Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Vanilla Ice]

Does anyone commute from Stafford? Just curious what time you would have to leave in the morning to miss the rush hour commute, or if slugging/vanpools are an option. Not that I'm seriously considering moving there, but I was curious if anyone commutes from Stafford.

[jameson]

I'm driving up in the AM from Raleigh to look at a couple apartment complexes (Foxchase & Rose Hill)...I hope I'm able to get something fairly reasonable

[klaviernista]

I'm driving up in the AM from Raleigh to look at a couple apartment complexes (Foxchase & Rose Hill)...I hope I'm able to get something fairly reasonable

Both are decent places.  I went to elementary school right across the way from Rose Hill.  The apartments have shaped up quite a bit since that time.

[klaviernista]

Does anyone commute from Stafford? Just curious what time you would have to leave in the morning to miss the rush hour commute, or if slugging/vanpools are an option. Not that I'm seriously considering moving there, but I was curious if anyone commutes from Stafford.

I know someone who commuted from staffor for a while.  There are sluggin options available.  If you want to drive into the city, your best bet is to come in early (5M) or late (after 9AM).

[Markman]

I'm a single, 33 year old guy. I'm looking for an area where beautiful, single women are plentiful but yet at the same time I can still have a decent commute to the PTO. Any suggestions?

[Wishing10]

Does anyone have any comments/experience with Cascade at Landmark?  Google says it is about a 15 minute drive to the PTO.

Landmark is only ~5-10 miles from the PTO.  However, your commute will likely take you down Duke street, which is very congested and fully of traffic lights.  Without traffic, 15-20 minutes is a reasonable expectation, especially if you don't have to stop at many of the lights.  During rush hour it could take much longer.

Take Eisenhower Ave. Google may say it's faster to take Duke but it isn't. Eisenhower Ave doesn't seem to have as many cross streets or traffic. The commute via public transit requires riding a bus to the subway or riding a bus and walking from Eisenhower metro (so about 30-35 min total). For the training academy, you have exact times you need to be there by and sometimes get out early, so you may find it easier to take a personal car.

[guitarguy123]

I'm currently looking for an apartment in NoVA and was hoping for some assistance.  I'm relocating from the Midwest, but its really hard to decide where to live (so many options!) and I won't be able to fly out there before I start working next month to take tours and drive around neighborhoods.  I've done as much research as I could on Google and various boards and websites.  My list includes Rosslyn/Courthouse/Clarendon, Crystal City/Pentagon City, and Carlyle/Old Town.  I've decided not to go with living in DC city at first for tax/cost and commute time reasons (maybe I will change my mind after a year).  I know Courthouse/Clarendon are more happening places for the younger crowd, but a longer commute to the PTO (have to change Metro lines, can be a pain during rush hour) and more expensive.  Even the places I've called so far in Rosslyn are out of my range (single, late 20's, looking for a 1 bedroom, not a studio, don't want roommates), although I really like that central location and multiple Metro access.  I think I would prefer Crystal City to Pentagon City, its seems to have more of a neighborhood feel, with parks, trails, restaurants, and a few bars, and is more affordable than the Orange Line area.  Carlyle would be great for the convenience of walking to work, but there is not much to do around there after hours, Alexandria seems to be more in tune with an older crowd than I would like, and I would have a long hike to go hang out in Arlington or DC with friends that already live in the area.

I'd rather not do a short-term lease, sublet, corporate, or furnished housing for the first couple of months because I'd have to fly back and forth too many times to get all moved and settled ($300-400 roundtrip).  I'd rather find a good area I can commit to for 1 year, relatively close to work, walking distance to a Metro, with a pool, fitness center, etc.  I have a 15 lb. dog, so that is a concern as well (need grass and a place to go for walks).  I have a car but will not use it to get to work, only to go to places that aren't Metro accessible, get groceries, play golf, run errands, etc.  My budget is about $1600-1850 per month for rent, and I need about 600-800 square feet (can't go any higher, and don't want to compromise space and location).  I'm looking for a bigger complex with lots of amenities, not a small condo, garden style, midrise, etc.  Any input?  (ie. best neighborhoods for my situation, good complexes in these areas that are "relatively" affordable).  I know I am in for "rent shock" already, even though where I'm from I could get a nice 4-5 bedroom house for the 1 bedroom apartment price in the areas I'm looking, but I have accepted that is the way things are out there.  Thanks!

