Moving to DC! Advise me!

Iceman.USAF

Hey all,

So I'm moving to DC (Bolling AFB, to be precise) with the Air Force and I was hoping you'd all be able to provide me with some quality advice about the area.

Specifically, where to live and where not to live. I get approximately $1600/mo from the Air Force for rent, so I figure if I get a place for around $1200-1300 I can use the rest for utilities and car insurance, though anything below $1600/mo should be suggested if you know of it.

This is my first permanent move away from home (except 4 years of college about an hour away) though I think I've got my bases covered.

My parents are being very nice and providing me with a lot of 'starting out' things like pots/pans, coffee table, couch, etc. I will need some furniture though, so if you know of some (inexpensive) places around DC let me know!

Thanks in advance

NotASenator

Wow, sorry to say, but the Air Force is not making it easy on you.

Right around the base is some great and rather expensive places, because you are basically situated directly across the river from Reagan airport and the Pentagon. On the Virginia side of the river, that is pretty pricey.

Maryland is generally cheaper, except if you want to be near the base, don't. The Anacostia river front is not the nicest part of town. They are trying to build it up and revitalize, but it will take a lot.

Ikea is probably your best beat for furniture and you get the fun of putting it together yourself.

When are you arriving here, sir? I'd be happy to show you and help you get set up.

Trowizilla

If it's just you, you can get a 1-bedroom for less than $1200 so, so easily. I live in Springfield (expensive suburbs) and we have a 2-bedroom for about $1500, and our place is huge with two bedrooms and a nice porch. Take a look around craigslist and use google maps to figure things out.

Ikea is good for new furniture, but you're better off thrifting (try Yesterday's Rose if you're around Fairfax, 'cause I'm writing this on an awesome vintage 1930s typewriter desk I got from there for about $30). Craigslist is also helpful, especially for things like dressers, bookshelves, etc. The rule there is, no used mattresses, be wary of anything with upholstery, but things you can wipe clean and can't harbor bugs are always good to get used. Seriously, unless you're picky about everything matching, you can get kitchen stuff, chairs, coffee tables, desks, etc., all cheaply, and they'll be way more solid than cheap Ikea pasteboard versions. (Not that Ikea doesn't have solid furniture, but its all more expensive.)

Oh, and learn to use the Metro system as quickly as possible. Rule for escalators is: stand on the right, walk on the left. The sooner you don't act like an obnoxious, slow-moving tourist, the more we'll like you.

Iceman.USAF

New rule, next person to call me sir gets stabbed. :P

Seriously though, thanks for the replies. I arrive in town on Monday, for which I will need a hotel. Base Inn is full, so I get $200 a night for a hotel for a while. Where's a good spot?

Also, while they might not be making it easy on me, the $1580 a month I get for housing allowance certainly makes it easier.

NotASenator

Trowizilla wrote: »

If it's just you, you can get a 1-bedroom for less than $1200 so, so easily. I live in Springfield (expensive suburbs) and we have a 2-bedroom for about $1500, and our place is huge with two bedrooms and a nice porch. Take a look around craigslist and use google maps to figure things out.

Ikea is good for new furniture, but you're better off thrifting (try Yesterday's Rose if you're around Fairfax, 'cause I'm writing this on an awesome vintage 1930s typewriter desk I got from there for about $30). Craigslist is also helpful, especially for things like dressers, bookshelves, etc. The rule there is, no used mattresses, be wary of anything with upholstery, but things you can wipe clean and can't harbor bugs are always good to get used. Seriously, unless you're picky about everything matching, you can get kitchen stuff, chairs, coffee tables, desks, etc., all cheaply, and they'll be way more solid than cheap Ikea pasteboard versions. (Not that Ikea doesn't have solid furniture, but its all more expensive.)

Oh, and learn to use the Metro system as quickly as possible. Rule for escalators is: stand on the right, walk on the left. The sooner you don't act like an obnoxious, slow-moving tourist, the more we'll like you.

Springfield is going to be a hell of a crawl for him, especially since he'd have to cross the Wilson bridge, which was bad enough before all the construction. Remember that he is going to the Maryland side of the river.

Craiglist and thrift stores are cheaper, but you have to search and they can be hit or miss. I figured he just wanted furniture when he got here.

I'm glad you caught the sir thing.