moving, trails, bikes, and anxieties – forum, help me.

This topic has 22 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 1 month ago by lordofthemark.

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June 18, 2014 at 1:37 pm #915490

lordofthemark
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Help me forum.

My wife and I have been thinking of moving closer to town for a more urban lifestyle for a while. For reasons I’d prefer to not go into, we will be moving sooner than expected, and will be renting an apartment (for the time being.) I want to be frugal, my wife wants as much space as she can get. Its a lot easier to be frugal and get a bit more space if you don’t have to be walking distance to a metro. Currently we are looking at Shirlington, Huntington Station, inner Columbia Pike (near Penrose) and outer Columbia Pike (near the W&OD) (note – if we were new to the area we would look at places like NE DC, or NW PG County – but we are not, we have friends in Va, mostly in the Alexandria-Arlington-inner Fairfax triangle, with the greatest concentration near Agudas Achim in nothern Alexandria)

HS is not a walkable area, has crime issues IIUC, but we would be looking at a newish building, its right near the metro, and close to the MVT. Shirlington is very walkable, and a great biking location, but has only 4 buildings that could work, 2 are too pricey, one is not really nice enough, and the one in between (the Windsor) is pricier than we thought, and we don’t really like the breezeway style. We have not yet looked at the older buildings on Inner Col Pike, but the newer ones are a tad too pricey. Its getting there in terms of walkability, and is really close in, but the biking isn’t so great I guess. Outer Col Pike – seems about the best tradeoff of price and space (I am talking the newish and renovated hirises, not the old low rises) – probably because the transit commute isnt as good and its not as walkable. But as a cyclist, I find it enticing – as good as any place on that list other than Shirlington. Easy access to the W&OD, a 10 mile ride to work, a short ride to Shirlington and to synagogue, a possibly bike oriented lifestyle.

(We are also considering NW and N Alexandria, but the best option we have looked at so far, 3001 Park Center, looks like it might not be as good as outer Columbia Pike)

But. A. Is it insane to make a decision like this based on biking? B. Will I need a road bike to do a 10 mile commute? C. So far I’ve never commuted by bike more than once in a week. This makes sense if I step that up, and would help me to step it up. How can I be sure I WOULD step it up? D. I think if we did move there I would need to get a second decent hybrid, so my wife could ride with me to places more comfortably.

As an aside, if we move to HS I will stay involved with FABB, and if we move to Arlington I intend to get involved there. As it is I ride in Arlco more than in FFX, aside from the short route from where we now live to the bus stop.
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June 18, 2014 at 1:54 pm #1004391

consularrider
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@lordofthemark 88654 wrote:

… But. A. Is it insane to make a decision like this based on biking? B. Will I need a road bike to do a 10 mile commute? C. So far I’ve never commuted by bike more than once in a week. This makes sense if I step that up, and would help me to step it up. How can I be sure I WOULD step it up? D. I think if we did move there I would need to get a second decent hybrid, so my wife could ride with me to places more comfortably …

I can’t really comment about your potential rental choices, but IMHO A) it is quite rational to include biking as one element of your decision if biking is important to you. When we bought our house, my biking options were one of the three top priorities (price and schools being the other two). Yes of course you do need a road bike for a 10 mile commute. () Really though, my regular commuting bike is a hybrid and I have a normal roundtrip commute of 25 miles. Also check out the milage Rod puts in on his bike. C. Check out this tread started yesterday. D. Absolutely right!

June 18, 2014 at 1:56 pm #1004392

skipmcne
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@lordofthemark 88654 wrote:

Help me forum.
A. Is it insane to make a decision like this based on biking?
B. Will I need a road bike to do a 10 mile commute?
C. So far I’ve never commuted by bike more than once in a week. This makes sense if I step that up, and would help me to step it up. How can I be sure I WOULD step it up?
D. I think if we did move there I would need to get a second decent hybrid, so my wife could ride with me to places more comfortably.

A> As commuting (in any form) takes a portion of your day, and a pleasant (however you define it) commute dramatically improves your outlook on life, I would say making a Housing decision without taking into consideration your commute to work is short-sighted.

B> If you have a bike that you can ride 10 miles, and keep in good working condition you are set, if that is a hybrid, or MTB, or road bike, even better. If the bike fits you (you are comfortable on it) best of all.

C> Just do it. Making the step from once a week to four times a week (carrying change of clothes in on your off day) is pretty easy. Going to five days / week might require a bit more mental toughness (in not nice weather), and a bit more gear (backpack/etc). But both of those things are good for you long-term.

June 18, 2014 at 2:02 pm #1004394

jrenaut
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@skipmcne – excellent first post. Welcome to the forum.

Definitely agree on your commute being important. I did it kind of the opposite of you – my wife and I decided we wanted to be in DC, and I was looking for a new job, so we moved and then I started looking for jobs strictly within DC. Having a good commute, by however you define that for yourself, makes a huge impact on your quality of life.

And while of course you need another bike, you don’t NEED another bike.

