DC Folks
- Thread starter osufiji
- Start date
Have had friends move there, haven't ever been there myself. They live on the Virginia side of the equation and use the trams quite often.
They live, I think, around McLead (sp?) and say it is a nice area.
Are you moving from French Lick (saw that in your avatar area)?
They live, I think, around McLead (sp?) and say it is a nice area.
Are you moving from French Lick (saw that in your avatar area)?
Just google Denny's and move into their attic. It will feel like you never left French Lick.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Posted from Rivals Mobile
I lived there for a decade, but have been gone 14 yrs now (wow, how time flies)
1. Bear in mind, traffic is a complete and utter bitch. Don't even think about living in an area without a straight, short drive to work, or easy access to metro from your home to office. If you have to get on the beltway, you may spend a substantial chunk of your life driving in circles.
2. Bear in mind, rent/home prices are likely 3-4 times higher than Oklahoma and the cost almost always increases in proportion to how close you can live/drive to work as in 1 above. (the old Catch 22)
3. Great place to be, lots of things to do (so much so, that the choices can be overwhelming) and lots of those things are actually free to do, or dirt cheap. You will have the chance to meet people from all over the world and the gastronomical choices are outstanding, considering that there are restaurants that cater to all those people from all the world.
4. Lots of younger, techie and professional types in the Arlington area who commute to DC using metro. (Metro is your friend, relatively inexpensive and often a major time saver from trying to drive, locate and pay for parking, etc. Also, it's a great choice for visiting the sites in DC and the entire metro area - VA & MD.)
5. Several great live music and performance venues. Bands that play scheduled concerts at arenas in OK....you might find them playing a bar or night club in DC. 9:30 Club, which was kind of DC's version of CBGB's, is still going strong, the Birchmere in the Arlandria area (on the border of Arlington VA and Alexandria VA) is a great venue with a long and storied past which typically features more of a country/folk vibe, but you may catch some rockabilly, swing, blues or even a burlesque show.
6. Single or married, there's plenty of activities and events that cater to both.
Overall, driving, parking, commuting, etc. can be a huge hassle from time to time and the shear number of people can often be overwhelming, but I really liked DC (metro area) and there's a lot of great things going for it.
1. Bear in mind, traffic is a complete and utter bitch. Don't even think about living in an area without a straight, short drive to work, or easy access to metro from your home to office. If you have to get on the beltway, you may spend a substantial chunk of your life driving in circles.
2. Bear in mind, rent/home prices are likely 3-4 times higher than Oklahoma and the cost almost always increases in proportion to how close you can live/drive to work as in 1 above. (the old Catch 22)
3. Great place to be, lots of things to do (so much so, that the choices can be overwhelming) and lots of those things are actually free to do, or dirt cheap. You will have the chance to meet people from all over the world and the gastronomical choices are outstanding, considering that there are restaurants that cater to all those people from all the world.
4. Lots of younger, techie and professional types in the Arlington area who commute to DC using metro. (Metro is your friend, relatively inexpensive and often a major time saver from trying to drive, locate and pay for parking, etc. Also, it's a great choice for visiting the sites in DC and the entire metro area - VA & MD.)
5. Several great live music and performance venues. Bands that play scheduled concerts at arenas in OK....you might find them playing a bar or night club in DC. 9:30 Club, which was kind of DC's version of CBGB's, is still going strong, the Birchmere in the Arlandria area (on the border of Arlington VA and Alexandria VA) is a great venue with a long and storied past which typically features more of a country/folk vibe, but you may catch some rockabilly, swing, blues or even a burlesque show.
6. Single or married, there's plenty of activities and events that cater to both.
Overall, driving, parking, commuting, etc. can be a huge hassle from time to time and the shear number of people can often be overwhelming, but I really liked DC (metro area) and there's a lot of great things going for it.
I lived there 11 (!) years ago, but still visit two or three times a year. Most of the District itself is changing rapidly. It is stupidly expensive, unless you want to really push the 'urban pioneer' frontier in Northeast. The suburbs are all pretty awful---still expensive, too much traffic, boring as hell. I guess some of the close in suburbs can be OK--Silver Spring, Takoma. Arlington is getting too expensive for even the middle class.
My sister and bro-in-law have a condo south of Ashburn, VA, and I can't believe how much they pay. They both work out that way, but DC is a 40 minute drive during "low" traffic---the drive is impossible during rush hour (1.5 hours?). Lots of new condos being built along the new Sliver Line, but I'm sure expensive (I would guess that something like a 2BR condowalking distance to Tyson's Corner goes $400K plus).
