I figure there are a number of folks on CC familiar with the area so I might as well ask here.
I may have a job in DC after I graduate in Dec and I’m looking for the least painful commute (by car) I can get away with while remaining within my rental budget (which is $1400/month). Specifically I am looking at Alexandria on the VA side and I’m clueless where to look at on the MD side, anyone have any recommendations on that front? I’m only looking for a studio or 1bd room and I’m not really too picky on what local amenities are available as long I don’t end up wasting my life away commuting.
Living near a metro station would give you more choices in regards to the areas you could live.
Lots of people are commuting from Maryland and Virginia. The traffic starts pretty early morning and after work from 3pm to 7pm. Another issue would be the cost of parking in DC and the driving commute time. For example I-66 from Virginia to DC is HOV in the morning. You will find yourself sitting in traffic. There is always construction. Lots of MD and VA residents commute to DC by metro for work. Some companies reimburse you for a certain amount of metro costs.
If possible during break if you could visit DC for a few days to get a feel for the area. (maybe meet with a real estate agent familiar with the area) Another way to cut rent costs would be to share a two bedroom apartment. I live in Northern VA near metro and one bedroom rent here is minimum $1400. I would think it would be more expensive the closer you are to DC. An agent would be able to help you with that.
If you’re in MD at least you won’t have to cross the Potomac to get home. That is typically where many bottlenecks form. Many, but not all.
I would aim for being near metro too so you have more options. Metro is actually more reliable and user friendly during commuting times. On the weekends when they do maintenance, it slows down to a crawl. Where in DC will you work?
I’ve lived in Maryland my entire adult life and I commuted on the red line into DC for many many years. I also worked in Alexandria for a couple of years but I am not very familiar with NoVa. I am not familiar with prices, especially for apartments, but would suggest you check Kensington, Silver Spring, and Bethesda/Rockville in Maryland. They are all in Montgomery county. If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me.
What metro stop is closest to your job in DC? That may help you decide. I live in NoVA and had to chuckle a bit when you said that you were wary of Metro getting you to work on time. Anyone who is from this area knows that the traffic is epic - your odds of getting in on time are better on Metro
My son works in Alexandria and just got an apartment in Crystal City, very close to that metro stop, with some college friends. For a while he was looking to live by himself and most of the studios and some small one bedrooms were in the $1600/mo range. Ouch (and that didn’t include utilities). So living with a few others has made it “reasonable”.
Even though I’m in Virginia, I tend to agree with those who suggest Maryland, if you are planning on driving; the bridges can be an additional obstacle. We live about 40 miles from DC and DH used to work in the District; on bad nights there were times that it took him as long to drive the few miles from his office across a bridge as it did to drive the additional roughly 30+ miles home. Not fun! Good luck…feel free to check back if you have any questions about NoVA.
Commuting to Anacostia you will be definitely sitting in traffic. That area gets really jammed.
Some people leave home 5:30am to avoid HOV (requires 2 people in the car) to go down 66 east from VA. http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/?forcedesktop=1
If you look at the metro maps Anacostia is on the Greenline just past the Navy yard. .
I live near the Orange/Silver lines in VA.
I’ve lived in MD/VA all my life and wouldn’t want to drive to Anacostia on a daily basis.
Not the best part of town. I would find it less stressful taking the metro train.
The times I have had to go to meetings at the Navy Yard I went with my team after rush hour.
We would all park in one area and go together in one car and try to get back before evening rush hour.
For someone not used to this area the commuting traffic is something one would have to get used to.
In winter with rain/snow the traffic completely comes to a halt.
I used to work on Bolling and drove. As long as you can get there around 7 am you’re fine. From Alexandria, it’s an easy commute on the beltway to I-295 to Bollling or Anacostia. There are traffic jams on I-295 if you are in the thick of the rush hour but it’s not too painful. You can do the Alexandria to Bolling commute in about 30 minutes on most days.
I take it back. Alexandria is much better than anything on the other side of the river that would be close to your destination if you’re driving. Maybe there’s a boat!
Unless, you live in DC, maybe around the U street corridor or the Columbia Heights station and commute strictly on the green line and don’t try to change trains (you could, but it’s always a pain). You’ll have fun living in DC.
Also, look at taxes. Generally, they are lower in VA. State income tax is higher in DC and MD and the MD counties add more. Alexandria may add more too but I don’t know. Just something to consider when you’re looking at comparing rents in different places.
I went to college in Nova and lived in Maryland most of my adult life. Ivery always wondered why people would sit in that nova traffic instead of Maryland. If you’re willing to drive check out pg, and southern Maryland.
I live in NoVA and work in MD. The traffic is just as bad in MD. PG has crime issues as well as terrible public schools. Southern MD commute is pretty bad coming up Rt 5 or 301.
I live in NoVA in South Alexandria–which is Fairfax County with an Alexandria PO. One of DD’s best friends interned for 2-3 years at the Navy Yard, which is further from here than Bolling, She left VERY early in the morning (started at 6) and her commute was a breeze both ways. Rents will be high especially in Alexandria, but Old Town is very nice and there are lots of young people. There are several new apartment buildings being built within walking distance of the Huntington Metro, just south of the City of Alexandria. Right now, it’s not the greatest area, but there is a lot of development and the new buildings look secure. Definitely worth a look. Congrats on the job, and good luck!
During rush hour all the major roads are jammed. 495. 66, 270. It is worth getting up earlier to get to your destination faster than to be stuck in rush hour traffic. If you reach work by 7am you should be ok.
Also consider cost of living in different residential areas. Rent varies and is quite high in this area.
