UrbanTurf Reader Asks: What and Where to Buy With $550K?

• April 21st 2011

by UrbanTurf Staff

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In this installment of UrbanTurf Reader Asks, a home buyer moving back to DC from the west coast with a budget of around $550,000 asks the UrbanTurf audience the eternal question: Where should I buy?

I will be moving back to the DC area to work for the government, and am looking to buy a two-plus bedroom property in the $550,000 price range. Being from the east coast, I am not against an urban high-rise, but after living in California, a row home with a bit of green space would be nice.

I will be working around Arlington as well as Foggy Bottom, and would like a location that is easily accessible to the Metro, and like most people, I would prefer an area where I could walk to restaurants, bars and shopping. My job requires working overseas for years at a time, so I am also looking for properties that I could rent out to ideally cover mortgage payments while I am away.

Areas that are currently on my short list are Rosslyn, Clarendon, Ballston, Old Town and Carlyle, but I am not against living in DC, it is just that those neighborhoods stood out to me as better options.

I appreciate any advice UrbanTurf readers can provide on additional neighborhoods where I should focus my search based on my circumstances and if you feel a condo vs rowhouse is a better option for the long run. Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

Post your thoughts in the comments section. If you would like to submit a question for UrbanTurf Reader Asks, send an email to editor2011@urbanturf.com.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/urbanturf_reader_asks_what_and_where_to_buy_with_550k/3362.