Day four. Apartments. Today, instead of having lunch, I went to look at apartments. Found a couple of places just five minutes from the office, near a decent school.
Let’s pause here to explain what “near a decent school” means. There are various types of schools in the States. GreatSchools.org rates them on a scale from 1-10, and as everyone says, after Russia, normal kids can study in schools with a rating above 8. In the schools with lower ratings, you really need to be “one of their own,” since the kids there are quite different.
So, you can only go to a public school in the district to which the school belongs. You can’t get into a school in a neighboring district. But the school in your district will definitely take you 100%. That’s why you need to choose a house after selecting a school.
Properties around good schools are more expensive. There are fewer good schools in poorer areas.
I found some address near work and a good school and went there. Then I visited another place from the same company.
Features. Apartments are not rented by individuals but by companies. That is, you can still find something from private owners (like on Airbnb), but it costs no less. Companies take care of all the apartment maintenance. If a window handle breaks – you call, and a specially trained person comes and changes it for free. And yes, if you broke it yourself, then you pay.
Here is a map with decent schools and two apartment options:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z8bpy1WeQxbc.kI1QVGQ3CsMw&usp=sharing
Apartment options:
1. http://www.avaloncommunities.com/virginia/tysons-corner-apartments/avalon-tysons-corner
2. http://www.avaloncommunities.com/virginia/tysons-corner-apartments/eaves-tysons-corner
Specifically, these two options (apartment: 100 sq.m., 2 bedrooms,) cost $2000 a month. This is quite expensive: 50-70 miles from here, the price drops by half. Apart from this fee, they take a security deposit of $300 (returned upon departure) and an amenity fee of $300-$450 – an annual payment for a “club membership” that is not returned. This last fee includes various things like garbage disposal, parking, and pool access. Interestingly, two adults have to pay an additional $100 for background checks. 🙂
If you bring a pet, then $500 upfront and $50 per month. If two pets, then double that. Fish don’t count. Snakes are not allowed. Some dog breeds are not allowed.
In addition, bills for electricity, gas, and water come to about $120-$140 a month.
One of the buildings is gated, with security. Pools are everywhere (included in the price), fitness is available only in the cheaper one.
In the end, living costs at least $2200 a month including all expenses. But there is no “pay for the month ahead” like back home.
But these are the minimum prices: in the “up to 2000 per month” price range, both options have one apartment available in the next four weeks. Everything else is more expensive. You can’t trust the banner prices; those are for apartments that might be freed up only in six months.
Additionally, all dealings with the manager are scheduled by phone or through the website. You can just show up (I tried), but they enter a mode of “AAAA!! A client came, what to do” – clearly not standard.
All apartments are rented unfurnished. Only appliances like a refrigerator, washer, dryer, stove, and dishwasher are included.
They are not as pretty as in the photos on the website when empty. But at least you can make it to your taste.
For me, it’s still expensive, probably will look for more options, thankfully there’s still time.
Hi, I'm Rauf Aliev. 