My other bro-in law owns a 1 BR condo in a huge building near the Rockville (MD) Metro station. It's one of those places that has a door man and gym and everything. No need for a car, so you save some expenses. Not much to do out there (even though it's close-in), but your a short trip into the Northwest Side of DC.
So much depends on your income level and your family situation. Single, with a decent paycheck? Then you can still find something safe in an interesting part of the District.
If I had to move back (wife, no kids, combined income $100-120K), I would look to rent a floor of a two-flat in Brookland, upper 16th Street, Takoma DC, maybe even Petworth these days. I lived in Mt Pleasant and loved it. Back when the nearby Columbia Heights Green Line station could be very un-nerving. There were three or four 'urban pioneer' upper-middle class gay couple gentrifiers living in almost fortress conditions. Now you can't buy any of those row houses for less than a million, I bet. And its sterile. Bunch of big box scores around there, Panera, Chipotle, etc. You could be in Kansas City or Sacramento, or any other city.
There has been an explosion of hipsters. It was the squarest city on earth when I lived there (and had been since at least 1940). Now there are continual Portlandian moments.
Despite this, I like the city. My grandparents lived there in the 80s, I had a short stint there, and my sister is there. So I have soft spot for it. I always liked the DC 'natives,' many of which retain the better elements of East coast city dwellers, southerners, and people with a chip on their shoulder.
This post was edited on 2/11 7:53 PM by Anodyne
My sister and bro-in-law have a condo south of Ashburn, VA, and I can't believe how much they pay. They both work out that way, but DC is a 40 minute drive during "low" traffic---the drive is impossible during rush hour (1.5 hours?). Lots of new condos being built along the new Sliver Line, but I'm sure expensive (I would guess that something like a 2BR condowalking distance to Tyson's Corner goes $400K plus).
My other bro-in law owns a 1 BR condo in a huge building near the Rockville (MD) Metro station. It's one of those places that has a door man and gym and everything. No need for a car, so you save some expenses. Not much to do out there (even though it's close-in), but your a short trip into the Northwest Side of DC.
So much depends on your income level and your family situation. Single, with a decent paycheck? Then you can still find something safe in an interesting part of the District.
If I had to move back (wife, no kids, combined income $100-120K), I would look to rent a floor of a two-flat in Brookland, upper 16th Street, Takoma DC, maybe even Petworth these days. I lived in Mt Pleasant and loved it. Back when the nearby Columbia Heights Green Line station could be very un-nerving. There were three or four 'urban pioneer' upper-middle class gay couple gentrifiers living in almost fortress conditions. Now you can't buy any of those row houses for less than a million, I bet. And its sterile. Bunch of big box scores around there, Panera, Chipotle, etc. You could be in Kansas City or Sacramento, or any other city.
There has been an explosion of hipsters. It was the squarest city on earth when I lived there (and had been since at least 1940). Now there are continual Portlandian moments.
Despite this, I like the city. My grandparents lived there in the 80s, I had a short stint there, and my sister is there. So I have soft spot for it. I always liked the DC 'natives,' many of which retain the better elements of East coast city dwellers, southerners, and people with a chip on their shoulder.
This post was edited on 2/11 7:53 PM by Anodyne
Suck it TC - very few people can say they lived in French Lick or directly above a Denny's and I experienced both at the same time. I'm sorry your jealous but unfortunately OK doesn't offer the same quality of life as Southern Indiana.
I think the primary concern for me is whether or not I can do a reverse commute. My job will be in the Sterling, VA area but the wife and I would like to live near DC or public transportation since we will only be there two years and want to experience the area. When we lived in Chicago I did the reverse commute from the city to northwest suburbs and it got extremely old after a while - even on the public transportation, but I'd be willing to do again if it wasn't too crazy
I've come to terms with cost of living but its somewhat offset by a COLA and after two years in French Lick,I'm okay having a little less in my pocket at the end of the month if it means being close to civilization.
Appreciate the feedback from everyone but tc.
I think the primary concern for me is whether or not I can do a reverse commute. My job will be in the Sterling, VA area but the wife and I would like to live near DC or public transportation since we will only be there two years and want to experience the area. When we lived in Chicago I did the reverse commute from the city to northwest suburbs and it got extremely old after a while - even on the public transportation, but I'd be willing to do again if it wasn't too crazy
I've come to terms with cost of living but its somewhat offset by a COLA and after two years in French Lick,I'm okay having a little less in my pocket at the end of the month if it means being close to civilization.