[Markman]

My Advice for Single Male Examiners Relocating to the Area

Hello everyone, I've been an examiner for a few months now and I'm fortunate enough to be in TC 1700 where roughly 40-50% of my lab is female. This is by far not typical of the PTO as a whole, I'd guess that the PTO as a whole is about 10-20% female. But I frequently go out to lunch with the female examiners in my lab and by far the biggest complaint they have is that they get hit on incessantly by male examiners.

I have a theory. Because the PTO is about 80% men and because the immediate surrounding area reflects that demographic, these men will be in a ruthless competition for the 20% single women around the PTO, and these women will probably have a knee-jerk reaction to men who hit on them around the PTO since they get hit on all the time.

So my advice for single male patent examiners who are just starting and looking to move to the area? Don't live in the immediate area around the PTO. The DC area has one of the most favorable gender ratios for single men and you'll be shooting yourself in the foot by relocating close to the PTO.

[klaviernista]

My Advice for Single Male Examiners Relocating to the Area

Hello everyone, I've been an examiner for a few months now and I'm fortunate enough to be in TC 1700 where roughly 40-50% of my lab is female. This is by far not typical of the PTO as a whole, I'd guess that the PTO as a whole is about 10-20% female. But I frequently go out to lunch with the female examiners in my lab and by far the biggest complaint they have is that they get hit on incessantly by male examiners.

I have a theory. Because the PTO is about 80% men and because the immediate surrounding area reflects that demographic, these men will be in a ruthless competition for the 20% single women around the PTO, and these women will probably have a knee-jerk reaction to men who hit on them around the PTO since they get hit on all the time.

So my advice for single male patent examiners who are just starting and looking to move to the area? Don't live in the immediate area around the PTO. The DC area has one of the most favorable gender ratios for single men and you'll be shooting yourself in the foot by relocating close to the PTO.

PTO employee base is ~10,000 people, ~3-4,000 of which are examiners.

By contrast, the city of alexandria has a population of > 140,000, of which approximately 51% is female.  Not to mention that Alexandria is very close to DC, where women also outnumber men.

So, better advice would be to say that single male examiners should look outside of the USPTO for single women, regardless of where they live.

[plex]

My Advice for Single Male Examiners Relocating to the Area

Hello everyone, I've been an examiner for a few months now and I'm fortunate enough to be in TC 1700 where roughly 40-50% of my lab is female. This is by far not typical of the PTO as a whole, I'd guess that the PTO as a whole is about 10-20% female. But I frequently go out to lunch with the female examiners in my lab and by far the biggest complaint they have is that they get hit on incessantly by male examiners.

I have a theory. Because the PTO is about 80% men and because the immediate surrounding area reflects that demographic, these men will be in a ruthless competition for the 20% single women around the PTO, and these women will probably have a knee-jerk reaction to men who hit on them around the PTO since they get hit on all the time.

So my advice for single male patent examiners who are just starting and looking to move to the area? Don't live in the immediate area around the PTO. The DC area has one of the most favorable gender ratios for single men and you'll be shooting yourself in the foot by relocating close to the PTO.

PTO employee base is ~10,000 people, ~3-4,000 of which are examiners.

By contrast, the city of alexandria has a population of > 140,000, of which approximately 51% is female.  Not to mention that Alexandria is very close to DC, where women also outnumber men.

So, better advice would be to say that single male examiners should look outside of the USPTO for single women, regardless of where they live.

Essentially yes.  Though to be exact the employee base is around ~11k now, there are 7.3k examiners, of which 4-5k live in the whole DC area. I'd guess about 2-3k live in the Alexandria region.

[ex-aminer?]

I'm currently looking for an apartment in NoVA and was hoping for some assistance.  I'm relocating from the Midwest, but its really hard to decide where to live (so many options!) and I won't be able to fly out there before I start working next month to take tours and drive around neighborhoods.  I've done as much research as I could on Google and various boards and websites.  My list includes Rosslyn/Courthouse/Clarendon, Crystal City/Pentagon City, and Carlyle/Old Town.  I've decided not to go with living in DC city at first for tax/cost and commute time reasons (maybe I will change my mind after a year).  I know Courthouse/Clarendon are more happening places for the younger crowd, but a longer commute to the PTO (have to change Metro lines, can be a pain during rush hour) and more expensive.  Even the places I've called so far in Rosslyn are out of my range (single, late 20's, looking for a 1 bedroom, not a studio, don't want roommates), although I really like that central location and multiple Metro access.  I think I would prefer Crystal City to Pentagon City, its seems to have more of a neighborhood feel, with parks, trails, restaurants, and a few bars, and is more affordable than the Orange Line area.  Carlyle would be great for the convenience of walking to work, but there is not much to do around there after hours, Alexandria seems to be more in tune with an older crowd than I would like, and I would have a long hike to go hang out in Arlington or DC with friends that already live in the area.

