I think your budget is still low for anywhere in n. arlington UNLESS you really couldn't care less about the condition of the inside of the house. $3000 will get you a SFH or TH most people would considerable liveable.

Call one of the big name realtors, tell them you want to rent for a year before you buy. They will want to help you to get your business later.

Anonymous wrote:PP, I think the OP was saying that they weren't trying to live in a super-desirable, high-dollar area like Clarendon, just hoping to be in North Arlington. They're not saying that they're picky and don't want to live in Clarendon. (I imagine they probably would- it's nice and walkable and the schools are fine.)

Yes, this is exactly what I was saying. I'm being the opposite of picky - Clarendon would be great, but I recognize that I'm not going to be able to find what I want there because it's very expensive.

PP, I think the OP was saying that they weren't trying to live in a super-desirable, high-dollar area like Clarendon, just hoping to be in North Arlington. They're not saying that they're picky and don't want to live in Clarendon. (I imagine they probably would- it's nice and walkable and the schools are fine.)

Anonymous wrote:OP here, we don't want to live in Clarendon, we're thinking a little further out - like near Ballston, for example. Thanks for the recommendations, I had no idea it was such a crazy rental market, I guess we need to call some realtors and drive around looking for signs.

I have been looking for the same for over a year but I had a slightly higher budget. To be honest, you really can't be that picky saying "I don't want to live in Clarendon".

If you want to rent in N. Arlington and your budget is that limited, you have to go with whatever comes up on the market.

If you really need to be picky, then try some of the nicer areas of S. Arlington or move on out to Fairfax County.

Try all of the local real estate agencies, including Billy Buck & Associates, which is an Arlington-specific real estate agency that seems to do lots of business here.

would you consider something on a busier street? there's a property for rent on Lee Highway near Sycamore that's been on the market for awhile. it's in a good school district and very close to East Falls Church, but I'm not sure what the price is.

the 22nd rd house is in a great neighborhood - check it out if you can afford $3K. (we're not far from there.)

There will be occasionally - very occasionally - a listing in the Arlington Sun Gazette real estate ads for something for rent. It is rare, but I think you can find what you are describing for $2600/month.

I'm a runner and I see the signs around very occasionally for properties for rent. If you drive around looking for these, you'll be driving for miles!

I would try all of the local real estate companies, asking for their for-rent listings. Good luck!

Call Peg Bell at McEnearney Arlington
571-205-3582
Tell her what you are looking for.

OP here, we don't want to live in Clarendon, we're thinking a little further out - like near Ballston, for example. Thanks for the recommendations, I had no idea it was such a crazy rental market, I guess we need to call some realtors and drive around looking for signs.

it's a little over your budget, but what about this?

http://betsytwigg.com/property/13914473/5440_22ND_RD_N_ARLINGTON_VA_22205

these two real estate agents are really great in that area and may have some leads for you:

http://www.johnplank.net/

http://betsytwigg.com/

there is a real estate office in the lee-harrison shopping center (where harris-teeter is in 22207) in arlington, they sometimes have postings on their windows.

We're renting a 3BR/2BA single-family home in North Arlington for $2500. We're near Nottingham. We got ours by word of mouth, which I know isn't helpful, but gives you an idea of the rental market in this area. There have been a few others for rent in the neighborhood. I've seen the for rent signs up...but only for a few days. I heard that one house rented within hours of the sign being put up because a family was taking a bike ride through the neighborhood and saw the sign and knocked on the door (the owners were living in the house then, leaving on State Dept assignment). When we were looking, I signed myself up for alerts on all the real estate websites, Realtor.com, Weichert, Long & Foster, McEnearney, etc.

$2600 is low for what you are looking for, unfortunately. We rent a 2 bedroom for $2500 in Clarendon. When we were looking most of the 3 bedrooms were over 3k.

Is it possible to find a 3 BR/2BA house or townhouse in North Arlington for $2600/month? If so, HOW? Craigslist is not helping - do you guys have real estate agent suggestions? Is that the way to go? Our 2BR in the city is getting too small for us (and hopefully soon we'll have a little one on the way!).