June 18, 2014 at 2:20 pm #1004397

chris_s
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Some research has indicated that your Commute is the #1 determinant of your happiness. You’d be insane NOT to consider it when choosing your housing.

I will also say (as a Penrose resident) that while biking ALONG Columbia Pike can be ugly, there are some good alternatives and biking north from Penrose toward the R-B corridor is extremely pleasant on quiet neighborhood streets. The new Arlington Boulevard Trail connection that is opening shortly as part of that big project will make it a lot easier to get to Rosslyn, Iwo Jima, etc than it ever used to be. The Washington Blvd trail may be finished in the next 12 months as well.

June 18, 2014 at 2:35 pm #1004401

rcannon100
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25 years ago we moved into N Arlington for a lot of reasons. To put it simply, I love Arlington and it is unlike any other ‘suburb.’ When we moved in, there were still original house owners. And there were lots of people who had small children. They had high ownership in Arlington.

Public transportation was a key feature. At the time, the bus ran every 12 minutes by our house. Subway in Arlington is tremendous.

Cycling was a secondary consideration. I had been cycling to school and work. Had not thought much about it. Was aware how good the trails were.

Now – what are you kidding me? We are car lite. That is worth what? Maybe $9000 per year. I love cycling to work (having had to give up my sport of youth – ultimate frisbee). The Arlington Loop is a cycling beltway. You can get anywhere and everywhere off of the Arlington loop.

Now The Kid bikes to school, biked to work last summer, and now bikes to work at a bike shop.

To me its huge. It’s a lifestyle choice. And I think it is tremendous.

And yes, south Arlington, Shirlington, that area – there is some nice housing down there. There are members of the forum who live down there.

June 18, 2014 at 2:47 pm #1004402

Emm
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Have you considered Del Ray in Alexandria? My ride from Del Ray to SW DC is 8 miles, and it’s a comfortable ride with minimal hills on the MVT. You’re also right on 4 mile run with super easy access to W&OD trail. I commute on a hybrid, and see plenty of others doing similar commutes on bikes like mine. It’s not the fastest (~35 min, but I ride slow…), but it’s actually better than my ride to and from Rosslyn was even though it’s 2 miles longer–the hills in Rosslyn would kill me every.single.day. Because of the hills in Rosslyn, the extra 2 miles from DC to Del Ray only add 5 min to my commute time when compared to my DC to Rosslyn commute.

Plus, renting in Del Ray isn’t too pricey. You can easily get a 2 bedroom for under $1,800, some as low as $1,600. It’s a safe neighborhood, lots of families and kids, and plenty to do when it comes to restaurants, coffee shops, farmers markets and such. The buses go up and down Mount Vernon Ave to and from Braddock Metro every 15 min during rush hour, so if you live a little further away from the metro, you can still get there easily on days you don’t bike.

June 18, 2014 at 3:50 pm #1004410

Greenbelt
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At this point, I can’t imagine living somewhere where I couldn’t bike to to work and to most of my activities. It’s that important, to me anyway.

June 18, 2014 at 3:59 pm #1004412

cyclingfool
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@Emm 88670 wrote:

Have you considered Del Ray in Alexandria? My ride from Del Ray to SW DC is 8 miles, and it’s a comfortable ride with minimal hills on the MVT. You’re also right on 4 mile run with super easy access to W&OD trail. I commute on a hybrid, and see plenty of others doing similar commutes on bikes like mine. It’s not the fastest (~35 min, but I ride slow…), but it’s actually better than my ride to and from Rosslyn was even though it’s 2 miles longer–the hills in Rosslyn would kill me every.single.day. Because of the hills in Rosslyn, the extra 2 miles from DC to Del Ray only add 5 min to my commute time when compared to my DC to Rosslyn commute.

Plus, renting in Del Ray isn’t too pricey. You can easily get a 2 bedroom for under $1,800, some as low as $1,600. It’s a safe neighborhood, lots of families and kids, and plenty to do when it comes to restaurants, coffee shops, farmers markets and such. The buses go up and down Mount Vernon Ave to and from Braddock Metro every 15 min during rush hour, so if you live a little further away from the metro, you can still get there easily on days you don’t bike.

And once CaBi station supply issues get straightened out, Del Ray is supposed to be next in the queue (in Alexandria) for CaBi expansion.

I should stop saying nice things about Del Ray now. Attracting additional new residents to the neighborhood is only going to put more upward pressure on my rent…

June 18, 2014 at 4:10 pm #1004413

lordofthemark
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@Emm 88670 wrote:

Have you considered Del Ray in Alexandria? My ride from Del Ray to SW DC is 8 miles, and it’s a comfortable ride with minimal hills on the MVT. You’re also right on 4 mile run with super easy access to W&OD trail. I commute on a hybrid, and see plenty of others doing similar commutes on bikes like mine. It’s not the fastest (~35 min, but I ride slow…), but it’s actually better than my ride to and from Rosslyn was even though it’s 2 miles longer–the hills in Rosslyn would kill me every.single.day. Because of the hills in Rosslyn, the extra 2 miles from DC to Del Ray only add 5 min to my commute time when compared to my DC to Rosslyn commute.

