What's the commute like from Vienna to Crystal City?
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Anonymous
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I've been offered a 1 year project in Crystal City when I return from maternity leave. There's limited projects in my company these days, so I kind of have to take the project. Otherwise I'll have to look for other billable work or another job.
My DS2 will be 3 months old when I return to work and will be in a daycare near home (Tysons area off Leesburg Pike). My DS1 will be starting kindergarten in September. How's the commute from Vienna to Crystal City? Please advise on: - what traffic is like on a good day and bad day (how long does it take)? - construction or season (summer vs winter) consideration. - where to park (paid or unpaid)? - what's the recommended route if you can't take 66? - other factors I should consider. Also, any advice on moving my DS's daycare near work vs. home? He'll be 3 months old only and wondering if I'll have to stop in the middle of the commute to feed or change diapers. Thank you. |
Anonymous
| What time will you need to be there? |
Anonymous
| This isn't my everyday commute, but I can say that 66 is BAD on Friday afternoons in the summer especially. |
Anonymous
| OP here - daycare hours are from 7am - 6pm and office hours are from 8:30/9:00 - 4:30/5:00. |
Anonymous
| Hmm, I commute from Vienna to Old Town/Braddock Rd Metro area via 495. Morning is easy--it's a reverse commute--it's afternoons that are hard. I would leave by 4:30 in the afternoon. Wouldn't try 66. |
Anonymous
| Not the greatest commute, but WELL within what normal people do. |
Anonymous
| I've done that trip. I would budget 45-60 minutes from Tyson's to CC. |
Anonymous
| I would take the metro. |
Anonymous
| What about VRE? |
Anonymous
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If you have daycare responsibilities, I don't recommend Metro. The recent news make it seem like it's not reliable, so you'll have to consider options to cover emergencies when kidos are sick and need quick pick up, metro delays, and what else...carrying baby gear for your 3 month old (if nursing).
If you take the project, you'll probably have to suck it up, DC area traffic is what it is or you can find another job near kids/home. |
Anonymous
| Metro could be do-able. I've taken metro 4 days/week from DC to Vienna (and now DC to Ballston) and I've honestly had maybe 2 or 3 days in the last 3.5 years when I've been worried about missing the daycare pickup due solely to Metro. The only day I was actually late was the day of the jumper at Clarendon. (the bus took forever.) I used to take metro from Vienna to Pentagon City and it just wasn't a big deal. |
Anonymous
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Look at cost for parking as well. When I worked in Crystal City, monthly parking was around $165/month and Metro parking was $65/month, plus rush hour fare ($5.00 1 way).
Take into consideration time and gas prices as well, since I assume you will have to drive your kids to daycare then take Metro. |
Anonymous
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Sorry PP . I' did the reverse of this while pregnant. I would look for other work unless you can take the metro train. I worry you will be late picking up your little one and charged per minute like most places. That coupled with all the other costs may not make this worth your time.
And yes, 666 would be a non starter for me with a month old. Evening rush was just bad in both directions. That 666 was a typo but apropos so it remains. |
Anonymous
Do you understand where the VRE runs? |
Anonymous
| From Tyson's I would take 123 to Old Dominion to 29 or the GW Parkway. |