Fellow reefer looking for info

[Guest Skipponator]

1 week from today and we'll be in town, we are getting excited!

 

-Skip

[Caribbean Jake]

Bring your shorts cause is 64 F degrees down here, and maybe too hot for you :D just kidding. Have a safe flight and let us know when you are in town, we can throw few pointers on were to go.

[Guest njacobs]

Hey Skip. I just joined Wamas today and saw your post. I've lived her for 10 years, from PA. I'm in real estate, don't worry...commercial. I don't do any residential except my own. This market is in the top 10 for pricing. If you are going to work downtown, I suggest you look at a smaller condo close in, as there is not enough infrastructure to handle the traffic demands from suburb commuters. If you are single or without kids and don't mind a condo, there are a ton of opportunities in Arlington, Bethesda, MD or downtown D.C. If you are working in D.C., I suggest these areas. If you are working somewhere close, let me know where it is. a two bedroom in a decent building runs $2,100 a month approximately. You can do a 1 bedroom for $1,500. Also, 1 bedroom condos start in the $250K and go up from there. A typical 2 bedroom condo is probably $400K with single family homes / townhouses starting around $500K and up. Let me know your age and interests and i'll tell you where to hang when you get to town. a lot of night life if that is your thing. If not, there are plenty of other opportunities too.

 

Send me some more details on your offer and I'll send you answers. Have a good weekend.

 

Nick

[Guest Larry-T]

If you don't mind living in an older building that's not "in fashion" you can do far better by moving out just a little. I'm in Montgomery County in an older (built in the 1970's) townhouse development and you can buy a 3-bedroom townhouse with a full basement within walking distance of shopping and public transportation anywhere you want to go for under $300K.

 

<<** Larry **>>

 

 

 

Hey Skip.  I just joined Wamas today and saw your post.  I've lived her for 10 years, from PA.  I'm in real estate, don't worry...commercial.  I don't do any residential except my own.  This market is in the top 10 for pricing.  If you are going to work downtown, I suggest you look at a smaller condo close in, as there is not enough infrastructure to handle the traffic demands from suburb commuters.  If you are single or without kids and don't mind a condo, there are a ton of opportunities in Arlington, Bethesda, MD or downtown D.C.  If you are working in D.C., I suggest these areas.  If you are working somewhere close, let me know where it is.  a two bedroom in a decent building runs $2,100 a month approximately.  You can do a 1 bedroom for $1,500.  Also, 1 bedroom condos start in the $250K and go up from there.  A typical 2 bedroom condo is probably $400K with single family homes / townhouses starting around $500K and up.  Let me know your age and interests and i'll tell you where to hang when you get to town.  a lot of night life if that is your thing.  If not, there are plenty of other opportunities too. 

 

Send me some more details on your offer and I'll send you answers.  Have a good weekend.

 

Nick

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[Guest Skipponator]

Well we got back today, man I like it over there! I completed stage 1 of like 7, and feel really confident that I'll make it to stage 2, and then stage 3 (which will bring me back over there). Anyhow if I make it to the end, I will be visiting atleast 3 more times, maybe a 4th if scheduling doesn't work right, so if that happens I'd like to meet up with some people.

 

So anyhow we got there Thursday, we took a taxi from Reagan to the Super 8 motel on New yourk (501), <<<<<--------- I wanted to be some place close to where I'd be testing, and by maps I thought I was closer, next time, I am not staying there.... It was cheap, but for a reason, I am sure I was getting close to some shady area... Did a lot of walking, the 1st night we walked from the hotel, accross the Hypo-Bridge(What I call that bridge on New York since I saw 4 hypo needles on teh sidewalk and doubt they came from diabetics) the trash under the bridge was nuts, definetly made me uncomfortable the 1st night walking accross especially coming back when it was dark.... But we made it, walked to Union Station, looked around, ate, Portebello Fajitas kick butt! Walked to teh Capitol and snapped some pics, looks really nice at night. Walked back to the hotel in the dark, and survived

 

Friday walked again, took the Tourmobile and went to Wash. Monu, Vietnam, Lincoln, Tomb, Arlington, basically that took all day, did more walking back and forth from hotel to Union Station area, went to all kinds of museums. Then we discovered and learned the Subway system, that was really neat, and I was amazed at how clean it was. We went to Pentagon City and did shopping and lots more walking, then we learned that the Subway would take us to New York/Florida, why didn't we figure this out before????? Saved us a lot of walking for the rest of the time...

