suzimc

Hi,

Can anyone tell me anything about this place?

robskatie

To live in or to visit?
It's actually fairly ok, lots of nice little stores, very close to D.C, fairly expensive to live, although all the areas around here are, one of the nicer places in this area IMHO!

Elvira

AFAIK it's were the well-off people who work in DC live!

Celsius

It's in Fairfax County, VA?

Seriously, what kind of info are you after? About the cost of living, the weather, schools in the area, public transport?

robskatie

LOL, I think sums it up well

suzimc

Thanks all that have replied

My fiance is likely to be there for a 6 month assignment, so we will probably be in paid for accommodation. I can't find an awful lot about it on the web, apart from what the popn was in 2000, so I was just wondering what it is like (I know that is a subjective question) ...

Elvira

Get a tourist guide about Washington DC (eg Fodor's) - it will include plenty of info about Alexandria as well.

Then there's also Arlington VA...

Always21

Alexandria is a very nice urban area with some nice old buildings (it was there before DC, incorporated into DC, then returned to Virginia). Yes, it's pretty expensive, but I've walked through some lower income neighbourhoods there too (right in the shadow of luxury apartments). There are some nice parks along the Potomac, with planes overhead coming in to land at Reagan National every few minutes!

Celsius

It sounds as if you will be accompanying him. Will you stay in the US for the duration of his assignment. What type of visa will you use?

Irn-bru

When living in VA I loved to visit there when I was homesick as it reminded me of Britain the store fronts (old towns) and the "'high street" feel of the place, though upper class.
Bit like stratford but maybe I was so missing British things I was seeing things that weren't there
Parking is a nightmare to get into spaces I was told it was acceptable to 'bump' cars gently to parallel park as spaces were so tight! Had this done to me while still in car! Shops are mostly independent not your usual US shops. Pricey, pricey to live in and that was 3 years ago! But lovely 'feel' of a place.

fatbrit

Re. Your posts in the Visa section
If you're just here for 6 months and definitely leaving for OZ after, I wouldn't really bother with trying to get any of the visas beyond the B1/2 for partners of L1 holders. USCIS take their time, so they probably wouldn't be worthwhile. Sure you can find enough to amuse you for 6 months in and around DC

suzimc

I'm not sure yet - his company is sorting all that out at the moment.

suzimc

Yeah, you are probably right, my only concern is my own career would be 'on hold' during that time, but from what I have seen there does seem to be plenty around to do.