Son (who is an IT) Stationed In Washington DC

[Chris's Mom (Teresa)]

Hello everyone, My son just got his orders for Washington DC. He is graduating from Pensacola the first week of September. He is needing to find an apartment in the DC area and I was hoping to get some advice on the area. All help would be appreciated, as I have never been to the DC area. He will be located in this area for 2 years so I am trying to do some leg work on my end before he actually arrives. My recruiter did say that they do have an office that will assist him into the transition. Thank you in advance for any information that will help. Teresa

[Chris's Mom (Teresa)]

Hi Terri, No there is no base there. He will be moving to an apartment imediately. He was told that he would be put in a hotel and then he would have to find housing. Now they do have an office that helps the guys get situated, but I wanted to get some information to help him make a good decision. Teresa

[CTmomof3]

My sister inlaw lives by Dulles Airport and My husband lives just outside Quantico Va and I know they say that rents in the DC area are high. I will check with my sister inlaw and see what info I can get for you.

[Chris's Mom (Teresa)]

Hi Terri, all 18 memebers of my son's class are all going to Washington DC. They are not going to be on any base. They will all be in apartments or houses. Many are sharing together. I am just trying to get as much information as I can so that my son can make a good selection of housing when the office gives him choices. This website has been such a great source of information and the people are always helpful. I knew that someone would be from the area and have good advice. Talk to you soon Teresa

[Karen S.]

I'm from DC . The area is huge! I live east of Pensacola now. This is a very small city. Let the office do the finding. DC area Navy offices are all over the area in every direction. The two bases are old but good command locations. Where will his duty assignment be? There were IT offices in Crystal City, VA near the Pentagon and some older apartments near there. But he could be out in Maryland too. Even ten years ago I took the subway from nearly everywhere I was, which was great. I loved it there. Hectic but lots to do. Good Luck.

[Susan R]

Responding for the wife..........................if possible he should look outside of the area surrounding DC, it will cost an arm and a leg. If he looks west towards Maryland or even the Martinsburg, WV area (only about an hours drive) the housing costs will drop as will everyday living costs.

[Jacqueline Manning]

Have you looked on Craigslist? This is a good place to look for furniture and free stuff too. Just type craigslist into google. You can choose the state and then major cities in that state. In my travels with my husband we have found amazing stuff on here. While in FL we got a free wicker patio set! So if he needs furniture this is a great place to look. Hope this helps.

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

DC is a fabulous area but very expensive for house, I would definitely work thru the housing with the base housing staff. They may even recommend something in the suburbs of DC. Public transportation there is great and there is so much to see in DC.

I spent three days there on a business trip and wanted to see so much of the town that we scheduled a vacation there for a week and I felt like I could still use some time to see it all. Hoping that you will get a chance to go visit your son while he is stationed there. Good luck to him on his new assignment.

[Rob]

We just moved to the area about 3 weeks ago and there was a lot of looking around. Our situation is different we are a family of 5 as opposed to a single sailor. Does he have his own car or will he be relying on public transportation? There are a lot of commuting options, buses, metro, VRE, slug lines. One of the good things is he will get metro checks (about $110 per month) to help offset the cost of commuting. One of the things he can do if he has his own car is look to rent away from the DC area near one of the bases, FT. Belvoir/Quantico/Andrews, so that way he will have access to base services like commissary (much more cost effective than buying food in town). FT. Myers, right next to the Pentagon also has a commissary.

There are so many options you really need to figure out what kind of lifestlye he wants to pursue.

Let us know if you have any specific questions.

Rob

[Chris's Mom (Teresa)]

Hi Rob, Chris graduated last Friday but is not due to leave base in Florida until this coming Friday, weather permitting. He still doesn't have a lot of information about his area. He does know that he will be working for the DIA but that is it. Nothing else. Do you know when he should be receiving more information or are they going to wait until he gets there. I thought I would ask since you have military experience and live in the area. Thank you Teresa

[Jayne]

Hi, my youngest son Scott is at A school at the present time but my other son Brian lives and works in Virginia. Washington DC is expensive to live in but the further out of the city might be a good idea. My son lives in VA near the metro which is very easy (and clean) way of traveling into DC.

[Chris's Mom (Teresa)]

Thank you all for the information, we will hopefully find out where he will be working soon. I have already received a good idea where he will be headed by the Chief here in our area, but nothing in concrete yet. Thank you all, Teresa

[Barb B]

I live in Springfield, VA, and work and commute to Washington, DC every day (I have lived in the area since 1959). The rent will be significantly cheaper in the suburbs, but he must be careful how far out he goes, because traffic is TERRIBLE. Metro has been very undependable since the gas prices went up so high and got crowded, it can't seem to handle the crush. If he's in VA, his best bet is to stay in the Rte. 395 corridor, as there are carpool express lanes, buses (both Metro and private, depending on how far out he is), the infamous slug lines (which I use regularly, but are also horribly overcrowded now that fewer people are driving), and of course, Metro rail.

If they give you a list of suggested apartment complexes, let me know and I'll be happy to get more info if you need it. Lots of military in this area, so he should feel comfortable. My son is currently in Pensacola, too, and was born and raised in Fairfax County so if your son wants to talk to someone familiar with this area, let me know and we can trade some info so they can contact each other. Didn't your son PIR on 6/6? Your picture looks very familiar to me -- my son graduated 6/6, Division 207.

Barb