best/safest place to buy house if working in washington dc???

[shellyfive]

My friend's daughter is interviewing for a job in washington......where is the safest most economical place to look for housing around there???
I was thinking silver spring md, but I figured I'd ask the people who know the most!!!
She is 26 and will be living alone.
Thanks!

 

[Shleedogg]

One of my best friends just moved out of Old Town in Georgetown, VA. She loved it there. It was close to the city, like 10-15 min and it was a great neighborhood. Tons of bars, restaurants within close walking distance. She felt very safe there, well except for the crazy male roommate she got off of craigslist. Thank God she was dating someone from the secret service at the time. Just tell her not to find roommates, males especially off of craigslist and I'm sure she'll be fine!

I'm not an expert, but I don't know if the area is economical. My friend's rent was pretty high, I think she paid maybe $1200/month, but she had one of the highest apts in the building with a balcony, great view, etc. So I'm not sure if it was just because she chose that apt or that the whole area was that expensive. She just moved 45 min south of DC and has a 3 or 4 bedroom townhouse w/ her fiance and they pay a little more than she was paying, but they have a lot more space. Her area now is a suburb area, lots of families, etc.

 

[prncess674]

Well I am not a fan of Silver Spring. I think the area is rather sketchy and doesn't have near the amount of shops, restaurants and walkable areas. I have a friend in SS and I never feel safe catching the metro after dark in SS. SS is on the green line which is nicknamed the "Ghetto Green" since it passes thru some very suspect areas.

I used to live in DC proper and was much happier when I moved to the VA side of the Potomac. I live in Clarendon. The general young area is the orange line from Rosslyn to Ballston (North Arlington) and is very nice. The entire 2 mile stretch between Rosslyn and Ballson paralleling the metro is extremely walkable and very safe. If you want an idea of what North Arlington is like check out the funny video one of our residents made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1RMuoQnKo

Metro map:
http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm

Not sure what your friend's budget is but realize that anything near the metro (subway) in a safe area is going to start at $1300. My first apt in Ballston was 8 blocks from the metro and was only a "junior" one bedroom which meant it didn't have a door to the bedroom and it was just an L shaped room, had no in unit washer/dryer or dishwasher.

 

[Tina]

One of my best friends just moved out of Old Town in Georgetown, VA. She loved it there. It was close to the city, like 10-15 min and it was a great neighborhood.

I have lived in Northern Virginia for nearly 15 years now and I've never even heard of Georgetown, VA. Where exactly is this?

 

[vicki_c]

I have lived in Northern Virginia for nearly 15 years now and I've never even heard of Georgetown, VA. Where exactly is this?

Georgetown VA is down southeast of Fredericksburg (looks like 3 hours from DC). Maybe the PP meant Old Town Alexandria, which is about 20 minutes (Google map minutes NOT reality in DC minutes) from DC.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Well I am not a fan of Silver Spring. I think the area is rather sketchy and doesn't have near the amount of shops, restaurants and walkable areas. I have a friend in SS and I never feel safe catching the metro after dark in SS. SS is on the green line which is nicknamed the "Ghetto Green" since it passes thru some very suspect areas.

I used to live in DC proper and was much happier when I moved to the VA side of the Potomac. I live in Clarendon. The general young area is the orange line from Rosslyn to Ballston (North Arlington) and is very nice. The entire 2 mile stretch between Rosslyn and Ballson paralleling the metro is extremely walkable and very safe. If you want an idea of what North Arlington is like check out the funny video one of our residents made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1RMuoQnKo

Metro map:
http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm

Not sure what your friend's budget is but realize that anything near the metro (subway) in a safe area is going to start at $1300. My first apt in Ballston was 8 blocks from the metro and was only a "junior" one bedroom which meant it didn't have a door to the bedroom and it was just an L shaped room, had no in unit washer/dryer or dishwasher.

That was a hilarious video!!!

 

[Tina]

You're right. The PP probably did mean Alexandria.... although not an area that I would call economical. But certainly fun and safe! It also sounds like the described apartment would have to be a studio for that price.

I also agree with the other poster who said Silver Spring is sketchy. There always seems to be something going on in that area (crime). I think the Northern Virginia suburbs are a bit nicer.

 

[prncess674]

I just reread your title and it said "buy a house." While prices are down realize that buying even a small house anywhere inside the beltway is easily going to run $400,000 and up. Condos and townhouses may be a more reasonable option. If she is not familiar with the area I would rent for 6 months to get a feel for the area and understand the traffic issues in different areas. Just yesterday we drove to Clifton, VA for a wine tasting and we were heading away from the Glenn Beck madness and it still took us an hour plus to drive the 27 miles.

 

[howlongtildisney]

Buying in the DC Metro Area is going to mean spending big money. That's actually a big part of why my husband and I left. I spent my last year of law school living on my own, and lived in Ballston. I liked the neighborhood, but I didn't love it. It was very safe and convenient for commuting either by car or Metro (more convenient by Metro). However, it was developed fairly recently and seemed to be lacking a little in character. If I moved back, I'd probably look in the Alexandria area. Convenient to town, safe, and has a little more personality. Good luck to her!

 

[Swimalie]

I live about 30 miles west of downtown DC. Our area is one of the safest and very nice. We bought out here for the great schools, larger houses for the money and the not-so-bad commute for my husband (he works just outside the beltway). A 4 bedroom house out here would rent for about $2000-2500 minimum. Apartments aren't really out here but condos and townhomes are and can be had for about $1800 a month.

