VA/MD members, little help

[Gregster]

Long story short...

I've been offered a job at Andrews AFB, and I need your help. I've been searching the apartment websites and have had little luck. At least till I get adjusted to the area, I would need a location close to base. Hopefully, not in a bad part of town, inexpensive, and not have to deal with "end of the world" type traffic. If you know of any apartments, PM or post the name.

I would also like to know more about the yearly weather, cost of living, cultural quirks, etc.

I know personally know a Major and he lives in Alexandra. He's given me some info so far, but was shocked to find out his 300k townhome can now be bought at 600k! Holy Crap! :eek:

I appreciate any help!
Thanks
Greg

[SuperGLS]

Greg... it's expensive as hell to live here, there's no way around that.

Weather: In my mind the best weather in the country. Generally it's ok, some times it gets near 0 and sometimes it hits 100 but it's not common either way. We get about 40 inches of rain a year. We get some good snow in the winter, but nothing that messes up your life too much, even less so on the east side of DC (where you'd be at).

Cultural quirks? Hmm, there is the coolest city in the country right here (DC). The beach wouldn't be too far. You'd be less than an hour away from the coolest EXD member, me, so that's a benefit. Ha.

[Robert1955]

I have to say that Super covered it all. All I can add is bring money. You are in for a shock comming out of TX.

[ArunSenior04]

Yea, that metro area area is very expensive. Plus, get ready to meet the 2nd worst traffic in the nation. From 4-6, that place is hell.

[Gregster]

Thanks so far for the help!

Any small cities near Andrews that I can look at for apartments? I'm beginning to see how expensive it is up in the area. I cant believe 1k for a 1 bedroom apartment. You can go far on that kind of "scratch" here in SA. Anyone heard of a town called La Plata, its south of Andrews, any opinions?

thanks
Greg

[theWorst]

La Plata is FAR from andrews.. and on the worst damn road for morning traffic since every one there works in dc.. LOL

how comfortable are you living in an area where no one speaks english? because thats what its gonna take for all you're requirements...

New Carrollton (where i lived) is like 15 minutes.. traffic isnt bad... Police Station IN the complex (used to be real bad)...

but everyone is African, Mexican, or some kind of South American.. so no one speaks english without a heavy accent.

Morning Side Maryland is nice to live in since its like 3 minutes from Base.. but you might not be comfortable anywhere near base if you're not used to being around alot of minorities..

Suitland, Marlow Heights, and anywhere near Allentown Road, Suitland Parkway, and Pennsylvania avenue shouldn't be too far from you..

the neighborhoods generally get better the further north you live of andrews.

Laurel MD would be a good choice with maybe 30 min max of commute time. i commuted from Laurel to downtown DC (near VA) in less than 45 min. and most of that was city driving. things 'might' have changed.

look into Bowie, MD for nice apt's too. Greenbelt is okay .. its a balance of price and good neighborhoods... you'll be near College park Hyundai !.. lol

Riverdale is kind of old, but its okay to live ...

i wouldn't move to southern PG county if you PAID me.

you can't live on base?


here is what i paid in recent years

Laurel, MD 800 sqft two bedroom $950 mo (40 max from Andrews) racially equally mixed, got my explorer broken into

New Carrollton, MD 800 sqft two bedroom $722 mo w/ 100 discount (15-25 max from andrews) everyone was foreign, good luck talking to anyone

Dale City, VA (40 min from andrews) 600 sqft Studio w/ 100 sq ft closet, washer and dryer, eat in kitchen, and private entrance $700 mo, mostly white and hispanic

Springfield, VA (30 min from andrews) 800 sqft 1 bedroom with loft and vaulted ceilings, washer and dryer $1325, mostly white and mid eastern yuppies

Oakton, VA (hour from andrews) 1000 sqft 1 bedroom w/ loft 1.5 bath 3 level apt/townhouse $1390 mostly white...

[Gregster]

No, I cant live on base. I would be working as a civilian, and not military. I wouldnt mind living with minorities seeing as I am spanish. I would like a balance, I dont want to live in a bad neighborhood (who would), but not drain the ol bank account. How about alexandria? How is the 485 in regards to traffic and when is it the worst.

Greg

[theWorst]

495 crossing the wilson bridge at its worst is 20 minutes.to cross.. but its usually not too bad since most people work in DC and don't go that way.. but some day's its bad bad bad.
they JUST built a new bridge which is much better.

alexandria is a large area.. so.. where exactly? if you can go through van dorn street to 495 you'll be okay ..

(que paso' hermano?, hay mUCHOS de nuestro gente aqui)

[Cypher]

andrews AFB is in DE isn't it?

[Gregster]

495 crossing the wilson bridge at its worst is 20 minutes.to cross.. but its usually not too bad since most people work in DC and don't go that way.. but some day's its bad bad bad.
they JUST built a new bridge which is much better.

alexandria is a large area.. so.. where exactly? if you can go through van dorn street to 495 you'll be okay ..

(que paso' hermano?, hay mUCHOS de nuestro gente aqui)

Aqui no mas, muy precupado con esta decision de mover me desde san antonio a washington. Me gustaria vivir en un lugar seguro pero que no custa mucho dinero. La problema es que todo es muy caro!

Greg

[mbv2001]

i say check out greenbelt or college park ........its some apartment that are in greenbelt that you can get under 1k but they are very old built back in the 1940 or something, but you wont see them online and when i checked on those apartments the cost was like 640 mo..........http://www.ci.greenbelt.md.us/ thats the city link for greenbelt i like the area alot and plan on moving there once my lease is up.o i found a number for one of the apartments in greenbelt that had good prices 301 345 7203
hope this helps

[theWorst]

there's just too many places to list...

best thing to do would get someone to mail you an apartments guide from here.

and we can tell you if its a bad neighborhood or not.

