Where Should We Move? MD/VA?

[Anonymous]

We are nearing the end of our city living years. We are in Ward 4 and would like to move in the next 3ish years. Both work in fed/fed adjacent roles. So probably a max 45 minute commute from the City. We have one kid - we would like to be in a good district by the time he is in early elementary years 1/2nd grade. We want a school district that is decent through middle school at least. Racially diverse would be great so our kid doesn't stand out. Budget would be under 1.2M or so. Prefer a SFH - no shared rowhome walls etc., our time in DC has cemented that. We seem to be priced out of Arlington. Alexandria schools seem underwhelming. Where should we go? We have a small preference for VA over MD, but happy to consider suitable areas in both.

Any help suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Silver Spring 20910 or just north of that outside the Beltway

Decent commute, decent schools, diversity

[Anonymous]

Kensington, MD 20895. Some parts of 20895 are more diverse than others, and some schools are more highly rated than others (which is a whole separate debate), and your budget would go pretty far. Accessible to MARC and Metro for an easy commute into DC. Below are examples of what your budget would get you.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4111-Saul-Rd-Kensington-MD-20895/37279245_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3102-Decatur-Ave-Kensington-MD-20895/37296573_zpid/

[Anonymous]

Burke, VA

[Anonymous]

We both live in DC, had a budget of 1M and chose Rockville. Close to the red line but still in a suburb-y area far from the highway and train
It’s 50 min door to door for me, driving to station and taking red line.

[Anonymous]

Both worked*

[Anonymous]

Elementary feeders to HS high schools: Woodson, Lake Braddock, Robinson, Fairfax City, West Springfield. Buy w/in a few miles of one of the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) stations. Free Parking. Much more pleasant than Metro.

[Anonymous]

These recommendations are bleak….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Silver Spring 20910 or just north of that outside the Beltway

Decent commute, decent schools, diversity

This but it would be a little low for your budget so you could also target Rock Creek Hills or Kensington as mentioned by PP. I’m biased but it’s quite nice around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Burke, VA

This is new to me. Would you share what you like about Burke? It’s probably at the far end of our commute and we’ve never been out that way.

[Anonymous]

I recommend looking at Reston. I live in DC but spend a lot of time in Reston for work and know several people who are raising kids there and sending those kids to public schools. It’s a little cultish with the neighborhood association and all that, but your $$ would go far and the trails, woods, pools are all pretty neat.

Silver Line train would get you to work and it’s a pleasant, easy ride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend looking at Reston. I live in DC but spend a lot of time in Reston for work and know several people who are raising kids there and sending those kids to public schools. It’s a little cultish with the neighborhood association and all that, but your $$ would go far and the trails, woods, pools are all pretty neat.

Silver Line train would get you to work and it’s a pleasant, easy ride.

Reston is a really nice place to live but the high school seems … bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These recommendations are bleak….

Unfortunately these recommendations are your options when you want a SFH zoned for decent schools, with a 45 minute or less commute to DC, and your budget is 1.2m max. It is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Burke, VA

This is new to me. Would you share what you like about Burke? It’s probably at the far end of our commute and we’ve never been out that way.

We just moved from DC to the Burke area. It's peaceful, good schools (no fretting over lottery results), neighbors are very friendly. We've already had every adjacent neighbor stop by and say hello, bring us wine, etc. But they also are otherwise minding their business, so not like nosy neighbors. It's peaceful. I can sit on my deck with the shade of mature tall trees listening to birds chirp and feel like I'm on vacation. The heat dome hasn't felt horrible - still cool in the morning and evening to be outside. There are a lot of community pools though you have to pay to join, but they have fun events, you get to know people, kids see their friends from the neighborhood school. It has been a breath of fresh air, frankly.

We loved living in DC and trying new restaurants, etc. but finding it's not particularly different. We had to drive everywhere in the city anyways (couldn't afford a walkable area so all we had near us was a 7-11). In the city, we might drive 15 min or more just to pick up takeout with a short distance, but dealing with traffic and traffic lights; and now I'm driving a much farther distance, but it still takes the same 15 minutes, just less traffic, etc.... and we still have great pizza, Indian, Thai, etc. It just looks farther away on a map, but takes the same amount of time to get there. Closer drive to get to wineries. Occoquan is an adorable river town with cute restaurants and shops, only about 15 min away. Easy drive to Fairfax, Falls Church, etc. for more.

Commute is an hour though so outside your limit, but it can be inside your limit if you're able to commute early (i.e. be on the road by 6:30am) and leave early. You could also choose to pay for express tolls to make it faster, and/or take the VRE if the VRE would work for your job location.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These recommendations are bleak….

Unfortunately these recommendations are your options when you want a SFH zoned for decent schools, with a 45 minute or less commute to DC, and your budget is 1.2m max. It is what it is.

That's not true - North Chevy Chase (or even Chevy Chase if you're okay with a smaller house) is possible with that budget if you're patient.