Posted on Dec 7, 2020
Would you prefer to work in Charlottesville or Alexandria?
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I’ve decided this will be my last contract as my body is just not able to keep up anymore. Should I try to go to Alexandria and work with BAE or Charlottesville?
BAE Systems, Inc.
ETS/EAS
Government Contracts
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 3
We lived outside Alexandria. I commented to Anacostia from Woodlawn (Fort Belvoir) every day for 4 years. I don't miss the traffic at all.
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SFC Steven Borders
SGT Robert Johnson - You are not kidding, I would leave usually an hour early from home and get to Base early just to beat traffic and that's not accounting for accidents.
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You're going to need to earn more to live in Alexandria. But it really all comes down to where you get the job you really prefer.
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SSG (Join to see) I had a VERY lengthy reply discussing the possibility of reclassifying to a less strenuous MOS. But then I saw you are a 35F. What the hell did you do to yourself as a 35F where your body can't keep up? At INSCOM??? Regardless, I don't see much further down the ladder you can go with low-physical demand. Maybe 42-series?
My vote would be Charlottesville. The air smells a little cleaner, the weather is just a HAIR nicer, the traffic is WAY better, and the cost of living is heaps better. Of course, there are far fewer jobs, especially $$$ contracting jobs, and a 35F can find all kinds of $$$ jobs in the DC area. Charlottesville should still have a market, but not the same kind of market in Alexandria.
I think it really comes down to what you want to actually do with your life. Do you want to continue doing analysis? If yes, do you want to do specifically intelligence analysis (as compared to, for instance, being a business analyst)? If you want to do what you are doing now, but do it as a civilian, the choice is hands-down Alexandria. If you have more flexibility with your future plans, I would go back to my original leaning towards Charlottesville.
My vote would be Charlottesville. The air smells a little cleaner, the weather is just a HAIR nicer, the traffic is WAY better, and the cost of living is heaps better. Of course, there are far fewer jobs, especially $$$ contracting jobs, and a 35F can find all kinds of $$$ jobs in the DC area. Charlottesville should still have a market, but not the same kind of market in Alexandria.
I think it really comes down to what you want to actually do with your life. Do you want to continue doing analysis? If yes, do you want to do specifically intelligence analysis (as compared to, for instance, being a business analyst)? If you want to do what you are doing now, but do it as a civilian, the choice is hands-down Alexandria. If you have more flexibility with your future plans, I would go back to my original leaning towards Charlottesville.
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SSG (Join to see)
I was in a ground and pound infantry unit prior to INSCOM. This is my 3rd contract which will end with me at 13 years. Herniated disk, knee and hip issues with cartilage loss, sciatica.
I’m leaning Alexandria mainly given its proximity to DC and family in Maryland. We are definitely looking into buying in Waldorf.
I’m leaning Alexandria mainly given its proximity to DC and family in Maryland. We are definitely looking into buying in Waldorf.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
I hear you. I did my first 4 1/2 as an 11B, and one of the main two reasons I chose to go MI is that I didn't want to be broken when I retired (it didn't work - bad ankles, knees, hips, back, and one shoulder, plus myriad mental, hearing, and cardiopulmonary issues put me at 100% disabled, but at least I made it through to retirement!). Daily pain ain't no fun - and daily exacerbation of that pain is even less so.
Still, 13 years is a lot of years to give up. 7 years is a lot to go to retirement, but not THAT far - and the benefits are WORTH IT (I pay less for health insurance for my whole family in a YEAR than most people pay in a month - for just themselves).
Your body, your decision, but pushing through may be worth it.
Your reasoning for Alexandria appears sound - as long as you know what you are getting in to with the "big city" life, and the accompanying big city problems (According to US News & World Reports, DC is actually worse than LA for traffic. Just saying.)
Still, 13 years is a lot of years to give up. 7 years is a lot to go to retirement, but not THAT far - and the benefits are WORTH IT (I pay less for health insurance for my whole family in a YEAR than most people pay in a month - for just themselves).
Your body, your decision, but pushing through may be worth it.
Your reasoning for Alexandria appears sound - as long as you know what you are getting in to with the "big city" life, and the accompanying big city problems (According to US News & World Reports, DC is actually worse than LA for traffic. Just saying.)
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