Anyone else grew up in McLean but can’t afford to buy there?

[Anonymous]

I had a beautiful and idyllic childhood in McLean. We were so happy and loved our neighborhood. I am dreaming of raising my kids there but it seems impossible. Husband is not ok with taking out a mortgage or a mil+ and would rather we buy a starter home in Fairfax for 600k.

It’s so hard to let go of the good schools I myself went to and the wonderful community in McLean.

How can I be ok with downgrading?

[Anonymous]

/Husband is not ok with taking out a mortgage/

Please explain. No mortgage at all? Cash only sale?

[Anonymous]

There are MANY good schools across Fairfax County in neighborhoods that provide much better value than McLean.

[Anonymous]

Not me but DH did.

You have to realize, even if you could afford it, it would be totally different. Your neighbors would be people who can afford to live there. Basically no true middle class people. Places change and McLean certainly did.

[Anonymous]

You can find something in McLean for that money but you have to be patient and willing to buy an older house.

[Anonymous]

I know neighborhoods in McLean with regular people. But you won’t be in the mil dollar areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:/Husband is not ok with taking out a mortgage/

Please explain. No mortgage at all? Cash only sale?

+1 please explain

[Anonymous]

OP I live in McLean because we bought several years ago when we could still find something affordable. I’m happy about the schools, but that’s it. Like PP said, it’s probably a lot different than when you lived here.

[Anonymous]

I went to HS there and maybe it’s because I came from a much poorer area of the state but I felt like an outcast, I can only imagine how much worse it’s gotten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:/Husband is not ok with taking out a mortgage/

Please explain. No mortgage at all? Cash only sale?

+1 please explain

I think she meant “does not want a million dollar mortgage”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not me but DH did.

You have to realize, even if you could afford it, it would be totally different. Your neighbors would be people who can afford to live there. Basically no true middle class people. Places change and McLean certainly did.

+1

OP. you are going to be one of those locals opining about "the good old days". Every place has changed, not just McLean. Better to be where you can afford.

[Anonymous]

Me. And almost everyone I know. McLean in the 80s was solidly middle class with upper class pockets. Now? It’s upper class and above with tiny pockets of middle class. It’s just not the same.

The only friends from childhood who still live there bought their parent’s house or their parents helped them significantly to buy there. Personally, I don’t want to live there anymore! South Arlington feels better . Fairfax, Burke, Ashburn seem to also be popular with local classmates.

[Anonymous]

You could always try to compromise and look for something around $800K in Vienna.

[Anonymous]

I’ve watched all my friends who can’t buy in their childhood neighborhoods have major beginning life crisis.

It’s a bit pathetic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to HS there and maybe it’s because I came from a much poorer area of the state but I felt like an outcast, I can only imagine how much worse it’s gotten.

Why’d you feel like an outcast