Real Estate Investing

I should admit to sticker shock for real estate prices in our nation’s capitol.  It would be pretty painful to live here if you earned wages like we make in middle America.  However, on average DC workers make about 30 percent more than … say Lexington, Kentucky … for the very reason that it’s just more expensive to live here.

While strolling today, it becomes crystal clear why some communities are rated high for walkability and others are not.  There’s no conceivable way my own little community could gain a high rating because we don’t even have sidewalks - at least none that are consistent. We have a lot of start and stop type sidewalks.  One side of the street may have some, the other side does not.  Here, though, the pedestrian is king.  All traffic must stop for walkers.  Of course you can’t be foolish and just walk in front of a bus and you should obey traffic walk and don’t walk signals.

My favorite daydream at this point is to imagine what it would be like living in a bustling city like the metro D.C. area.  To hop on a train very inexpensively to go see amazing sites for FREE.  Yesterday, I was taking pictures of Vincent van Gogh’s Self Portrait (1889) and Leonardo da Vinci’s Ginevra de’ Benci (circa 1474/1478).

It makes me realize how starved communities are for what the others offer.  In small towns, we do enjoy knowing our neighbors, maybe lower prices, and a slower paced life.  But we miss out to a certain degree on culture, arts, diversity.

That’s why - in my opinion - the prices of apartments in D.C. are worth every penny.  So many other activities are free of charge so your extra income can go toward rent.  Across from my hotel is the beautiful Meridian at Ballston Commons.  Efficiency apartments start at $1725 p/month.  One bedrooms $1885, and two bedrooms are $2695. Cats are allowed so that’s a plus (unless you hate cats).  The apartments are about a one minute walk to the Ballston metro stop - about a 10 or 15 minute ride to the Smithsonian and Capitol stops.

If that’s too expensive, there is another apartment a little further that costs $850 p/month for an efficiency, $1050 for one-bedroom, and $1300 for a two-bedroom.  All the utilities are included, there’s a disposal and dishwasher, mini blind, free parking, and cats are also welcome at no extra charge.

Over in Maryland, I found one apartment community that accepts dogs, cats,has a clubhouse, a washer/dryer in the apartment, and near the metro for $999 for a one-bedroom.

This makes me think I want a government job!  I want to live in D.C. for a couple of years and try to see everything there is to see.  One week is certainly not enough time to take it all in.

I made it to Washington, D.C. with my brother and sister. My brother is here for a business trip, so I got to tag along and show my sister the nation’s Capitol.  I live in rural America and have decided that city living may be the life for me.  I love the wonderful neighborhoods … each one has its own personality.  There are sidewalk cafes, bistros, and social gathering places.    The METRO is also amazing - to be able to get everywhere inexpensively through a mass transport system should be mandatory for every major city.  Once you get to your destination you walk, so there are healthy benefits.

Meanwhile, I’m staying at a hotel in Arlington, Virginia (about 9 stops from the Smithsonian metro).  Since my brother is here working, he got the government rate and for that I’m grateful.  Otherwise, it would cost $900 p/night - his cost is enormously lower.  Is there a bigger word than enormously? Astonishingly less.  Affordably less.

Outside our window is an apartment complex.  It’s one of my top destinations to find out the cost of buying or living there.  Doing a quick online check, you can get a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in the Northwest corner of the District for $400,000.  This covers the Georgetown, DuPont Circle, Columbia Heights areas.

I don’t even think this is the most expensive city in America to live in.  That would be New York according to the Global Property Guide.  Looking in detail at the chart about what it’s like to live across the globe, I think I’m pretty happy to be where I am.