[T-MC-G]

Hey mid-atl crew. I found out I am moving to DC for the Air Force, working at Bolling AFB for my first ever assignment. I am planning a trip there in a few weeks to check out places to live. Any advice on good apartment buildings either in DC or surrounding areas, like Alexandrea or Arlington? I have heard that traffic is crazy there so I guess I am looking for a strategic place to get to work but still be next to the action cause I love living in cities. Thanks for any advice!

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by T-MC-G

Hey mid-atl crew. I found out I am moving to DC for the Air Force, working at Bolling AFB for my first ever assignment. I am planning a trip there in a few weeks to check out places to live. Any advice on good apartment buildings either in DC or surrounding areas, like Alexandrea or Arlington? I have heard that traffic is crazy there so I guess I am looking for a strategic place to get to work but still be next to the action cause I love living in cities. Thanks for any advice!

Hey! Welcome!!!

For apartments, it'd depend on what you're looking for i.e. price range, facilities and amenities, location, proximity...

I would recommend you start your search south in crystal city, Rosslyn, Arlington, Alexandria (off 395) or north in chevy chase, bethesda etc

You might want to PM ase2dais...I believe he worked right out of Andrews AFB before and may have more info to share with you.

[BK]

There is some housing on base; it is limited so I don't know how they allocate it. Otherwise, I'd recommend looking at living in VA (lower taxes).

The key to a happy life in DC is a short commute. Take a look at the Pentagon City area, if you can swing the rents. Rosslyn, Crystal City, and Pentagon City (all are Arlington/Alexandria areas) should give you a short commute to Bolling and there are lots of good apartments. Ballston and Courthouse (both in Arlington) are fairly young, happening places to live, too, with good apartment buildings. Your commute will be a little longer from there. Rent should be about the same in all of those locations -- i.e., relatively expensive but not as bad as NYC, SF, Boston, etc.

[bavarian19]

Arlington area if you are younger (which I assume you are). There are a ton of younger people there (mid to late-twenties). If I were renting an apt, I would be in Arlington in a heartbeat.

I found an amazing job and a house in Loudoun County (west of DC), and love where I am... I am often in the Arlington area for nightlife...

[T-MC-G]

thanks for the info guys

[KL2DC]

Just hit us over at the DC chat thread anytime for any questions

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

Just hit us over at the DC chat thread anytime for any questions

While Donny is a little more of a sado-masochist than the rest of us, we dont mind if you ask us questions, and to join in our conversations in the DC chat thread...

[KL2DC]

Originally Posted by bavarian19

While Donny is a little more of a sado-masochist than the rest of us, we dont mind if you ask us questions, and to join in our conversations in the DC chat thread...

that's me...I love pain All part of married life

[KL2DC]

T-MC-G: If you're starting your apartment hunt/research I recommend a quick look at Craigslist: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/apa/

[ase2dais]

Welcome!
fyi Im ex-USAF so I got your back covered.
... if you can afford to live off base, try Va.

[T-MC-G]

Originally Posted by KL2DC

T-MC-G: If you're starting your apartment hunt/research I recommend a quick look at Craigslist: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/apa/

thanks man

[ase2dais]

also try homescafe.com and search by apt size, location etc

www.homescafe.com

click Property Finder
click Virginia
click Fairfax
click Rentals (instead of residentials)
click - your zip codes choices

[bostoniant]

arlington is a real fun place to live for young professionals, but it's going to be a bitch and a half to commute out to Bolling AFB, and Arlington county will tax you on the value of your car. Also your rent in arlington will skyrocket once you move in (especially in the courthouse/clarendon area).
If you must live in Arlington, Crystal City area is pretty cheap, nice, and will have bigger apartments, and has pretty big roads for good manuverability.
I would highly recommend living in the Eastern Market area of Washington. It's a quiet quaint residential neighborhood, with lots of young people living there without the young people noise, and it's a reeeeeal easy drive to Bolling. It's relatively cheap, and it's nice. You do NOT want to live in Anacostia.

[ase2dais]

Eastern Market is quite trendy too! I agree.
I like the Sat. Flee Market, good place for flee-shop and breakfast!


Bikes in DC/Arlington is the way to get around!
Join WABA!
www.waba.org
and learn the city

be part of the sub-culture!

[kobechrome]

Arlington is a great place to live. Metro is right there and alot of young single people around and it's super close to DC.

I loved living in Crystal City (south Arlington) but then I got married and moved to Ashburn. But I still commute to North Arlington everyday

[thd13]

There are many hunnies in Arlington! I highly recommend residing around there.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by thd13

There are many hunnies in Arlington! I highly recommend residing around there.

indeed

[bostoniant]

yeah but they're the real snooty kind. you gotta be driving a BMW or something to pick them up. oh wait a minute! heh, allll right.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by bostoniant

yeah but they're the real snooty kind. you gotta be driving a BMW or something to pick them up. oh wait a minute! heh, allll right.

No... thats when your looking for the money grubbing WH____S. If I am asked what I drive (not often, but it does happen), I say just some old car...

[bostoniant]

where in NOVA do you live? any courthouse/clarendon people??

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by bostoniant

where in NOVA do you live? any courthouse/clarendon people??

Clarendon is my second home... I live in Ashburn though...

[T-MC-G]

Well I just got new orders yesterday and my new report no later than date is now Dec. 6th. So I guess it is going to be another couple of months before I head to DC. Just checking in with you guys!! Latah.