to the area before so I know my way around the city, but other than that I really only know the Reston/Herndon area. Right now my commute is about an hour and some change; I take a bus from about a quarter mile away to port authority, and then hit the subway a few stops. Everything helps!

I haven't been looking too much in Maryland as I figured I'd want to be taking public transportation. Should I be reconsidering that?

Welcome to the area! The west side of Maryland (Red line/Montgomery County) wouldn't be too bad for you to consider: get off at Farragut North or Metro Center.

Something you want to consider for a VA vs MD situation: guns. You like'em: VA. You like'em and don't mind hidin'em from the gov't (or jumping through 12 mile high hoops to register'em): MD or DC.

[rgramjet]

The gun laws in Jersey make Monkey County seem like Arizona!

[Real Recognize Real]

I'm putting my vote in for Arlington, VA. It's literally a 5 min drive to DC and if you choose parts of North Arlington, such as Rosslyn, you are a 5 minute walk to Georgetown. Plus there are many metro stops in north Arlington(Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, etc).

[ducatiz]

No one has asked his family situation, but I gather he's not married or with children.

DC rentals are of course more expensive.  Plenty of singles live in Arlington or even Alexandria in VA.

Maryland has some nice urbanish areas, but the nice areas nearer to DC are very pricey.  In MD, you can find a reasonable place but you're possibly living near a crack house or a high crime area.   

Virginia has lower taxes overall than both DC or Maryland.  Housing in Arlington on average is more expensive than DC "on average" but bear in mind that Arlington or Alexandria are much nicer overall -- when you look at averages in DC, remember that includes the really crappy areas.  Same with Montgomery county in MD.

Coming from New Jersey, you'll have to learn to drive too -- no driving in the left lane except to pass, there are no jug handles in the area...

DC has crazy high insurance rates for vehicles too.  Between the high rate of crashes and the rate of theft, they have the highest or second highest insurance in the nation.

[timeforpoptarts]

Thanks for the response everyone.

I've been leaning more towards VA due to taxes and guns. The cost of car insurance is probably going to be lower than what I pay in New Jersey by all means. I'm of sound mind that us New Jerseyians teach everyone else how to drive...

DC proper was pretty much always out of the question. I wasn't looking to paying baller prices for rent when I'm saving to buy a house in basically a year.

Oh, single and no children.

[The Mad King Pepe']

I am basically in McPherson Square. I think the office is a few blocks from the metro stop. I am looking to rent right now, if possible short term, just so I get the jive for the area before I commit to buying (probably a year off anyway). I've been to the area before so I know my way around the city, but other than that I really only know the Reston/Herndon area. Right now my commute is about an hour and some change; I take a bus from about a quarter mile away to port authority, and then hit the subway a few stops. Everything helps!

I haven't been looking too much in Maryland as I figured I'd want to be taking public transportation. Should I be reconsidering that?

Metro rail map (hint: click on "Google Map") http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm If you're on the Red line you could probably get off at Farragut North or Metro Center.

DC rentals are of course more expensive.  Plenty of singles live in Arlington or even Alexandria in VA.

Maryland has some nice urbanish areas, but the nice areas nearer to DC are very pricey.  In MD, you can find a reasonable place but you're possibly living near a crack house or a high crime area.   

Virginia has lower taxes overall than both DC or Maryland.  Housing in Arlington on average is more expensive than DC "on average" but bear in mind that Arlington or Alexandria are much nicer overall -- when you look at averages in DC, remember that includes the really crappy areas.  Same with Montgomery county in MD.

In general ALL locations along the metro lines (VA, MD, DC) tend to be more pricey, and in my opinion it's worth it. These areas tend to be better developed, plus I like being able to go places without having to take the car and deal with traffic (IE: idiot drivers).

The exception to this tends to be the South East part of DC and its extension into PG county. Essentially the former DC ghetto inhabitants are being pushed into PG county (that's where ducatiz gets his crack refills... Crappy areas in MoCo??? You must be thinking of Potomac!  ).

[Zulu]

You can consider some part of falls church too . If you dont mind  a mile or two to metro station you can get decent one bed room apartment around falls church from $1000-$1200.

Look around east or west falls church metro , some of the apartments even offer shuttle rides to metro , so you might not even need to drive.

[Real Recognize Real]

[quote author=The Mad King Pepe' link=topic=54758.msg1016867#msg1016867

The exception to this tends to be the South East part of DC and its extension into PG county. Essentially the former DC ghetto inhabitants are being pushed into PG county (that's where ducatiz gets his crack refills... Crappy areas in MoCo??? You must be thinking of Potomac!  ).

[/quote]

If you do consider DC, the Navy Yard area is quickly transforming into a desirable area. And the H Street corridor is within walking distance.

[tocino]

I can't believe you haven't asked the most importatn questions! Sheesh.

How many bikes do you have? What model(s) and do you require covered and/or off-street parking?


 

[timeforpoptarts]

I can't believe you haven't asked the most importatn questions! Sheesh.

How many bikes do you have? What model(s) and do you require covered and/or off-street parking?


 

I have much to learn.

Right now only a 2011 796. That's going to stay at my parent's place until I find somewhere to store it. I'm not completely comfortable keeping it in parking, covered or not, right now. I was going to look for some kind of heated garage I could rent a monthly space. I guess I've lived in an area with way too many thefts.