HELP! Moving to town: avid commuter (365, rain, sleet or snow)… where to live?

[KLizotte]

You should order the FREE excellent bike map of Arlington County at:

http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/EnvironmentalServicesBikemap.aspx

It also does an excellent job showing the neighborhoods, streets, etc.

You should also order the bike map issued DC Dept of Transportation as well. Same goes for the MD map. I believe they are all available to view online but I find it easier to work with a large map on the kitchen table if I don’t know an area well.

This combination will really help you piece together the jumble of major commuter trails/lanes we have here in the area. There is an order (and some elegance) to it all (and getting better all the time).

[consularrider]

@tbr 15290 wrote:

To get out of traffic. I think the easiest trails are the Custis Trail that follows the orange line into Virginia and the {Mount Vernon Trail} that runs into Alexandria. Four Mile Run connects these two opens up more neighborhoods in Arlington. These keep you out of traffice for nearly all of your commute. The Cresent trail coming down from Maryland and Bethesda is nice but darker at night with less foot traffic through some wooded areas.

I assume you meant the above.

[Terpfan]

@thecyclingeconomist 15268 wrote:

Last question: what about the cycling route along the banks of the Potomac going up and out northwest from the district?

Others could correct me if I’m wrong, but the VA paths along the Potomac for bike purposes basically end in Rosslyn toward end of MVT. Otherwise you could take the C&O Canal’s towpath up theoretically all the way to Western, MD if you really wanted to do so. It does hit the Capital Crescent Trail around the DC/MD border, which will take you up to Bethesda and eventually Silver Spring–neither of which are along the Potomac. The tricky part of what you’re asking is where to get off of the Canal to hop onto a road and I would defer to others as I haven’t spent much time on the canal north of Great Falls or south of Harper’s Ferry (actually, really none–I should bike it sometime just because).

It sounds like you have no worries about riding on the streets here and it should be a breeze. The problem you have with roads along the Potomac is that it’s a highway on the VA side (GW Parkway) and riding a bike on it is not advisable. There is running debate about whether it’s legal or not and I haven’t found a clear resolution. Either way, going up the Potomac out of Rossilyn people are going 60mph and there isn’t really a shoulder for stretches unless you count a two foot stone wall with a 100 foot drop of it as a shoulder.

I didn’t realize that with folders Will, but good to know!

[baiskeli]

@thecyclingeconomist 15268 wrote:

Last question: what about the cycling route along the banks of the Potomac going up and out northwest from the district?

I think you’re seeing the C&O Canal towpath. It’s hard packed gravel, not paved. 185 miles! Not the best commuting path, especially since it only leads to farms and million-dollar mansions, but it’s a scenic weekend ride.

http://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm

[misspopcycle]

I live in wonderful, bike-friendly Arlington, am an avid cyclist and commuter and am selling my very pretty house. The Custis Trail–a widely used cycling trail–runs behind my back yard, I live in a great school district, and have raised an amazing son who has benefited from the schools, the parks, the recreation, the summer camps–Arlington is an amazing place to raise a family. Oh–and my street dead ends into a beautiful little park.

If you want more info you can send a private message, I think, and I will fill you in. But if you’ve already found a place, congratulations and welcome!

[GuyContinental]

@acc 14969 wrote:

The best commute in the world won’t work if you aren’t happy with the school system. I’d look at Falls Church City (in Virginia) first.

Good luck.
ann

Emphatically, yes! There are many good schools in the area but also some problem-children schools in DC, S. Arlington and Alexandra. N. Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church and Bethesda (MD) are all good bets but are priced accordingly.

[GuyContinental]

I’ll vote for the WO&D corridor as well- the trail is extremely well maintained if a bit crowded in the warmer months. I live in Arlington (and love it) and commute semi-daily to Sterling (25 miles- 23.5 of which is on the WO&D), it’s a pretty solid commitment (170 minutes a day) but compared to a 100-150 minute driving commute in DC-hell traffic it’s a no brainier. Herndon – DC is about the same 25, Reston – DC is about 22 and both are a legitimately nice ride. The areas are a bit soulless but have good schools, nice amenities and lower rent. There are also commuter buses that would truck you right downtown, and someday there will be a metro connection in Reston.