I'd rather not do a short-term lease, sublet, corporate, or furnished housing for the first couple of months because I'd have to fly back and forth too many times to get all moved and settled ($300-400 roundtrip).  I'd rather find a good area I can commit to for 1 year, relatively close to work, walking distance to a Metro, with a pool, fitness center, etc.  I have a 15 lb. dog, so that is a concern as well (need grass and a place to go for walks).  I have a car but will not use it to get to work, only to go to places that aren't Metro accessible, get groceries, play golf, run errands, etc.  My budget is about $1600-1850 per month for rent, and I need about 600-800 square feet (can't go any higher, and don't want to compromise space and location).  I'm looking for a bigger complex with lots of amenities, not a small condo, garden style, midrise, etc.  Any input?  (ie. best neighborhoods for my situation, good complexes in these areas that are "relatively" affordable).  I know I am in for "rent shock" already, even though where I'm from I could get a nice 4-5 bedroom house for the 1 bedroom apartment price in the areas I'm looking, but I have accepted that is the way things are out there.  Thanks!

You probably already know this, but the more you pay, the better you're going to get.   I lived in Courthouse for 3 years and previously lived in Alexandria (right by the PTO for 1 year).  The rent was very tough at first (I started as a GS-5), but in 5 years i was making almost three times as much as I started.  Factor in the rapid promotions.

With your budget and a good location, you're going to have to settle with a studio and less fancy amenities.  The building I lived at, Courtland towers, was a great building and one of the cheaper high rises.  I believe the cheapest 1 Bdrms right now are about $1950+.  Crystal City is a decent option, with slightly less nightlife, but you'll pay the same amount.  The question you have to ask yourself is, do you want to have to travel a decent amount every day to work, but be right in the action (close to bars and restaurants) or do you want to be really close to work but have to travel to go out?  Every day I spend about 45 min both ways on the train but it wasn't bad.  DC has the best metro in the country.

Why are you so adverse to a roommate?  I met lots of good people in the Patent Academy (lots of people in their 20s) and ended up rooming with two different examiners later on.  It wouldn't hurt to try and go month to month until you met a good friend or two.  With a roommate you can get a much nicer place and end up paying ~$1200-1300 a month.

The latest posts about women at the PTO are HILARIOUS.  Seriously, even if the work force is 10-20% women (generous estimate) take a look around there for a few days and see that it doesn't matter (unless you're into unattractive masculine nerdy women).   Most examiners have been through 4 years of engineering, so its basically the same makeup as your engineering classes.  The women overall in DC and Arlington are much better than Alexandria.  Alexandria also has more older settled down folks, which is a big consideration if you're young and single.

I just moved to Miami Beach and live on the ocean.  I basically live in a resort and was just in the Keys last weekend, which was a drive away.  If you're a single guy, I highly recommend putting in your time at the PTO, doing well, working from home, and GTFO out DC.  People who do not take advantage of the live anywhere in the USA perk befuddle me (especially the single people).

 

[plex]

I just moved to Miami Beach and live on the ocean.  I basically live in a resort and was just in the Keys last weekend, which was a drive away.  If you're a single guy, I highly recommend putting in your time at the PTO, doing well, working from home, and GTFO out DC.  People who do not take advantage of the live anywhere in the USA perk befuddle me (especially the single people).

 

Yea exactly.  Almost nobody has the ability to make a good salary, good benefits, and live absolutely anywhere they want in the US.  The whole US is a pretty diverse place.  So all sorts of opportunities are out there, there's really no good reason to stick around unless you want to physically be at the USPTO enough that you are willing to deal with the drawbacks of the area vs. your dream location.

[Markman]

The latest posts about women at the PTO are HILARIOUS.  Seriously, even if the work force is 10-20% women (generous estimate) take a look around there for a few days and see that it doesn't matter (unless you're into unattractive masculine nerdy women).   Most examiners have been through 4 years of engineering, so its basically the same makeup as your engineering classes.  The women overall in DC and Arlington are much better than Alexandria.  Alexandria also has more older settled down folks, which is a big consideration if you're young and single.

I totally concur with the assessment that if you're a single guy, it is in your best interest to look around DC or Arlington rather than Alexandria.