Definitely moving to NOVA (Arlington, Alexandria: renting, condos, townhomes)

[misphasa]

Now I know that I'm definitely moving to Nova and working in SW DC, should be down there by the end of March. Could someone help me out with a little more info on Kingstowne? How bad of a drive would it be to DC at around 6:30 - 7A? I've heard that areas surrounding Kingstowne are not so great - would that be all around or just in one direction?

Are there townhome communities that anyone can recommend closer in? One I saw was Early St Village that looked nice - how would that be to drive in?

Ideally, can't spend more than $530k though would like something for much less. I'd like <1 hour commute to work, prefer a walk to metro location (or shuttle bus to metro), trees and a townhome (no condos).

Still looking into the Vienna metro area for those that so kindly gave me info on that area. I'm just unsure about driving in from there given that 66 is HOV.

Thanks for any advice and helpful hints!!

[Luke29]

Kingstowne is Alexandria (Fairfax county to be precise). It's a very good neighborhood not surrounded by anything funny. I think Burke is on one side and Springfield on the other. A little expensive but also safe. There should be a bunch of Metro buses that would take you straight to Van Dorn Metro ( about 2.3 miles away from Kingstowne shopping center). You are all set.

[Zack]

There are some townhome communities around your price range in different parts of the city of Alexandria such as the west end near Van Dorn Metro, along Eisenhower Ave and up in StoneGate; not sure if Cameron Station is in your price range since it seems to sell at a pretty high premium. Also check out parts of South Arlington as there are townhomes and homes at that price range. Both those areas are much easier commutes into DC either driving or on metro than going outside the beltway. It just gives you more options. e.g. Where I live I'm 2 miles from a metro station, but there are 3 metrobus lines and an ART line which basically adds up to a bus every 7-10 minutes for when I don't want to drive. In an area like Kingstowne those buses might be every 30 minutes, or every 15 if you are lucky.

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by misphasa

Now I know that I'm definitely moving to Nova and working in SW DC, should be down there by the end of March. Could someone help me out with a little more info on Kingstowne? How bad of a drive would it be to DC at around 6:30 - 7A? I've heard that areas surrounding Kingstowne are not so great - would that be all around or just in one direction?

Are there townhome communities that anyone can recommend closer in? One I saw was Early St Village that looked nice - how would that be to drive in?

Ideally, can't spend more than $530k though would like something for much less. I'd like <1 hour commute to work, prefer a walk to metro location (or shuttle bus to metro), trees and a townhome (no condos).

Still looking into the Vienna metro area for those that so kindly gave me info on that area. I'm just unsure about driving in from there given that 66 is HOV.

Thanks for any advice and helpful hints!!

My prediction is that you'll learn very quickly that driving into DC proper as a single person occupied auto during rush hour is bloody murder and just not to be done, and hopefully you'll follow up on that Metro suggestion. Kingstowne to SW DC in the morning, for instance, is easily more than an hour as a single driver. The 14th Street Bridge will become your nemesis.

My idea would be to try to look near the yellow line Metro stops, since you'll be going to SW DC and can take the Yellow line directly over without having to switch trains from the blue to yellow. Those stops to check out are Huntington, Eisenhower Avenue, and Braddock Road. Huntington has some older properties surrounding it but I'm sure with your budget you can also find something really nice around there as well.

Alternatively, you can live a little further down in Alexandria (22306, 22304, 22303) and take a Metrobus to the Huntington station, and repeat suggestion from above.

Welcome to Northern Virginia!

[misphasa]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions!

Do you know of any communities in particular in South Arlington? Any areas to definitely avoid?

Does anyone have any thoughts on Quaker Hill, Early St Village and then areas No of 395 - I think in the 22312 zip code? One I'm thinking of is Beauregard Manor.

Huntley Meadows TH's look nice as well and seem ideal with how close they are to the Park - does anyone know anything about this community and if they have a community shuttle bus to the metro? How bad of a drive would this be to SW DC?

I really appreciate any advice, it doesn't look like I'm getting down there until January to look around - and then I get 8 days to find a home. Thank you!!!!

[knopfler]

Originally Posted by misphasa

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions!

Do you know of any communities in particular in South Arlington? Any areas to definitely avoid?

Does anyone have any thoughts on Quaker Hill, Early St Village and then areas No of 395 - I think in the 22312 zip code? One I'm thinking of is Beauregard Manor.

Huntley Meadows TH's look nice as well and seem ideal with how close they are to the Park - does anyone know anything about this community and if they have a community shuttle bus to the metro? How bad of a drive would this be to SW DC?

I really appreciate any advice, it doesn't look like I'm getting down there until January to look around - and then I get 8 days to find a home. Thank you!!!!

The 22312 zip code - also known as Landmark - does have some gang activity issues, moreso than some of the other areas you mentioned. Caveat emptor.

The Huntley Meadows area strikes me as a better neighborhood. I am quite certain that they do have a shuttle bus - either through the Fairfax Connector or Metrobus - directly to a Metro station. The bus schedules are at Metro - Virginia timetables (http://www.wmata.com/timetables/timetables-state.cfm?State=VA - broken link) - you can either browse for the bus you need, or go directly to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (http://www.wmata.com/default.cfm - broken link) and type in the address you're looking at purchasing/renting, and let them do the work for you.

The Fairfax Connector bus service may well be more convenient for the Huntley Meadows development - their schedules are at South County Schedules and Maps - Fairfax Connector - Fairfax County, Virginia (http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/south.htm - broken link).

You already know my thoughts about driving single passenger to SW DC.