Plus, renting in Del Ray isn’t too pricey. You can easily get a 2 bedroom for under $1,800, some as low as $1,600. It’s a safe neighborhood, lots of families and kids, and plenty to do when it comes to restaurants, coffee shops, farmers markets and such. The buses go up and down Mount Vernon Ave to and from Braddock Metro every 15 min during rush hour, so if you live a little further away from the metro, you can still get there easily on days you don’t bike.

We like Del Ray. However we do not intend to rent a house or condo from a private owner (long story, PM me if you want to hear more) and would rather not get an apartment in a two family – we’d rather an apt in a building with at least some amenities. There are a few of those in the area I guess – a couple of them might work and we should look at them.

June 18, 2014 at 4:28 pm #1004414

Emm
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@lordofthemark 88681 wrote:

We like Del Ray. However we do not intend to rent a house or condo from a private owner (long story, PM me if you want to hear more) and would rather not get an apartment in a two family – we’d rather an apt in a building with at least some amenities. There are a few of those in the area I guess – a couple of them might work and we should look at them.

There definitely are quite a few…4 big complexes right by the metro come to mind, and The gardens at Del Ray is right by us, and its a huge complex with some good amenities. We go to their dog park, and all the residents like living there it seems. They’re in a great location too. Another 2-3 complexes are within a block or two of the Gardens as well.

June 18, 2014 at 5:49 pm #1004415

baiskeli
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We used to live in Del Ray. It’s like a secret neighborhood that’s nice, affordable (I hope still) and close to DC. It’s like a small town because it used to be one.

June 18, 2014 at 6:24 pm #1004416

dasgeh
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I have spent a fair amount of time in around “inner Columbia Pike” (Penrose) and have planned bike rides around outer Columbia Pike, Shirlington and Del Ray. If you’re oriented towards DC, I’d say outer CP is the least attractive (connections to the W&OD aren’t great from anywhere but right on top of it, and getting to DC isn’t direct). I’m increasingly a fan of Penrose, and the commute to DC is the best commute in the area — through Fort Myer and down the hill through the cemetery. Coming home is a big uphill from the Pentagon to the base, but doable. Shirlington seems like a nice enough place, but a lot of hills out of those ravines (whether that’s pro or con is up to you). I’m becoming more of a Del Ray fan — everyone I’ve known that’s lived there has loved it, and it does seem to have good bike options.

Have you considered Crystal City/Pentagon City? Great cycling connections and very walkable. I keep hearing about vacancy rates, so I would expect you could get a deal (maybe farther south, like north Potomac Yards), but I don’t actually know.

Finally, of course you should consider cycling when deciding. If transportation didn’t matter when deciding location, what you are left with? (I keep trying to make this point to APS…)

Good luck!

June 18, 2014 at 11:47 pm #1004429

n18
Participant

I can’t help you with the location, but I have an advice about space. Most people don’t give storage much attention when buying things, and leave things on the floor, or get storage furniture that may look good, but not really practical or good quality. The best option I found, which you probably have seen many times is Sterilite 4-Drawer Unit. I have three of them. They are spacey, hold a lot of stuff, drawer inside dimensions are 21″ W x 16″ D x 7″ H, which are much bigger than many wooden chests, and there are heavy duty plastic separators between drawers, preventing the bottom of the drawer above from sagging and hitting the drawer underneath. They have rollers at the bottom of each drawer to slide it easily. I have put heavy tools on the top drawer, and after 2 years, still works great and no problem opening the drawer below it. The top can be used as a table. You can stack these on top of each other, and I think you can break the drawers apart (if you are careful), so you could have 5 or 6 drawers per unit.

Outside Dimensions:
25 5/8″ W x 18 3/4″ D x 35 1/2″ H

When moving, you just have to remove the drawers, put the empty storage unit without drawers in the truck, then carry one drawer at a time, so there is no need to pack in boxes the stuff you put in them.

Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowes used to carry them, but all run out of stock at the same time about 2 years ago. That’s when I panicked and ordered 2 more for future use. I am happy to see them back in stores again. They are mostly at Target and Walmart now for around $60.

June 20, 2014 at 1:05 pm #1004554

lordofthemark
Participant

Thanks for everyone’s help and encouragement. We will add Del Ray and Crystal City to our list of places to check out units (we already are familiar with the neighborhoods.)

June 20, 2014 at 2:30 pm #1004560

Terpfan
Participant

You can easily do 10 without a road bike. I do 16-17 each way on a hybrid.

As for where to live, sort of subjective and based on price. There really isn’t that much crime at Huntington. I live a little further south from there and have used that area many times, don’t really feel unsafe. The sketchy stuff is just mostly those old hotels/motels. Even those, eh, folks stick to themselves.

In north Old Town, there were affordable condos for rent right off W Abingdon. The downside was the units aren’t too big, but plus side is a separate bike room in one building with racks, etc in the basement so you could store things there.

GL
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