I like the Springfield area for its accessability and available parking.  Landmark tends to be too low end for me although I have seen some good providers there.  Rt 1 Alexandria has some upscale hotels near the beltway and is close to me and Old Town Alexandria has a nice Holiday Inn express

tons of hotel, restaurant, shopping and walkable area with several metro stations.

Try the loudoun county area..Sterling..Dulles area seems good and much safer than that Rt 1 area.

All have an abundance of restaurants, things to see and do. All have Metro Access and are pretty safe. With the Inauguration looming I would expect the prices to start climbing pretty soon.

I'd love it if u were closer (-;- Pentagon City or Alexandria, maybe?

yeah i ended up in the heart of fairfax..

dulles, does feel super far. I go there often for one of MY atfs but since i have so many GREAT friends in the fairfax area I moved around here. I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. Ill be moving around a lot the next few weeks so I can see everyone before I start touring out west! ahh! the excitement!