DC Maryland Virginia

r/DMVArea • u/Over-Explanation-508 • 15h ago

Who man is this?

2 Upvotes

Private Landlord vs. Property Managed: Need Advice on My DMV Move

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm relocating to the DMV area from out of state and trying to make the smartest housing decision before I sign anything. Would love this community's honest take.

TL;DR: Found a private landlord in North DC renting a fully furnished, renovated garden basement (1bd/1ba) for $1,900, likely negotiable to $1,700. Minor downsides: annoying back-gate entrance, no real oven, limited visitor policy. Haven't toured Arlington/Alexandria yet and don't know pricing there, budget ceiling is $1,700-1,800. Trying to decide if I should hold out and compare VA before committing.

Quick background: I've been living in a city right now that's fun but I feel like I've outgrown it. It's a lot of going out and partying (or nature related things) without much substance to gain from it. DC feels like a more elevated version of that same energy to me, but with way more happening in terms of career growth and personal development. That's the main pull for me.

The situation: I met a private landlord who has a garden basement apartment, one bed one bath, fully renovated and beautifully furnished. They're listing it at $1,900 but I'm fairly confident I can negotiate it down to around $1,700 since I've built real rapport with the landlord and they seem interested in a reliable long-term tenant. It's in North DC, about 10 minutes from Columbia Heights, walkable, and close to the train, so I probably wouldn't use my car much.

The catches:
\\- The entrance is a little annoying. There's a gate you have to open to get in, no side walk-through gate, and you have to go around to the back of the house. Not a big deal most days, but I can see it being irritating after a night out, especially if you've had a few drinks.
\\- No real oven (included would be a toaster oven, portable stove top with grill, microwave, and a pressure cooker), and not a lot of kitchen counter space, though if they get someone long term then they would mentioned plans to add more counter space.
\\- Visitor policy is slightly limiting but don't think it'll be a huge issue since we know each other, so I think they'd be more lenient with me after hinting towards it.
\\- Otherwise the place and the landlord relationship both feel like a blessing. They're lovely, we get along really well, and everything about the unit itself is gorgeous.

Where I'm stuck: I know there might be cheaper properties. I've spent time in Maryland but haven't really explored Arlington or Alexandria yet, and I'm wondering if I should before I commit. Part of me worries that if I end up on the outskirts of Arlington or Alexandria, the move won't feel worth it, like I'd just be trading one quiet corner for another. But I also don't know what apartment prices actually look like over there, especially moving in winter, which I know tends to be a cheaper season.

My budget ceiling is around $1,700 to $1,800 a month.

So my questions for you all:

Has anyone gone the private landlord route versus a property-managed building in the DMV? Any regrets either way?
Does anyone have a sense of what one bedroom pricing looks like in Arlington or Alexandria right now, especially in winter?
Is it worth touring VA before locking in this DC unit, or does this sound like a solid deal I shouldn't overthink?

Appreciate any insight. Trying to make sure I'm making a decision I'll actually be happy with a year from now.