Originally Posted by IaninDC

If you are renting in DC, look for an apartment with rent control. Any building built before 1978 and larger than 6 units has to be under rent control. Most of the larger buildings in NW tend to be on Wisc and Conn Avenues, NW. And the further away you live from the Metro, the cheaper your rent tends to be.

As for taxes, DC has a high income tax but low property tax rate. Virginia has lower income taxes, higher property taxes, and they nickel and dime tax you on just about everything, including food bought in a supermarket and your annual car tax.