Looking for affordable apartment complex in Arlington

[Anonymous]

My DD and I might be moving to the Arlington area in the next few months. She will be in K this fall. I am a single parent whose job doesn't pay that much so I am looking for an affordable apartment complex but still in a pretty safe area. I probably couldn't afford more than $1300/month for rent on a 2 bedroom apt. She is half-Hispanic so an area with Hispanic kids would be great. Can anyone recommend their Arlington ES? She is not bilingual but is already reading at a 1st or 2nd grade level. I'd like to find a somewhat diverse school but one where she won't get forgotten b/c she is ahead of her peers academically. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I suggest looking for a private rental. For example, you could use the homesdatabase and look for rental properties in Arlington.

Here's such a search:
http://www.homesdatabase.com/mapsearch.ds?where=Arlington%2C+VA%2C+22201&what=&propertyType=forsale..%3D..0..%26..For+Rent&numBeds=&numBaths=&lotSizes=&minPrice=&maxPrice=1300&mustHaves=&homeTypes=&homeStyles=&homeAges=&heatingTypes=&coolingTypes=&newSearch=true&display=map&mapWidth=881&mapHeight=530&mapLevel=0#14_-_38.88996392916758_-_-77.12003231048584_-_r_-_false

[Anonymous]

People really like Campbell, and it is certainly diverse but in a relatively inexpensive part of Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Can't recall the names of the apartment complexes, but there are many off of Glebe near the Ballston area, as well as one across from Swanson Middle School. If you drive around the area there, you'll see them. Many have apartments for rent, and teh area is a mix of Hispanics and young professionals. Schools are good in the area, and it's a nice location wtih parks, etc.

[Anonymous]

I would check the bedbugs registry website before you sign
a lease-- there are serious infestations in some of the south
Arlington complexes.

It is common for ks to start school reading in Arlington so
I wouldn't worry about her getting overlooked. She will
probably have a few peers right at her level, which will be
great for her. Good luck with your m

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People really like Campbell, and it is certainly diverse but in a relatively inexpensive part of Arlington.

Thanks everyone for the info. Is Campbell a neighborhood school that you have to live around to get into or is it a magnet school that has a lottery? Or both?

[Anonymous]

Key Elementary is bilingual...try Courthouse area...perhaps Courthouse Plaza apts...or some of the many buildings around there.

[Anonymous]

Campbell is an elementary school. It is in a part of S Arlington that is reasonably affordable. Plus, it is a "regional" school of some sort, so you don't have to live in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I loved living in the Courthouse Plaza apartment building as a young professional. It was well maintained and much less expensive than the other (newer) high rise apartments in the neighborhood. Not sure if it'll meet your budget, but it might be close.

While I'm not sure how child-friendly it is these days, but when I was there it seemed like it would be great. No old people who are likely to complain about noise (plus, the floors are very well carpeted) but not a loud party building either.

It's zoned for Key Elementary, which is fabulous, as well as a few other schools, I think. And it's a quick walk to get to Key School -- the playground is a magnet for neighborhood kids in the afternoons and weekends. Great place!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved living in the Courthouse Plaza apartment building as a young professional. It was well maintained and much less expensive than the other (newer) high rise apartments in the neighborhood. Not sure if it'll meet your budget, but it might be close.

While I'm not sure how child-friendly it is these days, but when I was there it seemed like it would be great. No old people who are likely to complain about noise (plus, the floors are very well carpeted) but not a loud party building either.

It's zoned for Key Elementary, which is fabulous, as well as a few other schools, I think. And it's a quick walk to get to Key School -- the playground is a magnet for neighborhood kids in the afternoons and weekends. Great place!

I lived there back in my late 20's...1998-2000. The location was fab. It has a rooftop swimming pool. It was EXTREMELY quiet. Not a party-building. It seemed professionals, some out-of-town consultants (gone on the weekends).

I suggested because i live over in Clarendon now in a SFH--but when we were doing renovations we stayed a week at the new Residence Courthouse over there and hanging out in the courtyard at the time...i met at least 3-4 families that lived in Courthouse plaza. all very nice. i think with the huge increase of prices in the housing in Arlington over the last 7 years---it is more common.

I would DEFINITELY choose this location over South Arlington. Clarendon is filled with kids, so readily Metro accessible...lots of great parks walking distance, etc. Local elementary schools are great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved living in the Courthouse Plaza apartment building as a young professional. It was well maintained and much less expensive than the other (newer) high rise apartments in the neighborhood. Not sure if it'll meet your budget, but it might be close.

While I'm not sure how child-friendly it is these days, but when I was there it seemed like it would be great. No old people who are likely to complain about noise (plus, the floors are very well carpeted) but not a loud party building either.

It's zoned for Key Elementary, which is fabulous, as well as a few other schools, I think. And it's a quick walk to get to Key School -- the playground is a magnet for neighborhood kids in the afternoons and weekends. Great place!

I lived there back in my late 20's...1998-2000. The location was fab. It has a rooftop swimming pool. It was EXTREMELY quiet. Not a party-building. It seemed professionals, some out-of-town consultants (gone on the weekends).

I suggested because i live over in Clarendon now in a SFH--but when we were doing renovations we stayed a week at the new Residence Courthouse over there and hanging out in the courtyard at the time...i met at least 3-4 families that lived in Courthouse plaza. all very nice. i think with the huge increase of prices in the housing in Arlington over the last 7 years---it is more common.

I would DEFINITELY choose this location over South Arlington. Clarendon is filled with kids, so readily Metro accessible...lots of great parks walking distance, etc. Local elementary schools are great.

Lyon Park, Lyon village and the little area outside of Barnes & Noble---also parks and great way to meet locals with kids of similar ages.

[Anonymous]

Courtland Towers on N. Veitch street in Arlington (Courthouse) had families when I lived there in my mid 20s. They had up to 3 bedrooms. Nice pool, both indoors and outdoors, racquetball court, basektball, etc. Walkind distance to metro. Quiet building, nice construction. A one bedroom was $900 back them (lat '90s).

[Anonymous]

OP - A lot of these people don't get what it means when you say "affordable." South Arlington is plenty nice. We started out in Fairlington (which is expensive per square foot) but there are many options outside of it which are affordable and nice. It is less prestigous than N. Arlington, but has everything you need. I do wish you luck starting over.

What you rent the first time should be affordable and convenient. Once you've established residency, you can figure out where you belong. If your kid is in one of the district-wide schools (hence my suggestion of Campbell), you won't have to move your kid even if you move yourself. You aren't going to end up on top of B&N.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I'm glad that these forums exist b/c I don't know anyone else to ask. Affordable to me means a 2 bedroom apt for around $1300/month or maybe $1400 w/ utilities. That probably isn't much but I only have one income to cover everything. And I've heard the schools in Arlington are quite good and it isn't too far away from DC where I will be working. The school is more important to me than anything. We currently live in a 1 bedroom w/ den and while small (700SF), it works for us.

[Anonymous]

OP again. Just looked up some of the apts PPs have recommended and they are super $$$. I don't need luxury just not too sketchy of a location and nearby a good school (just in case we can't get into other schools via lottery). Thanks!