For safety, I wouldn't look in the eastern end of Prince William County. There are parts that are really nice but I read the police blotter in the paper and about 90% of the crimes in our county come from there. Fairfax isn't too bad, either. If she stays along 66, she'll be okay and the commute, while it can suck some days, isn't too bad.

 

[Sadie22]

Georgetown VA is down southeast of Fredericksburg (looks like 3 hours from DC). Maybe the PP meant Old Town Alexandria, which is about 20 minutes (Google map minutes NOT reality in DC minutes) from DC.

Georgetown is an area of NW DC along the Potomac River, known for shopping and restaurants. There is also a university and a law school known as Georgetown.

Many people commute into DC from the surrounding suburbs. If a young woman is looking to relocate there I would recommend asking more than one person at the place of employment where they recommend and then renting for a while. Close to employment would be good since traffic is always a concern but affordability and safety are certainly very important as well. Crime patterns have shifted since I lived in the area so I hesitate to make recommendations now.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There's a big place on Pennsylvania Ave that might let you book some space. I've heard it's about the safest place in DC to live.

 

[vicki_c]

Georgetown is an area of NW DC along the Potomac River, known for shopping and restaurants. There is also a university and a law school known as Georgetown.

Many people commute into DC from the surrounding suburbs. If a young woman is looking to relocate there I would recommend asking more than one person at the place of employment where they recommend and then renting for a while. Close to employment would be good since traffic is always a concern but affordability and safety are certainly very important as well. Crime patterns have shifted since I lived in the area so I hesitate to make recommendations now.

Yeah, I live here - I'm familiar with Georgetown. But if you actually read what we are talking about, it was about Georgetown, VA. Not Georgetown the section of DC.

 

[swilshire]

Unless she finds a fabulous job, she'll probably want to find someone to share a rental with for a while. Lots of homeowners take in renters to help pay the horrid mortgages in the area.

Sheila

 

[punkin]

Where in DC will she work. Knowing that will help decide on a good suburb or even in DC.

 

[prncess674]

The OP's friend is SINGLE and in her 20's! I know that many here on the DIS are family oriented and want good schools and houses with sprawling yards and numerous bedrooms but the area where many DISer's live isn't exactly where a young gal is going to want to live. If she is going to be working in DC being close to the metro is imperative! Parking in DC can run $20+ a day and while many suburbs are reachable by public transportation many of these suburbs have severely reduced service after 5pm rush hour. I alway feel bad for some of my young staff who have to trek out to Centreville, Mannassas, Vienna, Fredericksburg etc. They end up leaving really fun happy hours and fun after work activities because the last commuter transpo leaves so early.

Living in the city requires an adjustment in thinking to how much space one really needs. You don't need a giant house. I had a roommate at age 30, but it meant I lived in a vibrant part of the city, near work and friends in a beautiful 2/2 apartment. Sure I shared 900 square feet with another professional minded single but we had so much fun introducing our friends and hosting parties. Actually in DC having just one roommate is a luxury! Many of the non profiters and hill staffers live in group homes where you have your own bedroom but you may be in 5 bedroom / 3 bath house where you share bathrooms, kitchens and living spaces.

 

[Shleedogg]

Georgetown VA is down southeast of Fredericksburg (looks like 3 hours from DC). Maybe the PP meant Old Town Alexandria, which is about 20 minutes (Google map minutes NOT reality in DC minutes) from DC.

Sorry! Yep, that must be it! I'm not from the area, have only been there a few times. I never claimed to be an expert

 

[RangerPooh]

We lived in Waldorf, MD last year and DHs commute into DC (worked about a block from the White House) was easily a hour and a half each way. What's worse is that we were only about 30 miles away. Charles County was ok but had sketchy places. Everyone that I worked with advised us to avoid Prince Georges County due to the high crime rates.

Alexandria VA was nice, as are some other places in VA. Most of DHs co-workers lived in VA if that means anything.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

If I were a singe 20 something, I would choose Alexandria, Ballston, Rosslyn, Clarendon.

 

[thatslygirl]

Well I am not a fan of Silver Spring. I think the area is rather sketchy and doesn't have near the amount of shops, restaurants and walkable areas. I have a friend in SS and I never feel safe catching the metro after dark in SS. SS is on the green line which is nicknamed the "Ghetto Green" since it passes thru some very suspect areas.

I grew up in Silver Spring, in the suburbs. It is a fairly diverse neighborhood. It is part of Montgomery County, which is one of the best counties for schools, but it does have its mix of wealth/low income. Has it been a while since you've visited downtown SS? It's up and coming ever since the Discovery Channel moved in. So many restaurants have opened up in the past few years.

Silver Spring is on the Red Line. Fort Totten is on red/green/yellow line. I used to take the metro home to Silver Spring at 11pm and bus to White Oak by midnight and never felt unsafe. However, I do feel wary whenever I am at the Fort Totten metro station late at night. FWIW, I am 29 years old, 5' 1", 130 lbs.

I now live in Arlington, VA, across the street from the Pentagon City Metro station. I really like it here. It is safe, near public transit, walking distance to grocery stores, malls, etc. My commute got cut in half moving here. However, I pay $783/month to rent a room in a 3BR duplex and I pay about $30-45/month in utilities.

It's really hard to tell what kind of neighborhood would be considered "best" except through trial and error.

The questions I have would be:
1. What part of DC will she be working in?
2. Will she have a car? I don't own a car, so rely on public transit for everything. If she is intending on getting a place walking distance to a metro station, the price goes up.
3. What's her lifestyle or personality like? Some people think of themselves as "city people" and wouldn't think of living outside the city proper.
4. What is her budget? Will she feel okay living with roommates?