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Post by crab on Jul 31, 2013 11:32:32 GMT -5
I think you should just google that query, devildog - I'm not sure that even the locals can give you that level of precision without looking it up but maybe someone can. And unless you're driving into town or have mobility issues, you may want to consider public transportation like MPD suggested. DC is ranked among the top 10 worst traffic cities. And to all think twice before staying in Viginia - it may look like a hop skip and a jump away but there's a river to cross and not so many bridges ... I know I'm looking to reduce stressors to the extent possible for this venture. Edit: as I was typing MPD was being a Good Samaritan!
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 31, 2013 11:59:26 GMT -5
I think you should just google that query, devildog - I'm not sure that even the locals can give you that level of precision without looking it up but maybe someone can. And unless you're driving into town or have mobility issues, you may want to consider public transportation like MPD suggested. DC is ranked among the top 10 worst traffic cities. And to all think twice before staying in Viginia - it may look like a hop skip and a jump away but there's a river to cross and not so many bridges ... I know I'm looking to reduce stressors to the extent possible for this venture. Edit: as I was typing MPD was being a Good Samaritan! By the way crab, I just used Google for the answer. LOL!
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Post by crab on Jul 31, 2013 12:45:02 GMT -5
You're a good man.
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Post by agilitymom on Jul 31, 2013 13:04:30 GMT -5
Just food for thought. Many of the parking garages (public and private) are filled to capacity by early morning. Risky business if you arrive and can't find parking.
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Post by trekker on Jul 31, 2013 14:38:41 GMT -5
Parking is a problem in DC (expensive and hard to get if you arrive after 8 am (more so in September than the end of August). Same for the Metro except I would say that the parking spaces are filled up by 7 am if not earlier. As driving into the city it hasn't gotten any better. I-66 is car pool only into town in the morning. Again August is a little lighter than normal but no guarantees. My son learned to drive in DC. We lived in the suburbs and he attended school in the district. Class started at 0815 and he would need to leave before 0630 to get to class (in no traffic it was a 20-30 minute commute but that was only possible if he was traveling between 2200 and 0500. Didn't matter if it was via Metro or his beater car when he got his license. Same for my spouse and me when we lived and worked in the DC metro area. So beware if you plan to commute into the city.
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Post by moopigsdad on Aug 2, 2013 7:35:28 GMT -5
Parking is a problem in DC (expensive and hard to get if you arrive after 8 am (more so in September than the end of August). Same for the Metro except I would say that the parking spaces are filled up by 7 am if not earlier. As driving into the city it hasn't gotten any better. I-66 is car pool only into town in the morning. Again August is a little lighter than normal but no guarantees. My son learned to drive in DC. We lived in the suburbs and he attended school in the district. Class started at 0815 and he would need to leave before 0630 to get to class (in no traffic it was a 20-30 minute commute but that was only possible if he was traveling between 2200 and 0500. Didn't matter if it was via Metro or his beater car when he got his license. Same for my spouse and me when we lived and worked in the DC metro area. So beware if you plan to commute into the city. I can only second your warning about traffic in DC. Every time I have been there it has been a nightmare. You are right about the Metro too. The parking at most Metro stations fills up early. The trains are fine and can be a little crowded at times. I have found the use of mass transit (Metro and bus) to be your best chance of moving around in DC. Also, walking in DC is fine most of the time.
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Post by choler5000 on Aug 12, 2013 10:30:18 GMT -5
Whew! So glad to have dispensed with the written tests and SI last week! Just want to share a couple of logistical tips. There is a "new" Courtyard Marriott a block away. It seems that George Washington Univ. has repurposed a building, with a clean, modern renovation. There is a Starbucks and Subway connected to the Courtyard. CVS drugs is nearby and the Whole Foods maybe five blocks away. The parking situation is not good in the area as others have noted. But, you get valet parking through the hotel and some certainty. I did not use it, but the daily cost seemed reasonable. I bet things are even worse when school is back in this fall.
I spoke with someone who stayed at the State Plaza who said it was fine. But, frankly, I did not like the vibe of the place. When it comes to lodging, I prefer the newest or something recently redone.
One last thing -- I cannot tell you how much better I feel now that my part in the process is over. There is life after the ALJ Exam -- to parody a bumper sticker I had after law school.
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Post by moopigsdad on Aug 12, 2013 10:37:32 GMT -5
Whew! So glad to have dispensed with the written tests and SI last week! Just want to share a couple of logistical tips. There is a "new" Courtyard Marriott a block away. It seems that George Washington Univ. has repurposed a building, with a clean, modern renovation. There is a Starbucks and Subway connected to the Courtyard. CVS drugs is nearby and the Whole Foods maybe five blocks away. The parking situation is not good in the area as others have noted. But, you get valet parking through the hotel and some certainty. I did not use it, but the daily cost seemed reasonable. I bet things are even worse when school is back in this fall. I spoke with someone who stayed at the State Plaza who said it was fine. But, frankly, I did not like the vibe of the place. When it comes to lodging, I prefer the newest or something recently redone. One last thing -- I cannot tell you how much better I feel now that my part in the process is over. There is life after the ALJ Exam -- to parody a bumper sticker I had after law school. I wish mine was over too, choler5000. Thanks for the useful information, too. Unfortunately, I am stuck waiting and worrying until September 9th and 10th to do my WD/LBMT and SI. I can hardly wait until September 10th to be over with myself. It will feel like a ton of bricks off my chest.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 12, 2013 11:02:28 GMT -5
Whew! So glad to have dispensed with the written tests and SI last week! Just want to share a couple of logistical tips. There is a "new" Courtyard Marriott a block away. A block away from which location-- OPM or the Embassy Suites? There are lots of Courtyards in DC, and for those of us who don't know the city well, telling one from another by an address on their website isn't quite enough.
