Weddingbee boards

Hi Ladies, I'm proud to say that I will soon be moving to the NoVa area! My FI just accepted a position in Gainesville, VA and we are looking for places to live that are relatively low cost.

I'd love some input on the area and where we should consider living? We're looking into apartments for the time being, until we settle down and get some income rolling in (we're both fresh out of College and this will be our 1st big move!!)

Thanks for all of your help! Even input on places to avoid would be great, we are honestly totally in the dark about where to even consider looking!!

(We're trying to keep rent around 1,000 a month for a 1 bedroom)

@zagora: No, not in DC- He'll be about an hour outside of DC in Gainesville so we're looking there and I'll look for a job in that general area.

Bump! We can use ANY help. Even if someone has a helpful website to use to get a good idea of the surrounding areas. 

I grew up and lived in NoVA my whole life until I moved to NC three years ago. I miss it! Gainesville is a nice area but I don't know how much there is to rent- lots of wealthy people live there, tons of country clubs/golf clubs, etc. Try Warrenton, or parts of Manassas. It may be up to a half hour commute but worth it. Even Manassas, though not relatively "close" to DC may be hard to find in your price range that isn't a crap neighborhood, though. Although I only ever rented one apartment, in Alexandria, so no huge frame of reference. :)

Thanks for the help ladies! We looked into Manassas, but when we searched in online some links of it being a bad neighborhood showed up so it made us nervous that it may have a higher crime rate and be less safe?

I'll look into the other places too- thanks again! I really appreciate it!

We're trying to stick with an apartment since we're both recent college grads and would like to save some money before we get locked in with a mortgage and everything. We'll be moving out there the beginning of January, as his start date is Jan 16th.

I'm still looking for a job in the area- the whole moving process is happening fast!

THanks girls! You really have been a help already. We're thinking of either Gainesville/Haymarket or warrenton. Any input on Warrenton? If we decide to go with a place in Manassas it would be near Bull Run- according to google.

Thanks! also- any good job boards or places to check for job postings? I have a couple resources that I've used in the past, but it seems that the best jobs are often the lease promoted!

Favorite restaurants? Things to do on the weekends? So thankful for you Bees!

@toshella: Thanks SO much! Like i said, we do not know anyone in the area to give us little pointers like what roads to avoid during peak hours! I'll check out renting a town home or other property! I really appreciate your help!

I agree with Toshella on that last one. What I've realized is that even if you have a "short" commute in this area, it will cost you more in gas money and years off your life to live far from work. My FI can literally walk to work and I so envy him. My 15 min commute easily becomes 45 most mornings. I rent and am looking to buy (soon we hope) and I have heard that Gainesville is one of the less expensive areas to buy. I would assume it'd be the same for renting, but I couldn't say for sure. :/ Best of luck with your search!

BTW in our search for looking for the best prices, we even considered living in WV (prices go WAY down), but again that commute would get old real quick.

thanks ladies! We're thinking that Gainesville is looking better and better! We also found a couple decent places just north, so hopefully it'd be opposite of city traffic during commutes!

Any suggestions for job boards to check? I'm desperately looking for a job in the area!

Eek, this move has come up so fast, within a week, FI was called, phone interviewd, flown out for an interview and offered the job! you Virginia people don't mess around! =)

I've been searching for apartments and I've noticed that many do not include utilities, especially water. Is that common for VA?

In Mich, its almost expected that at least water is included in rent.

Any info?

Welcome to the VA!

I would seriously check out anyone who knows the real traffic (not saying that none of you do) as apposed to eveyone who "knows" about NOVA traffic. Everyone knows NOVA traffic can be terrible (as with any major metropolitan area).

I live in Culpeper and my fiance commutes to Gainsville and Winchester twice a week for his doctoral classes during high traffic times and has little issues. Of course he has been doing this for years and may know some less traveled roads. The further you get away from DC the better off you are for rent for sure. We considered living in Warrenton too, but Culpeper is closer to where I work (everyday) even though he commutes further to his classes.I do not think Culpeper is close enough for you to conisder, and I am not sure of other distances.

Do the people hiring him have any suggestions?

Oh yes. And check regular houses too. We rent a whole house for the same price or less than many townhomes and apartments in the area! We found it on Craigslist.

The other thing to consider is that where you move does not have to be permanent - get what you can get that's reasonable- take the lease - learn the area and then figure out where the better places to live are or where the best commute route is. This strategy has worked well for us when moving to places where we knew no one. Suck it up for a year (and sometimes luck out) and then move again if you need/want to. Moving sucks, but this also gives you more time to get to know the area - especially since you do not have a job yet so you have no idea what your commute is going to be like.

And no water is not always included. Actually in my experience, what utilities are included varies by location.

@kimberlee10: Thanks SO much! You've actually put me at ease! We're looking just outside of Gainesville in the Bull Run area of Manassas, We've found a couple of cheap ***For the area* apartments, so when the company flies him out to search for housing, he'll definitely look at those.

I'll be on the lookout on Craigsiist too!

I'm excited to move! =)

Aldie is another nice area. I know they have great homes, not sure of townhomes.

Even closer to the city, most townhomes I've rented have been around the $1200 mark. Centreville is a great place for renting townhomes. I've had several friends who've lived out there and love it.

What kind of jobs are you looking for?

Alright Ladies, we're thinking Farifax! any suggestions on great apartments or things to do in that area?

I've got an interview for a job in Alexandria and Fairfax is the happy medium between his work and this potential job- plus its got the metro station there.

Any and all input is appreciated! =) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Fairfax is not going to be cheap.  It is one of the top 2 wealthiest counties in the US for a reason. If you get a cheap apartment, chances are that it won't be in an English speaking neighborhood.  Fairfax is very diverse (and overpopulated).  If you are willing to pay the price (and it's steep) try Fairfax Corner or even Fairfax Station.  I love the Fairfax Corner area.  Stay away from the Tysens Corner/495 area whatever you do. I lived in Arlington and paid $1995 a month for a 1 bedroom.  Obviously they have a lot cheaper places, but $1000 is going to be really tough that close to the city.  Smart idea avoiding Manasty tho.  Remember the controversial Arizona immigration law?  They got that idea from Prince William County, where Manassas is.

Gainesville is still quite a hike though.  You do only have to take 66 to 29 tho.  Fairfax to Gainesville is about 25 miles, which is 45 minutes to an hour without traffic.  66 is under major construction for the next couple years with the metro being built and the road widening.

And I've never had my water, electric, etc. included in my rent living in VA.  If you pick a high rise, expect to pay for parking too.

And look on Indeed.com.  Great site.

we've officially signed in fairfax =) permanent residents of camden fairfax corner as of jan 8th! so excited!!

Camden is a great management company and Fairfax Corner is a great choice!  I looked there!

Congrats!

@MissMaryMc: my degree is in advertising (layout and design concentration) so my ideal job will focus on graphic design/ marketing in that aspect. However, i'm willing to work with anything- I just want to get working so we can afford the higher cost of living!

@ananeele:  i LOVE indeed- best job search engine ever!!

@blondie_bride: welcome to ffx! youll like ffx corner. you're close to fair oaks--shopping, shopping! try the tuna steak salad at coastal flats and get cupcakes at cupcakes actually.

now my fyi--rush hour commute is hell. bring your patience. what's 30 minutes away off-peak = one hour during rush hour.

My SO works for an Internet advertising company in Tysens that's a start up so they're hiring.  It's about 20 minutes from Fairfax Corner.  That's why we were looking there.  PM me some more info about your background and I'll send it to him to see if he might have openings that are a fit for you.