I recently accepted a new job in crystal city and will be moving down to Alexandria next thursday. do you guys have any advice for the move?

One question about titling and insurance. My car is currently under my dads name and under his insurance, even though i began living separately this summer after getting married. now, since i am moving long distance, how can we change the title without paying tax again in VA when we transfer the title. I read on the dmv site, but i could be wrong, that if i can prove a sale in the last 12 months, and as a gift, the sale would be for $0. and then no tax. but would just have to bay the $35 fee to get a title. would it be better to change the title here in pa, get my own insurance, then transfer it myself? or do that all once i get to Virginia?

so what else is there to do in virginia?

 

Just a heads up, they have 50% tint on front windows law, and radar detectors are illegal. But congrats being successful at 26 ...house, job, car, family

 

There is also a property tax on cars paid every year, just like on a house. I haven't lived there for year so I don't know what the rate it, not huge though.

There is a lot to do in Northern VA and Crystal City is right across the river from DC. I was just there on a business trip 2 weeks ago. If you get a place near a metro stop it will greatly help with your commute. There are two stops on the Blue line right there in CC. You don't want to drive there everyday. There are also a lot of underground tunnels to get around between the buildings. There are shops and restaurants and it helps to get out of the weather too.

Good luck.

 

wait. so not everyone pays a property tax on their cars??
wtf?

radar detectors are def illegal in VA.
theyre also VERY strict about speeding. clock people from helicopters n shit.
every time i drive through i drive VERY slow.

not sure how the trasfer thing would work.
if you owe on it still, i guess you could just refinance it in your name.
if its paid off, you could buy it for a buck or something.
VA is weird. commonwealths do shit differently. lol

 

Yes Virginia has a wonderful property tax on cars. They "assess" the valve of your car, for example this year was the first full year of owning my Wagon, they gave it a valve of $28,900 my tax on it was a wonderful $700 for the year. But the amount you pay depends on the county that you live in, Crystal City is part of Arlington County, which still uses city decals so that's going to be an additional $33 a year for a sticker. In Arlington County is $5 per every $100 of assessed value.

As for the tint, I have 20% all the way around my wagon and i have never been bothered, but if you drive like an idiot and bringing attention to yourself they will be all over you.

Welcome to Virginia and enjoy the traffic...

 

Gotta love the "car tax". Just paid mine on the wagon and the wife's MDX. Makes me want to cry when I sign that check every year. Car will need to be registered in VA and you will need safety and emissions inspections. Never had an issue with mods, even though my previous car had no cats on it, but this varies with inspector and type of car.

Anyway, as posted above, tint limit is 50% front and 35% rear and you will rarely get hassled for it in the Arlington/Alexandria/DC area. Fairfax though, is another story. And I agree with above too - don't drive crazy and you will be fine. Reckless in VA is +20 mph over the limit or > 80 mph. It is not worth getting hit with reckless in VA.

Welcome to the area, lots of good food, bars, etc in your area.

 

love property tax like everyone else here.

alexandria and arlington you'll be ok with your tint. enter fairfax or loudon county or get pulled by a tropper...different story.

as far as your registration, declare it as a gift and be done with it. you will need the state safety inspection annually (like someone has already said), and emissions performed every 2 yrs. VA on certain stretches of hwy (95) used to do the helicopter speed traps (however the state does not have a budget for this activity anymore so...less likely you'll be flagged from above). DO NOT speed over 5-7mph the speed limit outside of the beltway, the troopers will not be forgiving. around the beltway, keep it under 10 over the limit and you should be ok. of course like others have said, drive like an idiot drawing attention to yourself will get you in trouble.

depending on what you like to do there is a lot to do in and around the area. i believe one of the local bike trails runs by crystal city which can take you into DC, alexadria, arlington. lots of shops in CC, the big bar scene is in DC (adam's morgan), the DC area is a very active area (exercise and other types of "going out" type of activities).

if you post in the regional section you will probably get more specific responses from those of us who live in the area. check there also for the local meets. welcome to the commonwealth.