PING: Northern Virginia Residents

[terpkristin]

Well, as my "I GOT A JOB!!!" thread may have implied, I got a job.
The job is located in Dulles/Sterling Virginia (between road 625/Waxpool Road and route 7 off of route 28), so I'm really *dreading* the commute from my parents' home in Columbia, Maryland. Needless to say, I'm apartment-hunting for places not too far from the Dulles/Sterling area. I don't want the drive to take more than 20 minutes, if possible, or the route be bikeable (i.e. convenient to the W&OD). I know NOTHING about Virginia geography except that one friend lives in Ashburn and pays too much for rent and another friend lives in Fairfax and her commute is SUCKY.

I'm looking for rents in the $1000/month range (slightly more OK), and I have a cat, so those are my "biggest" requirements, though I wouldn't say no to a dishwasher and an in-unit washer/dryer. Does anybody live in this general area that might have recommendations for apartments? Perhaps places you live and are OK and you might get a referral bonus, or places you have friends that live that are decent, or word of mouth has told you that "XYZ place is just beautiful."

Currently I'm strongly considering Archstone Stone Ridge Apartments in "Ashburn/Sterling" (just off of 7 near 28), because I've visited there and they look very nice (though on the high side of what I'd want) and have a place opening up soon. That said, I'm all for suggestions, if there are any out there..

/tk

[Subby]

We used to own a house in Ashburn Farm, right off of the Greenway. Five looooong years.

There are a bazillion apartments for rent in Ashburn and Sterling. You can't go wrong, really. Try and find something with amenities if possible (pool, exercise). Everything else you want - biking, movies, shops, Redskins Training Camp - is right there.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Subby

We used to own a house in Ashburn Farm, right off of the Greenway. Five looooong years.

There are a bazillion apartments for rent in Ashburn and Sterling. You can't go wrong, really. Try and find something with amenities if possible (pool, exercise). Everything else you want - biking, movies, shops, Redskins Training Camp - is right there.

All this is true... but, expect to pay $$$.... expecting to get something for $1000 anywhere in the Northern Virginia area that is 'nice' is not realistic... this is my main reason for not living up there anymore, despite the career opportunities I would have...

[Subby]

Originally Posted by wade moore

this is my main reason for not living up there anymore, despite the career opportunities I would have...

Well, that and the restraining order.

[Bee]

I live in the general area, but I don't know anything about apartments around here. I have a friend renting a townhouse in the area but he's asking $2250 a month.

[gottimd]

I used to live in Columbia and dreaded the commute to Gaithersburg. I can't imagine that commute. A few years ago I moved closer, Montgomery County, and the prices there were about $1,250 for a 1 BR 800 Sq Ft apartment in a decent place. Now commuting from there (MoCo) would probably cut your commute in half but you would still have to take the beltway, even though there are side roads that could get you there.

[Subby]

You might want to look in Leesburg, too - it's west down route 7 about 7 or 8 miles, but I am guessing youll find something more affordable.

[gottimd]

Where is Reston in comparison to the job? Are those prices outrageous too?

[CamEdwards]

Originally Posted by Bee

I live in the general area, but I don't know anything about apartments around here. I have a friend renting a townhouse in the area but he's asking $2250 a month.

Are you serious? That's what I'm paying for my five bedroom house in Burke.

Good God these real estate prices are ridiculous.

[Bee]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

Are you serious? That's what I'm paying for my five bedroom house in Burke.

Good God these real estate prices are ridiculous.

Yep, but it's a one of those luxury townhouses.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Subby

Well, that and the restraining order.

Are you forgetting about that non-disclosure clause?!

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

Are you serious? That's what I'm paying for my five bedroom house in Burke.

Good God these real estate prices are ridiculous.

FREAKY - I'm playing less than that for MY 5 bedroom house in Burke. Where abouts in Burke are you? I'm on Wilmington at Burke Lake Road.

[heybrad]

I would guess if you offered Subby a box of mini cheesecakes you could probably live in his basement for free.

[CamEdwards]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

FREAKY - I'm playing less than that for MY 5 bedroom house in Burke. Where abouts in Burke are you? I'm on Wilmington at Burke Lake Road.

You're paying LESS?? You suck.