 

Subways were very easy to use and we found ourselves helping people that had no idea what they were doing/going...... Saturday, took my test at the USCPD, man, there were like 400 people there, I think the test went very well, and I'll be looking for my 30 page application in 2-4 weeks.... That department sounds like a lot of fun....

 

Walked back to the hotel from there wearing my suit and shiny shoes, made it accross the Hypo Bridge okay!

 

Then we went to Chinatown, ate some good food, walked, the Duke game was going on, we were like a trout in a stream, definetly chose the wrong direct to walk around the block, then we went to Geaorgetown, I wasn't too knocked about that place, Wife liked it with all the shops, I wanted to nap, I was tired and legs were sore....

 

Met up with friends later, went to Geargetown to go bar hopping, not too much fun, can move around anywhere, and it's super $$ to drink there, WOW, went to a cool Ragae bar with live music, we were a little out of place there and enjoyed the music. Had a huge azz slice of pizza, it was like a whole pizza in itself, that was good supprisingly for $4.50.

 

Sunday, we went to the Law Enforcement Memorial, the zoo (got tired of walking and it was a bit more chilly then before so we made it 1/3 through), went to some OUtback Steakhouse, took 2 hours to complete a meal, service was sooo slow, but they had awesome chocolate chocolate cake!!!! Rode the subways many more times and walked around, went accross the Hypo Bridge many times, started raining hard, went back to room and fell asleep.

 

Woke up at 5am your time, went to the airport and now we are back in snowland!

 

There definetly is something to do for people in emergancy services in DC I noticed, I wouldn't want to drive a large firetruck at those speeds on those busy roads, I drove a friend's Jeep Liberty for a while trying to find out way from some ritzy hotel near Chinatown that her sister was at, and it took us forever to figure out where we were going to get back to the Super 8.

 

We were told that no one will be starting before 2006 is over since the process is very thourough and time consuming, so hopefully I will have more visits out there and see more of the area then I did, especially living arrangements....

 

Thanks to everyone that has contributed info too!!

 

-Skip

[JMsAquarium]

By all means, do let us know next time you two are coming back and we can arrange a little get together somewere somehow.

Glad to hear that your trip went well.

[Steve G]

Skip,

I could have told you about the motels on Route 50 (NY Ave). They are a throwback to an older time when that was the stopping point of choice for tourists on a budget. Now it's pretty run down. The only nice thing in the area is the National Arboretum, which I enjoy visiting often -- the koi pond alone is worth the trip, but this is not a good time of year to visit even that place.

 

If you find G'town too pricey and you've already seen the monuments/downtown, then you might want to try Dupont Circle, Cleveland Park (just past zoo), or Adams Morgan for a better feel for the city. All of those are on or near the Red Line of Metro. Or the U Street Area (near 14th/U St.) on the Green Line.

 

Hope your job search goes well and you come back to DC again. Let us know if you want better lodging advice.

 

Steve

[Guest Larry-T]

Skip,

 

I work within walking distance of Metro Center and the Smithsonian. I'd be glad to show you around the mall the nearby neighborhoods next time you come to town.

 

I can also take you to the Original National Aquarium, which is one of the best-hidden items in the city.

 

<<** Larry **>>

[Guest Skipponator]

Skip,

 

I work within walking distance of Metro Center and the Smithsonian.  I'd be glad to show you around the mall the nearby neighborhoods next time you come to town.

 

I can also take you to the Original National Aquarium, which is one of the best-hidden items in the city.

 

<<** Larry **>>

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Yes I heard about this aquarium on the Tourmobile, but we didn't see it and only saw someother buildings that didn't appear to be an aquarium exhibit, must be well hidden

 

-Skip

[Guest Larry-T]

The National Aquarium is in the basement of the Herbert Hoover (Department of Commerce) building on 14th street. They have a nice set of exhibits featuring the various habitats associated with the various protected areas in U.S. waters.

