Moving to DC

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am moving to the D.C. area sometime in february. I am moving for a job which if the map is correct is in the federal district (somewhere near the white house) - sorry I am VERY unfamiliar with the area.

Anyway I have a child who will be starting kindergarten next school year (2008-2009). I am interested in a good relatively safe area, with an excellent school.

My priorties in living area is:

1. school
2. commute/safety
3. price

i had been considering the fairfax county area because of their school districts but am starting to reconsider because of the commute time.

can someone give me some clues about areas to check out.

I am planning on renting an apt or something first (2 br / 2 bath).

[Anonymous]

First thing about commute is are you able to/desire to metro to work or will you need to drive? My job requires me to drive which certainly limits my options.

[Anonymous]

i have a car but have no problems with doing a metro system (I hate driving).

[Anonymous]

How much can you spend?

[Anonymous]

$1250 to $1650.

I also have two cats i am unwilling to leave behind so i need a pet friendly place.

[Anonymous]

Maybe Rosslyn? Arlington would make the most sense for you.

Areas in Arlington:
Rosslyn, Ballston, Crystal City, Clarendon, Shirlington. I like North Arlington personally.

Alexandria would push it a little but I liked where I lived off of Van Dorn.

Maybe Kingstowne? What schools are for that area?

Fairfax has horrible commuting unless you work in Fairfax or somewhere opposite of traffic.

MD and VA have great schools. Even the "worst" in the suburbs would be pretty good comparatively to many other areas. You'd have to check further on the DC public schools because they have a bad rap. I have no idea about what they offer but know it's always on the news that it needs a reform and people are always arguing about them.

Check greatschools.com

[Anonymous]

I would look at some of the apartments in the 22207 zip code of Arlington. It is close in, the schools are great, and it is safe. The apartments are not right on the metro line, but you can take a bus straight to Rosslyn metro. Most of the apartments would be older, if that is an issue, but the newer places would be out of your price range unfortunately. This area of Arlington is great because it is close to DC and the Clarendon/Courthouse/Ballston area of Arlington (lots of shops, restaurants, etc), but it is also away from a lot of the traffic/parking issues of being right near the metro. There are also tons of parks in Arlington, as well as lots of kid related activities.

Here are some listings:

http://www.mcenearney.com/search/listing.php?...=&zip=22207&address=

This place takes cats:

http://www.mcenearney.com/search/listing.php?...er_by=price_low_high

Good luck and welcome to the area!

[Anonymous]

If you were considering Maryland, you could look at either Silver Spring or Rockville. Both are on the metro line and Montgomery County has good schools as well. When I lived in Virginia, I lived out in McLean (on the side closer to Tysons) -- there are several apartment options out there and you could easily drive in to work or drive to the metro. I lived in Arlington as well (in the Courthouse area) -- it's fun and there's a lot to do there but much more of an urban feel (at least most of the areas where the apartments are).

[Anonymous]

i would consider maryland (i've heard about the montgomery co schools & have been interested). i just need to know commute times (metro if possible).

i have no point of reference for any of this (distance wise).

[Anonymous]

Just a quick bit of info as an FYI on the pets and renting.... with cats it is generally easier than dogs so I wouldn't worry about finding a place. However, it is common here for apartment complexes to not only require a non-refundable pet deposit, but ALSO additional rent per month. So, be sure to ask about this right off the bat. Sometimes $100 additional per month for 2 pets was more than my budget would allow for my dogs.

[Anonymous]

From the metro in Silver Spring to downtown (near the White House) would be maybe a 30 min. metro ride depending on how quickly you get the metro (it comes much more frequently at rush hour but can sometimes be unpredictable if there's a breakdown) -- I'd say door to door, depending on how far you have to walk from the metro to your job, about 45 min. My husband takes the metro at Grosvenor (in North Bethesda, near Rockville) downtown and it takes about 45 min. as well. There are a ton of new (and older) apartments out on Rockville Pike near the Grosvenor Metro stop, the White Flint metro stop, the Twinbrook Metro stop and the Rockville Metro stop.

[Anonymous]

thank you so much everybody!

[Anonymous]

The Rockville schools are good and the commute time to the Farragut North Metro Stop from Rockille probably ranges from 20 - 30 minutes. Not bad. There are also a ton of new apartments and condos for rent in North Bethesda (which is really Rockville) and Rockville Town Center which is newly re-developed as mixed-use. Lots of restaurants, shopping and a movie theater right there.

Good Luck

[Anonymous]

Definitely consider Arlington. Lots of apartments, great schools and you would have an easy commute on the metro. It is also a great community to raise kids. Lots of parks and activities. Your taxes will also be less that living in MD or DC.

We chose Arlington when we moved to the area 3 years ago. Looked in DC, MD and VA and we couldn't be happier with our decision. Welcome to the area.

[Anonymous]

There are several apartment complexes on Bradley Boulevard in Chevy Chase, MD (right over the DC line in Montgomery County) that will put you right in your price range for a 2 bedroom. They will put you in the Somerset Elementary district, and Somerset is arguably the best elementary school in the DC area, and it is walking distance to the Bethedsa metro (about 20 min to where you will be working). I don't know the contact info for the buildings, but google Bradley View Apartments, and Aldon Management, I know those are 2 of them. It would really be ideal for you, I think. Good luck!