Would you prefer to work in Charlottesville or Alexandria?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:03:56 -0500

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?

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Dec 7 at 2020 9:45 PM

SSG Steven Borders — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 21:45:25 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Dec 8 at 2020 2:00 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 02:00:13 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member 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.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Dec 8 at 2020 10:00 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 10:00:51 -0500

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.