OP here - thanks for all the advice.

I can spend about $2200-2400 a month with the hope that would include a parking spot. I'm looking in VA because I have family in the area that I will be seeing often that lives farther out in VA. I'm not really in the place in my life where I want to go out partying every night, but I'd like a place that has low-key happy hour meet-ups and maybe does events like going to concerts together, hikes, etc. Also would be interested in joining something like a bocce ball league.

I'm mainly looking for the opportunity to make a few friends. I'll be working from home plus traveling, so I won't have any social aspect coming from work.

How much do you want to pay for rent? Makes a huge difference.

Anonymous wrote:There are actually a lot of 30-somethings in the Old Town and Del Ray areas. Just look through the Rooms for rent section on Craigslist alone. I think the area caters toward more low-key people who don't need to be out and about every night downing $10 drinks, etc.

So depending on the type of person you are, it might be work well to move to the Old Town area. There are plenty of bars that trend toward the younger ages.

Yeah but those 30-somethings are mostly married with toddlers. I'm 33, live in the neighborhood and like it a lot. But if I were single I'd move to Dupont circle or the Hill or lots of other places in the city in a heartbeat.

Anonymous wrote:Of course, if your job is in Tysons area/McLean, Falls Church City (near the State Theatre/4 Provinces) and/or McLean itself (near Chain Bridge/Old Dominion/McLean House) are decent options - also a fair amount of apartments and condos near Fannie Mae in McLean.

Whoops - that should be Freddie Mac in McLean! I believe the complex is the Fountains of McLean - there's also a newer apartment/condo building right behind (I forget the name, but it's near the underground Harris Teeter.)

SW Waterfront -- I'd even buy there as it's set for a huge renovation project in the next few years!

Of course, if your job is in Tysons area/McLean, Falls Church City (near the State Theatre/4 Provinces) and/or McLean itself (near Chain Bridge/Old Dominion/McLean House) are decent options - also a fair amount of apartments and condos near Fannie Mae in McLean.

There are actually a lot of 30-somethings in the Old Town and Del Ray areas. Just look through the Rooms for rent section on Craigslist alone. I think the area caters toward more low-key people who don't need to be out and about every night downing $10 drinks, etc.

So depending on the type of person you are, it might be work well to move to the Old Town area. There are plenty of bars that trend toward the younger ages.

Another vote for living in the city. I liked the crowd hanging out in Dupont/U Street/Adams Morgan/14th Street a lot better than what I saw in Clarendon/Courthouse.

For me, I'd try close to Chinatown/NOMA or 14th Street.

I agree with the others -- of the two choices you gave, definitely Clarendon. But unless you're working way out in Virginia (Tysons or something) I'd really consider living in DC, for both commute and city-life-fun reasons. Can you give us a little more info on where you're working and why you're leaning toward Virginia? Maybe we could steer you to some DC neighborhoods that would also work.

There are buildings in DC that have parking - many/most of the newer ones do. You could do Capitol Hill, too - my ex had a great rental in the Carbury (spelling?) school that had parking, and was walking distance to both Union Station and H St. NE. I think Columbia Heights, U St. and Logan would be a lot of fun, too.

If you're still thinking VA, then anywhere between Rosslyn and Ballston metro should have a ton of young people.

Avoid VA, it's horribly boring. If you want to meet other singles, you should live inside the city. Just pick whatever you can afford in NW, or NE near H Street.

-U and 14th St NW
-DuPont Circle
-NOMA
-Shaw
-Petworth
-Columbia Heights
-etc

Why not live in the city? It's full of people your age. Logan Circle is great. Depending on where you live street parking may not be bad if you get a residential parking permit.

Old Town Alexandria (though it may be a little sedate for younger 30s. For 35 and up, it's perfect.)