Not true. Lived in Arlington Forrest, near Arlington Hall. Rent was affordable and I had a ten minute drive up 50 - zero tolls, manageable traffic, and no commute-related headaches for three years. Your parking statment is misleading. If you do not take the Metro stipend, you will have zero issues getting a (free) North parking lot pass.
Again, if you're willing to rent, you have a lot more options.