I will be moving in 2025 to the area for better medical care (my doctor is already located there) and more work opportunities. Those of you that live in the area, where would you say that you get most of your work? For context, I’m credentialed on multiple contracts, not just DCSA. If you live in an area outside DC, do you find yourself commuting to DC more, or commuting from DC to another city more often? We are narrowing down areas to live in up there. No small children so schools/daycare is not an issue and my spouse works from home. *Bonus question: Whichever area you are located in, how is the noise level (from outside) would you say it is inside your home? I keep imagining it’s probably loud with a lot of constant city sounds in most places.
If you live in the Arlington/Alexandria area you will have plenty of work and probably never will have to venture into DC. I lived in Alexandria previously, on the outskirts of old town, and never thought it was too noisy. Fairly quiet.
I second everything pjr218 says. However, the closer you live to Reagan National Airport and the river the jet landing and takeoff noises can get loud and start very early. Live in a place with good windows. The Pentagon in Arlington is a hot bed of DCSA work and the Bolling AFB and Springfield area have lots of multi contract work as well. You will learn to schedule all your in person interviews between 10-2 for commuting purposes. Traffic can be super hairy. Good Luck.
@Weeble and @pjr218 are there any specific towns in NOVA you would recommend based on noise levels, safety, and housing options? Besides Arlington and Alexandria, I hear good things about Reston, VA.
Personallly, if/when I ever have to move back to DC area I will only live in old town Alexandria. Traffic and driving are the biggest problems there for me. I want to live somewhere when I can spend the least amount of time in a car on the weekends. In old town you can walk to stores, restaurants, library, etc.