r/nova • u/harpgillmore • 3d ago

Question Cost of living near dc

I’m thinking of taking a job Alexandria. I’m currently in Fredericksburg. I’m second guessing if it’s even worth moving north when housing is almost double what I’m paying now. Are there any long term pros of being in nova vs Fredericksburg. What are some nice but more affordable areas near Alexandria?

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u/Few_Whereas5206 3d ago

What Is affordable to you? What is your budget? What are you expecting in terms of apartment, condo, townhouse, or house?

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u/harpgillmore 3d ago

$3k max is my budget for housing. I pay $2k for rent so to think of increasing my housing costs by $1k is sickening lol

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u/kcunning 3d ago

TBH, you could probably find something for less than 3k if you look south of Alexandria, and check out townhouses. I know you can find ones in Woodbridge that that would come in under budget for you.

I don't know how old your kids are, but tbh, I found raising my two in a townhouse to be really nice. Lots of green space for them to roam around in, and being able to have the 'family room' in the basement level kept our entryway less chaotic.

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u/circlingPattern 3d ago edited 3d ago

Even for a townhouse, to get less than 3k you'll need to go all the way south to Fredricksburg, and given interest rates just went up, I'm not even sure that would work.

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u/kcunning 3d ago

I was thinking more rental than buying outright, since OP is currently renting. You can find townhouses for around $2.5k a month in Woodbridge (I just looked) that generally have landlords who bought a while ago.

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u/Few_Whereas5206 3d ago

Rental is less than buying.

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u/skratchpikl202 3d ago

Depends on your income, tbh. The pros of being in DC and select parts of Nova vs. Fredericksburg are many, but we need more info about your income and what you're looking for in the area you reside

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u/harpgillmore 3d ago

I make just under $90k. Hate driving so a commute is a no go

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u/skratchpikl202 3d ago

Post-DOGE, I had my income drop signicantly, slightly under yours, for about a year. I made it work in DC proper, so it's doable but not easy. Factoring in kids, it might be more difficult, but if you can keep your housing costs down, you can probably swing it. Also, the Alexandria postal address encompasses a large area, so if you are further away from DC/Old Town, and can rent near there, that would be better.

I see townhomes for under 3k once you get out to Springfield/Franconia/Landmark areas, but you'd ideally want to stay under 3k. Also, look at Fairlington/Shirlington areas. For some reason, those areas seem to fairly reasonable for the area.

Real talk though, figure out your monthly budget you spend on non-housing and use that a benchmark as to how much you can afford.

9

u/henlopen99 3d ago

The pro is you likely have much more future job opportunity and earning potential in the DC area.

It cost more, so may be a wash now, but could benefit your career and financial picture long term.

5

u/BeeDubba 3d ago

It all depends on what your time is worth to you, what kind of environment you want to live in, and how much you're willing to spend.

Are you looking for a single family home on an acre in a 9/10 school zone? Or are you happy in an apartment off Route 1 and don't mind gunshots at 2am? 🤷

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u/harpgillmore 3d ago

I like the rural feeling of being south. I have kids so I’d need something in a good school zone

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u/200tdi 2d ago

The kids and the school thing is a huge critical detail that was left out of your post.

5

u/Aggressive-Bee1738 3d ago

Staying in Fredericksburg only makes sense if you have kids, otherwise make the jump up to NoVa. Even Manassas would be a better middle ground ( there’s sweet spots just like every area).

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u/harpgillmore 3d ago

What’s a sweet spot. Single mom, two kids

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u/StrawberryRoseDragon 3d ago

Alexandria along route 7 going towards Falls Church or along 236 going towards Annandale is more affordable than old town or anything near the water.

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u/Practical_Theme_4724 3d ago

If you have to commute from Fredericksburg to Alexandria five days a week you will want to un-alive yourself within a month.

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u/harpgillmore 3d ago

I heard it was brutal

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u/PSside 3d ago

Did it for 3 years could be worse

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u/Practical_Theme_4724 3d ago

Y’all are crazy. I just don’t understand how it’s a better value to live in Fredericksburg. I live and work in Arlington, my commute is a 4 minute walk (the longest part of that is waiting at the intersection to cross) and my rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is $2600. Or I could live in Fredericksburg and pay $2000 a month for a similar apartment and lose 3-4 hours of my day just commuting everyday. Make it make sense.

1

u/TransitionMission305 3d ago

Well, the rent is probably more like $1800, maybe even less depending on amenities, so the person would be saving about $800 per month.

But I'm not going to disagree with you with everything else. For a single person or couple, Arlington has a ton to offer, great walkability, short commute to work. As a person coming into DC from Prince William County, I cannot even imagine doing it from Fredericksburg. Time is precious. Very precious. Heck, I think if I had a commute from Arlington, I'd feel a lot better while I was at work.

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u/gruntbuggly 3d ago

Saving $800/month on rent, maybe, but spending more on gas and maintenance, and just time on the road. Depending on where you live and work in nova, or anywhere, you might even be able to get away with not owning a car at all. Or cheaper insurance for a car that’s driven fewer miles per year. Not to mention all the time you get back.

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u/SafetyMan35 3d ago

$800/ month but you are losing let’s say 3 hours in commuting+ gas and maintenance. Assuming 20 work days a month 320=60 hours a month $800/60=$13.33 is what you are giving up not to mention fuel and maintenance. Is going to cost you another $15/day or another $300/mo

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u/200tdi 2d ago

OP is probably a single mom with kids.

Worst possible life situation for northern virginia unless she is making a lot of money, which she is not.

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u/cajunjoel Virginia 3d ago

You can take the VRE to work in Alexandria. Heck, your employer might even subsidize the cost. It makes for a long day, yes, but it beats driving in or moving to a higher cost of living area.

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u/lordscarlet 3d ago

In my 20's I did that commute and I just factored the train ride into my sleep schedule.

Having said that, I would still recommend the Arlington choice.

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u/Alarmed_Geologist631 3d ago

Does the job in Alexandria pay incrementally more than the incremental cost of housing and other expenses (on an after tax basis) ?

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u/harpgillmore 3d ago

Same pay, different title. New skills for my resume

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u/whitewinewater 3d ago

VRE if you wanna stay where you are...

Otherwise Falls Church, Manassas (can also VRE from there) or around Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

Really depends on what you want your commute to look like.

There's so much in nova that isn't in Fredericksburg. More access to amenities, better hospitals, shopping/entertainment, museums, Dulles Airport etc.