Don’t get me wrong- Arlington is great, but it’s really expensive- depending on your needs and your desire to be “urban” the farther out areas might make sense.

[culimerc]

I love the Falls Church area. Its got access to 3 major highways and several secondary ones, so car travel is a breeze. Plus your essentially 1/2 way between DC, where my wife works and commutes to and Reston where I work and commute to. Both of use the WOD/custis as our primary route to work. Plus its got one of the best farmers markets in the area and it year round.

[thecyclingeconomist]

Diggin’ the comments! Keep em’ coming!

I just signed the shipping contract, and don’t have a destination yet! YIKES!!!

[WillStewart]

Are you finding anything within your requirements in the Falls Church area? There are two metro locations in Falls Church – West Falls Church and East Falls church. Lots of buses terminate at West Falls Church, very close where you can jump on the W&OD (which is what I do). Living close to the West Falls Church (WFC) Metro will make car free living that much easier due to both the Metro and the bus hub. Keep the folding bike meme in mind – pick one of your 11 bikes now for retirement…

[thecyclingeconomist]

Thank you again to you all! I’ve put in an application on a place today in Arlington. Tri-story town house, but it fits the necessities for storage etc. Not what I’d planned on, but still good nonetheless. I guess that even after thinking I’d prepared myself for the increased expenses here, it still wasn’t enough. Just can’t get into a detached home for under $3K and have it be anything but a pile O’ junk. Not unless I’m WAY out there, and I really want to be able to be car-free for my commute. I’ll be 7.8 miles via the Custis trail (and a lil one mile jaunt through Arlington to connect).

[DaveK]

@thecyclingeconomist 17854 wrote:

Thank you again to you all! I’ve put in an application on a place today in Arlington. Tri-story town house, but it fits the necessities for storage etc. Not what I’d planned on, but still good nonetheless. I guess that even after thinking I’d prepared myself for the increased expenses here, it still wasn’t enough. Just can’t get into a detached home for under $3K and have it be anything but a pile O’ junk. Not unless I’m WAY out there, and I really want to be able to be car-free for my commute. I’ll be 7.8 miles via the Custis trail (and a lil one mile jaunt through Arlington to connect).

Sounds great! Hope you get the place you’re after. There’s few rental markets as insane as this one – we were completely unprepared for the horse trading you have to do to get into the place you’re looking for.

[Tim Kelley]

@thecyclingeconomist 17854 wrote:

Thank you again to you all! I’ve put in an application on a place today in Arlington. Tri-story town house, but it fits the necessities for storage etc. Not what I’d planned on, but still good nonetheless. I guess that even after thinking I’d prepared myself for the increased expenses here, it still wasn’t enough. Just can’t get into a detached home for under $3K and have it be anything but a pile O’ junk. Not unless I’m WAY out there, and I really want to be able to be car-free for my commute. I’ll be 7.8 miles via the Custis trail (and a lil one mile jaunt through Arlington to connect).

What neighborhood did you end up in? Once you get settled you’ll have to come out for some riding or happy hours to put names with faces!

[GuyContinental]

@thecyclingeconomist 17854 wrote:

I’ll be 7.8 miles via the Custis trail (and a lil one mile jaunt through Arlington to connect).

Welcome! On really nice days or for additional exercise, you can extend the ride by doing the 4-mile run section of the Arlington Loop up to the WO&D and then back down the Custis.

[thecyclingeconomist]

Well… today I ran into yet another place that I had to submit an application on… so I figure I best diversify as it IS REALLY CRAZY how competitive the rental market is.

I’ve put in applications on places near:
1. Cross-Streets are 120 and the 29 (Brandywine) in Arlington
2. Cross-Streets are 7 and Braddock (Near the Bradley shopping center) in Alexandria

Any opinions on the locations?

[Author]

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