2 BR for 1200 in NOVA? (Arlington, Alexandria: apartments, rentals, townhouse)

[90minDC]

Hi, we are a young couple. We are from a big city but one of us got a new job in DC. We have a tight budget of 1200 (for the DC Area as I understand) for a 2BR apartment.

We understand we will probably have to live farther out to afford the area. That's just the way it is. Just as our first stop we visited some apartments in Frederick, MD. We liked a few but some not so much. They weren't anything as bad as big city slums by any stretch of the imagination. But, they weren't exactly desirable. If that's what our budget gets us, it is what it is. We've done worse. But we were hoping someone here could recommend something better or alternatives in VA.

Not interested in urban areas (we've done our whole life urban want to experience something different/peaceful). Looking for more of a suburban or country location that's commutable to DC (via train to Union Station, bus) etc. We would be open to suburban options but at least from online prices it looks like we'll have to go pretty far out into Virginia.

Are there any options in Arlington/Alexandria that are affordable and desirable i.e. cars won't be broken into etc. We know the "rougher" parts of NOVA are still way better than East New York, but we'd rather skip that and do a longer commute if we had to. At the same time we're hoping that doesn't mean Fredericksburg/Warrenton/Marshall.

What's the story on Manassas or Woodbridge areas? Best and worst apt. complexes?

Any recommendations on 2BR apartments under 1200 in the VA suburbs/exurbs in general?

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by 90minDC

Hi, we are a young couple. We are from a big city but one of us got a new job in DC. We have a tight budget of 1200 (for the DC Area as I understand) for a 2BR apartment.

We understand we will probably have to live farther out to afford the area. That's just the way it is. Just as our first stop we visited some apartments in Frederick, MD. We liked a few but some not so much. They weren't anything as bad as big city slums by any stretch of the imagination. But, they weren't exactly desirable. If that's what our budget gets us, it is what it is. We've done worse. But we were hoping someone here could recommend something better or alternatives in VA.

Not interested in urban areas (we've done our whole life urban want to experience something different/peaceful). Looking for more of a suburban or country location that's commutable to DC (via train to Union Station, bus) etc. We would be open to suburban options but at least from online prices it looks like we'll have to go pretty far out into Virginia.

Are there any options in Arlington/Alexandria that are affordable and desirable i.e. cars won't be broken into etc. We know the "rougher" parts of NOVA are still way better than East New York, but we'd rather skip that and do a longer commute if we had to. At the same time we're hoping that doesn't mean Fredericksburg/Warrenton/Marshall.

What's the story on Manassas or Woodbridge areas? Best and worst apt. complexes?

Any recommendations on 2BR apartments under 1200 in the VA suburbs/exurbs in general?

2br for $1200 with a bearable commute to DC? Not gonna happen. $1200 is pushing it for a studio here.

[airjay75]

To find a 2 BR for $1200, you are probably going to have to go so far out, that much of your savings in rent will be eaten up by very expensive commuting costs. Since you are a couple, you may have to settle for a 1 BR or studio apartment and learn to live with the smaller space. Maybe some others will have some recommendations, but $1200 for housing will not go very far in NoVA or the greater metro DC area.

[marie5v]

I suggest look at Mt. Vernon Square Apartments in Alexandria, VA. I don't think you will find 2 bdr for 1200 (you won't find that anywhere), but you will find the lowest prices you are likely to find within a reasonable commute to DC. It's mainly a working but lower income complex, but if you don't have kids then I think it's fine. It's appearance is pretty nice considering the costs. You might get a 1bdrm there close to your price range (but probably still a little over it). It would be a reasonable commute to DC since it's straight down route 1 and Mt. Vernon Parkway, also not too far from a metro.

If you really want to suffer with the commute, you can try Leesburg and take the VRE to work. It's torturous, but I know people who do it. You still won't find a 2bedrm for 1200, but maybe a 1 bedrm.

I think the next cheapest town is probably Centreville, but I don't know what that commute would be like since there is no metro there.

Forget Warrenton, etc - you simply cannot commute to DC from there every day. It would be kind of like commuting from Albany to NYC.

[Mike From NIU]

I searched homesdatabase.com and found about a dozen listings that are in the general Northern Virginia area that are a 2BR with a rent of $1200 or less. Some even have a reasonable commute (Woodbridge/Lake Ridge or Lorton), but I don't know about the specific addresses in question. You may want to browse that site yourself to see if you like any of the places listed.

Other than a 2BR, what are you looking for in a location? Where exactly in DC will one of you be working? Where will the other one work? These might help you narrow down a potential location.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by marie5v

If you really want to suffer with the commute, you can try Leesburg and take the VRE to work.

Where are they catching the VRE from Leesburg?

[Mike From NIU]

For instance, 12222 STEVENSON CT #12222, WOODBRIDGE, VA 22192 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com is in 22192 in the Springwoods area, which is considered a pretty good area overall.

9666 HAGEL CIR #D, LORTON, VA 22079 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com and 9643 HAGEL CIR #29/B, LORTON, VA 22079 | Listing Information | MRIShomes.com are located near each other in Lorton, and one mentions a nearby commuter bus that will take you to the VRE.

I'm not sure about the Lorton location, but it is very rare to see a 22192 rental (Stevenson Ct.) go for that price.

[stpickrell]

No thought to Bowie or Silver Spring MD?

[jillybean720]

Yikes - I lived in a 2 bedroom apartment in Alexandria for about $1250 per month, but that was at least 5 years ago now, and we got in during a really good deal (apartments were going for more than ours within just a couple months of us moving in). I think you'll be very hard pressed to find something in that price range in an area with good public transportation options. I lived in Lake Ridge and personally wouldn't want to have to commute from there to DC every day, but I know many people do it. Your commuting tolerance is going to be a big factor here.

[Fallout Zone]

Man, everyone here is so negative! Lets get creative!

Instead of a standalone apartment, there are people around the area that will rent out basement apartments. As an example:

$1200 for a 2br in Lorton - Finished Basement w/ Full Kitchen & Bath in Beautiful House

You could also inquire about rooms for rent and whether they would take in a couple. Here's an example of a large townhouse in a complex I used to live in:

$1100 for the master BR/BA - Master Bedroom/Bathroom in Arlington Townhouse