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I'm going to be going shopping for dorm essentials during my first two days in DC. I know there is a Target in Alexandria and Falls Church. Which Metro stops would I take to get to one of these and which is the closest to the GU campus? How close is the Target to the Metro stop? Are there any other retail stores (such as WalMart and Home Depot) that are nearby major Metro stops? I've been trying to find this information on the Metro website but haven't been successful. Any help would be much appreciated!

By Clipper (Clipper) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 12:38 pm: Edit

Hoya - are you going to have access to a car?
I was wondering bc if you did you can go out in VA and just drive to a Home Depot. It might be tough to haul all your stuff (though not sure what you are buying) to the metro.
When are you arriving?

By Hoya_Saxa01 (Hoya_Saxa01) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 02:07 pm: Edit

I'm arriving on the 26th with my mom. My mom decided against a rental because of parking issues. But this is our plan for buying stuff, etc. We are going to take the Metro/buses to whatever store we need to go to. Then, we will Taxi back. So, I need to find out which Metro stops are close to what retailers. Any info would be useful.

The biggest things we'll be purchasing are a mini fridge and Rubbermaid containers.

By Clipper (Clipper) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 04:17 pm: Edit

We are arriving on the 26th also but we are coming in 2 cars! We have to come in 2 cars bc my H is coming too and we all can't fit in our small cars. My daughter has a lot of stuff - including the fridge AND a tv, dvd, and 8 rubbermaid containers - 2 underbed long ones, 2 larger containers, 3 of those stackables, and 4 cinderblocks to lift her bed. Plus I just went to the grocery store and bought her LOTS of food/snacks - I think she bought enough chocolate for the whole dorm!
About the parking issues - yeah that is a big one. I am thinking it will be a pain finding parking for 2 cars on move in day but after that we will leave one car at the hotel.

Did you find the nearest Target/Home Depot? I thought there was one near the metro station at Springfield mall. There are stores there or down route 1 - Jefferson Hwy. I do know there is a Sam's Club or one of those right across the river in Crystal City. I don't think DC has a home depot bc most of the people shop either Maryland or VA.

By Hoya_Saxa01 (Hoya_Saxa01) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 04:42 pm: Edit

Where does your family live? I wish driving was an option, but I live in Arizona and would have had to have left home last week in order to be to DC in time for NSO. Lol!

There are Targets in Falls Church, Alexandria, and Wheaton. I found the Wheaton stop on the Metro map, but I think a cab back to campus would be really costly.

By Clipper (Clipper) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 05:22 pm: Edit

I was just talking to someone and he said the cab rides will be expensive and it would probably be more cost effective just to rent a small car. Then you could at least use it one day to move in and get your stuff that you need. Wheaton is pretty far from the campus. Alexandria would be closer.
We are coming from southern VA - 3 1/2 hour drive. We arrive Thurs around 1 pm - leaving after the traffic dies down here and before the traffic gets bad up there! Yeah, driving from AZ would be a lonnnnggg drive!
I forgot you are in Darnall! My daughter is too - did you see the pics I sent under the Housing thread? You were right - the dorm isn't too bad.

What about your roommmate? Could she bring the fridge?

By Hoya_Saxa01 (Hoya_Saxa01) on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 12:31 am: Edit

Yes, I saw your pictures of Darnall. They were excellent and I passed them on to my roommate and she was really delighted to see them. Thank you!

My roommate is going to bring the TV/VCR/DVD and I told her I would bring the fridge, so we have that all worked out. She lives in Florida and is also flying but she has a godmother in DC who she has shipped a lot of stuff to. I told my mom we should have got a rental. I wonder if the airport would have any good rental deals... Hmm.

By Clipper (Clipper) on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 07:14 am: Edit

Glad you could see the pictures. I thought it was good to at least see where you would be living but from what I read earlier you had already been on the campus for a summer program. You should be all set to go. Days are getting shorter until you go to class.
Yeah, the rental looks like the best bet then you can go where you need to go when you want.
Have a safe trip and I will see you when I move my daughter in.

By Scma (Scma) on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 08:59 pm: Edit

Clipper,
parking on campus is free during move in so don't worry about bringing the two cars. I dropped my son off yesterday (he's doing orientation and has a couple days of training) and we had two cars - no problem at all!

By Amdandrew (Amdandrew) on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 10:16 pm: Edit

Alexandria would be your best bet, but it will still be dificult. Go for the Alexandria/Van Dorn St station then there should be a Metrobus stop outside. DC is a terrible place if you need to go shopping w/out a car as most of the big box stores are in the burbs (VA and MD).