Friend moving to DC metro area - where to live?

[Anonymous]

Upper NW is quite nice. Lots of big houses with lots of green space in the $2M+ range and quick commute.

But really, a budget matters.

[Anonymous]

We have friends who love South Riding. Huge homes, big lots. Lots of SAHMs. Commute is ridiculous, but people who do it often do the Express Commuter buses to the metro or all the way to downtown.

For a more established community, maybe Fairfax Station?

Price is important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Upper NW is quite nice. Lots of big houses with lots of green space in the $2M+ range and quick commute.

But really, a budget matters.

OP said her friends were looking for affordable areas with good schools. Upper NW does not fit the bill. Too expensive and schools are spotty, once you get past elementary.

[Anonymous]

Affordable is relative. Big homes with halfway decent schools around here means living in bumfuck loudoun or howard county, both of which are fine places but hour-plus commutes to the city. If the budget gets stretched and they really want moco schools, somewhere like darnestown or olney is a possibility, as is burtonsville.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine is moving to the DC metro area. Her husband will be working in DC and they have four children (two preschoolers and two in elementary school). She is from the south and their children are used to big houses and lots of greenery. She doesn't like big cities and prefers the suburbs. She asked me for advice on are affordable but have good schools? I know that the fairfax public school system is really good as well as montgomery. However I'm guessing those neighborhoods are pretty expensive? What about all the others? Any ideas where I should direct her? I don't have kids and live in arlington so I'm not the best person to give advice.

Thanks!

What does she consider "affordable"?

[Anonymous]

Since they are looking for something more in the country, about something along the Brunswick Marc Line? Frederick, point of Rocks, Poolesville/Dickerson are all close or an easy drive to a MARC stop. I know someone who actually lives in lovettsville VA and hops on the train at Brunswick. A long ride but beats driving. Damascus is another option but not as convenient to the train.

[Anonymous]

We really need to know her budget.

I'm going to guess she wants large, newer houses, which

If it's $500k and under, then Ashburn/Leesburg/Urbana.
$400k and under then Lovettsville/Brunswick.
$300k and under then (any of) Charles Town/Martinsburg/Hagerstown/Winchester.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all your replies! I guess when she said "affordable" she meant affordable for the area. Basically they don't want to go above $1.2 million and are looking for something that is 4500-5000 square feet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your replies! I guess when she said "affordable" she meant affordable for the area. Basically they don't want to go above $1.2 million and are looking for something that is 4500-5000 square feet.

Potomac?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your replies! I guess when she said "affordable" she meant affordable for the area. Basically they don't want to go above $1.2 million and are looking for something that is 4500-5000 square feet.

Potomac?

You mean north potomac.

Your only options inside of the beltway near metros w/ good schools is probably Tysons/Falls Church Marshall Pyramid but if she wants green space (lot larger then 1/3 acre) you will need to go further out.

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/7719-Lunceford-Ln-22043/home/9459399

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/2524-Avon-Ln-22043/home/21706114

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/2510-Avon-Ln-22043/home/22963701

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/1949-Leonard-Rd-22043/home/9470827

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/2392-Hurst-St-22043/home/9833809

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/2230-Woodford-Rd-22182/home/9467624

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/9004-Lupine-Den-Dr-22182/home/9373025

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Falls-Church/2401-Walled-Oak-Ct-22043/home/9839041

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your replies! I guess when she said "affordable" she meant affordable for the area. Basically they don't want to go above $1.2 million and are looking for something that is 4500-5000 square feet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all your replies! I guess when she said "affordable" she meant affordable for the area. Basically they don't want to go above $1.2 million and are looking for something that is 4500-5000 square feet.

+1

must be nice

[Anonymous]

What she's looking for is available in Potomac, as well as Rockville, North Potomac, Darnestown, Poolesville and Olney. Some of Laytonsville goes to Damascus cluster and some go to Gaithersburg. Germantown - some go to Northwest and some to Clarksburg.

[Anonymous]

I would minimize the commute as much as possible. Where will they be working?

[Anonymous]

Capitol Hill rocks!