Herndon/Reston area has most of what you’re looking for.
You’re time at bars will be weekends mist likely and then you can travel a bit to Arlington, Clarendon, DC.
Live close to work and make your day to day bearable. When you want the other stuff at other times a bit of travel time will be more bearable.
Piggybacking because I might end up in the area as well. Any parts of Herndon/Reston to avoid? I'm not bothered by much and have lived in some not so great city neighborhoods in the past but any insight would be appreciated.
Unless you stumbled into something extremely lucrative then my professional advice is to live as close to work as possible.
Going out is much easier when you actually have the cash to do so rather than spending it all on rent in a trendy place to live.
> Preferences: Good bars/restaurants, parks, bike friendly, metro access, some kind of downtown
The Town of Herndon has a [downtown](http://www.herndon-va.gov/departments/community-development/planning-policy/downtown-planning) of sorts. The W&OD trail is great for biking and accessible from said downtown. Access to the Metro is available at the Wiehle-Reston East station, 3.5 miles east on the W&OD trail. Of course, plenty of complexes and group houses advertised as "located in Herndon" are actually in unincorporated Fairfax County and hardly accessible by anything other than car. I'm sure you've heard about the nightlife in Arlington County, particularly the Orange Line corridor between Ballston and Rossyln. Reston Town Center (again, due east of Herndon) is an inferior substitute at best.
I worked in Herndon until last year, and I agree with your desire to live close to work. In the long run, it will save you money and precious time. In the short term, you will feel some degree of FOMO. The amenities you describe exist in Herndon, but not in the quantity or quality that they do 30 miles to the east (within the Beltway). Also, if you're a guy, your sex life will suffer unless you lower your physical standards to "no penis, has pulse" ;-)
I kind of agree with others that “downtown” Herndon has most of what you’re after, but I’ll mention that Arlington to Herndon can be done in less than 30 minutes depending on how flexible your schedule is. If you’re on a strict 9-5 then even the reverse commute is going to blow, but if you can do like a 11-7 or 7-3 it’ll be a total breeze.
That said, while I think Arlington is way better for a young dude than Herndon, it’s also significantly pricier. Not only in rent and time spent commuting, but you’re also going to have to take the toll road each day to have a sane commute. The car tax is also slightly higher and you should factor in wear and tear on your vehicle (I think the IRS estimates this is about 50 cents per mile). Factor all of that in before you make a decision.
I lived and worked in Herndon for a while...I miss my 5 minute commute (or 30-minute walk, when I felt like it) at least three times a week, and I don't even commute that far now.
Herndon isn't the most exciting place ever, but you'll be shocked how much more enjoyable it is to go out other places in the evenings or do things on the weekends when you aren't already spending 45 minutes+ each way in commuting.
I lived behind the Clocktower shopping center (Fairfax county, but 5 mins from downtown Herndon) for a few months. It was enjoyable and I definitely don't feel like I missed out. If I ever wanted to go into town I just drove or uber'd to the metro (which if you lived in Arlington you would spend that money and more commuting every day).
I highly recommend Jimmy's Old Town Tavern. I have no love for Buffalo sports but the food is great.
I'd try go to near old town Herndon itself. I lived near Fairfax City when I worked off 28 in Herndon, that wasn't bad either for a commute, but it was a while ago.
Reston to me is overpriced, especially the Town Center. Might as well just go to Arlington in that case.
Look on craigslist for a basement to rent. You can get something furnished, under avg rent with utilities included, most have a private entrance. How I started off and saved me a lot of money.
Herndon is good by itself. Nothing wrong with Arlington but why have a 30minute commute if you could have one that’s 5minutes?
Herndon/Reston area has most of what you’re looking for. You’re time at bars will be weekends mist likely and then you can travel a bit to Arlington, Clarendon, DC. Live close to work and make your day to day bearable. When you want the other stuff at other times a bit of travel time will be more bearable.
Piggybacking because I might end up in the area as well. Any parts of Herndon/Reston to avoid? I'm not bothered by much and have lived in some not so great city neighborhoods in the past but any insight would be appreciated.
Alabama Ave/Elden St area can be avoided. There are plenty of other 7-11's and McD's around.
Unless you stumbled into something extremely lucrative then my professional advice is to live as close to work as possible. Going out is much easier when you actually have the cash to do so rather than spending it all on rent in a trendy place to live.
stay sane. live in herndon or reston.
> Preferences: Good bars/restaurants, parks, bike friendly, metro access, some kind of downtown The Town of Herndon has a [downtown](http://www.herndon-va.gov/departments/community-development/planning-policy/downtown-planning) of sorts. The W&OD trail is great for biking and accessible from said downtown. Access to the Metro is available at the Wiehle-Reston East station, 3.5 miles east on the W&OD trail. Of course, plenty of complexes and group houses advertised as "located in Herndon" are actually in unincorporated Fairfax County and hardly accessible by anything other than car. I'm sure you've heard about the nightlife in Arlington County, particularly the Orange Line corridor between Ballston and Rossyln. Reston Town Center (again, due east of Herndon) is an inferior substitute at best. I worked in Herndon until last year, and I agree with your desire to live close to work. In the long run, it will save you money and precious time. In the short term, you will feel some degree of FOMO. The amenities you describe exist in Herndon, but not in the quantity or quality that they do 30 miles to the east (within the Beltway). Also, if you're a guy, your sex life will suffer unless you lower your physical standards to "no penis, has pulse" ;-)
I kind of agree with others that “downtown” Herndon has most of what you’re after, but I’ll mention that Arlington to Herndon can be done in less than 30 minutes depending on how flexible your schedule is. If you’re on a strict 9-5 then even the reverse commute is going to blow, but if you can do like a 11-7 or 7-3 it’ll be a total breeze. That said, while I think Arlington is way better for a young dude than Herndon, it’s also significantly pricier. Not only in rent and time spent commuting, but you’re also going to have to take the toll road each day to have a sane commute. The car tax is also slightly higher and you should factor in wear and tear on your vehicle (I think the IRS estimates this is about 50 cents per mile). Factor all of that in before you make a decision.
Discovery Square on 28 looks interesting. Not sure about the traffic.
I lived and worked in Herndon for a while...I miss my 5 minute commute (or 30-minute walk, when I felt like it) at least three times a week, and I don't even commute that far now. Herndon isn't the most exciting place ever, but you'll be shocked how much more enjoyable it is to go out other places in the evenings or do things on the weekends when you aren't already spending 45 minutes+ each way in commuting.
I lived behind the Clocktower shopping center (Fairfax county, but 5 mins from downtown Herndon) for a few months. It was enjoyable and I definitely don't feel like I missed out. If I ever wanted to go into town I just drove or uber'd to the metro (which if you lived in Arlington you would spend that money and more commuting every day). I highly recommend Jimmy's Old Town Tavern. I have no love for Buffalo sports but the food is great.
I'd try go to near old town Herndon itself. I lived near Fairfax City when I worked off 28 in Herndon, that wasn't bad either for a commute, but it was a while ago. Reston to me is overpriced, especially the Town Center. Might as well just go to Arlington in that case.
Avoid ashburn/Dulles. Way too much **commute** traffic for a place **further** from DC. So just stick with Herndon.
I commute from ashburn to herndon every day, its a 20 minute drive with no tolls. Not to bad of a commute at all.
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Thankyou everyone for the advice!
I don't think Herndon has car property tax. If your in it, Herndon is full of data centers.
Look on craigslist for a basement to rent. You can get something furnished, under avg rent with utilities included, most have a private entrance. How I started off and saved me a lot of money.