We Left DC for VA public schools

[Anonymous]

My family moved from DC to Virginia last Spring. We moved primarily to get into a better school system before my son entered the first grade. We live in Fairfax County about 4 miles South of Old Town off the GW Parkway.

We knew that the program in DC was not ideal for a lot of reasons and that it was not going to work for us long term, but until we got him into a top notch public school I didn't even know what we were missing! OMG.

We started "thinking" about moving in November of last year, sold our house in March, and didn't start in the new school system until September. I am a prior teacher AND a real estate agent, so we did mountains of research on neighborhoods, schools, and houses. Our initial destination was North Arlington - we even had a contract on a house there that didn't work out - and as much as I love that area I am glad we ended up in Fairfax County.

It was a really big deal to sell, buy, move a family - switch schools, pediatricians, commute, etc. - WOW. So if anybody is daunted by the task and wants help or advice I am happy to assist if I can.

[Anonymous]

When did you list your house? How long was your house on the market? Did you put a contract on the new house before selling your old house?

I keep thinking and thinking about it and try to see if there is a right time to do it. If I should wait until we save more for the down payment). We would lose a lot to commission and lower housing prices because we bought at/close to peak.

[Anonymous]

We listed our house in mid-January (most agents say not to list before March, but personally I think it is better to list when there is not much competition - the buyers are always out there.) It took 45 days to sell but it was on the market during the 3 week snowstorm!

We identified the neighborhood we wanted and put our house on the market thinking if we got a contract we would see what was out there and if nothing good we would rent for 6 months until we found a house. We did get a contract and we looked at a rental and we talked the owner into selling to us.

Do you belong to any credit unions? Navy Federal offers a really good loan with almost no down payment. If you wait to save a down payment the prices are going to come back up.
That said, Spring is a good time to make a move in my opinion. GOOD LUCK and let me know if you want more help or advice - it really is a big deal and I hope I can help some others navigate the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We listed our house in mid-January (most agents say not to list before March, but personally I think it is better to list when there is not much competition - the buyers are always out there.) It took 45 days to sell but it was on the market during the 3 week snowstorm!

We identified the neighborhood we wanted and put our house on the market thinking if we got a contract we would see what was out there and if nothing good we would rent for 6 months until we found a house. We did get a contract and we looked at a rental and we talked the owner into selling to us.

Do you belong to any credit unions? Navy Federal offers a really good loan with almost no down payment. If you wait to save a down payment the prices are going to come back up.
That said, Spring is a good time to make a move in my opinion. GOOD LUCK and let me know if you want more help or advice - it really is a big deal and I hope I can help some others navigate the process.

gosh how soon people forgot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My family moved from DC to Virginia last Spring. We moved primarily to get into a better school system before my son entered the first grade. We live in Fairfax County about 4 miles South of Old Town off the GW Parkway.

We knew that the program in DC was not ideal for a lot of reasons and that it was not going to work for us long term, but until we got him into a top notch public school I didn't even know what we were missing! OMG.

We started "thinking" about moving in November of last year, sold our house in March, and didn't start in the new school system until September. I am a prior teacher AND a real estate agent, so we did mountains of research on neighborhoods, schools, and houses. Our initial destination was North Arlington - we even had a contract on a house there that didn't work out - and as much as I love that area I am glad we ended up in Fairfax County.

It was a really big deal to sell, buy, move a family - switch schools, pediatricians, commute, etc. - WOW. So if anybody is daunted by the task and wants help or advice I am happy to assist if I can.

So why did you pick Alexandria? That area isn't exactly known as where the highest performing schools are located.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family moved from DC to Virginia last Spring. We moved primarily to get into a better school system before my son entered the first grade. We live in Fairfax County about 4 miles South of Old Town off the GW Parkway.

We knew that the program in DC was not ideal for a lot of reasons and that it was not going to work for us long term, but until we got him into a top notch public school I didn't even know what we were missing! OMG.

We started "thinking" about moving in November of last year, sold our house in March, and didn't start in the new school system until September. I am a prior teacher AND a real estate agent, so we did mountains of research on neighborhoods, schools, and houses. Our initial destination was North Arlington - we even had a contract on a house there that didn't work out - and as much as I love that area I am glad we ended up in Fairfax County.

It was a really big deal to sell, buy, move a family - switch schools, pediatricians, commute, etc. - WOW. So if anybody is daunted by the task and wants help or advice I am happy to assist if I can.

So why did you pick Alexandria? That area isn't exactly known as where the highest performing schools are located.

was gonna say the same thing. probably the worst area of the county.

[Anonymous]

Are you the same poster who put this on Moth (slamming Maury ES in the process) and then offered to serve as everyone's real estate agent now that DC residents could see the error of their ways? Just curious.

[Anonymous]

Probably the worst area of the county.

Not true at all. Some of the schools in Alexandria are great, and some are just fine. But obviously we have different criteria for "worst". Did you attend any of the schools in Alexandria?

[Anonymous]

"Have fun at Applebee's."

-DCUM hall of fame poster

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family moved from DC to Virginia last Spring. We moved primarily to get into a better school system before my son entered the first grade. We live in Fairfax County about 4 miles South of Old Town off the GW Parkway.

We knew that the program in DC was not ideal for a lot of reasons and that it was not going to work for us long term, but until we got him into a top notch public school I didn't even know what we were missing! OMG.

We started "thinking" about moving in November of last year, sold our house in March, and didn't start in the new school system until September. I am a prior teacher AND a real estate agent, so we did mountains of research on neighborhoods, schools, and houses. Our initial destination was North Arlington - we even had a contract on a house there that didn't work out - and as much as I love that area I am glad we ended up in Fairfax County.

It was a really big deal to sell, buy, move a family - switch schools, pediatricians, commute, etc. - WOW. So if anybody is daunted by the task and wants help or advice I am happy to assist if I can.

So why did you pick Alexandria? That area isn't exactly known as where the highest performing schools are located.

You're thinking of Alex. City. Different from where the OP lives in Ffx county. Although, as a resident of Alex city, I am very happy with the elementary school our child attends. We'll move before Middle School.

was gonna say the same thing. probably the worst area of the county.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I f'ed up the quote fxn.

[Anonymous]

OP is talking about the Fairfax County area of Alexandria, where some of the schools are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is talking about the Fairfax County area of Alexandria, where some of the schools are good.

That's really comforting.

[Anonymous]

...but they're not.

The schools in Alexandria are the lowest performing schools in the county every year.

[Anonymous]

We have neighbors who left the very same area you just moved to because of the schools--middle and high--are apparently awful, with lots of gangs, poor academics, even though the elementary was fine.