Second The Chatham. It is near the Ft. Myer commissary, medical clinic and many military widows and widowers live there. The condo fees are on the high side but they include all utilities. It is not in Ballston, but close enough that it would be a short drive to Harris-Teeter and other shopping, service sand restaurants.

My MIL lives here:

http://www.thechatham.net/link/linkshow.asp?link_id=55119

Older building, but it is clean and quiet and close to D.C. (we live in Arlington). Her place is huge - 2 bedrooms 2 baths, a decent sized kitchen and living room/dining room. There is also a pool.

What is your idea of affordable?

My MIL is considering relocating to DC area. We live in downtown DC. MIL probably cannot afford a condo in the city, and she has friends in NoVa so it makes sense for her to stay on that side of the river (DH's family is ex-military). Could anyone recommend a NoVa neighborhood that has some affordable condo buildings and is a reasonable commuting distance to DC, so that she could see kids regularly? thanks