Hello,
My son currently lives in Arlington, VA, in an area with many high-rise buildings pretty close together.
He is interested in moving to an as yet unknown place within VA, close (say preferably within a couple of blocks and definitely within half a mile) to metro, but with more green space surrounding it or very nearby (Described as “wants to be able to look out window and see something other than concrete”).
He needs to be close to a grocery store, pharmacy and restaurant options, because neither he nor his girlfriend have or plan to have a car.
He wants to be pretty close to the bike paths, and able to get there safely.
The budget for a 1 BR is probably $2100 or so.
He would prefer to have a gym in the building or close by, and probably to have a place deliveries can be made, so a front desk kind of area.
He may be willing to go out as far as Reston for the right place, or down to Alexandria.
He is not particularly interested in Pentagon City, but for the right place may consider it.
He would prefer a centrally managed place as opposed to an individually owned place, but for the right place they may reconsider.
Of course safety is a concern.
If anyone has any suggestions, including the actual names of apartments or specific neighborhood names to look for, I would appreciate the info., in response to this or via PM.
If he wants to stay in Arlington, he could look around Ballston/Virginia Square. I’m not sure that rents are in his price range but there is certainly more green visable.
The Pimmit Hills neighborhood in Fairfax County might work too.
There’s a commute hub (for buses) in Shirlington; buses go to Pentagon City Metro or the Orange Line corridor. Bike paths and dog parks nearby. Look for Shirlington, North Fairlington areas.
Thanks everyone. Sounds like they may be learning towards Alexandria, but they are just starting serious research. They have a couple of months to decide.
I love Reston! I can’t say any specific places, but I have several friends who live there and commute by metro. Reston is VERY walkable because it was planned to be that way. It was also planned for lots of green space and outdoor activities.
OP here -
After lots of electronic looking and several visits they’ve decided to move to a different apartment in Arlington, near Clarendon metro.
They found one that was nice enough and very close to Braddock Road metro in Alexandria, but the crime there shows as pretty high. The other place they really liked in Alexandria didn’t have any availability for when they need it, and they want to get the decision over with and not be stressed because they don’t know where they’ll be living.
They increased their budget - they don’t have many transportation costs - she will likely be WFH until summer, and if he stays on his current contract he can work from home for a year or more, so they figured more space is good for them.
Yeah - he likes Clarendon. He lived there when he first moved from home, in a VERY expensive apt. (Something like over 5K for 4 br 3 ba). This will be his 3rd move within Arlington over couple of years. They are hoping they will stay in the new place for a couple of years - possibly until they are ready to buy.