Moving from GA to DCVM area - single parent looking for advice

[Anonymous]

Congrats OP. Keep us posted and we'll keep trying to help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks everyone! I've been offered the position, yay! I've been looking at housing and it does seem reasonable to find something between $1800-$2000. I've seen lots of town homes and condos in that price range. Most are 2bed/2bath, so I'm good with that. Of course looking online is entirely different than being in the area and seeing the places and neighborhoods first hand. I'm pretty excited for the change!

Congratulations! That is very exciting! It sounds like a great position and a wonderful adventure for you and your child. Best wishes to both of you!

[Anonymous]

Okay friends, OP here and there is a plot twist...You've all been so helpful I'm hoping you can provide some objective advice.

I have a firm offer from the PTO with a start date. Starting salary will be 84k pre tax. I will have supplemental income from drill weeks and child support. Today I was offered a position at the Census Bureau across the river in Suitland, but starting salary is roughly 92k.

At first glance the higher salary seems the obvious choice, but here are my concerns:
1. I really like the Alexandria side and have found some potential places to live within budget in the Kingstowne area. Would it still be possible to have a reasonable commute to Suitland from Kingstowne?
2. I know people at the PTO who can vouch for the type of agency it is - a good one. It has been ranked as one of the best places to work in the federal government and is currently ranked 13. I don't know anyone at the Census and I worry about the work/life balance. Although it is an arbitrary number, on the same ranking that PTO is number 13, Census is number 207. I know it seems silly, but I don't want to take a job for more money if the culture sucks.

Can anyone offer any advice? Am I overthinking this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay friends, OP here and there is a plot twist...You've all been so helpful I'm hoping you can provide some objective advice.

I have a firm offer from the PTO with a start date. Starting salary will be 84k pre tax. I will have supplemental income from drill weeks and child support. Today I was offered a position at the Census Bureau across the river in Suitland, but starting salary is roughly 92k.

At first glance the higher salary seems the obvious choice, but here are my concerns:
1. I really like the Alexandria side and have found some potential places to live within budget in the Kingstowne area. Would it still be possible to have a reasonable commute to Suitland from Kingstowne?
2. I know people at the PTO who can vouch for the type of agency it is - a good one. It has been ranked as one of the best places to work in the federal government and is currently ranked 13. I don't know anyone at the Census and I worry about the work/life balance. Although it is an arbitrary number, on the same ranking that PTO is number 13, Census is number 207. I know it seems silly, but I don't want to take a job for more money if the culture sucks.

Can anyone offer any advice? Am I overthinking this?

Suitland is horrible. I'd have to be paid a lot more to commute to suit land and work there. Stick with your original plan!

[Anonymous]

I would take the higher salary in suit land, live on the. Add at Andrews, save money, and transfer. Come in as high as you can with salary.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for typos. Live on base and save money + higher salary + short commute. Downside that some won't say is you're in a black area without a lot of services stores restaurants etc.

[Anonymous]

Maybe try posting on the jobs forum for advice comparing the two agencies.

[Anonymous]

Yikes, that is a tough choice to have an $8K pay differential.

If you are thinking about Suitland, though, then you really need to look at housing in that area and not in Virginia. I know it has been suggested but there is no way that you would be able to live on base since you are not active military. You might want to look at Bowie or Upper Marlboro for safe, affordable housing. The National Harbor area is also spit and polish bright and shiny so that is a strong option, too. You just don't want to be going over the bridge every day, especially with your little one and day care.

For real estate and an eventual purchase, honestly, Southeast is poised for a huge upswing for its real estate values. There is some evidence of this as you drive around that it is starting already but it still not prevalent - so you would be able to buy in that area at good rates. But if you were my daughter and grandchild then I wouldn't want you to do it until the area stabilized a little (a LOT) in terms of safety.

Good luck to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yikes, that is a tough choice to have an $8K pay differential.

