I am planning a trip, and I happened to not be a great pre planner. I am having difficulty finding accommodations in the area that I originally planned to visit. Is it okay to book in the northern VA area if all my announcements have D.C on them?  

In fact you really are better off posting an ad on the DC Board if you are hosting in NOVA.

Try the rates there and see what you can find...you can PM me too if you want more specifics.

I actually changed from Springfield to the Arlington area and am showing it being only 4-5 miles from downtown DC.  

Thank you so much! Someone suggested via pm that Springfield was a bit difficult to get to and a little bit too far. So, I think I am going to go with the Arlington area instead, right off the bridge.  

It's like Chicago is a city in Illinois, while Streeterville & River North are neighborhoods IN Chicago, the city.  Crystal City is actually a pretty good place to stay, many hotels, right next to National Airport, with its own Metro (subway) station, many restaurants, a large network of underground walkways connecting many office buildings/shops/hotels, and lots of underground parking, much of which is free after 4:00 PM weekdays & all day on weekends.  Other neighborhoods to consider in Arlington are Rosslyn & Ballston.  Springfield is farther out in Fairfax County, pretty much accessible only by automobile (though there is a Metro station there as well, just not much within walking distance), sort of like Schaumberg or Arlington Heights are to downtown Chicago.

Thank you Vamikey! I did figure that out. I think the place that I found is good! I appreciate the input very much!

A couple other options may be Pentagon City (Arlington Co.) near the metro/mall or Old Town Alexandria near the King Street metro.  I've lived in Chicago for many years.  If you bring a couple Italian beefs with red and hot, than I be certain to schedule with you.  LOL!