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Post by Buffalogal on Aug 12, 2013 11:47:47 GMT -5
Traffic was light--but many people are on vacation in August. Plus, I drove in early and I took the Arlington Memorial Bridge from Virginia instead of Route 395. For those taking their exam in September, traffic will return to its normal level. Note, the commute is lighter on Fridays because many government employees telecommute or take the day off. After the exam, I caught the 7Y metro bus to the Pentagon (Southern Towers) one block South of OPM, on Constitution Ave. If you are planning to take the bus, make sure you know the schedule, as schedules and routes vary.
For the SI, traffic close to the Embassy Suites (North of Washington Circle) was pretty messy, due to construction. If you're in a cab, and you are that close, you can always get out and walk the last few blocks.
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Post by trekker on Aug 12, 2013 12:13:38 GMT -5
I would add that I was in DC this weekend for a funeral. (Paralegal from my first law job.) The good news is that they have at least finished the construction around Tysons corner (for those who don't know, it is basically where I-66, I-495 and the Dulles toll road meet and is always a night mare -- there are now combo toll and 3 person carpool lanes -- friends say it has made a big difference). There is still construction on I-395 from DC to 495 so I would avoid that area if you are driving. This may make some traffic better going into DC but I still wouldn't trust it. I usually get into and out of the city using the George Washington Parkway when I am visiting (not when I was working there). And isn't it comforting to know that the construction in the city has not been finished. Just kidding.
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Post by trickbag on Aug 12, 2013 13:07:34 GMT -5
FYI on hotels - the Embassy Suites dropped rates significantly for my dates, now $132. Might want to check it.
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Post by choler5000 on Aug 12, 2013 15:14:39 GMT -5
The new Courtyard is a block from OPM. About a 15 walk over to Embassy Suites. Or, a quick DC cab ride.
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 12, 2013 15:20:02 GMT -5
The new Courtyard is a block from OPM. About a 15 walk over to Embassy Suites. Or, a quick DC cab ride. Would that be 515 20th St NW? The distance looks right, although the area must have one way streets so that the driving directions are more than a block. Thanks!
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Post by moopigsdad on Aug 12, 2013 15:38:52 GMT -5
FYI on hotels - the Embassy Suites dropped rates significantly for my dates, now $132. Might want to check it. I'm glad I booked mine a while ago as the price has risen over forty dollars a day for my time period.
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Post by sealaw90 on Aug 12, 2013 16:58:32 GMT -5
Whew! So glad to have dispensed with the written tests and SI last week! Just want to share a couple of logistical tips. There is a "new" Courtyard Marriott a block away. A block away from which location-- OPM or the Embassy Suites? There are lots of Courtyards in DC, and for those of us who don't know the city well, telling one from another by an address on their website isn't quite enough. I am currently at the Courtyard Marriott Foggy Bottom. It is exactly one block away. The State Plaza is is up the block and around the corner from the Courtyard. It's the difference between a 5 minute walk and a 8 minute walk, door to door. The Courtyard is brand new and really awesome inside. As a matter of fact I am missing happy hour, so off I go to celebrate the end of day 1 (but not too much - the SI is tomorrow!!)
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Post by 71stretch on Aug 12, 2013 17:05:27 GMT -5
A block away from which location-- OPM or the Embassy Suites? There are lots of Courtyards in DC, and for those of us who don't know the city well, telling one from another by an address on their website isn't quite enough. I am currently at the Courtyard Marriott Foggy Bottom. It is exactly one block away. The State Plaza is is up the block and around the corner from the Courtyard. It's the difference between a 5 minute walk and a 8 minute walk, door to door. The Courtyard is brand new and really awesome inside. As a matter of fact I am missing happy hour, so off I go to celebrate the end of day 1 (but not too much - the SI is tomorrow!!) Thanks to both of you (choler5000 too)!
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Post by funkyodar on Aug 13, 2013 7:47:19 GMT -5
Is there something going on the week of 9/9-13? The prices on all the hotels are unbelievably jacked that week. yeah...word has got out that Funky will be in town....
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Post by trekker on Aug 13, 2013 8:11:10 GMT -5
Congress returns for one thing and it is going to be an intense month since they have a lot of bills and just a little bit of work to do on passing a budget or yet another continuing resolution before te end of September. Please note: insert sarcasm here. This is also when the convention season is gearing up. As I said before, DC is rather empty in August and crazy in September.
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Post by trekker on Aug 13, 2013 9:11:11 GMT -5
devildog: don't you recognize an old man when you see one? It is what happens when one does not get taken in for a buzz cut and other pampering. The cat (don't let him know he is a cat -- thinks he is a dog) grew up with this older "man" and his shorter haired brother. And the cat outweighed both of them.
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