If you are thinking about Suitland, though, then you really need to look at housing in that area and not in Virginia. I know it has been suggested but there is no way that you would be able to live on base since you are not active military. You might want to look at Bowie or Upper Marlboro for safe, affordable housing. The National Harbor area is also spit and polish bright and shiny so that is a strong option, too. You just don't want to be going over the bridge every day, especially with your little one and day care.

For real estate and an eventual purchase, honestly, Southeast is poised for a huge upswing for its real estate values. There is some evidence of this as you drive around that it is starting already but it still not prevalent - so you would be able to buy in that area at good rates. But if you were my daughter and grandchild then I wouldn't want you to do it until the area stabilized a little (a LOT) in terms of safety.

Good luck to you!

Sorry for the double-post but it has been a long day and the dots only connected as I was brushing my teeth ... Is the large salary differential because you are talking about different GS levels? If so, then a different GS level may make a big difference to you down the road in terms of seniority, retirement, etc. (I'm not government in case you can't tell.) In which case the choice isn't really about $8K and liking a place better.

And, FWIW, I always take those workplace surveys with a grain of salt because sometimes they are measuring things that don't matter to me. And, over the years I've found that I've worked at places that were high on the list and I've hated it there, and I've worked at some low level places that I've loved. Take a closer look at your team or group and the specific attributes of the work location and don't get distracted by some ranking system that may prioritize things that are not important to you.

Again, good luck. And be sure to find out if there are any ramifications for choosing one GS level over another if that is why there is the pay differential.

[Anonymous]

OP, you will get a lot of people here down on Prince George's County. It is majority black and DCUM is, well...not. I am black, grew up in Bowie and live in Montgomery County now. There are a lot of poverty problems inside the beltway and PGC schools are not popular with DCUM, but know that there are some really nice places to live and nice schools in the county. Bowie and Upper Marlboro have great options and you can take back-ish roads (not the beltway) to census bureau and have a decent commute. Race has not come up in this thread, but are you black? If so, you may be more comfortable in PGC, especially as a single mother. Also, you mentioned upthread family in PA. Living in MD will put you 30-45 mins closer to them, which may not seem like a lot, but crossing that bridge in rush hour on a holiday weekend will make you rethink your life choices.

Good luck on the big decision and congrats on not one but 2 great job offers in this market. You must be a great candidate!

[Anonymous]

OP here again, thank you again! To expand on a bit, yes these are both GS jobs. One is GS 11/12 and the other is 13. Again, I realize this seems like a no brainer, but with the GS 13 in 4 years I would be making over 100k. With the other job I would only to the starting GS 13 in 4 years. For another perspective, I am taking a pay cut by leaving the Army. The 13 it would only be about 3k and with the 11/12 with the step they are starting me at it would be about 11k.

Both positions are very similar and I would be doing a lot of the same work. From what I've seen so far both departments have great people and I know I would enjoy both jobs. It is the overall agency culture that I'm worried about. I think the departments will be great.

Quality of life and work/life balance are really important to me, which is why I am mulling over this. Again, part of the reason I am leaving the Army.

Now I could live on Andrews Air Force base because they accept federal employees and I've already inquired and they said they could likely get me in. The houses are 3-4 bedrooms with a rent range of 1950-2300. I am not sure if utilities are included for civilians like they are for military, but I'm going to inquire. I don't think I can use the on post child care though, but I will ask.

In regards to race, I don't want that to be a determining factor because although I am not black, my son is biracial. Diversity is important to me because as mentioned in many posts ago, my son's father (also biracial black/white) is not involved in his life and therefore my son does not have that connection to a part of who he is.

Honestly I am just so grateful to have both of these opportunities and consider myself very lucky. As of right now I am waiting for the firm offer and start date for the 13. I already have those with the 11/12, so I'm no fool. I'm not going to take action until I have that firm offer with start date from the 13.

[Anonymous]

Two comments:
1. OP, if you know that PTO is a good place to work, that is a very big deal.
2. I wouldn't post so much personal information on this forum about my life and job. You never know who is reading this thread-possibly your next boss.

