Relocating to DC, where to live?

Question

I would greatly appreciate any advice on this question.  Over the next year I intend on purchasing a personal residence in the DMV area and need help focusing my search.

I prefer older homes and neighborhoods with character (for instance a farmers market). Transitional neighborhoods are fine but no war zones.  My kiddo is grown so schools are less important.  I don't mind live in renovation projects if the price is right. Total budget less than 450k.

Thank you.

Account Closed · Answer

Thanks for the replies.  You have given me some insight and I appreciate it.

Account Closed · Answer

Russell, thank you.  I will be at the Pentagon and using the Metro.  I am trying to avoid suburbia and the big box stores etc.  Thank you for the comment on crime, I will keep some reserves for a bullet proof vest.

Russell Brazil · Answer

David Toler If you are going to be at the Pentagon, and dont mind an upcoming transitional neighborhood, and schools are not important...I think by the Ft Totten metro station is a great area.  You can get livable but dated properties in the $400k range, pretty nice at $450k, and fully rehabbed really nice at $500k..and be within walking distance to the metro.  Its been an increasingly hot neighborhood the last 18 months or so that offers a lot of upside in price appreciation. Though by the time you do by there, the prices may have risen too much for your target. I just helped an indivudal buy there last month. I had been working with them for about 9 months, and prices rose by about $20k in that time.  That will actually often be the case in DC with the hotter neighborhoods, prices will increase while you are looking....while in the suburbs the prices are more steady with big jumps in the spring time typically.

Lynn McGeein · Answer

OK.  We just did this 5 years ago, and didn't want to spend a fortune, either, so $400 - $500K was a good number for us until we moved back home.   We rented in Alexandria for 6 months while we figured out the area as my husband wanted the shortest commute possible while getting used to the area.  We spent every weekend focusing on different counties in VA and MD.  We researched each one (parks, restaurants, shopping, etc.).  We gave up on finding something in 6 months but moved to an apartment in Annapolis to see if it would be too awful for his commute as it was the only place we felt like we could build a life in.  We settled on Annapolis as we couldn't afford what we wanted in Davidsonville.  Our term for Northern Virginia was "rabid."  MD north of DC was way too expensive for what we wanted.  South of DC was not our style.  My husband changed hours so his commute was early in the morning, so only 35 min into the city (driving, no metro), but home each day around 4:00 was 45 minutes or so.  But Annapolis was a lifestyle we actually enjoyed.  And his hours were four 10-hour days, so 3 days every week, he didn't have to commute.  Totally worth it.

If you are okay with the "rabid" lifestyle, try Old Town Alexandria, as it was definitely a contender.

Brandon L. · Answer

David Toler Learning a new area can be challenging . I recently accepted a position with a government agency in the area as well, and am in the same situation as you looking for the best possible place to live, while trying to get a balance between home price and commute. I see you have an APO in your BP profile, I did tours in Iraq, and Korea when I was in the Army. are you still overseas right now?

Matthew Paul · Answer

I know people that live in Harprs ferry  West Virginia that commute to DC , and people who live in Southern Maryland who do the same . I am in the Annapolis area and there are LOTS of DC commuters here . You have a lot of area to choose from

Yosif Yosifov · Answer

Depending on your budget and your priorites there are plenty of options. I like the Virginia side better than Maryland, but thats just a personal preference. The farther you are from DC, the cheaper the rent will be. Also the farther away you are the less entertainment and longer commutes.  Arlington is great. Alexandria is good. Falls church is a great area as well. I would avoid certain parts of dc and check with a crime alert website to make sure area is somewhat safe. I used to live in Adams Morgan and got broken into my car twice and once into my house. So not the safest area, but bars were within walking distance. Silver Spring is good on the maryland side. NW DC is a good choice as well with few exceptions.  Again, based on what you are looking for there's plenty of options. Stay away from south east and certain parts of north east...

GL

Yosif Yosifov · Answer

Depending on your budget and your priorites there are plenty of options. I like the Virginia side better than Maryland, but thats just a personal preference. The farther you are from DC, the cheaper the rent will be. Also the farther away you are the less entertainment and longer commutes.  Arlington is great. Alexandria is good. Falls church is a great area as well. I would avoid certain parts of dc and check with a crime alert website to make sure area is somewhat safe. I used to live in Adams Morgan and got broken into my car twice and once into my house. So not the safest area, but bars were within walking distance. Silver Spring is good on the maryland side and northwest area of dc.  Again, based on what you are looking for there's plenty of options. Stay away from south east and certain parts of north east...

GL

Relocating to DC, where to live?

Most Popular Reply