I'm on New England Woods Drive, off of Coffer Woods

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Well, as my "I GOT A JOB!!!" thread may have implied, I got a job.
The job is located in Dulles/Sterling Virginia (between road 625/Waxpool Road and route 7 off of route 28), so I'm really *dreading* the commute from my parents' home in Columbia, Maryland. Needless to say, I'm apartment-hunting for places not too far from the Dulles/Sterling area. I don't want the drive to take more than 20 minutes, if possible, or the route be bikeable (i.e. convenient to the W&OD). I know NOTHING about Virginia geography except that one friend lives in Ashburn and pays too much for rent and another friend lives in Fairfax and her commute is SUCKY.

I'm looking for rents in the $1000/month range (slightly more OK), and I have a cat, so those are my "biggest" requirements, though I wouldn't say no to a dishwasher and an in-unit washer/dryer. Does anybody live in this general area that might have recommendations for apartments? Perhaps places you live and are OK and you might get a referral bonus, or places you have friends that live that are decent, or word of mouth has told you that "XYZ place is just beautiful."

Currently I'm strongly considering Archstone Stone Ridge Apartments in "Ashburn/Sterling" (just off of 7 near 28), because I've visited there and they look very nice (though on the high side of what I'd want) and have a place opening up soon. That said, I'm all for suggestions, if there are any out there..

/tk

First of all, congratulations on getting a job. Where are you going to be working at (if you don't mind me asking)?

I live right in that area, although it's been a long time since I was in the apartment market. There's some apartments that look nice (not sure on $$) right at the intersection of Algonkian Parkway and route 7 (it's close to 7/28 and very close to the Dulles Town Center mall). Given that they're right off of 7&28 they're probably pretty pricey, but may be in your high range. The community right behind there on Algonkian is nice, and there are walking paths which take you down to the Algonkian park if you're a jogger. Don't know about the apartments, but it's a nice area.

Be careful in Sterling. No offense to anyone who lives in Sterling, but there are some good parts and some bad parts, so trust your gut when you look around. Leesburg is nice (as someone ponted out), but if you take 7 in/out the morning/evening, it gets real backed up and will probably exceed your 20minute limit. Sounds like you could take the greenway in instead, but it's pretty price (don't know what the current prices are, but ~$2-3 each way daily).

[terpkristin]

Leesburg is on my list of where I'm looking.

Yes, as many have pointed out, there are tons of places...which is why I was hoping to narrow it down a little bit by asking for advice!

I'm going to go down this weekend and start to do a little looking, though if worse comes to worst, I think I'd be ok in the Archstone Stone Ridge apartments (I looked at them with my friend a few weeks ago and it was gorgeous).

I'm also looking for places with easy access to the W&OD trail, since the trail goes right by Orbital's parking lot and there's an access bridge to Orbital's parking lot there. With gas prices what they are, I'd rather bike in when I can!

/tk

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I'm also looking for places with easy access to the W&OD trail, since the trail goes right by Orbital's parking lot and there's an access bridge to Orbital's parking lot there. With gas prices what they are, I'd rather bike in when I can!

/tk

The W&OD trail cuts across Church Street which intersects with 28 on the Sterling side. I know there's quite a few townhouse developments in there (there's a nice one between Church and Cascades on the 28 side). Not sure if they have apartment units in there or not, but it's worth taking a look at.

Edit: if you're referring to the Archstone apartments over at the University Center ... they're going to be hard to beat IMO.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by moriarty

First of all, congratulations on getting a job. Where are you going to be working at (if you don't mind me asking)?

I live right in that area, although it's been a long time since I was in the apartment market. There's some apartments that look nice (not sure on $$) right at the intersection of Algonkian Parkway and route 7 (it's close to 7/28 and very close to the Dulles Town Center mall). Given that they're right off of 7&28 they're probably pretty pricey, but may be in your high range. The community right behind there on Algonkian is nice, and there are walking paths which take you down to the Algonkian park if you're a jogger. Don't know about the apartments, but it's a nice area.

Good one there I take it you don't know all there is to know about tk and jogging and ankles and injuries and surgeries

with tk, biking is the way to go

FM

[terpkristin]

Thanks for rubbing it in, FM

I'll never run/jog/jump or much of anything again. Walking is sometimes a trick provided the ground isn't perfectly flat (and even if it is, apparently I can roll my left ankle on perfectly flat ground now, too, which is not helpful in any respect).

Yeah, but I'm sure I can bike on said trails too.

/tk