[Vampyrate]

Leesburg is a fairly small town, but its starting to get up there in price and population. The only other place that i can think of around here is still expensive because everyone wants to move closer to the civil war battlefields

[theWorst]

i dont think leesburg is feasible working in andrews...

you'd want to stay northeast of springfield, va and south of silver spring, md to be within reasonable commute times.

[Gregster]

I appreciate the help so far everyone! I'll research more based on your suggestions.

Thanks
Greg

[ArunSenior04]

Southern MD wouldnt be a bad bet. The bowie area is nice, but it can be costly as well.

[Gregster]

How do this look to you? In a good neighborhood, how's traffic to base?

http://www.forrent.com/search/detail.asp?site=1010119&featured=1

http://www.forrent.com/search/detail.asp?site=1026931&featured=1

Thanks
Greg

Here's another...
http://forrent.com/search/detail.asp?site=1012522

[theWorst]

second and third link are fine

first link is DA HOOD (well.. surrounded by it at least.. lol)!!!!!!!!!!

[mbv2001]

i saw no to all three.....sorry but you dont really want to live inside the beltway.its some new apartments being built in camp springs not sure when they will be done though and thats in like the same city as AFB.
also check out places in riverdale. one of my friends is getting a 2 bedroom for like 930 mo..goodluck "even though riverdale is inside of the beltway better than temple hills or suitland"

[Cypher]

live in small little chestertown md LOL

[Gregster]

i saw no to all three.....sorry but you dont really want to live inside the beltway.its some new apartments being built in camp springs not sure when they will be done though and thats in like the same city as AFB.
also check out places in riverdale. one of my friends is getting a 2 bedroom for like 930 mo..goodluck "even though riverdale is inside of the beltway better than temple hills or suitland"

What about temple hills or suitland? Is it a high crime "gonna get stabbed" area? lol

Greg

[Cypher]

whats inexpensive and not too far away? do you wanna be closer than an hour away? is in expensive like 700 bux?

[Gregster]

whats inexpensive and not too far away? do you wanna be closer than an hour away? is in expensive like 700 bux?

I think I can cap out at 1k and I'd like to be w/in 20-30 mins from base.

Greg

[mbv2001]

those are just some rough areas.not the worse BUT you can do better lol.
but i really say greenbelt, college park are best bets for nice area and good prices.
heres a link to a company with many apartments in maryland http://www.southernmanagement.com/apartment_locator/

[2002BlackGT]

I don't know man, it seems like you're not really going to be in any better position over there. It seems the cost of living is way higher and you can't even take REAL San Antonio traffic seeing as how you don't take a highway to work.

What'd you decide :confused:

[theWorst]

stay away from Kay Management apts....

not exactly a 'gonna get stabbed' area..
but rims stolen.... mean mug.... hearing gunshots and police sirens at night.. maybe.. lol.

Riverdale... isn't any better than anywhere else.. riverdale is right next to my old apt in New Carrollton... on riverdale road infact...

[Gregster]

Can you tell me about this property?

http://www.apartments.com/summary.aspx?page=summary&property=102656.3&state=md&rgn3=118&area5=y&subarea1=y&subarea2=y&rent_minimum=0&rent_maximum=900&am22=0&am10=0&lid=price_sort&pg=2&srt1=0.82&srt2=0.78&srt3=0.82&prvpg=96

[kennef]

I'll chime in and say that PG County, near Andrews/Capital Heights, is one of the worst places (parts of Southeast DC are worse) to be as far as crime/shady neighborhoods go. You can move counter-clockwise around the beltway and find some nicer places but you quickly get out of a 20-30 minute commute.

HOWEVER, most of the people that seem to get shot/stabbed/maimed/etc. in PG County (or probably anywhere in the area) are either selling drugs, buying drugs, driving around at 3 in the morning, WALKING around outside at 3 in the morning, running away from the police, or doing something other than minding their own business. Stay away from those activities and you should be alright.

Seriously, I'd try to find something as close as possible to Andrews because if you are living in a crap area and paying too much for an apartment, at least your gas/automotive expenses will be minimized.

[theWorst]

forestville.. (sigh).. my girl used to get her hair did there .. LOL..

yeah you read that right.. haha..


basically stay inside after 3 am.... and you'll be okay.. LOL


PG cops are EVERYWHERE.. but they have more important things to do that pull you over for no reason..

[Gregster]

i saw no to all three.....sorry but you dont really want to live inside the beltway.its some new apartments being built in camp springs not sure when they will be done though and thats in like the same city as AFB.
also check out places in riverdale. one of my friends is getting a 2 bedroom for like 930 mo..goodluck "even though riverdale is inside of the beltway better than temple hills or suitland"

Is camp springs a good area to live? Is this the complex you were talking about, http://apartmentshowcase.com/en/community/ApptOverview.aspx?IdApartment=2701&idpage=17&iApart=2701 ? Is this a good complex? I've check apartmentguide.com forrent.com and apartments.com and cannot find a 2 bedroom for 930 in riverdale. Can you provide a link?

Thanks
Greg

[theWorst]

Heritage Square Apartments have 2 bedrooms around that price.. or One with Dens (my den was pretty big.. about a lil over 130 sq ft.

but again.. no one speaks english..

African, Latin American, Kosovoan, Czech....