I'm thinking about moving to the DC area.What areas should I consider?

Question

I'm trying to get a job in dc, but before I do I want to start looking at apartments. I would like to live in a safe area, close to a metro station, and at a reasonable cost. What areas should I look into??

Answer 1

For real estate prices, check http://www.realtor.com or apartmentguide.com

You might be shocked.

As for areas, Vienna or Fairfax might be good for you.  Depends on how close you want to be.

It's good you are doing your homework on the area first.  It's pretty expensive.

Answer 2

I would recommend you first concentrate on getting your RESUME together and finding the right job opportunity! bec finding an apartment or place to live is a much, much easier part of the equation.

Also never be foolish to quit and leave a perfectly good job thinking you can find a replacement or new job easy bec A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH....

KEY TO SUCCESS in LIFE is BALANCING your work, family life and social life and at times JOB SEARCH depending on your salary expectations and actual work experience may be difficult but bottomline I would always recommend you seek & find good job "first," then once you have in hand that important "written job offer" you can select housing based on work location bec of traffic commuting to/from work in Metro DC is tough and time consuming.  For younger graduates where you spend your spare & leisure time when not working can easily influence where you decide to live and if you can afford certain sought after neighborhoods that tend to be within walking distance of a DC Metrorail line...

Hope the Above Info Helps

Answer 3

I certainly wouldn't look at any places in the city.  Anywhere that's a safe area is going to be expensive.  And the less expensive areas are decent during the week, but on the weekends all the business types clear out and all you're left with are crackheads, bums and prostitutes.  At least if you're downtown. (trust me, I speak from experience).

I would recommend what the others said, looking in the suburbs of Virginia or Maryland.  I know Arlington has a lot of housing available and it's very accessible to the Metro.  If I had to live in D.C. again, that's what I would do.  Or I just wouldn't live there at all.  

Answer 4

"Reasonable cost" is going to be the tricky part. Living in DC itself is very very expensive. If you are single and want to be closer to the nightlife and social activities, I would encourage you to look in areas such as Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Bethesda, Rockville etc. All of those places are more on the trendy side and near the metro. If you have a family, you may want to considering moving a little further out in areas such as Fairfax, Loudon County, Prince William County, Gaithersburg, Germantown and Howard County. Those areas are moreso family friendly and less expensive. Remember, the closer you get to DC, the more expensive it gets.  

Answer 5

I'd look at Silver Spring, Takoma Park, or even Rockville.  I'm not all that familiar with the Virginia suburbs since I'm from the MD suburbs originally but parts of Arlington, Fairfax, and Falls Church are nice as well an on the Metro.  "Reasonable cost" is relative, of course.  As others have said and I'm sure you're aware, the DC area is not cheap. But these areas are all worth looking into.