 

 

Yes I heard about this aquarium on the Tourmobile, but we didn't see it and only saw someother buildings that didn't appear to be an aquarium exhibit, must be well hidden

 

-Skip

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[Guest CapHillReef]

In response to the person making broad generalizations about quadrants of the city...You obviously are not a city person. I live in Capitol hill which encompasses parts of both NE and SE, and there are VERY nice houses and neighborhoods. And if you believe that NW is all nice, go on a ride with me and I'll let you off in some places where you might not make it out.

 

If you're interested in a job with the DC Police or Capitol Police, please live in the city. What does it say when a cop doesn't even want to live where he works?

 

For a young couple, Capitol Hill has many 1BR basement apartments that are very affordable. Full kitchens, nice bathrooms and a million dollar house on top of it. I would imagine that you would have an easy time getting one as a police officer.

 

Good luck!

[martin]

.

 

If you're interested in a job with the DC Police or Capitol Police, please live in the city. What does it say when a cop doesn't even want to live where he works?

 

 

One that doesn't want to be on duty all the time and always have to carry a pistol. Anytime I go to DC I am concidered on duty. We also have unhappy customers who we don't want our familes to be exsposed to.

[Guest Skipponator]

.

 

If you're interested in a job with the DC Police or Capitol Police, please live in the city.  What does it say when a cop doesn't even want to live where he works?

One that doesn't want to be on duty all the time and always have to carry a pistol. Anytime I go to DC I am concidered on duty. We also have unhappy customers who we don't want our familes to be exsposed to.

54212[/snapback]

 

 

^^ I agree, nothing sux more then running into someone you just dealt with when your trying to enjoy yourself and your family. Most times no one recognizes me in casual clothes, but some do occasionally.

 

Anyhow, I passed the test with flying colors! I completed my 37 page background investigation booklet and faxed it in Friday, now I wait for a phone call to do a phone interview! This is exciting.

 

-Skip

[Guest Larry-T]

I agree that in general city employees, such as police, fire, emergency medical personnel, and teachers should live within the city for which they work. In the case of DC, people have to take their families into account as well. I'm not talking about crime, which I believe is hysterically overblown as a DC hazard, but the quality of the school systems. If Skip has a child of age for the public schools, I would not recommend him living in DC. The management of the school system has created a crisis situation in which virtually all of the surrounding school systems have more qualified teachers and more resources for those teachers to use in achieving their goals. In Montgomery County, there are approximately 10 QUALIFIED applicants for every teaching opening in the public schools. DC is stuck with what's left.

 

Fairfax and Montgomery public schools rank among the elite for the entire country.

[Steve G]

I agree that in general city employees, such as police, fire, emergency medical personnel, and teachers should live within the city for which they work.  In the case of DC, people have to take their families into account as well.  I'm not talking about crime, which I believe is hysterically overblown as a DC hazard, but the quality of the school systems.  If Skip has a child of age for the public schools, I would not recommend him living in DC.  The management of the school system has created a crisis situation in which virtually all of the surrounding school systems have more qualified teachers and more resources for those teachers to use in achieving their goals.  In Montgomery County, there are approximately 10 QUALIFIED applicants for every teaching opening in the public schools.  DC is stuck with what's left.

 

Fairfax and Montgomery public schools rank among the elite for the entire country.

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Not to hijack, but I disagree. They should be able to live in the city where they work if they want. But they're professionals. How long they commute or where they raise their kids, etc. is their business. It can be better if people with public duties are part of that same public, but like I said, they're professionals.

[Guest Skipponator]

Hey how is evreyone doing? Havn't been around for a long time, had a life changing event a month ago, and been w/o a computer since then, and working on getting a new one. Anyhow I'm coming back out in 2 weeks tomorrow for an interview. My Mom wants to see the area so she is coming with me, gonna go sight seeing again, should be a pretty time of year compared to January! But I'll prolly be out a couple more times this Summer and prolly by myself and I will have to hook up with some people for some info and whatnot. Just thought I'd say I havn't forgotten about your club!

 

-Skip