Alexandria or bust

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

Looks like I'm moving to Alexandria. It will be a big step in the right direction after living in Montgomery County (Silver Spring) for the past couple years. The wife and I moved here in September 2012 from western Washington (that's state...not DC). We knew nothing about MD but I accepted a big jump in job with the caveat that I relocate to Baltimore. Done. Regret it now (we're home sick) but here we are. We bought a place in Silver Spring. After a few months-we realized what we had done. Stuck it out until a couple months ago and I finally broke. Told the wife "I ain't staying here no mo."
So we started looking. I wanted to move out to maybe WV-or western VA. But the fact is; I work in Baltimore and she works in DC. Multiple hour commutes just ain't doable. She wanted Springfield, Falls Church, Arlington, etc. I detest most of those areas but again...we have to work (at least until I can work out my dream of being a stay at home dog owner). So we settled on a place in Alexandria. Signing the papers today and our MoCo house has already sold (we have until 4/30 to get out).

The commute isn't going to be awful. The house is literally about a mile from 495. It's about two miles to metro-though that doesn't help me as I work in Baltimore. I know the traffic is rough in that area but I've commuted from Arlington and from Fairfax city to Baltimore. So I know what I'm in for-and I'm still on board with getting out of MD. We realize FFX county isn't perfect but it's a helluva lot better than MoCo.

Any of you guys in Alexandria?

lx1x · Mar 25, 2015

Used to live in Alexandria area.. But it has gotten crowded for me. (Nova in general).

Traffic wise...Its hit or miss depending which route you take.

jimbobborg · Mar 25, 2015

Have you considered Loudoun County versus Alexandria? It's a little easier going up 15 to 70 East to get to Bmore versus cursing the two beltways to get there.

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

jimbobborg said:
Have you considered Loudoun County versus Alexandria? It's a little easier going up 15 to 70 East to get to Bmore versus cursing the two beltways to get there.

Yeah we looked at several areas. We looked at some places in Loudon but settled on Alexandria. Again-it ain't perfect; not even close to what I want. But it's easily commutable to our jobs and it beats MD any day.

jimbobborg · Mar 25, 2015

Where in Alexandria are you? Alexandria covers a pretty big area. I used to live in "Alexandria" even though I was way inside Fairfax County.

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

jimbobborg said:
Where in Alexandria are you? Alexandria covers a pretty big area. I used to live in "Alexandria" even though I was way inside Fairfax County.

Not far from Rt. 1-about a mile or so south of 495. Two miles from Huntington metro. I'm not familiar with the area really but I think it's pretty far inside FFX county.

jimbobborg · Mar 25, 2015

You're further east than I was. I was just NE of Ft. Belvoir. This was back in the 80s. I'm thinking you're closer to Old Town Alexandria.

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

jimbobborg said:
You're further east than I was. I was just NE of Ft. Belvoir. This was back in the 80s. I'm thinking you're closer to Old Town Alexandria.

I just mapped it online. The house is about 8 miles north east of Belvoir.

jimbobborg · Mar 25, 2015

This is where I used to live https://www.google.com/maps/place/8...2!3m1!1s0x89b7adcb9e0807a9:0xcd69628fc4204a22

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

jimbobborg said:
This is where I used to live https://www.google.com/maps/place/8...2!3m1!1s0x89b7adcb9e0807a9:0xcd69628fc4204a22

Go up rt. 1 (north) about five miles and you'd be at the house we're buying.

Mooseman · Mar 25, 2015

Alexandria is not great but it is better than Maryland, Congratulations.

jimbobborg · Mar 25, 2015

So you're closer to West Potomac High School. That's not a bad area. I haven't been through that area in a while. There should be a Krispy Kreme near there.

h2u · Mar 25, 2015

If you're ever around during the week , we'll have to add you to our little MDS luncheon we do on Duke St a couple of times a year.
I work in Alexandria next to Port City Brewery, so there's after work meet ups to do as well :innocent0

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

h2u said:
If you're ever around during the week , we'll have to add you to our little MDS luncheon we do on Duke St a couple of times a year.
I work in Alexandria next to Port City Brewery, so there's after work meet ups to do as well

My current work schedule allows me to be home on occasion. A couple Friday's a month, I'm off and I work from home every now and then. Working from home today actually.

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

Contract signed and sent to selling agent. Purchase pending inspection. Inspection happening Monday morning.
The good thing is; the owner is a licensed contractor. So any repairs that may be needed will likely be something he can take care of. I'm guessing since he won't have to hire out to do any possible repairs, he won't put up much of a fight if any repairs are needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFwSzZQ4MVI:party29:

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

Mooseman said:
Alexandria is not great but it is better than Maryland, Congratulations.

Thanks for the congrats. True, Alexandria ain't paradise. But compared to Silver Spring (Montgomery County...Where I'm currently living) it's the single beacon of light and hope in an otherwise dim world.

lx1x · Mar 25, 2015

casualmadness said:
Contract signed and sent to selling agent. Purchase pending inspection. Inspection happening Monday morning.
The good thing is; the owner is a licensed contractor. So any repairs that may be needed will likely be something he can take care of. I'm guessing since he won't have to hire out to do any possible repairs, he won't put up much of a fight if any repairs are needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFwSzZQ4MVI:party29:

Even if he's a contractor... I'd Make sure it's fixed per code.. Not just quick fix.

casualmadness · Mar 25, 2015

lx1x said:
Even if he's a contractor... I'd Make sure it's fixed per code.. Not just quick fix.

Yeah it will be done right. I'm stoked about the house but there are plenty of houses for sale in VA. I'm not afraid to walk if it ain't done right.

Pretoria78 · Mar 25, 2015

casualmadness said:
Thanks for the congrats. True, Alexandria ain't paradise. But compared to Silver Spring (Montgomery County...Where I'm currently living) it's the single beacon of light and hope in an otherwise dim world.

I moved here in 2012 from Maryland. It ain't perfect, but there are perks to living here. Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have.

rouchna · Mar 25, 2015

OP, Welcome to VA. As soon as you get down here, apply for your CHP immediately. No need to wait for your DL to do it. As others have said, feel free to PM with any questions.

h2u said:
If you're ever around during the week , we'll have to add you to our little MDS luncheon we do on Duke St a couple of times a year.
I work in Alexandria next to Port City Brewery, so there's after work meet ups to do as well

So...when is the next luncheon? It's been a while

Alexandria or bust

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