What field do you work in?

In Arlington proper, renting is a lot more affordable than buying — at least in my income bracket/home needs. A decent house for a family of four in the area is close to a million dollars, if not more. Townhouses on my block go for 1.5 million. The housing market is high and frustratingly stable.

We love it here. There’s a lot to love. I’ve said it on this sub before, but you do want to think long and hard about whether you want the “city” version of Arlington or the suburban experience.

City life would mean living along Wilson/Clarendon between Rosslyn and Ballston. It’s walkable, with great access to busses, metro, bike lanes, and e-scooters. Great restaurants, fast access to DC, fun parks, nice people, and overall a solid little city feel without feeling too congested or overwhelming. You’d be renting an apartment/townhouse, buying a condo, or buying a single family home in Lyon Village or Lyon Park for $2mil. You’d have a similar experience in Old Town Alexandria.

The other side of life in the area would be like a Fairfax/Falls Church - prices are still high, just not quite as high. Schools are good, and there are great restaurants, etc. But, to me, the downsides are real: congestion, tiny parking lots, crowded everything, traffic, and just kind of ugly main drags. Takes longer to get into the city, so most people I know who live out there don’t go in very often. That means they’re paying city prices and dealing with city traffic without enjoying the culture and experiences DC offers. You can go toward McLean/Great Falls where things are prettier, but many of the same suburban problems exist. You can go out further to a Reston or Sterling, but that is a true suburban life and, imho, not worth the money unless you have a good job out there.

Back to your actual question: I find Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other (Facebook group) to be a solid resource.

Hope some of that helps - feel free to ask follow up questions!