Lesbian Family moving to VA from MD - Where to live

[Anonymous]

Hello,

My partner and I may be relocating for her to be closer to her job in Reston. Ironically, we moved out of VA to MD when we decided to have children to be in a more gay friendly state. We have all of the paperwork in place and am ok with moving back to VA for the time being. While they are not in school yet (3 year old and 6 month old boys), we want to position ourselves in a school and neighborhood that is comfortable for our two mom family. Are there any particular good schools where there have been other gay parents?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Bit of a hike to Reston, but Del Ray in Alexandria is very lesbian friendly.

[Anonymous]

North Arlington would be good. I would also thing Vienna and Reston would be fine.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the responses. Agree that Del Ray is definitely too far. We are purposefully moving to VA to reduce her commute. Would love for it to be 20 minutes or less unless living in a particular area is a necessity.

Do you know how long the commute from N. Arlington would be to Reston? Also, any particular neighborhoods in N. Arlington, Vienna or Reston that have/have had gay parents? Are all of the schools in this area successful and welcome to diversity?

If anyone would prefer to message offline, please let me know.

Thanks again for the responses!

[Anonymous]

My partner and I have been very happy in Falls Church. There aren't a ton of parenting gay couples here, that I know of, mostly due to the legal issues I'd guess, so good luck.

[Anonymous]

I think there are the most gay families in Arlington, with the numbers lessening quite a bit as you go further out. I think that you would be certainly welcome in the places listed, but you may be the only gay family in your child's class. I do think most everyone is accepting in Fairfax County, but it may feel more isolating there.

[Anonymous]

I know a number of gay families in and around Oakton, plus just a pleasant area.

[Anonymous]

Is there any way you can stay in MD and have her commute to Reston? We live in MD and my partner works in NoVa. She staggers her hours so she leaves early (I am in charge of getting everyone out to the door and to school) and then she leaves early and picks everyone up. It may not be the best solution - but works for us for right now since my job is in MD and the housing market stinks.

[Anonymous]

We have definitely considered trying to stay in MD. Her job responsibilites will change so that she will have to be there before at 745am and not leave until after 6pm as she will be running the office. She will also have to do more dinners, etc. with the team. Her company offered to move us as close to the Md/Va line as possible because they understand the concern for us. But I haven't been able to find anything reasonable from a price perspective and don't know anything about Potomac. From a cost perspective and commute perspective.

Thanks to everyone for the continued feedback. This is very helpful! I think she might "test drive" Reston to Arlington in the evenings (which is typically the worst part of the commute) and see where we might be able to position ourselves in Arlington County.

I will also take a look at Oakton. At least the good thing about staying in the area is we can drive around and familiarize ourselves with different towns!

Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have definitely considered trying to stay in MD. Her job responsibilites will change so that she will have to be there before at 745am and not leave until after 6pm as she will be running the office. She will also have to do more dinners, etc. with the team. Her company offered to move us as close to the Md/Va line as possible because they understand the concern for us. But I haven't been able to find anything reasonable from a price perspective and don't know anything about Potomac. From a cost perspective and commute perspective.

Thanks to everyone for the continued feedback. This is very helpful! I think she might "test drive" Reston to Arlington in the evenings (which is typically the worst part of the commute) and see where we might be able to position ourselves in Arlington County.

I will also take a look at Oakton. At least the good thing about staying in the area is we can drive around and familiarize ourselves with different towns!

Thanks again!

You could look in Reston and other surrounding areas like Great Falls, western Mclean, northern Vienna. What about Reston? It has wonderful community pools, a nice little town center. People from Great Falls and other surrounding areas go to Reston. There's a lot of variety in housing around NW Fairfax county. Within 5 to 10 minutes of Reston Town Center you might find a 1970's colonial on 2 acres or buy a new house on 5 acres.

I guess what you really need to do is decide what sort of home you want and the budget: single family, townhouse, age of home, lot size, schools, etc.
http://www.mcenearney.com/realestate#criteria=option%3Dsale%26search%3DReston%2C%20VA%26type%3D%26adv%3D0%26bed%3D4%26bath%3D3%26minsp%3D400000%26maxsp%3D900000%26minrp%3D1000%26maxrp%3D2000%26minlp%3D400000%26maxlp%3D900000%26minls%3D21780%26maxls%3D87120%26subkey%3D0%26subval%3D%26oh%3D0%26pet%3D0%26comp%3D0%26newl%3D0%26sold%3D0%26lat%3D38.85%26lng%3D-77.3%26zoom%3D10%26page%3D1%26limit%3D10%26order%3Dpricelow%26view%3D0%26key%3D90205724524


http://www.mcenearney.com/realestate#criteria=option%3Dsale%26search%3DReston%2C%20VA%26type%3D%26adv%3D0%26bed%3D4%26bath%3D3%26minsp%3D400000%26maxsp%3D900000%26minrp%3D1000%26maxrp%3D2000%26minlp%3D400000%26maxlp%3D900000%26minls%3D21780%26maxls%3D87120%26subkey%3D0%26subval%3D%26oh%3D0%26pet%3D0%26comp%3D0%26newl%3D0%26sold%3D0%26lat%3D38.85%26lng%3D-77.3%26zoom%3D10%26page%3D3%26limit%3D10%26order%3Dpricelow%26view%3D0%26key%3D90195426096

[Anonymous]

You are very welcome to come live in my neighborhood in Arlington (near Yorktown H.S.), as long as you promise not to bring crap wine or, ugh, carrot sticks to the block parties. I'm pretty sure you won't corrupt my family.

[Anonymous]

I live in the South Lakes area of Reston and my family loves it. Maybe I am living in a Pollyanna world, but I don't think that any of my neighbors would think twice about a family with two moms (or two dads). There is a lot of diversity in the area.

[Anonymous]

Oakton is not a much of a town. Nice homes, but I think it would run more conservative than neighboring Vienna and Reston.

[Anonymous]

PP here who's partner works in NoVa. I totally understand your wanting to move. My partner works some long hours/dinner and it has put me in the position of being the primary caregiver in addition to working full time. I think Potomac is good - or even the western part of Bethesda near 495. I'd look at 495 around the American Legion Bridge since the worst traffic going to/from NoVa is the 270/495 split.

As for NoVa - I'd think any place in NoVa is going to be okay. I wouldn't venture too far into Loudon/Prince William/etc - but that doesn't sound like an option anyway. Where we live in MD - we don't know any other gay families, but everyone is very nice to us and our kids.

[Anonymous]

I would say no to Mclean-not because I think you would have problems here but frankly I don't know any gay couples and if that bothers you..agree that Arlington or Falls Church would be a more diverse fit. I also do remember meeting a gay mom at Jammin Java in Vienna and she had told me about a diverse playgroup around there so maybe Vienna should also be added to you list. Good luck!