Advice on DC Area Housing

[Zack]

I find this forum is always so helpful when it comes to life advice!

Okay, here goes -- I live in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of NC. It is a great area with a booming cultural scene. It is also technology-oriented, with very few writing jobs. In addition, there are several universities and the newspapers are collapsing, so I have to compete with recent graduates and out-of-work journalists for everything.

My goals are simple -- doing press releases, newsletters and web sites, the better to work on my other stuff in my free time. That said, it looks like most of the jobs in those areas are in the Washington, DC area. I have applied for a lot and come close a few times, but it usually comes down to their wanting someone who can start soon.

SO: My question is -- does anyone here live in DC or one of the bedroom communities in Virginia or Maryland?

If so, how much do you pay for rent, or do you know what a typical rate is for someone looking to rent month-to-month?

(Yes, I know DC has lots of traffic and is INCREDIBLY expensive to live in. But I have no student loans or car payments, and some money saved up. Essentially, a $40-45k gig would let me live comfortably. And there's always the metro...)

I'm also just curious as to whether you like living there. Information, please!

[PKIronMan]

Housing and transportation are the only things that are brutal in DC (like New York). Everything else has such competition that the costs are pretty reasonable (e.g. food, entertainment, clothes, etc.)...

I love the DC/Arlington region but it's cheaper on the Maryland side of the fence.

I had a nice little apartment close to Crystal City, a one/one at ~900 sq. ft., arranged through a corporate sponsor for $1700/mo. (I understood it would have been $1800 without the sponsor). From my remaining friends in the area the costs are still the same.

[EdContradictory]

Ideally, get a place on the red line.

How much can you afford a month for rent and how big a space do you need?

[Typo Lad]

Metropolis is kinda pricey.

Oh wait, that's not what you meant, was it?

[Stanlos]

I find this forum is always so helpful when it comes to life advice!

Okay, here goes -- I live in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area of NC. It is a great area with a booming cultural scene. It is also technology-oriented, with very few writing jobs. In addition, there are several universities and the newspapers are collapsing, so I have to compete with recent graduates and out-of-work journalists for everything.

My goals are simple -- doing press releases, newsletters and web sites, the better to work on my other stuff in my free time. That said, it looks like most of the jobs in those areas are in the Washington, DC area. I have applied for a lot and come close a few times, but it usually comes down to their wanting someone who can start soon.

SO: My question is -- does anyone here live in DC or one of the bedroom communities in Virginia or Maryland?

If so, how much do you pay for rent, or do you know what a typical rate is for someone looking to rent month-to-month?

(Yes, I know DC has lots of traffic and is INCREDIBLY expensive to live in. But I have no student loans or car payments, and some money saved up. Essentially, a $40-45k gig would let me live comfortably. And there's always the metro...)

I'm also just curious as to whether you like living there. Information, please!

You might be able to find a break renting from a private owner. See CITY PAPER or WASHINGTON BLADE classifieds for listings.

You might also be able to shave a couple hundred off by commuting. There are some apartment communities off of the blue line that had $900/month for efficiencies/one bedrooms. If you visit the building and ask about you may be able to rent the model or one of the former models which sometimes have more space. My experience was that it was better to set aside a day to physically see them even impromptu and haggle from there.

Also with the market the way it is, if you are planning to be in the area for a while and $1700/mo is doable, then you might look into buying one of the units in the condo communities.

Good luck!!!

[jv17]

i dont live in DC or virginia however as far as I know that is somehow like a province either you can have a good chance or small chance to be successful in this area..

[LtMarvel]

Avoid Bludhaven. I know it seems cheap right now...

[Zack]

Ideally, get a place on the red line.

How much can you afford a month for rent and how big a space do you need?

(returning belatedly)

I was hoping to get something in the range from $1,000 a month for a one-bedroom up to $1,500.

I realize this might be delusional.

Honestly, my idea of a paradise apartment is just something where the kitchen has a dishwasher, garbage disposal and a working refrigerator. Most of what I get out of an apartment is TV and Internet time.

Something located near a good Metro line would be ideal as well.

[Zack]

You might be able to find a break renting from a private owner. See CITY PAPER or WASHINGTON BLADE classifieds for listings.

You might also be able to shave a couple hundred off by commuting. There are some apartment communities off of the blue line that had $900/month for efficiencies/one bedrooms. If you visit the building and ask about you may be able to rent the model or one of the former models which sometimes have more space. My experience was that it was better to set aside a day to physically see them even impromptu and haggle from there.

Also with the market the way it is, if you are planning to be in the area for a while and $1700/mo is doable, then you might look into buying one of the units in the condo communities.

Good luck!!!

I might check out the WASHINGTON BLADE -- thanks!

I am not sure about long-term ownership. As it stands, I might just get a month-to-month lease because I want to see if I like it there before I make a long-term commitment. I am skittish that way.