Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. Just signed lease for apt in Lyles Crouch school district. Hope it is good. The reviews seem mixed.

Hopefully not 800 Carlyle. Good luck!

Thanks all. Just signed lease for apt in Lyles Crouch school district. Hope it is good. The reviews seem mixed.

I work at PTO - but I'm not a Patent Examiner. There are a lot of nice, new apartments in the area and it's also conveniently located two metro stations (King Stree and Huntington). Parking in the garage is $90/month which is extremely reasonable for this area and is far less than what it would cost me to use public transportation. There's an on-site daycare but it has a waiting list. I live @6 miles from here and my kids go to FCPS. The elementary schools closest to PTO aren't the best in the county but, frankly, if you're only going to be here up until 2nd grade, I really wouldn't worry too much about it. In fact, even the 'worst' FCPS elementary school is far better than any of the schools where I grew up. It's all relative.

You might consider working with a leasing agent/property manager. I can recommend Kay Watkins http://www.yelp.com/biz/watkins-kay-inc-alexandria. She's been in the area for years, is located in Old Town Alexandria and would be of great help finding the right place. Her fee, I believe, is paid by the landlord. A friend of ours used her to find an apartment when she first moved here and then we used her to rent out our townhouse when we bought a house. If we'd sold the townhouse, we would have lost money.

Good luck!

Kay Watkins
218 N Lee St Fl 3
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-1638

Anonymous wrote:Check the following buildings, they are walking distance to the PTO and zoned for Lyles Crouch Elementary, one of the best elementary schools in Alexandria City. You'll also have two metros walking distance, King Street and Eisenhower, restaurants and Whole Foods. Good that your budget is $3500 because they are pricey.

-800 Carlyle
-Carlyle Mill
- Post Carlyle
-Meridian Carlyle
-Carlyle Place

This is great advice, I would focus on these apts. Lyles Crouch is a great school, and if I were you I would minimize my commuting time as much as possible since you will probably need to put extra hours in during that first year at the PTO. My DH works there, has his PhD in physics, and found the first year to be very challenging with a steep learning curve. Not trying to scare you at all, just an fyi that it can be very intense at the beginning, and it may take longer than you think to get to the point in terms of production that you can telecommute.

Check the following buildings, they are walking distance to the PTO and zoned for Lyles Crouch Elementary, one of the best elementary schools in Alexandria City. You'll also have two metros walking distance, King Street and Eisenhower, restaurants and Whole Foods. Good that your budget is $3500 because they are pricey.

-800 Carlyle
-Carlyle Mill
- Post Carlyle
-Meridian Carlyle
-Carlyle Place

Also, this may be a stupid questions, but shows my ignorance about the area. Is it better to drive or commute via bus/metro to work. I assumed driving is always easiest, but maybe this is not the case!

I am hoping to move back home in under a year, so I am only concerned about 1st & 2nd grade. I would love a very short commute in a nice building with amenities since it will be just me and the kids. Other kids in the building for quick & easy playdates would be wonderful.

My husband will be visiting a lot, but he can't really relocate because of his job. So I want to spend time with the kids, not commuting.

I would love suggestions for buildings, if anyone has some. 2 or 3 bedroom. I could probably pay upto $3500, but obviously would love to pay less. Flexible lease in case I leave in less than a year would also be great. Need parking.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!!!

Don't count on telecommute soon. You have to pass a test plus your productivity must be very good and consistent. Alexandria City (ACPS) can be more expensive than Alexandria Fairfax and then you have to deal with the schools in ACPS, which may or may not be to your liking.

Try to visit the schools in both areas or even a little further out in Springfield (also Fairfax) and decide from there. The good thing about this area is that metro/bus may must parts accesible.

Op, are you in one of the PTA positions that allow you to telecommute after a year or two? If so, you may want to focus on school district and not worry as much about commute since it would only last for a year or two.

Fresh on the block, with ACPS administrators, teachers and PTA determined to see success is K-8 Jefferson Houston Elementary School.

I imagine there will be extra effort made for students and parents who attend as they want it filled. I know they will have an after school program housed in the building, which might be helpful with your work situation. Good luck on your new job btw.

Kingstowne is close and has pretty elementary schools. I'm assuming you are coming to the PTO so that you can eventually move back to wherever you are from, since that's what a lot of people do. If that's the case, most elementary schools in the area are pretty good. I know plenty of people that live in the immediate surrounding area, Douglas MacArthur is pretty good, and ACPS has some great ratios for elementary students. If you got an apartment close to the PTO, your kids would be with some great kids. Most people move after elementary, but the people who stay say that if your child is a self-starter and motivated, they could do great in the middle school (George Washington) and high school (TC Williams).

What about beyond ES?

Thanks.

Clermont Elementary in Alexandria Fairfax, zip code 22310. You may be able to find a townhouse for rent in the $2200 zoned for the school and the take the bus to the PTO about 2-3 miles).

I am moving to work at the PTO with my 5 & 6 year old. I would like to rent an apartment close to work that is in a good school district. Can anyone recommend where I should look. I am not from the area and would love some guidance as to where to start. Thanks!