[Anonymous]

This is 2125/2150 again. I think that the difference in the GS level and the salary change really add up quickly PLUS the opportunity to live at Andrews is wonderful because it puts you and your child in a diverse environment with like-minded people ... But you need it firm before you do anything. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP,

I'm the pp who originally suggested Kingstowne and the areas outside of Belvoir (near Beulah gate),... Island Creek Elem area. I just did a mapquest for you coming from that part of Kingstowne/Island Creek and I did it again coming from the Van Dorn side of Kingstowne (further East). It was 25 from the east side and 30 from the Island Creek area to Census. that is at 3:00 p.m. on a Sat. You can assume it would be worse (maybe 10 min. or more, I don't know) during weekdays rush. FWIW, the heavier traffic is moving from Md. in the morning into Va. So, you would be going somewhat against the grain. But, the Wilson bridge (b/t Va. and Md. can be traffic clogged).

I also mapquested from central Bowie (Whitehall school district -- which is the highest rated one or one of the few)... to Census. It was even further than coming from Kingstowne!

You will not be able to live at Andrews as a civilian and you wouldn't want to.

I'm glad you liked the Kingstowne area. I figured you would!! Your child will totally fit right in. No one will bat an eye at a biracial kid. It is so easy to get around -- the roads were planned/built more recently and they are wider and just easier/less stressful than some of the older parts of Alex./Fairfax. The commute from Island Creek area (western part of Ktowne area) is 16 min.

With you being the primary parent, I think keeping commute consistently at 30 min. or less is key so that you can pick up the child on time. There are always rentals in Kingstowne proper (which is its own HOA as well as a general area and town center with movie theater, shopping, restaurants). The HOA has a pool and various activities. Same with Landsdowne HOA. Island Creek also has a pool, but not as many community events... but some.

If you are looking for child care, I would go first with Northern Va. Academy Landsdowne. Second choice would be La Petite Academy or Little Acorn Patch.

Good luck!

These are a variety of rentals:

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/Franconia-VA/house,condo,apartment_duplex,mobile,townhouse_type/5XhvKT_bldg/31636_rid/2-_beds/38.76465,-77.142488,38.75615,-77.160491_rect/15_zm/

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/Franconia-VA/house,condo,apartment_duplex,mobile,townhouse_type/2096544894_zpid/31636_rid/2-_beds/38.765243,-77.136169,38.748243,-77.172175_rect/14_zm/

http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/Franconia-VA/house,condo,apartment_duplex,mobile,townhouse_type/51971311_zpid/31636_rid/2-_beds/38.753397,-77.149966,38.736394,-77.185972_rect/14_zm/

Even though the last one doesn't look as nice, it is in a great community, closest to Ft. Belvoir, Wegmans (you will love), and Nor. Va. Academy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay friends, OP here and there is a plot twist...You've all been so helpful I'm hoping you can provide some objective advice.

I have a firm offer from the PTO with a start date. Starting salary will be 84k pre tax. I will have supplemental income from drill weeks and child support. Today I was offered a position at the Census Bureau across the river in Suitland, but starting salary is roughly 92k.

At first glance the higher salary seems the obvious choice, but here are my concerns:
1. I really like the Alexandria side and have found some potential places to live within budget in the Kingstowne area. Would it still be possible to have a reasonable commute to Suitland from Kingstowne?
2. I know people at the PTO who can vouch for the type of agency it is - a good one. It has been ranked as one of the best places to work in the federal government and is currently ranked 13. I don't know anyone at the Census and I worry about the work/life balance. Although it is an arbitrary number, on the same ranking that PTO is number 13, Census is number 207. I know it seems silly, but I don't want to take a job for more money if the culture sucks.

Can anyone offer any advice? Am I overthinking this?

Starting salary doesn't matter because at the pto, you can promote to 12 in 6 months, then 13 in 1 year, then 14 after 2 years. Max salary as an examiner tops off at 177k..... but it's work.