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indecisivewandering OP t1_j6zrqxe wrote

Reply to comment by scotch_please in Is renting on a GS5 salary possible? by indecisivewandering

> How come you're considering Baltimore and not the DC suburbs off the metro trains? The area between North Bethesda and Shady Grove on the red line has high rises at slightly lower prices than DC while still being accessible to downtown by train.

Interesting.. I honestly hadn't noticed after living in the area for 4 years a few years back. I always thought the inner ring of suburbs was still very car dependant, so it was a wash between DC and Baltimore. Sure, you're closer, but my life would still be bound by whatever car dependant place I happened to end up in. Your commentt opens up a lot more options, than you.

I used to live in Arlington out of a group house and it was a mental struggle.

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scotch_please t1_j6ztqx1 wrote

I'd say most of the suburbs are generally car dependent but the stations that run through them often have housing built within walking distance. The North Bethesda and Grosvenor stops have at least 2 apartment buildings within short walking distance of each. This area isn't people's first choice because the night life is lame and you might have to take a bus to the grocery store but if those aren't a priority, I would check it out.

Are buses an option for you? If so, Montgomery County is also very accessible by bus routes and you could expand your search out a few miles from the red line on that stretch. The North Bethesda stop has a grocery store at the base of one apartment building. Generally I'd prefer struggling in this area and saving a couple hundred a month instead of living paycheck to paycheck down to the last dollar in downtown DC. You can find cheaper rentals in DC than the suburbs but it'll be at the cost of safety and/or grocery access. In the suburbs you might be able to swing renting a studio or just having one roommate instead of sharing a group house.

If you find a higher paying job after a few years, then you can move closer to your place of work or perhaps you'll find you don't mind the train commute that much.

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indecisivewandering OP t1_j6zutnh wrote

To be honest when I'd get off at stations my immediate assumption was that those buildings were all offices. Cool to know that TOD is taken at least somewhat seriously. Regarding nightlife, yeah I don't really mind if its lame. That it exists at all is nice from where I'm sitting right now.

Busses would be an option, its just about whether they have signage/accurate schedules. Currently, my area has no busses other than to take tourists around, and the paratransit is only available by calling.. if you're within .5 miles of an unmarked station.

> If you find a higher paying job after a few years, then you can move closer to your place of work or perhaps you'll find you don't mind the train commute that much.

Indeed. And hey, at least after that point I'll be able to have made connections at work and built a life for myself.

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DCGinkgo t1_j70u166 wrote

Suburban bus routes in general no matter where they are usually a PITA . Often fine during "the rush" whatever that means in COVID (still) times. But off-rush & on weekends they can be a nightmare to get anywhere within a reasonable period of time. Stick to being close to Metro for real flexibility & service.

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pecanorchard t1_j704mt9 wrote

I live out in the Mount Vernon area and got by for years without a car. My commute was a bus then metroing into DC which was deeply not fun, but not as bad as commuting from Baltimore. There is a grocery store within walking distance, and a few restaurants as well. It's a harder life without a car but doable.

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[deleted] t1_j70bwul wrote

The only issue with said area now is that the yellow line is out of commission until May-ish and the shuttles add a considerable amount of time to the commute.

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pecanorchard t1_j71ys0w wrote

Is it? I drive to Franconia metro now but I still see trains to/from Huntington, just on the blue line and not the yellow line (so, impacting the other side of the yellow line) now.

If it does shut down again, yeah I think the shuttle thing would not be fun for a legally blind person to figure out the first time, but there are always a lot if employees around to ask for directions.

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