Appreciate the feedback from everyone but tc.
What was your commute in Chicago? I would equate a reverse commute from NW DC to Sterling to a commute from Lincoln Park to Lake Forest or even Crystal Lake. Probably worse. It could certainly be done, but you're looking at serious expenses in time and gas (and the Dulles Toll Road, unless you want to suffer along HWY 7). Leaving early from DC (by 7 or 7:30) might be pretty smooth sailing heading west. I think you're f**ked coming back into the city no matter the time (well, maybe before 3 or after 7 wouldn't be too horrible).
My sister works in Sterling, and most of her co-workers live in those exploding exurbs around Dulles, while some live in Leesburg. A few live in West Virginia. Seriously. Commuting is a different world in that area. I worked with a guy (downtown DC on Pennsylvania) who lived in Gettysburg. One of my supervisors lived on a farm outside of Fredericskburg, VA.
Check out downtown Leesburg. It's not a suburb, but a very old and interesting town. Still expensive, but it has much character.
I go there all the time. I love it. Post pub is my favorite watering hole.
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Posted from Rivals Mobile
Commute in Chicago was about 1.5 hours each way - 20 minutes from Lincoln Park to Union Station and then 50 minutes on Metra to Medinah plus 20 minutes of walking/waiting to and from the trains. Lake Forest comparison is a little daunting and don't think I could have actually done that.
How easy is it to get in and out of DC from Sterling? Do they have something similar to the Chicago Metra from the burbs?
Nick...my email is bryankarns@gmail.com
I would say you should really think about how much you out and about on the town. If you go out and grab drinks a couple times during the week and then also go out on the weekend much of the time it may make more sense to live in DC, Arlington, or Bethesda. If you basically only go out on the weekend it may make more sense to live nearer to work.
Reston town center is probably the best bet for a place that is close to Sterling. It is a pretty cool area with lots of restaurants and stores in kind of a large outdoor mall type area that is really nice to walk around. It does not feel like DC though. It is also still about a 7-10 minute drive to the silver line station at Wiehle. Metroing in to DC is about 25 minutes and then another 10-30 depending on where you are going once you get there. Ubering around especially if you are married is a lot easier and not terribly more expensive.
Clarendon area in Arington (and Virginia Square and Ballston) are nice areas as well on Virginia side. It would probably be about a 30 minute - 40 minute drive from there. Lots of stuff to do around there. Age range of people in this area is probably around 25 - 35. Again much different feel than DC.
One of my favorite areas on the Virginia side is Old Town Alexandria near King Street and the Potomac. Really cool vibe down there and great restaurants and walking. Age range probably 30s - early 50s there. Lots of married folk. Easy access to hop on metro and go into DC or up to Arlington area. Probably a 35-50 minute drive out to Sterling from there.
Navy yard area in DC is pretty cool and you could hop on the highway pretty easily from there. Prob a 45 - 1 hour and 15 minute commute from there. Near H street which is fun, and you can easily metro to most places from there. Always can catch a baseball game cheap and easy if you like doing that for entertainment because it is a couple blocks away.
Reverse commuting is definitely easier than trying to get into DC during rush hour. Reston would be the cheapest of all those areas. Then probably DC (depending upon where you are). Alexandria and Arlington likely the most expensive. Really it depends on how much you get out and about during the week. If you rarely get out during the week I would just live in Reston town center and then go into the fun areas by metro on the weekend. If you like to get out and about a lot then living closer in to DC or in DC proper might make more sense. Rent everywhere is mindblowingly expensive ... so there's that.
Reston town center is probably the best bet for a place that is close to Sterling. It is a pretty cool area with lots of restaurants and stores in kind of a large outdoor mall type area that is really nice to walk around. It does not feel like DC though. It is also still about a 7-10 minute drive to the silver line station at Wiehle. Metroing in to DC is about 25 minutes and then another 10-30 depending on where you are going once you get there. Ubering around especially if you are married is a lot easier and not terribly more expensive.
Clarendon area in Arington (and Virginia Square and Ballston) are nice areas as well on Virginia side. It would probably be about a 30 minute - 40 minute drive from there. Lots of stuff to do around there. Age range of people in this area is probably around 25 - 35. Again much different feel than DC.
One of my favorite areas on the Virginia side is Old Town Alexandria near King Street and the Potomac. Really cool vibe down there and great restaurants and walking. Age range probably 30s - early 50s there. Lots of married folk. Easy access to hop on metro and go into DC or up to Arlington area. Probably a 35-50 minute drive out to Sterling from there.
Navy yard area in DC is pretty cool and you could hop on the highway pretty easily from there. Prob a 45 - 1 hour and 15 minute commute from there. Near H street which is fun, and you can easily metro to most places from there. Always can catch a baseball game cheap and easy if you like doing that for entertainment because it is a couple blocks away.
Reverse commuting is definitely easier than trying to get into DC during rush hour. Reston would be the cheapest of all those areas. Then probably DC (depending upon where you are). Alexandria and Arlington likely the most expensive. Really it depends on how much you get out and about during the week. If you rarely get out during the week I would just live in Reston town center and then go into the fun areas by metro on the weekend. If you like to get out and about a lot then living closer in to DC or in DC proper might make more sense. Rent everywhere is mindblowingly expensive ... so there's that.
1. DC metro map (subway and above ground, dedicated rail system) http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm The closest metro stop is going to be in the Reston area (about 10 miles or so from Stirling.)
2. Reverse commute from Tysons Corner on out to Stirling would probably not be bad traffic wise, but I don't think there's an easy way to get there without encountering a toll road, due to the proximity of Dulles Airport.
3. Unless there's something special going on, weekends aren't too bad to get into the city via the 267 to I-66 (from the Reston Area) or simply making use of Metro - it all really depends on how many locations you wish to see, how many metro stops you would be exiting, etc. Sometimes it's better, on the weekends to drive and other times you may want to just take metro.
4. The cost of rentals can sometimes go up exponentially as you get closer to DC, so you may be better off looking at something between Tyson's corner and Stirling as it may make a significant financial difference. Enough so, that you have a lot left in your "explore DC" budget to actually take advantage of what to see and do.
I would say from looking at your situation, somewhere around the Reston area would likely be your best spot for locating. Not too far from work, close to a metro station, and not too far from the District time wise if you are driving at times other than commuting days and hours. Easy access to Wolf Trap for their summer concert series, which usually has an impressive line-up.
2. Reverse commute from Tysons Corner on out to Stirling would probably not be bad traffic wise, but I don't think there's an easy way to get there without encountering a toll road, due to the proximity of Dulles Airport.
3. Unless there's something special going on, weekends aren't too bad to get into the city via the 267 to I-66 (from the Reston Area) or simply making use of Metro - it all really depends on how many locations you wish to see, how many metro stops you would be exiting, etc. Sometimes it's better, on the weekends to drive and other times you may want to just take metro.
4. The cost of rentals can sometimes go up exponentially as you get closer to DC, so you may be better off looking at something between Tyson's corner and Stirling as it may make a significant financial difference. Enough so, that you have a lot left in your "explore DC" budget to actually take advantage of what to see and do.
I would say from looking at your situation, somewhere around the Reston area would likely be your best spot for locating. Not too far from work, close to a metro station, and not too far from the District time wise if you are driving at times other than commuting days and hours. Easy access to Wolf Trap for their summer concert series, which usually has an impressive line-up.
I checked Google Maps at 8 am EST, out of curiosity. Drive time from 14th and U NW in DC to Sterling was 45 minutes (31 miles, 39 minutes without traffic), which is not bad at all, IMO, and certainly better than I predicted. 15 minutes of that, at least, would be getting out of DC.
I still think the real proof will be in the afternoon/evening commute. Check Google around 5 or 5:30 EST.
As others have said, there is no Metro or commuter rail past Reston (and even a Metro ride from center of DC to the end of the Silver Line is a haul). There are commuter buses (like charter buses), that run express all the way out to Leesburg. But I don't know if they have any reverse routes. Check the Loudoun County transit website.
Those suburban "town centers" really don't do it for me. They're really geared towards people with kids who drive Lexus SUV's for no real reason.Not that there's anything wrong with that. Occasionally you'll find a bar/restaurant with a decent beer list. The Brambleton/Broadlands sprawl south of Ashburn isn't completely horrible. There's a really good brewery out there (Blue Rhino). It's in an industrial strip mall, and has a romper room in the corner, so the mommies can bring their kids while they take the edge off with a blueberry wheat beer.
If I had a job near or past Dulles, then I would endure the commute from Arlington (Courthouse/Clarendon) or DC (Marine Barracks/Navy Yard---as PTax suggests), or look for something in downtown Leesburg.
This post was edited on 2/12 10:40 AM by Anodyne
